sjprep06
join:2008-04-01
Philadelphia, PA
| Refrigerator recommendations?
It seems that our fridge is on its last knockings since a good amount of food has gone bad over the last week. It's a 40 year old Hotpoint, no idea of the model. What is the best brand of fridge to buy for $400-500? It doesn't need to have a lot of bells and whistles, nor does it need to be a HUGE fridge, just something that works and won't break every time the wind changes.... |
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Jahntassa
What, I can have feathers
Premium
join:2006-04-14
Conway, SC
| I got a Roper from Lowe's about a year and a half ago. Managed to get it for $320 because it was a 'scratch & dent' kinda deal. I think the people that ordered it had backed out or something..
Side-by-side, Ice/water dispenser in the front. It was a darn good deal. (Roper is made by Whirlpool, btw)
When you go out looking, don't be afraid to ask for any clearance or 'off floor' stuff, you could get a deal.. |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | reply to sjprep06
WE have a basic Kenmore - bought it it '99 I think - it has a automatic ice make and that is fancy as it gets - no troubles at all.
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Brian
It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr... |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
1 edit | reply to sjprep06
we have a decent kenmore, ice and water in the door. only thing i hate is the water is filtered and you HAVE to use the filter!
meant to add that if you buy from Sears, DO NOT get teh extended warranty/maintenance plan. they WILL screw you. my parents ahve paid at least 3x the cost of a new high end fridge inteh 18 years they stupidly paid sears maintenance. compressor went out last week, maintenance does not cover it. the only thing maint has covered in the whole time was the lever for teh water!
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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sjprep06
join:2008-04-01
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to sjprep06
Thanks for the replies so far. It seems that both Home Depot and Best Buy don't carry Kenmores  . Any reviews on GEs,Frigidaires or Whirlpools? Jahntassa mentioned Roper models but I haven't seen one in those stores.
I know we'll most likely be buying a top freezer since my mom doesn't like side-by-sides. And even an ice maker function is something we probably won't use because of where the fridge will be located (on the other side of the kitchen supply line pipes). |
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| said by sjprep06  :Thanks for the replies so far. It seems that both Home Depot and Best Buy don't carry Kenmores . Any reviews on GEs,Frigidaires or Whirlpools? You should have stated up front that you were only interested in buying from Home Depot or Best Buy. Sears does sell GEs, Frigidaires and Whirlpools. One of them may even be labeled as Kenmore.
Point being -- if you go to Sears and ask, they will tell you who made the Kenmore. If you have some obsession not to buy from them that's OK -- but Sears is a good place to buy appliances -- whether they are labeled as Kenmore or the actual brand. |
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sjprep06
join:2008-04-01
Philadelphia, PA
| said by robbin :said by sjprep06 :Thanks for the replies so far. It seems that both Home Depot and Best Buy don't carry Kenmores . Any reviews on GEs,Frigidaires or Whirlpools? You should have stated up front that you were only interested in buying from Home Depot or Best Buy. Sears does sell GEs, Frigidaires and Whirlpools. One of them may even be labeled as Kenmore. Point being -- if you go to Sears and ask, they will tell you who made the Kenmore. If you have some obsession not to buy from them that's OK -- but Sears is a good place to buy appliances -- whether they are labeled as Kenmore or the actual brand. The only reason that I said HD and BB is because they were the first two places to pop up in my mind. I haven't been to Sears in years. I probably won't go to BB now because their selection seems small and a bit over-priced. |
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rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA | reply to sjprep06
I have to ask,
do you know off hand what your power bill was (& $ per KWH) with that old thing? |
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Vathral
Premium
join:2002-08-26
New York, NY
clubs:
 ·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| said by rawgerz :I have to ask, do you know off hand what your power bill was (& $ per KWH) with that old thing? Yeah. Wondering the same thing. Such old equipment can't be as energy efficient as things are now
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Anime / F@H |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | reply to sjprep06
Kenmoers are a Sears brand - no one else can sell them. Kenmoers are rebadged appliances from other manufacturers. |
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beck
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-29
On The Road
 ·AllureHost
 ·Qwest.net
 ·Verizon BroadbandA..
| reply to sjprep06
I like whirlpool. It seems to me that over the years as friends and relatives have purchased new fridges, the ones with the whirlpool brand have been happiest. At least none of them have had to get new ones. But only a couple of them have bought ones with ice/water in them either.
We've purchased 5 in the last 3 years for the resort. Not a problem with any of them so far.
I like BB to purchase major appliances. Just watch for a sale on what you want. If you decide to get an extended warranty, they are the cheapest.
--
Some people are like slinkies - not really good for much.
But they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs. |
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treetop1000
join:2003-11-07
Lexington, KY
| reply to sjprep06
I do not like Sears. Six months back, I began searching for a new unit to replace the el-cheapo Whirlpool I'd had for ten years.
