Getting rid of a gas stove in good condition
May 28, 2010 8:07 AM   Subscribe

I have a gas stove in good condition that I want to get rid of. Salvation Army's donation pickup line in my area (Boston) never answers my calls and never returns my messages. What other options do I have? Also, I was told by the stove salesman that selling the stove wasn't a good idea because I'd be liable if the purchaser hooked it up wrong and poisoned or exploded themselves. Is this true, or was it just FUD?
posted by Plutor to Home & Garden (14 answers total)
 
That bit about not selling it is ridiculous. People sell gas stoves all the time! If the stove was sold in safe condition (or even in unsafe condition but with clear disclosure), then any poisonings or explosions due to wrong hookups are on them. Just put it on Craigslist, or if you don't want to do that, see if there's a church or homeless shelter nearby that wants it for its kitchen.
posted by HotToddy at 8:12 AM on May 28, 2010


Used stoves are sold on Craigslist all the time. Did the stove salesman suggest an alternative? Perhaps did he offer to "dispose of it," (i.e. transport it to a used appliance dealer, to whom he will sell it) for a small fee?
posted by jon1270 at 8:16 AM on May 28, 2010


Try Big Brother / Big Sister. They're always calling us for donations and they'll pick up all kinds of stuff.

If that doesn't work, Freecycle is pretty active around here though I'm not sure how easy it is to get rid of large appliances like that.
posted by bondcliff at 8:20 AM on May 28, 2010


I believe that Massachusetts law requires that gas appliances be hooked up by a certified hooker-upper plumber type of person. I know that when we bought our gas stove, it was delivered in Boston and then sat in the middle of the kitchen until our plumber could get to the house to hook it up, since the delivery guys gave us incredulous looks when asked if they'd do it.
posted by catlet at 8:22 AM on May 28, 2010


Response by poster: The salesman said that disposal was included, no fee. But we just felt like that was kind of a waste since it's in such great condition.
posted by Plutor at 8:22 AM on May 28, 2010


The Salvation Army is the other org that takes donations like that in many places (but in many places those groups have stopped taking any donations because of cost of disposing of the trash that so many people 'donated'.) If you were in Washington I could tell you of a church group that sets up homes for the homeless and would love it. There are probably such groups in Boston too.

IANAL but I think that if the stove was safe for you, and you don't know of any problems you wouldn't have any liability. (However, if you anything like me you would lose sleep worrying that the fool buyers would set it up wrong and die anyway.)

In the old days before Craigslist, when newspaper adds cost money, and it took a long time to find a buyer, we would contact the used appliance dealers and find a buyer. That might be harder because with department stores advertising they "remove them for free", like it is a big favor, you know the used dealers have cheep and easy sources, but it still might be worth a try if you don't want to seller to an individual.
posted by Some1 at 8:33 AM on May 28, 2010


Do you have Purple Heart in your area... I believe they would accept it as a donation. Another way to handle it is "Freecycle".
posted by HuronBob at 8:35 AM on May 28, 2010


It is not your responsibility for how the buyer hooks it up.

Up here (Calgary, Canada), generally a resident who has gas service can call their provider and they will do the hook-up for free.
posted by jkaczor at 8:36 AM on May 28, 2010


Habitat for Humanity's ReStore came and took my old applicances. It took them a couple of months to get around to responding and actually picking them up though. Not doable if it's in your kitchen. (Ours were all in a POD during renovations.)
posted by artychoke at 9:01 AM on May 28, 2010


If nothing else, Craigslist free and freecycle.org.
posted by theora55 at 9:15 AM on May 28, 2010


Yes, list it on Craigslist and you will be rid of it within the hour. Also, it is not an official charity, but there are people out there that can't afford to buy one, and so are looking on Craigslist for freebies. You will be helping someone out, regardless.

Even if they are a business, refurbish it and resell it, you will be helping out a small business, which, right now, is not a bad thing.
posted by Vaike at 9:29 AM on May 28, 2010


lol...well at least he doesn't charge a fee to take your old appliances and resell them. what a dirtbag. yeah, craigslist. include a picture, describe it accurately, it'll be gone later today. and you'll have some cash...at least $100

I believe that Massachusetts law requires that gas appliances be hooked up by a certified hooker-upper plumber type of person.

Here in CA, I believe the gas company will do it for free...they'll even come out and fix stuff for free...you might check if they do it there to relieve yourself of some of the FUD.
posted by sexyrobot at 9:45 AM on May 28, 2010


Nthg "Freecycle", especially given that you were prepared to give it away in the first place. Google "Freecycle [your city]", join and "Offer" your stove. You may hear from someone for whom that stove is a life-saver. And the personal contact with the recipient ain't a bad thing, either.
posted by John Borrowman at 1:52 PM on May 28, 2010


Response by poster: We ended up Craigslisting it and getting tons of responses. It was out of our living room within 24 hours. Thanks, everyone, for alleviating our concerns.
posted by Plutor at 11:38 AM on June 2, 2010


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