As summer approaches and temperatures rise, the hum of refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines fills homes. These appliances are no longer luxuries but necessities to combat the sweltering heat. Yet, for many, buying them brand new remains out of reach.
Not everyone in the city can afford to purchase new appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners (ACs), and other costly household goods that can strain the family budget. A 180-litre refrigerator with a five-star rating and a one-year warranty (plus a five-year compressor warranty) typically costs around Rs 10,000. A new washing machine costs about Rs 7,000, while a one-tonne AC is priced at approximately Rs 25,000.
In Old Bhopal, near Lal Masjid, a well-known second-hand appliance market, often referred to as the "Refrigerator Market," offers these products at affordable prices that suit a common man's budget.
Saad, a shop owner who has been running a store in this market since 2009, says, "There are more than 25 to 30 shops here. We buy and sell second-hand products. It is a market for middle-class families. We purchase these products from people who come here to sell them. Then, we repair them, replacing or fixing any damaged parts, and make them fully functional. Some of our products are also those that get damaged during transportation."
Though the market sells the entire range of appliances, the summer belongs to refrigerators and air conditioners. Saad adds, "We have washing machines starting from Rs 3,500, refrigerators from Rs 4,000, and ACs within Rs 10,000."
The market usually does not offer any warranty, but most sellers do provide a three-day testing period. If any issues arise within this time, the product will be repaired.
The market is busiest during summer, with footfall increasing between 2 PM and 8 PM. However, due to Ramadan, business is slow this year. Sellers believe that after Eid, as the summer heat intensifies, the market will pick up.
On both sides of the road, old and refurbished appliances are displayed in front of every shop. Most of these shops have been operating here for over two decades.
A man inquiring about a refrigerator within his budget said, "Bro, my monthly income is not enough to buy a brand-new one, and summer will peak from April. As sales increase, prices will also rise, and negotiating with sellers will become difficult. So, this is the right time to buy. My six-year-old child and wife have been asking for a fridge, which is why I am here."
Most shop owners prefer to remain anonymous. A seller in his late 30s says, "At present, buying all appliances brand new is not easy for middle-class families, students, and bachelors. That’s why we are here—to provide them with affordable options within their budget. I have been doing this work for a decade, and my customers have never complained about the products."
Beside him, a 50-year-old man smilingly questions, "What’s the difference between new and used products? A company sells a product after polishing it well, displaying it in a swank showroom, and hiring experts to market it. That’s the basic reason why new products are expensive. But these are machines, not humans. If one part is damaged, it can be repaired. That’s exactly what we do—we find the problem, fix it, and make the machine as good as new."