Mind you there was nothing wrong with the old unit, just needed a bigger one (family size had increased).
First stop, Sears.
Lots and lots of different units, all kinds of options. Wait a minute, there's a refrigerator that has internet access??? What the hell?
Yep, I could surf the net while digging for a beer.
Someone tell me the reason for this.
I could see a tv mounted on the door, but a net-enabled fridge?
BEWARE of pricing changes on the same model with different exterior finishes, like pricing structure that says black paint is higher in cost than the white paint. Or that the stainless steel model is 20% more expensive than the no-mark plastic for the same model...
Sears has started using the value added marketing, that's the one where the attractive units cost much more (as much as $100-150 more) than the same unit in plain old white.
I said no thanks... and went over to Lowes. Better selection and the same price for different finishes/same model.
Mind you, I'm -not- pimping for Lowes, but any place that doesn't have pressurized salesmen running to meet you is a plus in my book. I'd rather take my time to check out the display, rather than play 20 questions with a guy trying to sell me more than I need.
I'm sorry, I do go on sometimes... |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | The main reason for internet is/was for many things - getting recipes and not have to print it off and when available - automatic grocery ordering. |
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Speakeasy
| reply to sjprep06
For such large appliances, we generally shop HD, Lowes, Best Buy, and Sears, find what models are in our price range. Do a websearch on those models for customer ratings, see if there are any coupons or specials for those we like, then make the buy.
That's usually a week-long process 
We bought our last side-by-side from HD, a Maytag I think. Works just fine so far! But, it is still in the warranty period. Will see how well it works in about 6 months...
Looking for a traditional fridge will definitely help keep your costs down.
Check the stores, find models you like, spend an hour looking at sites with customer reviews.
KM
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Don't Lie - Be Kind - Realize your Potential |
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wave_sailor
join:2001-04-23
Bloomingdale, NJ
clubs:
1 edit | reply to sjprep06
Consumer Reports last issue had a review of appliances as well as retailers like Sears/Lowes etc.. If you have login to website, you can see more. |
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KickMe
join:2001-10-03
Lancaster, OH
·RoadRunner Cable
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| reply to sjprep06
Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Kenmore and GE all make respectable lower end units according to "Consumer Reports". Be aware that at that price range you will find some cheaper plastic shelves etc. and perhaps some noise as well, so that is something you might want to check.
I would shop for the best price at Lowes, Sears or Home Depot (don't forget delivery charge if applicable). And personally, I have never found a good deal on anything at BestBuy. |
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Summit
join:2005-03-14
Marion, OH | reply to CylonRed
I work for Whirlpool Corp. Kenmore is made by us for Sears. |
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dennismurphy
Put me on hold? I'll put YOU on hold
Premium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ
·Optimum Online
| reply to sjprep06
I now have two Kenmore refrigerators, and I'm very happy with both of them. They're almost identical. (one in the basement, one in the kitchen)
Basic white, glass shelves, top freezer, the kitchen one has an icemaker, the basement one doesn't... that's about the only difference.
I like that I can fit a gallon of milk on the door. I also like that the doors have "half shelves" (1/2 the width of the door) that are adjustable up-and-down.
I'm pretty easy to please... it keeps food cold, and frozen stuff colder. That's about all I can ask.  |
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sawman
Premium
join:2002-04-25
BC KS
·Mediacom
| reply to sjprep06
A new refrigerator will use well less than half the electricity your old one did. Check out the May 2008 Consumer Report issue. Whirlpool needs the fewest repairs with or without icemaker in top & bottom freezer models(and one tops the list for top freezers). GE Monogram & Whirlpool best in side by sides(although the Amana was their top pick in that category). If you really want the most efficient pay attention to the consumption number on the EnergyGuide label. You can compare a lot of Kenmores and Whirlpools on the Sears website. The savings should quickly pay for the new unit, I kind of wish our old frig would die;) |
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sjprep06
join:2008-04-01
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to Summit
said by Vathral :said by rawgerz :I have to ask, do you know off hand what your power bill was (& $ per KWH) with that old thing? Yeah. Wondering the same thing. Such old equipment can't be as energy efficient as things are now No idea what the typical usage and charge was for it as I don't handle the bills. I'll ask her and see if she has a bill laying around somewhere.
said by Summit :I work for Whirlpool Corp. Kenmore is made by us for Sears. Thanks for that info. It seems like Sears charges a lot for just a badge and cosmetic changes. Also, their listings are the most expensive so far out of all the places I've checked.
So it looks like I'll be buying something Made by Whirlpool. So far, most of the recs have been for Whirlpool/Kenmores, Consumer Reports like Whirlpool/Kenmores and I haven't seen any reason why I shouldn't buy one... |
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