Refrigerator Recommendations?

Serendipity

Well, it seems like our old GE is about to go belly up so I was looking for a replacement and this is what I came across:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04608793000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Refrigerators&sName=Top+Freezers

Does anybody here have a similar fridge? How is the reliability? The old ones seem to last 20+ years if taken care of properly (motors lubricated every year, coils cleaned regularly, etc.) but I'm not sure about their newer models. $1100 is a lot to spend and I'd hate to have it last only a few years.

So are these good units or not?

Ricardo

Not sure about that specific unit, but $1,100 should buy you a LOT more refrigerator than that....at least 25 cu ft.

MikeC78

If you have a Sam's Club or Costco nearby, I'd check out what limited selection the have. They usually have good prices on appliances, just not to many to choose from.

Also, check out the discontinued items sitting on the floor, I purchased a $1400 Kenmore Pro dishwasher for $699 on the floor without a mark on it. I'm sure with our current state of economy there are better deals to be found than that.

MikeC78

Anyway, I'll look up that specific model on my ConsumerReports account if you are interested in that exact model only.

EDIT: CSR is not showing that model tested, sorry.

Serendipity

MikeC78 wrote: »

Also, check out the discontinued items sitting on the floor, I purchased a $1400 Kenmore Pro dishwasher for $699 on the floor without a mark on it. I'm sure with our current state of economy there are better deals to be found than that.

I would, depending on the condition though. If it's missing pieces or badly scratched, I'd skip going with a floor model...

As per the old fridge, it seems to run fine for a few months then it gets very noisy. So what I do is add a bit of 3-in-1 sewing machine oil to the motor and clean the coils. That has kept it running for a while now.

But recently, I noticed it's not getting as cold as before and the temperature has to be set to MAX. Also the compressor runs all the time and makes lots of loud noises. So I guess it's time for a new fridge

george daniel

We bought a similar GE fridge from sears 8 years ago,, so far it's been a jem. Good luck

Serendipity

george daniel wrote: »

We bought a similar GE fridge from sears 8 years ago,, so far it's been a jem. Good luck

Thanks, do you think the extra cost of the GE vs. a low-end fridge is worth it? I've seen some of the Haier and LG units go for as low as $400...

Lowell_M

I would go with this model. It's almost half the price of the GE...

Serendipity

a_mattison wrote: »

I would go with this model. It's almost half the price of the GE...

That would be more appropriate for my dorm room

kaisersose

I bought my last fridge off ebay, there are local scratch and dent dealers on there. This can save you alot of money.

kaisersose

bought my last fridge off ebay, there are local scratch and dent dealers on there. This can save you alot of money

obieone

Having spent 2 months fixing them, IF you can do without the 'bells & whistles'
I'd go with SIMPLEST model, with the most cubic ft.

Serendipity

kaisersose wrote: »

I bought my last fridge off ebay, there are local scratch and dent dealers on there. This can save you alot of money.

Nah, I'd rather go with a trusted place such as a local appliance store or Sears for such an item...

McLoki

Our last fridge we purchased was a scratch and dent Samsung from Best Buy. (I did not even know Samsung made fridges)

We have had it for a couple of years now and it has been a great fridge. I would certainly purchase another one (if the price was right). It works well and is very efficient.

Michael.

Serendipity

Although Samsung is a good brand, I'm kinda biased towards GE because every one of their appliances here has lasted decades...so I am choosing GE based on past experience.

I guess the unit in the OP will most likely be it - unless I can find a better, more reliable unit for the same price.

Kex

appadv wrote: »

Although Samsung is a good brand, I'm kinda biased towards GE because every one of their appliances here has lasted decades...so I am choosing GE based on past experience.

I guess the unit in the OP will most likely be it - unless I can find a better, more reliable unit for the same price.

We shopped recently for a refrigerator too. In terms of style, LG and Samsung had much better quality interior finishings IMO than GE or Kenmore Elite, or even Kitchen Aid. If you want to buy GE, $1,100 for that particular model seems very steep, by about 10-25%! It is a top freezer model, not the currently more desireable bottom freezer models or French door models. Check pricing for different GE models and see if you can do better IMO.

sucks2beme

Wait a week. There's gonna be some deals.

Sherardp

I have a side by side with water/ice dispenser from Whirlpool and its pretty sweet, 25.6 cubic feet, paid 1199, new.

Hilbert

I got my current fridge, an econo GE model, from the Sam's Club web site. Good price, satisfactory service.

Serendipity

Kex wrote: »

If you want to buy GE, $1,100 for that particular model seems very steep, by about 10-25%! It is a top freezer model, not the currently more desireable bottom freezer models or French door models. Check pricing for different GE models and see if you can do better IMO.

Why do you think so? Lasareath paid around $1000 for his fridge and IMO it's a reasonable price.

I have a 2nd GE fridge from the 1950's (yes, the 50's) that still worked until a few years ago so they are definitely well built!! The current one we have is about 20 years old.

disneyjoe7

I don't wish to give the brand but it's a biggie one. My old 20 year frig in the garage saved me one day when the side by side 3 year old one died one day. Since I can fix it myself, I found the thermostat bad $75 bucks later another China made part and its working again. I will say they don't make them like they did years ago for sure.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I don't wish to give the brand but it's a biggie one. My old 20 year frig in the garage saved me one day when the side by side 3 year old one died one day. Since I can fix it myself, I found the thermostat bad $75 bucks later another China made part and its working again. I will say they don't make them like they did years ago for sure.

I've been fixing this one myself too, yet it's come to the point where it's not as efficient as it used to be. The most important thing was to keep the coils clean and the motors lubricated. Whenever the fridge started making strange noises I knew it was time for maintenance.

So what do you think about the GE unit then?

disneyjoe7

I know you're looking at a GE model so I don't wish to say anything about anything, but I would try to match the other brands in the kitchen. I will say the one I had trouble with wasn't a GE and I found it rather odd it wasn't on the Consumer reports recommendations either, but GE was there.

Serendipity

Match the other brands in the kitchen? Then it would have to be a GE.

If you don't like GE, that's fine. Its just my opinion that GE = legendary reliability. IMHO

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

Match the other brands in the kitchen? Then it would have to be a GE.

If you don't like GE, that's fine. Its just my opinion that GE = legendary reliability. IMHO

I don't think GE is any worst or better then anything else. It's just not my preference, but as another brand had an issue with me I feel they are all the same. They all have issues of one kind or the other, its sad no one wishes to make anything last.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I don't think GE is any worst or better then anything else. It's just not my preference, but as another brand had an issue with me I feel they are all the same. They all have issues of one kind or the other, its sad no one wishes to make anything last.

I agree that nothing's made to last these days. Don't even get me started on modern electronics such as DVD players, HTiB's, which are basically throwaway items to begin with.

As for the fridge, it better last 10+ years if it is going to cost $1100.

disneyjoe7

I agree but I feel they are built for the "Service Call" at 3 to 5 year range.

Serendipity

I didn't see that. So I guess it's going to be $989.99 then.

Serendipity

That's odd, the site says that delivery does not include set-up and installation. Either way, I'll have no problems getting it set up.

disneyjoe7

I don't think a water line or ac plug is going to stop ya. Of cause if there's no water line....

Serendipity

If I could handle my basement remodel, I think I can handle a fridge

Odd though - the old fridge is working again, but with the rear panel off. I cleaned it again today and left the cover off to see the fan motor and it is a little slow. But it works so what the heck...