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Not happy with my new fridge.

6 months ago

After doing tons of research (from which I learned something that didn't surprise me--"They don't make 'em like they used to"), I bought 20-cu. ft. Frigidaire French-door fridge in February. The first problem was a door that won't stay open. A repairman said the fault was my uneven floor. I definitely have an uneven floor, but it's clear that the door in question doesn't open as far as the other, so I'm not sure about his diagnosis.

Then the fridge started freezing things it wasn't supposed to. Before I took action on that, it switched to the opposite situation: not enough cooling. A refrigerator thermometer placed at various points recorded temperatures around 50º F. in the refrigerator section and 15º in the freezer. I'm throwing food away all the time.

Frigidaire sent a local repairman out, and he found a leak in the refrigerant. He said he'll contact Frigidaire and see what they want to do. Parts will have to be ordered, and repair will take some time. Meanwhile, I just put a head of cabbage and a 2-lb. bag of carrots on the compost pile.

Although I can't say I'm feeling very enthusiastic about Frigidaire right not, what I would like to do is pay for an upgrade to a 22-cu. ft. model. That's the size I had before (for 20+ years). I thought getting something a little smaller would be fine, but it's not--especially this time of year with the garden producing.

Do you think there's a chance the manufacturer will work with me on this? Or maybe the store where I bought it? Or am I dreaming?

Comments (74)

  • 6 months ago

    “I have a French door and I specifically looked for one with the icemaker in the freezer where IMO it belongs. I do have a filtered water dispenser just inside the door.”

    Same as our French door model. It works nicely for us. I will admit not loving sometimes having to dig a bit in the bottom freezer drawer. It does help to have an extra fridge/freezer in the garage. Our last fridge was a SxS with water/ice on the exterior. Sure don’t miss that at all!

  • 6 months ago

    I had a bottom freezer Sub Zero in my house for 25 years. I have been out of that house for 10 years, and I am sure that it is still going strong. I had a shut-off valve in the basement. Now, in an apartment condo, I went for the same configuration, but since I was unable to have a dedicated shut-off, I actually had the contractors remove the ice maker. I keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator section on top, and one lonely ice cube tray in the bottom.

    I like not hitting my head when I am looking for something. My refrigerator is a Whirlpool, 7 years old and works great. I have a Frigidaire stand-up freezer in the garage for my homemade soup and meat-on-sale collection.

    The people downstairs bought a French Door, without considering if they had the space to open the doors all the way . It had to go back.

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  • 6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    I confess that I haven't read every comment after the first day. I came back to suggest that the problem with this fridge may well be the FAN. It sounds as though it is cooling, but not moving the cold around within the compartments.

    The 'unlevel floor' is just nonsense. (So *level* it already!)

    As for ice/water in the door, I've had four side-by-side 'ordinary' GEs with this feature -- in two locations -- without having any problem. I'm on my second GE Monogram side-by-side with the feature. I have no separate freezer and like the freezer side of these that is 'pizza box' wide -- not just for pizzas, but general access.

    Waiting to hear 'the rest of the story', Alisande.

  • 6 months ago

    Thanks, Chisue. The store is closed today, so I'll go tomorrow if the owner is in. The repairman found a leak, so I assume that's an accurate diagnosis for now.

    I loved having an ice maker years ago when I froze a lot of produce from the garden, blanching much of it first. But the ice maker failed (fortunately, after I stopped needing it), and I found they had a reputation for doing that. These days I make ice balls with a cute set of trays with a box and scoop, plus a third tray that makes hexagonal cubes for my iced coffee.

    Link to ice balls

  • 6 months ago

    A fridge that keeps food cold and frozen things frozen meets my expectations. We have oldish Sub-Zero all-fridge and a second all-freezer with an ice maker inside. Both work well. And for a second house, a LG French door with a freezer drawer on the bottom, also with an internal ice maker, purchased at Home Depot. It works fine too.

    We don't use a lot of ice. The "off" monitor gizmos to stop production when the bin is full don't seem to work well on either freezer, so they're usually in the off position until more ice is needed.

  • 6 months ago

    My family had a bottom-freezer Philco (no ice maker) from 1964 until replaced with a Whirlpool top-freezer in 1982 also with no ice maker. I don't recall if one was added later or the parents didn't have an ice maker until the 1995 KitchenAid top-freezer (which mom still has running as her secondary/pantry unit).

