Need a new Freezer: what's good, what's bad, what's on sale?

[JFoy]

In terms of warranty repairs, the fancy brands like Samsung and LG only use their own service techs - won't authorize 3rd party repair companies. Stories I read were people waiting weeks to get someone out to fix their stuff.

So, I called our local appliance repair guy and asked his opinion. He said Whirlpool as repair response time was dramatically quicker.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

So, I called our local appliance repair guy and asked his opinion. He said Whirlpool as repair response time was dramatically quicker.

Quicker, maybe, but will they weasel out of the warranty? And will they be rude in the process? You bet they will.

 

[JFoy]

Quicker, maybe, but will they weasel out of the warranty? And will they be rude in the process? You bet they will.

Guess we'd have to play the lesser of evils game then - in warranty but slow response vs. weasel out but fixed.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Went to both HD and Lowes, wasn't impressed with their selection, so I called a local appliance dealer (well "local" in that its about 15 miles away from us, but I digress).

I told the salesman (turns out to be the owner) that I was at HD/Lowes and what did he have in +20 cu ft upright freezers that would make the drive worthwhile. First off, he said he couldn't compete with the Big Box Stores on price (more about that later) and that he had two 21 cf Frigidaires, one with adjustable shelves, one without. Told me the price, it was $200 more than what I thought was the equivalent unit at HD, but then he gave me the model number so I could compare it to Lowes/HD! He told me that it was FF, so I said the heck with it and that I'd see him in an hour or so.

Drove the 40 miles or so to the place, walked in and immediately noticed that he had twice the selection that HD/Lowes had - combined. Told him so and he was surprised by this.

Got the biggest one he had: Frigidaire 21 cf Frost Free with adjustable shelves, pretty nice unit. Thought I did ok for only $200 more with a slightly bigger unit (21 vs. 20), all adjustable shelves and known local service support if we needed it. They'll deliver it tomorrow.

Then just a few minutes ago, I decided to check if HD/Lowes had this unit; HD did (though not in my local store, Lowes had one sort of equivalent.

Found out I didn't pay $200 too much. I found out I saved $100!!!

Here's the unit that I got for $799 (the HD shows it in my area as $899 (10% off from $999)): Frigidaire 21. cu. ft. Frost Free Upright Freezer in White, ENERGY STAR-FFFH21F4QW - The Home Depot

Of course when I got home, I told my wife that I got a small 11 cf unit, in other words, about as high as our 11 cu ft chest freezer (she wanted a +20 cf), it was black (she wanted white) and that it was a manual defrost (she wanted frost free). To say she was disappointed was the least of it. She said don't bother having it delivered.

She's either gonna be really surprised tomorrow when she gets home or she's going to kill me in my sleep tonight. Anyone wanna take bets?

LOL, hope to see you posting again

 

[teejk]

Went to both HD and Lowes, wasn't impressed with their selection, so I called a local appliance dealer (well "local" in that its about 15 miles away from us, but I digress).

I told the salesman (turns out to be the owner) that I was at HD/Lowes and what did he have in +20 cu ft upright freezers that would make the drive worthwhile. First off, he said he couldn't compete with the Big Box Stores on price (more about that later) and that he had two 21 cf Frigidaires, one with adjustable shelves, one without. Told me the price, it was $200 more than what I thought was the equivalent unit at HD, but then he gave me the model number so I could compare it to Lowes/HD! He told me that it was FF, so I said the heck with it and that I'd see him in an hour or so.

Drove the 40 miles or so to the place, walked in and immediately noticed that he had twice the selection that HD/Lowes had - combined. Told him so and he was surprised by this.

Got the biggest one he had: Frigidaire 21 cf Frost Free with adjustable shelves, pretty nice unit. Thought I did ok for only $200 more with a slightly bigger unit (21 vs. 20), all adjustable shelves and known local service support if we needed it. They'll deliver it tomorrow.

Then just a few minutes ago, I decided to check if HD/Lowes had this unit; HD did (though not in my local store, Lowes had one sort of equivalent.

Found out I didn't pay $200 too much. I found out I saved $100!!!

Here's the unit that I got for $799 (the HD shows it in my area as $899 (10% off from $999)): Frigidaire 21. cu. ft. Frost Free Upright Freezer in White, ENERGY STAR-FFFH21F4QW - The Home Depot

Of course when I got home, I told my wife that I got a small 11 cf unit, in other words, about as high as our 11 cu ft chest freezer (she wanted a +20 cf), it was black (she wanted white) and that it was a manual defrost (she wanted frost free). To say she was disappointed was the least of it. She said don't bother having it delivered.

She's either gonna be really surprised tomorrow when she gets home or she's going to kill me in my sleep tonight. Anyone wanna take bets?

Just curious...do the manufacturers make special models for HD/Lowes? I know some name brand stuff sold there is "special" and parts might be a problem. My plumber friend was called to fix a name brand faucet the homeowner bought there and couldn't find the parts at his supplier. I had the same problem with a chainsaw.

 

[FTG-05]

LOL, hope to see you posting again

Thanks!

It got delivered this AM, about 20 minutes after she left. She's gonna be surprised when she opens the garage door!

 

[FTG-05]

Just curious...do the manufacturers make special models for HD/Lowes? I know some name brand stuff sold there is "special" and parts might be a problem. My plumber friend was called to fix a name brand faucet the homeowner bought there and couldn't find the parts at his supplier. I had the same problem with a chainsaw.

Yes, especially for Black Friday deals, which is what I think the 20 cf $599 model was at HD. The one I bought was not since it was available at the local dealer. This morning I talked to the delivery guys and they said they can't compete with the BF specials. One thing to keep in mind is that BF specials can be built to a price point - everlasting is cheapened out to get to the price point. Another reason I was motivated to buy from a local dealer.

 

[bigtiller]

We bought a used Amana chest freezer from my parents in 1993. It's never been shut off, except for defrosting, and is still working today.

 

[teejk]

We bought a used Amana chest freezer from my parents in 1993. It's never been shut off, except for defrosting, and is still working today.

My parents had a big chest freezer manufactured by International Harvester! And I knew somebody that had one manufactured by Ford (Philco???). And as I recall Frigidaire was at one time a subsidiary of General Motors. They ran forever but that was back in the days of cheap electricity...doubt you'd want to own one now (although have to wonder whether the incremental energy cost would exceed the cost of having to replace them every 10 years like it is today).

 

[s219]

I lost track of all the brands, but I know Frigidaire, KitchenAide, Whirlpool and a couple others are made by the same company now. GE sold off their appliance business to Haier (China) this summer. I think the Korean companies (Samsung, LG) are the only independents now.