What is a white goods outlet?
A white goods outlet is new white goods with a minor cosmetic fault. The appliance has been used very little, if at all: it was returned within the cooling-off period, or it sustained damage whilst in transit between the factory and our warehouse. Sometimes the damage is only to the box and there is nothing visible on the appliance itself. Sometimes there is a small scratch or dent on the side or on the door.
The difference compared to a new appliance is therefore in its appearance, not in its functionality. Every outlet appliance is checked and tested by an expert before it goes online. If it doesn’t pass that check, we won’t sell it. So don’t confuse ‘outlet’ with ‘second-hand’ or ‘refurbished’: in those cases, someone has used the appliance for years. If an appliance is returned to us with a fault, our technician repairs it and this is noted in the description — but even then, it’s an appliance that comes almost straight from the factory. This refers to a device that comes almost straight from the factory and has some visible external imperfections.
How does a device end up in the outlet?
We have four ways. No showroom models and no devices that have been sitting around for years: we don’t sell those.
Returned within the cooling-off period
A customer ordered the appliance, had second thoughts and returned it within thirty days. That’s allowed, which is why we give those thirty days. Such an appliance will have been plugged in for only a short time at most, for example because the door opened the wrong way or the recess turned out to be just too narrow. We check it over, clean it and put it in the outlet, as we’re no longer allowed to sell it as new.
The box was damaged in transit
White goods are transported on a pallet, sometimes over a few thousand kilometres. During this journey, a cardboard box may occasionally sustain a dent, a tear or a wet corner. The appliance inside is still completely intact; it’s just the packaging that’s no longer in perfect condition. We unpack it, check it inside and out, and sell it as an outlet item.
A scratch or dent on the appliance itself
Sometimes the impact penetrates the cardboard. This might result in a scratch on a side panel, a dent in the door or damage along an edge. This doesn’t affect how it works: the motor, cooling system and electronics are unused. You can see exactly where the damage is in the photos of that particular unit.
Returned with a fault, repaired by us
On the odd occasion, an appliance is returned within the cooling-off period because something wasn’t working. Our own technician investigates the issue, fixes it and then carries out a full test. Only once the appliance has passed this test does it go into the outlet, and the description states what has been repaired. Often there is also minor paintwork damage, which is why such an appliance is classified by us as grade B or C. You get the same warranty on it as on any other outlet appliance.
What types of damage do you come across?
When it comes to damaged white goods, we focus on four main issues, which are described separately for each appliance.
Packaging damage
The box is dented, torn or has been wet, but the appliance inside is unaffected. This is the most common type: the appliance is unused and in perfect condition, but according to our service standards, it can no longer be sold as ‘new’. For these appliances, the condition is listed as ‘only the box is damaged’ and there are no photos of the damage, as there is nothing to photograph.
Transport damage
Sometimes the impact penetrates the cardboard. White goods are transported over long distances on a pallet, and a corner or panel may take a knock. We only sell white goods with transport damage if their functionality remains unaffected; an expert checks this before the item goes online.
White goods with a scratch
A scratch on a side panel or the door, often just a few centimetres long. In a spot that will be against a cupboard or a wall, you won’t notice it at all afterwards. The location of the scratch is stated on the product page and can be seen in the photo.
White goods with a dent
A dent in the metal panel, usually on a door or the base. The same applies here: it doesn’t affect how the appliance works, and how visible it is depends on where the appliance is placed. If you’re unsure whether a dent will bother you, ask our customer service team for an extra photo taken from the angle you’ll be viewing it from.
How do I know where the damage is?
We want to know that ourselves before we sell anything, so we document it. At the top of the product page, you’ll find the condition description, with a short note about this particular item: where the scratch or dent is located. If there’s anything visible on the appliance, we’ll take photos of it. Not of a display model, but of the device that will be delivered to you; you’ll find these photos immediately after the first product photo. If the damage is only on the packaging, there’s nothing to photograph on the device itself, and this will be stated as such.
Would you like to see more than is shown? Ask our customer service team. We’ll then go and check the device and take extra photos of the area you’ve asked about, before you place your order.
What’s included?
The same service as with a new appliance. You’ll receive ‘one year of Pro Witgoed warranty’, with the same fitters and the same customer service. Before the appliance leaves our premises, an expert has checked and tested it. In the Netherlands, we deliver large freestanding appliances free of charge right to the spot in your home, connect them for you, and take your old appliance and the packaging materials away with us. Microwaves, extractor hoods and hobs are delivered as parcels for you to connect yourself. And if you’re not satisfied, you have a 30-day cooling-off period and can return it free of charge, just as with a new appliance.
If you live in the Netherlands and would prefer to collect the appliance yourself in ’s-Hertogenbosch, you’ll receive a fifty-euro cashback into your account. With an outlet appliance, this works out well for us: it means it doesn’t need to be repackaged, and the packaging is precisely the part that’s the issue.
Is an outlet purchase right for you?
That mainly depends on where the appliance will be placed. If the washing machine is tucked away in a utility room or the fridge in a recess, then when buying new you’re essentially paying for a side that nobody ever sees. If the appliance is in the middle of your kitchen and a dent in the door bothers you every day, then choose one where only the box is damaged, or simply go for a new one.
Also bear in mind that we usually only have one outlet appliance in stock: if you take too long to decide, it’ll be gone, and a particular colour or size isn’t always available. If you’re looking for a specific model on a specific date, buying new is the safest option.
A dent is no reason to throw something away
An appliance with a dented box or a scratch on the side works perfectly well. It would be a shame to write it off, as it contains just as much steel, copper and energy as a pristine one. That’s why we check every return and every damaged appliance and resell it, rather than disposing of it. Every outlet appliance that ends up in someone’s kitchen is one that doesn’t need to be manufactured again.