Cost-of-living crisis drives more adults to consider buying large domestic appliances second-hand
Research of 2,064 adults found only one in five (20 per cent) would bother to take the simple safety step of registering appliances with manufacturers before installing them.
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Hide AdWhile one in four (25 per cent) now say they are likely to consider buying a second-hand appliance online – compared to just one in six (16 per cent) four years ago.
Two in five millennials (37 per cent) are now likely to buy pre-loved items online – with 12 per cent of over 55s being least likely.
Many claim to have already bought a large domestic appliance second hand, with 24 per cent doing so online or from a shop.
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Hide AdSaving money was the highest motivator for buying second-hand (70 per cent), along with it being the only affordable way to replace essential appliances (39 per cent).
The same percentage cited environmental reasons for taking the pre-loved route – which rose to almost half (46 per cent) for millennials.
The research, carried out by AMDEA to mark Register My Appliance Week, showed a significant surge in people thinking about buying a second-hand large domestic appliance.
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Hide AdAMDEA CEO Paul Hide said: “Buying second hand may be a tempting route to cut costs, and registering these pre-loved appliances will avoid skimping on safety.
“We urge anyone with an old or new appliance – whether a brand-new bargain picked up in the sales or installed a while go – to register all their appliances to they can be contacted in case of any safety notifications, repairs or recalls.”
Taking simple and easy steps
The results also found a further 54 per cent said they would find the manual online, while 42 per cent would check installation instruction.
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Hide AdAnd 31 per cent would even have it checked by a qualified technician – presumably with implied costs, rather than the free and simple act of registering.
Only 20 per cent of respondents said they would register their machine with manufacturers in case of a recall before installing a second-hand appliance.
Those polled were more ready to spend extra on fitting door locks or installing camera door-bells then taking simple steps to register their appliances.
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Hide AdThree safety measures seen as most important for homes were fitting good locks (83 per cent), installing video door-bells (20 per cent) – which were ahead of the 15 per cent who cited registering appliances.
Least likely to consider registering as important were Gen X (12 per cent), with Gen Z the keenest (20 per cent).
Online marketplaces were by far the most popular place for people to buy pre-loved (60 per cent), especially for millennials (71 per cent), with charity shops also being a commonplace location (45 per cent).
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Hide AdPaul Hide added: “Most manufacturers accept registrations of machines up to 12 years old, and there’s no need for a proof of purchase.
“It’s completely free and easy to do – it’s a win-win for keeping your home safe and possible increasing the life span of your machine.”
The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) says many are missing out on a free and easy way to help ensure the safety of their homes by failing to register home appliances – both new and second-hand - via registermyappliance.org.uk.