  • 6 months ago

    I didn't have a water line run to my KA French door with ice maker and filtered water for about the first year I owned it. I'm somewhat indifferent to things served iced unless blanching vegetables - and I do know how to make ice. My BIL finally nagged me into having it done. The morning was fun, I think all of you would have enjoyed it. My plumber is a big broad chested broad shouldered German man approaching my age and he had to run the line from the sink, behind my dishwasher, around one of those all but useless corner cabinets then behind two stacks of drawers. He got stuck in the corner cabinet arrangement. Literally, physically stuck. I was laughing so hard by then, I asked him if he was ticklish with only his legs and feet sticking out. i don't think he was quite as amused as i was but i've known him for years and he forgave me.

    The KItchen Aid french door with bottom mount freezer replaced an Amana bottom mount - both were supposed to hold 25 cu feet for food space. I liked the Amana better and swear it held more, and held it in a way that was convenient to reach and organize.

    (The compressor went out in the Amana the day before we signed papers to buy this house. The PO offered me a credit or repair and I chose the repair. It was 5 yrs one month old. 5 years later the compressor failed again. I was not putting a third into an appliance just over 10 years old and bought a Kitchen Aid with French doors......)

  • 6 months ago

    Well, I spoke with the owner. No deal. She doesn't take returns, so customers have to deal directly with the manufacturers. Since my fridge is under warranty, Frigidaire will replace it if it can't be fixed. The owner was very nice, and I think she'll make a sincere effort to expedite the repairs.

    Since Frigidaire's website sells directly to consumers, there might be an off-chance I can upgrade the capacity IF we get to the point where they have to replace my present one. But I'm not exactly optimistic about this.

    It could be worse, of course. Once it's fixed and I can stop throwing food out I'll have a nice fridge. A little smaller than I'd like, perhaps, but I can learn to work with that.

    Thanks again for listening and helping!

  • 6 months ago

    I would not get another Frigidaire given the issues you have had with this one. A refrigerator this new should not be doing what this one is doing. You should be compensated for the food you’ve lost.

    Alisande thanked OutsidePlaying
  • 6 months ago

    I agree with OutsidePlaying and would not accept either a repair or Frigidaire replacement. I also would buy nothing else from that retailer and might even be tempted to post a Yelp and a Google review simply sharing your experience for others to read.

    It's sad but when it mattered, the owner with whom you though you have a cordial relationship pushed you out the front door and locked it behind you. So much for that.

  • 6 months ago

    Now you'll have to endure visits from the Frigidaire repairman while they try to make it right. I doubt they will want to waste many repairman hours before replacing the thing.

    I bought insurance on my 2001 GE Monogram. I'd failed to read the fine print and was astounded to be refunded every premium dollar when it failed 20 years later. If they can't repair it, they refund. That $2,000 went a long way toward the new Monogram -- which I have also insured. I don't like warranties for repairs, but the refund policy was welcome.

    I'm sorry your local appliance dealer failed to come through for you. Feels like another kick in the pants.

    Do check into the 'spoilage' coverage, as OP says.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Chisue, I'm amazed GE (or any manufacturer) would have a policy like that. Great for you!

    Elmer, that was a little harsh but I appreciate the support behind it.

    I don't have a lot of options, at least none that I've found, but at this point I have HAD IT. I've been focused on my very sick dog the past six days. He's recovering from an infection and is beginning to regain his strength and show noticeable improvements. So I haven't thought much about my fridge . . . until last night.

    The vet prescribed a diet of boiled chicken and rice for several days, and I cooked enough rice for three of his meals, putting the leftovers in the fridge. I should have known better. When I took the container out of the fridge last night I found signs of pink bacteria. I was afraid the rice I'd served him earlier in the day had been incubating Serratia marcescens. As far as my relationship with Frigidaire goes, this was the last straw.

    It has been a full two weeks since the repairman told me he had to consult with Frigidaire to find out what to do, and I haven't heard a word since. The Frigidaire number connects to Customer "Service" representatives on the other side of the world. This is the number the repairman and the dealer have to use as well.

    I thought of writing directly to someone (I'd try to find the name of someone higher-up) at their headquarters in Indiana, but that's all I've come up with so far. I'm extra tired from being up with Bowie, and I'm probably not at my most resourceful.

