Quick Answer
To buy used appliances in Ottawa, try stores that test and warranty their stock: Appliances Planet (59 Montréal Rd) advertises a 3-month warranty, Appliance-Now Canada (2220 Walkley Rd) a 1-month warranty, Appliances Liquidation Warehouse (20 Caesar Ave, Nepean) a one-year warranty, and the Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore tests items and gives a 14-day warranty. To sell, list on Fliku, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace. Warranty terms are what the stores advertise, so confirm them before you pay.
When a fridge dies in Ottawa, it never dies at a convenient time. It is usually a Friday evening in August with a freezer full of groceries, or the week before your lease starts, or just after a big shop. You need a replacement, you do not want to pay full price, and you want something that is going to work for more than a month. Used appliances can be a great answer, as long as you buy them in the right place.
This guide is for both sides: if you need to buy, here are the Ottawa places I would look first and what to check; if you have an appliance to sell, here is how to price it and get it gone.
Where to Buy Used Appliances in Ottawa
Buying from a store costs more than buying from a stranger on a classifieds site, but you get testing, delivery and a warranty. For an appliance you cannot afford to have fail, that trade-off is often worth it. These are Ottawa options that advertise tested or warrantied used appliances.
| Where | What it advertises | Warranty (as advertised) |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances Planet, 59 Montréal Rd | Tested pre-owned fridges, washers, dryers, stoves, freezers; delivery and installation; serves Ottawa, Gatineau, Kanata, Barrhaven, Orléans and Nepean | 3 months |
| Appliance-Now Canada, 2220 Walkley Rd, Unit 103 | Used appliances | 1 month |
| Appliances Liquidation Warehouse, 20 Caesar Ave, Nepean | Open box, like new, refurbished, scratch and dent, and second-hand items | One year |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore | Donated and tested appliances at low prices | 14 days, tested for electrical function |
| Fliku, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace | Private sellers; the lowest prices | None; you take the risk |
The warranty terms in the table are what each store advertises on its own website, and they can change, so ask exactly what is covered and for how long before you pay. The Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore locations page lists the three ReStore stores and their hours, and the ReStore's appliance range is shown on its online shop. For a comparison with Kingston's options, see used appliances in Kingston.
What a Used Appliance Should Cost
Prices depend on the type, brand, age and condition, so I will not pretend to give you one number. A useful framework is this: private sales are cheapest because there is no warranty, store prices are higher because the store has tested and delivers the item, and new prices are the ceiling. For a standard fridge or washer under ten years old, used prices are usually well below new, and store prices sit between private and new. Check what similar items are selling for in your area before you decide.
| Appliance | Private sale | Store with warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge (standard) | Lowest | Moderate | Check the seals, cooling and noise |
| Washer | Lowest | Moderate | Run a cycle and check for leaks |
| Dryer (electric) | Lowest | Moderate | Check heating and the drum |
| Stove | Lowest | Moderate | Test every burner and the oven |
| Dishwasher | Lowest | Moderate | Check that it drains and does not leak |
What to Check Before You Buy
A few minutes of inspection saves hundreds of dollars. Whether you buy from a store or a person, check the following.
- Age and brand: look up the model number to confirm the year and check that parts are available.
- See it running: a fridge should be cold, a washer should fill, spin and drain, and a dryer should heat.
- Look for leaks, rust and damage: especially around door seals, hoses and the bottom of the unit.
- Smell and noise: burning smells and grinding or rattling sounds are red flags.
- Check dimensions and hookups: measure the space, and confirm whether you need electric or gas and 120 or 240 volts.
- Ask about delivery and installation: some stores include it, others charge extra.
Before you buy any appliance, you can also check the Government of Canada recalls and safety alerts site for the brand and model. A recalled appliance should not be sold or given away until it is fixed.
Selling Your Used Appliance in Ottawa
If you have a working appliance to sell, you will usually earn more selling it yourself than trading it in. Clean it inside and out, test it and gather the manual and accessories. Take photos in daylight, including the model label, and say how old it is, whether it is clean and working, and why you are selling. State the dimensions and whether the buyer needs to disconnect it themselves. Then list it on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.
The key to selling an appliance is making pickup easy. Say whether it is on the ground floor, whether there are stairs, and whether you can help carry. Many buyers need a truck or a delivery service, and stores often sell delivery. Offer pickup windows, and make sure the appliance is disconnected and ready. For pricing, check what similar appliances are listed for, and price slightly below the closest match to sell quickly. See how to price used items for a fast sale.
Apartment, Condo and Student Moves
Ottawa has a large rental market, and moves are concentrated around the first of the month and the end of April and August. If you are moving in or out, plan for the logistics: book the elevator in a condo or apartment building, measure doorways, and check whether your landlord provides appliances. If you are a student, our guide to selling furniture when moving out in Ottawa and tenant rights guide explain what is yours to sell and what stays. If you leave appliances that belong to the landlord, you cannot sell them.
