Buying appliances

[intellectsucks]

We’re moving into a new house and know that we’re going to have to purchase some new appliances (refrigerator, washer and dryer, possibly dishwasher) and I’d like to do this in the most mustachian way possible.  For other items I’d hop right onto Craigslist and find something reasonably priced, but I have a few concerns with doing that for these items.
When purchasing items like this used, how do you check them for reliability?  Any decent looking used ones on craigslist are still a couple of hundred bucks, and I’d lose my mind if I dropped $250-$500 on a fridge and it conked out after six months.  If I’m understanding correctly, warranties don’t apply to used products and I’m useless when it comes to repairing shit like this.
Do scratch and dent appliances still count as “new” for warranty purchases (particularly when using the extra warranty protection provided by a credit card)?  If so, are these appliances discounted enough to make it worth over used?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[mires]

Sometimes your smaller local appliance stores will sell used appliances and generally give at least some kind of warranty. I know several people that have gone this route and worked out well every time.

[affordablehousing]

I think it's a fair trade off- buy a good new refrigerator for $1000 that may last 5 years or may last 25 years, or buy a craigslist one that may last 2 years or 20 years. Most appliances should have the date they were manufactured on them. If you buy them new, get them from an out of state online retailer who provides free shipping, no sales tax, and you can usually negotiate. If you don't mind white appliances, get them on craigslist and budget for some possible repairs that may or may not come up. Also, $250-$500 for a used fridge is a ton, in our market, urban california, used fridges are about $100.