    What would you do?

  • 5 months ago

    Buy a GE! Do Not buy a Samsung! Make one dog meal at a time. Chicken and rice are great, we have used it with seversl different dogs. Hope he is doing better. Use an ice chest until fridge is replaced.

    Alisande thanked Sherry8aNorthAL
  • 5 months ago

    Time to start making noise -- past time! Start bugging Frigidaire daily.

    Can you find a dorm-size fridge to use while you wait? Ask the people who sold you this lemon.

    I'm sorry Bowie has been sick and hope he's improving daily.

    (My appliance warranty wasn't from the manufacturer but an independent company, Assurant. It's called a "service contract".)

  • 5 months ago

    First things first - I'm sincerely sorry for you and for your dog. I wish him (and you) the peace of a quick and full recovery.


    " Elmer, that was a little harsh but I appreciate the support behind it. "

    Yes, there was support behind it. I think the behavior of your retailing acquaintance is unforgiveable. Unwilling, apparently, to even go to bat for you in contacting the company for action on behalf of you, her customer. That would be shameful anywhere but especially in a smaller town as you describe, if I understand correctly.

    Can you afford to buy another while you wait during your pursuit of Frigidaire for a return and a full refund?

    Is there a Home Depot or Lowe's nearby you can buy from and get delivery? They tend to offer pretty good service, and their customer support people don't act like you're taking food out of their mouths like this retailer seems to have done. Or, a more reputable retailer?

    I wouldn't buy an "American" brand, that's my preference for capital goods. We bought a Samsung from Home Depot a bit more than 5 years ago for a second home and it's been excellent.

    Good luck.

  • 5 months ago

    I have a freezer, and yesterday I froze the cut-up chicken and rice in measured portions. A nuisance, but at least I know nothing is going to turn pink.

    I could buy another fridge, but I'd have absolutely no place to put the "old" one in the meantime.

    We do have a Home Depot, and that's probably where I'll head when this is resolved.

  • 5 months ago

    Good solution! I'm very grateful for my M/W's 'Defrost' setting.

    Hope Bowie won't need the special diet forever.

  • 5 months ago

    Chisue, me too! All of a sudden I'm using it a lot.

    I'll start transitioning him back to his regular food tomorrow. The chicken and rice is to settle his stomach after a bad reaction to an antibiotic. One dose, and he was scary sick for 33 hours. He's doing much better now, I'm happy to say. I took this pic this week when he started snuggling with his beloved Lamb Chop again.


  • 5 months ago



  • 5 months ago

    Bowie is a sweet old guy, and very lucky to have you.

    I've been trying to remember how long ago I complimented you on the wonderful rug you'd made for your first grandson... It was a wonder!

  • 5 months ago

    If you paid for it with a credit card you can open a dispute with the credit card company to get a refund. A fridge that does not work should be refunded or replaced in my opinion. Once the credit card company gets involved you might get service.

    Alisande thanked JoanM
  • 5 months ago

    How nice of you to remember, Chisue! He turned 14 last month. That was several computers ago, but I really should look for that photo and get it printed. I really believe prints are the only ones that will be viewed decades from now.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    I have a 1948 (I think a Fridgedare) that still runs like a charm, in the garage!

  • 5 months ago

    The turtle rug? I remember. It was precious!

    Alisande thanked nicole
  • 5 months ago

    Wow--the KT has a good memory!


  • 5 months ago

    (Just stopping in to see how you could still be talking about a fridge! 😀)

  • 5 months ago

    Oh, I could be, Food! My dog isn't completely well yet, and I've been focused on him. But during this time zero progress has been made on the fridge. No word from anybody.

  • 5 months ago

    I like Joan M's suggestion. Can you start a dispute with the CC company? I've found Amex to be helpful with a vent cleaning service from the devil. (They blew collected vent dust back through the whole house.)

    Alisande thanked chisue
  • 5 months ago

    Sorry to keep this going forever, but I wanted to address Joan's excellent suggestion (and Chisue's excellent reminder) that I contact my credit card company. I liked that idea a lot . . . until I realized I didn't pay for my fridge with a credit card. I wrote a check.

