Shopping For Scratch and Dent Appliances

Scratch and Dent Appliance stores appear to be everywhere, if you google for them. Real finds can be found here: dishwashers, ranges, cooktops, freezers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, even trash compactors, dehumidifiers, and window air conditioning units are available.

When shopping for your bargain purchase, remember to investigate the following:

1. Are they offering only scratch and dent products, or does their inventory include Closeouts, Seasonal Items, Overstock, Floor Models, Discontinued Items? (Stores that focus on scratch and dents may have better prices.)

2. Do they respect manufacturers' warranties?

3. Do they deliver? Do they install as well?

4. Will they take your old one away? Better yet, will they buy it?

5. What financing, promotions, rebates, etc. apply?

6. What are their references? How long have they been in business?

7. Do they do repairs?

8. Do they warrant what they sell, independently from the manufacturer?

9. Is there a return policy?

Before the Library: Good Writer Info Site

Barnes & Noble have a growing collection of information on writers at their site. It's a big list, and it is organized in several ways: alphabetically, topically, by genre, etc.

Here, you can learn a lot about the writers' favorite reads, the reasons behind their work, background information. Some entries include video interviews with the authors.

Nice place to go before you go to the library ....where the books are free for the reading (although I suppose Barnes & Noble would prefer you went and bought some things at their store ...).

(Who's in that photograph? Answer is here.)

No State Income Tax

Not every state taxes the income of its citizenry. Just something to ponder if you're considering relocation. Those that don't: Alaska, Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, South Dakota, and Wyoming. (Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, only tax income from dividends and interest.)

For those that do tax, the rates vary. A comparision chart is provided at tax.admin.org.

(Those states appearing in red do not have a state income tax.)