Freshman, You asked if I saw the Whirlpool Latitude (their new ~28 cu ft French-door refrigerator). Sorry it's taking me so long to respond, but construction to repair flood damage here has kept me busy. Yes, I did look at the Latitude on a couple of occasions. I think it will be strong competition for the Samsung, containing most of the same features. The Latitude does offer a superior ice maker that is in the door and the bin is easily removable. The display has more info than the Samsung, such as the TOD, and the water dispenser is adjustable, so you can fill large vessels. What it is missing is the twin-cooling, but I haven't been convinced that's important. I dismissed the Whirlpool for my application solely because of esthetic design considerations. My kitchen and family room are one open space, and the fridge dominates, so getting the prettiest "monster" is very important. I need a black refrigerator (only because SS have grey sides -- anyone know of a SS with black sides?), and the Whirlpool black is a tinny looking metal vs the shine of the Samsung. I also am not wild about the design of the handles, but I could live with them if the finish suited me. I was told that KA will probably introduce a similar FD in about a year after the bugs have been worked out of the Latitude. I would expect the KA to have a bit more "polished" look. I think the Latitude would be a nice addition to many kitchens, it just doesn't seem to fit mine. I hope this helps. Ellencr

I don't see anybody jumping in, so maybe I can help get a conversation started for you. GE had pretty significant reliability and parts problems with its fridges when it started contracting out (outsourcing), but it has brought much of its production back to the US a few years ago. CR's survey data shows that GE is now no less (and no more) reliable than most other brands of SxS models. In our area, GE also cut back on the number of dealers it works with and seems to be concentrating on the highest-volume retailers and big-box stores. Some friends bought one of the large new GE SxS models a month or so ago -- I think it is the one rated for 29 cut. ft. -- and say they are very pleased with its features and capacity. Something to else to bear in mind is that rated capacity is often overstated. Supposedly 25 to 28 cu. ft. SxS fridges sometimes turn out to have no more than 18 cu. ft. of actual capacity. Capacity is affected by the size of the through-the-door ice and water dispensers and some of the larger capacity models have two ice makers. If memory serves, CR rated the Whirlpool and Samsung SxS models as having more usable capacity than other brands with similar capacity claims. Samsung models have separate evaporators for the freezer and fridge compartments. Not the same as having completely separate compressors and cooling systems (ala Sub Zero) but still something of a marketing leg up because of the theoretical advantages. When I was fridge shopping, it seemed that the jury was still out on whether the separate evaporators made much practical difference. Doesn't the biggest Samsung SxS have an external display screen that connects to the internet or you smart phone or displays photos or something? Strikes me one more thing to fail. cascade to other circuitry and interfere with the primary functions. FWIW, some friend have had a Samsung 26 cu. ft. SxS (no screens) for three years with no problems. They make heavy use of the external dispensers. This post was edited by JWVideo on Sun, Jul 6, 14 at 15:48

>About 2 years later, our microwave broke. It would cost more to fix than to buy a new one of a different model. Bosch does not make microwaves, they import them from China like almost everyone else. Microwaves are disposable: they're almost always cheaper to replace than to repair. You don't give any details about the specific one you had trouble with, but I'm assuming you got an expensive built-in model. Lesson for next time: instead of a built in microwave, make an alcove in your cabinetry that you can stick any old $150 microwave into. >Just last week (a little less than 4 years later) our fridge doesn't cool. There is an ice buildup at the back preventing it from reading the proper temp, or something like that. Bosch customer service has been less than helpful. Stuff breaks. It doesn't sound like your fridge has been a lemon, a non-major malfunction in 4 years on any appliance is nothing alarming. As for customer service, what were you expecting them to do? Repair it for free even though it is years out of warranty? What makes your situation so special that you think you deserve that treatment other customers wouldn't get? Again, you give no information about the particular fridge you have, but freestanding refrigeration is Bosch's weak point because they outsource it as well. The french doors are rebadged Whirlpools, which are good units but you're paying a price premium for the Bosch logo on the front. The side by sides used to be imported from Daewoo in Mexico, now they are imported from China. Let's just say the reviews on those, erm, haven't been too great. >My advice is to avoid Bosch. My advice is to avoid appliance packages of any kind because you will never get the most for your dollar. If you'd done your research like the OP is doing, you would have known that the Bosch DW and cooking were good choices (interestingly enough, those are the two you apparently didn't have problems with) and you would have gone elsewhere for your microwave and fridge. I don't even know why I bothered wasting the time to write that post as most of these people visit forums once and never come back since they rarely have anything else to contribute. This post was edited by hvtech42 on Sun, Aug 31, 14 at 16:58

@stumpydarby I just had to buy a refrigerator as ours went out on Christmas day. I was going to get a Bosch as I love my Bosch dishwasher. I get an employee discount with Bosch, Samsung, Whirlpool & GE. I went to Lowes and looked at the Bosch and then came across the Samsung 4 door flex refrigerator. We have had a Samsung fridge b4 w/ no issues and we've had a samsung washer and dryer with nothing but issues. Two sets in 10 years. I really do think it's the luck of the draw on appliances nowdays due to all the features. I went with the Samsung fridge but paid full price bc they had one in stock and got it in 3 days. I am now looking for a microwave/convection combo or the set like you purchased. Microwave/oven combo. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed your choice and have had no problems. Hope I have the same luck. :-)