Buying A New Refrigerator, It's An Experience.

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services

There is stuff you SHOULD know when setting out to purchase a new refrigerator.

A new refrigerator can cost you as little as $800.00 for an small (18 cubic foot), family size fridge. You can also spend $10,000. for a ginormous household fridge.

Tip: Do not confuse need with desire. Desire costs!

Here is my story. Our fridge died Friday afternoon, this weekend. Not a good time to call a repair person (is it ever?). With the normal rate being about $100.00 an hour and time and a half or double on a weekend I decided to blow that plan off completely.

We set out with four stops in mind: Menard's, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Karl's, in that order.

Menard's: They had a really good price on one we liked BUT the little part time twit who waited on us was a royal pain in the ass. The twit did not know what the delivery fee was and if they had a disposal fee (he was not willing to go find out for us but he was willing to give me directions to the service desk that handles that).

Home Depot: Fair prices on the product but the delivery service would not bring the product into the home and disposal was not an option either.

Best Buy: While they had models on the floor all sales were by order and we would have to wait 2 weeks for delivery. Delivery was free and disposal was cheap. We were ready to pull the trigger here but we set out to go to all four retailers so off we went to...

Karl's: They had what we wanted in stock, but not on display. Delivery was $75.00 and haul away of the old fridge was $12.00. BEST YET was they could/did deliver it on Monday.

Back to my tip and a little more background: Do not confuse need with desire. Desire costs!

With 50 years of appliance buying and home owner experience the only fridges I've had to replace had water and ice in the door. Our new one does NOT. Does size mater? If you don't need a 25 cubic foot fridge don't buy one. Does finish matter, if not get black or white (all our appliances are white). Extras are extra things that can go wrong. Stay in budget so you can afford to stock your refrigerator. Last of all make sure you are familiar with all the fees associated with purchasing your new appliance. Our $699.00 dollar fridge cost $846. with taxes and fees.

 

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Comments (22)

Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I don't really enjoy shopping for anything and I remember upgrading my fridge quite a while back and not liking it as much as the previous one I had, haha.

Feb 07, 2023 04:38 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Bob - I can see how a refrigerator purchasing experience can leave people who don't like major appliance shopping a bit cold.  It seems upfront preparation works in many cases.  Unfortunately, not all.  

Feb 07, 2023 04:50 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

There is a big selection for refrigerators and freezers - now you can get all sorts of electronic stuff also. I opt for simple!

Feb 07, 2023 04:57 AM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We just bought a new frig and it is not over as yet. The delivery was at the door and when they started to take off the protection and there were a couple of dings on the front panels. Called the store and they will be replacing it when we get back from vacation.

Feb 07, 2023 05:24 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

 Happy Taco Tuesday, make it a great day and sell a house. Bill 

Feb 07, 2023 05:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I know all about fridge shopping, Bob. I needed to replace my GE built-in Profile about two and half years ago. Fortunately, my home warranty covered most of the cost. But it was right in the middle of the pandemic and inventory was scarce. I went to my local Plaza Appliance Store who had the perfect fridge deliverable in 24 hours, installed and old one taken away for any extra $100. Worth every penny. And I got a good discount on the fridge, as well. I buy all my appliances at Plaza Appliance... got great deals on a new dishwasher last year and a a new washer and dryer three years ago.

Feb 07, 2023 06:22 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It was more challenging then I expected Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944 but it helped to have the simple plan of knowing where we were going to shop and then sticking to it.

Feb 07, 2023 06:27 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It sounds like we both followed the same purchasing path Wayne Martin . I think wisdom comes with age as if this situation would have presented itself to me 30 years ago I would want the most wiz-bang appliance available. (it would have had to be internet/blue tooth ready if I was in my 30's today)

Feb 07, 2023 06:30 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Brian England I may end up missing the ice despencer but I know my bride will make sure the good old reliable ice trays will be ready as I need them.

Feb 07, 2023 06:32 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

The shopping doesn't leave me cold Michael Jacobs ... it's the paying for it. 😊  Normally I would not have gone to either Karl's or Home Depot BUT the builders I worked with always used one or the other so I wanted to see why. I'm glad I did.

Feb 07, 2023 06:36 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

We opted for simple as well Kat Palmiotti . You still see some of those old rounded top refrigerators in service today and they must be 60 years old. They did one thing, refrigerate, and they did it well. 

Feb 07, 2023 06:38 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I hope they get it straightened out before you return from vacation Ed Silva . You wonder how that happens. BTW I have purchased many scratched or dinged items at a great discount but who would want that in an area that is a focal point of your home?

Feb 07, 2023 06:41 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thank you for the reminder Bill Salvatore - East Valley . With Tina in town we may have to hit Taco Tuesday.

Feb 07, 2023 06:42 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It is worth every penny of the $100. to have them deliver the new and take out the old Nina Hollander, Broker .  They only had to deal with 4 steps but that was four steps and a very heavy appliance I didn't have to deal with. They also switched the door to swing the opposite direction at no charge. It came opening to the right and with our stove being on the right I thought it would be easier for Carol NOT to have to walk around the door while busy in the kitchen.

Feb 07, 2023 06:48 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Bob "RealMan" Timm hi Bob... I have more than four steps leading to my front door! And when the $100 includes installation, it's a bargain!

Feb 07, 2023 06:52 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Bob, I bought all new black stainless steel appliances when I moved into my new digs, and within 14 months, the refrigerator's condenser went out.   I didn't buy a new one, because I really like the one I have.   It is a Kenmore elite, which is LG, and like the placement of everything.   What kind did you end up with?

Feb 07, 2023 08:00 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

LMAO Bob "RealMan" Timm .  How do you really feel about your first Representative?  Twit...??  Funny for me, not so much for you I am sure.  M   I have a similar story although the rep ended up suffering not me.  lol

Feb 07, 2023 09:00 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I believe it is a GE Joan Cox but I'm in the office and it of course is at home so I can not say for sure. The one thing we have noticed already is that with the freezer on top you always have to bend down to look in the fridge.

Feb 07, 2023 11:00 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

We liked that as well Joan Cox but LG did not have anything in the price range we set. Setting a spending limit is also a good idea that I should have mentioned in my post.

Feb 07, 2023 01:46 PM
Joan Cox

I like this LG, the freezer is on the bottom, and has many compartments, so nothing gets lost at the bottom.

Feb 07, 2023 11:47 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho the kid could hardly be more inept. This actually was fine with me as my last two transactions with Menard's were not just negative, they were very negative. It's a shame as my kid's always called Menard's "Daddy Disneyland" because I loved going there. Those last two, now three incidents have ruined a 30+ year relationship. 

Feb 07, 2023 11:06 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bob- when we moved into our first home in 1980, my grandmother bought us a Sears Kenmore fridge. It last through several moves and many years. We finally sold it not because anything was wrong with it but felt it was time for a new one. 'We've had one brand that I would never recommend, and after reading reviews on other sites, I am not alone. 

Feb 07, 2023 07:42 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

They were built to last in the 50's and 60's Kathy Streib but that doesn't seem to be the case these days. I just did a quick check and there are about 55 brands out there however almost all of them are owned by 5 companies. Have you ever heard of an Electrolux refrigerator? I  have not yet they own Frigidaire, Tappan, Kelvinator and Gibson appliance brands.

Whirlpool owns Jenn-Air, Maytag, Amana, Roper, and KitchenAid brands.

And the other 3 also own multiple names we are all familiar with.

 

Feb 08, 2023 06:56 AM