    It's not like me to forfeit all those points. I think I've just gotten in the habit of writing more checks because so many stores and services have started charging more if a credit card is used. I don't know if it's the same in other areas, but it's becoming increasingly common here.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    If you have an X account (formerly Twitter), you will likely get speedy and positive results.

    Alisande thanked chartreuse scorpion
  • 5 months ago

    I don't, but I'm open to all suggestions. How would that help?

  • 5 months ago

    Can you stop payment on the check?

  • 5 months ago

    Corporations have entire teams that monitor social media for complaints and posts from unhappy customers. They dont want that negative publicity, and you will very likely get a quick response.

  • 5 months ago

    Interesting. Do you think it work on Facebook? I suppose it would be smart to post publicly, rather than the "friends only" I usually use.

    The check is somewhat complicated by the fact that there are two checks--one for a deposit on two appliances while we waited for them to be delivered to the store, and the other for the remainder of the cost on the day they were delivered.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Any social media should work, but X/Twitter is known for its quick response times to unhappy customers.

    Also, as an aside - I just saw a news article that both Lowe's and Home Depot, starting this past August, now require returns of major appliances within 48 hours; after that, customers must deal with the manufacturer's warranty process.


    Edited to add: this is the type of post you should make:


    Hey, @frigidaire !!! I bought a refrigerator that cooks my food instead of keeping it cool or frozen. Repair service has been slow to unresponsive. I spent $xxxx on what SHOULD BE a quality appliance! HELP! I'm tired of throwing away ruined food!

    Alisande thanked chartreuse scorpion
  • 5 months ago

    I would say to post it on X. I'm not on there but I think Facebook has a lot less presence these days. Most people I know have left Facebook for BlueSky but X probably has the most exposure. Good luck.

  • 5 months ago

    That's awful no one has contacted you. Sometimes I think that's part of their grand scheme. Ignore the customer until they just give up. I hope you get some response - definitely try social media, you have nothing to lose.


    Are you familiar with Christopher Elliott's Consumer Advocacy website? He was an editor and columnist at the National Geographic and has been active in consumer rights for years.

    https://www.elliott.org/


    This is a list of who to contact at Electrolux.

    https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/electrolux/


    Apparently Electrolux has a reputation for being non-responsive. From Elliott's site:

    How to solve a problem with Electrolux

    This guide on how to solve a customer service problem will help you resolve most problems with the company. You can also refer to the executive contacts below or contact our advocacy team directly.

    Note: If you’re having customer service trouble, please use our proven methods for fixing any consumer problem before contacting a manager.



    Good luck! Don;t let them win.



    Alisande thanked maire_cate
  • 5 months ago

    I don't know about Facebook but I would be sure that your experience with this locally owned store ripoff artist is all over Google reviews and Yelp.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    This may be more of a disappointment than a help - but you can file a complaint with the PA Consumer Protection division online. I know it might be more frustrating that it's worth - but who knows?

    https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/public-protection-division/bureau-consumer-protection/

    Alisande thanked maire_cate
  • 5 months ago

    The store can't do anything other than to direct you to the manufacturer. The store is not the one who holds the warranty on the product. Most stores have contracts with the manufactures limiting the time they can take an appliance back. What do people expect the store owner to do? Take a non functioning fridge and resell it? At this point you have to continue to be the squeaky wheel with the manufacturer. The service tech dropped the ball. Request another service call and tell the new tech that you would like to have a request started for replacement given the history. Do not mention upgrading to anyone until they've approved a replacement. Buyers have been known to scam companies in this way by breaking things purposefully to get a different product and the manufactures are well aware of it.



    Alisande thanked wildchild2x2
  • 5 months ago

    " What do people expect the store owner to do? "

    Let's start with this - the store is the manufacturer's customer. Whether a small or large one, most businesses listen to their customers and want them to be satisfied with dealing with them. Is it often or ever otherwise in your experience?

    I'd expect the store to go to bat for the customer, pressuring the company to get the matter resolved quickly and satisfactorily.

    Alisande thanked Elmer J Fudd
  • 5 months ago

    Maire_cate, I discovered the Elliott website just hours before you posted about it. It's a good site. I hadn't thought of PA Consumer Protection, and may contact them. I think I'll try Wildchild's approach, and maybe Chartreuse Scorpion's, before I do anything else.