Safe Meetups and Scams in Ottawa
Ottawa has something many cities do not: official Safe Trade parking spots at police stations, set up for exchanges that start on online marketplaces. The Ottawa Police Safe Trade zones include the visitors' lot at 466 Metcalfe Street (behind the 474 Elgin Street station), 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata, 245 Greenbank Road in Nepean, 4561 Bank Street in Leitrim and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. They are not monitored around the clock, and Ottawa Police say they do not take responsibility for the transaction, so you still need to use your head. But a lot of bad actors simply will not show up at a police station, which is the point.
For a big appliance, you will usually be meeting at your home or the buyer's, so apply common sense. Have someone with you, keep the appliance near the door and do not let a stranger wander through the house. Accept cash or an e-transfer that you can see in your own account. Be suspicious of buyers who offer more than your asking price or want to send a courier, and read how to avoid scams when selling locally.
If It Does Not Work: Donate, Repair or Recycle
A broken appliance is not always worthless. Some are worth repairing, particularly newer models and premium brands, and a technician can tell you what it will cost. If repair is not worth it, a scrap metal buyer or a recycler may take it. Many retailers will remove an old appliance when they deliver a new one, sometimes for a fee, and the City of Ottawa has guidance on how to dispose of large items and metal. If the appliance works but you do not need it, the ReStore accepts donations and can arrange pick-up for large items, so check with your nearest location.
Ottawa appliance checklist
- Look up the model number to confirm age, parts and recalls
- See the appliance running before you pay
- Check for leaks, rust, damage and strange smells or sounds
- Measure the space and confirm the electrical or gas hookup
- Ask what the warranty covers, and get it in writing
- Ask about delivery, installation and removal of your old unit
- Meet sellers safely and confirm payment in your own account
Running Costs, Energy Labels and Age
An old appliance can be cheap to buy and expensive to run. Older fridges and freezers in particular use more electricity than modern models, so a bargain can cost more over a year than it saves. If you are buying, check the energy label on the appliance, ask the age and compare it with newer models. If you are selling, mention if it is an efficient model, because that is a selling point for buyers who care about their bills. A fridge that is ten or fifteen years old may still work, but whether it is worth buying depends on its energy use and your budget.
Installation, Gas and Delivery
Installing an appliance is not always a do-it-yourself job. A washer or dryer needs hookups and venting, and a gas stove or dryer requires a gas connection that should be done by a qualified gas technician, not by a friend with a wrench. Ask the store whether delivery and installation are included, and whether it will remove your old unit. If you are buying privately, plan how you will transport the appliance: fridges must be moved upright, washers need their drum bolts and transit locks secured, and heavy units need two or three people. If you are not sure, a delivery and installation fee is usually worth paying.
Appliances in Rentals: What Is Yours?
If you rent in Ottawa, check your lease before you buy or sell appliances. Many rentals include a fridge and stove, and those belong to the landlord, not to you, so you cannot sell them. If you bought your own, you can take them with you or sell them, but make sure the unit is returned in the condition your lease requires. When you move out, leave the landlord's appliances clean and in place, and remove your own. Our tenant rights guide for Ottawa explains the basics.
Buying or selling an appliance in Ottawa?
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List Your Appliance on FlikuFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy used appliances in Ottawa, Ontario?
You can buy used appliances in Ottawa from stores such as Appliances Planet (59 Montréal Rd), Appliance-Now Canada (2220 Walkley Rd), Appliances Liquidation Warehouse (20 Caesar Ave, Nepean) and the Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore, or privately on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Stores test items and offer warranties; private sales are cheapest but carry more risk.
Do used appliances in Ottawa come with a warranty?
Stores usually offer one, as advertised on their websites: roughly 3 months at Appliances Planet, 1 month at Appliance-Now, one year at Appliances Liquidation Warehouse and 14 days at the Habitat ReStore. Private sellers usually offer none. Terms can change, so confirm what is covered and for how long before you pay.
How do I check if a used appliance is safe?
See it running, check for leaks, rust and damage, listen for strange noises and smells, and look up the model number on the Government of Canada recalls and safety alerts site. A recalled appliance should not be sold or given away until it is fixed.
Where can I donate a working appliance in Ottawa?
The Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore accepts donations at its Stittsville, Trainyards and City Centre locations and can arrange pick-up for large items. Phone first to confirm what it accepts, because items that are broken or unsafe are usually declined.
Where should I meet buyers when selling an appliance in Ottawa?
For a large appliance you will usually meet at your home, so have someone with you, keep the item near the door and take payment you can verify. For smaller items, Ottawa Police Safe Trade parking spots at several police stations are good places to meet.