    But first, another update. I looked at my calendar on Friday and realized it's been a whole month since the repairman was here, and I haven't heard a word fom him since. That was the same day my dog, Bowie, came down with a UTI. The repairman finished and left, and I went to the vet. I've been massively distracted by Bowie's illness all month, and he's still not well.

    I called the repair place yesterday and asked why their employee never got back to me, and she said Frigidaire had to order "a lot of different parts" to fix the refrigerant leak, and they haven't come in yet. That afternoon, the temperature in the fridge dropped to a nice normal 38º, and 0º for the freezer section. A little later I was savoring what we usually take for granted--a refrigerator that was keeping food cold--when I removed a couple of carrots to add to a recipe and discovered they were frozen.

    And that's where we're at now. The fridge is at 30º, the freezer at -5º. I'll certainly be able to tell Frigidaire the problem was misdiagnosed, and I can share plenty of frustration.

    I really appreciate being able to share here. Thanks so much for the support!

  • 5 months ago

    Yeah, sounds like a malfunctioning thermostat perhaps, not low on Freon.

    Alisande thanked arkansas girl
  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    We're WITH YOU for whatever help that is!

    Once I had a refrigerator/freezer with a fan problem. It wasn't circulating the cold air properly.

    Would it be worth paying a local repair person to come and at least diagnose the problem? You can't just keep coping with this.

    Bowie, Get Well!

    Alisande thanked chisue
  • 5 months ago

    Did the repair place give any indication when the parts might arrive - could they place a rush and have them FedExed or something?

    Alisande thanked maire_cate
  • 5 months ago

    The way that Frigidaire has handled your repair case is totally unacceptable! They have left you without a working refrigerator for a month...how is that acceptable? I have a Frigidaire refrigerator now and luckily it's OK and I bought an in house warranty from the store I bought it from that's good for 5 years. I will never buy another Frigidaire appliance without being able to buy an extended warranty ever after learning how they treat their customers!

    Alisande thanked arkansas girl
  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Time for Update #537. 🤪

    I called Frigidaire, and they said they would replace the fridge if a repairman stated to them that the unit was not fixable. They made an appointment for the repairman to come to my house today sometime between 8 and 5. The repair place would call me when he was on his way. My daughter suggested I make a bulleted list of the refrigerator's history since I've owned it, to give to the repairman to attached to his work order, so I did that.

    What a stupid day. My poor dog, who has another vet appointment next week, and is still drinking too much water and getting up a couple or more times during the night, had me up for several hours last night. I was so tired today, but didn't dare nap while I was waiting for that call. I tried to be productive, but I can't say it went all that well.

    My oldest grandson comes over every afternoon to practice on my piano, and I had to put him off until later in the day. Everything was on hold pending the arrival of the repairman. Who--as you've probably guessed by now--never arrived. And I never got a call. The refrigerator saga gets more and more ridiculous.

    Today my thermometer reads normal temperatures in both refrigerator and freezer sections. Of course I do not expect this to last indefinitely. And the right-hand door still won't stay open.


  • 5 months ago

    Wow. I thought I had read this thread, but apparently not ( at least not recently).

    We write very few checks, and I am making a note to myself to continue using credit card for big purchases.

    We had an issue when we were remodeling our bathroom and as a last resort, we disputed with the credit card company. The vendor was very uncooperative and had reneged on what they said they'd do. I had tons of documentaion .To my delight, even though 2 months had passed, we prevailed.

    I have also had extremely good luck with posting on FB. It was a small issue with a big company ( Neiman Marcus) and although I was assured that it was being addressed (email, phone calls , etc) nothing was resolved. I posted on FB and I swear within 2 days all was right.

    Alisande thanked salonva
  • 5 months ago

    I missed this one too.


    So sorry Alisande. I sure hope your dog will be ok.


    The refrigerator saga is understandably annoying. I like the idea of a quick summary of the problems and attempted solutions. I bought a new fridge about 15 years ago that was a piece of garbage. Too much to type out right now. Several warranty visits, several attempted fixes. And yes, at least one no show. It was some national repair company known for no shows. So annoying.


    My story doesn't end well though, bc in the end I was told it was operating within specs. I HATED that fridge. I would have had to sell it and buy something else...but we ended up moving.


    Good luck. Seriously. I really hope your dog is ok, and that your fridge saga ends better than mine did.

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