Kitchen

[scatha_guardian]

I am 59 years old and my husband and I had to move into a retirement apartment. Each one had a new fridge with a bottom freezer. I HATE it. I had to give up my all most new side by side for this one. It holds less than left of my other fridge. I suppose they think older people don't cook or something. Also, no ice maker. Blah...

[Allegedly]

I have needed to purchase a new fridge for *months*. After researching this extensively, I decided to wait for Black Friday sales (I made this decision in August). As Black Friday is right around the corner, the timing is great for anyone who is in the market for a fridge. I have my eye on a fridge at Home Depot and am just waiting for the sale (last year it was almost 50% off!)

[radimage]

The freezer on-top is the most efficient, since cold air sinks.

Just sayin'.

[PamelaSue72]

Know that you can do your research online and then talk to somebody in the appliance department of your store. At least with Lowes, they'll try to work with you.

We researched our fridge (Samsung French door-four door model with ice and water) online. Found it at HH Gregg for substantially cheaper than the price Lowes was selling for the same model. There is an HH Gregg within 60 miles of us, so we could have gone down, bought the fridge, and brought it home.

But we went to our local Lowes and talked to the guy in the Appliance department. Showed him the HH Gregg ad from online and asked if Lowes could match the price. He had to talk to his supervisor, but in the end, Lowes matched HH Gregg's price for the fridge (Lowes originally was selling that fridge for around $4,000; HH Gregg was less than $3,000).

We ordered the fridge through Lowes (it was a Special Order because it's the largest one Samsung carried at the time for that model) and they gave us 5% off because we used our Lowes card (and paid the bill promptly) and, when the fridge came in, Lowes delivered it for nothing, saving us time and gas to drive to HH Gregg and back. The delivery guys connected the water line to the fridge for us, too, before tucking the fridge into its spot in the kitchen.

We were very happy with Lowes. And I love our Samsung. It's a great fridge!

[Lynnj]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Pamelasue. I need to go play with them and ask questions (as you suggested). So far all I habe done is window shop online and read reviews. To your experience with Lowes - when I remodled the kitchen just over 10 years ago, I bought all of the appliances through Lowes. They had the best prices at the time. I also already had a lowes card, and got a discount for using it, plus they offered the extended payment no interest. I think I had 2-3 years to pay it off, as long as I made minimum payment no interest was charged. That came in handy at the time since I had just sunk a bunch of money into to remodel work. Delivery was flawless, and they hooked everything up for me also. I'd probably buy from them again this go round...so I hope they have the best price once I find the one I want.

[LoveShelties]

I was told the freezer on the bottom is the most efficient refrigerator you can buy.

[foundinlv]

On 10/31/2014 sfnative said:

We never had a bottom freezer with french doors above until we moved into this house. It came with a new frig/freezer unit - Samsung. I seriously do not like this unit, but must admit part of it might be the brand.

The french doors: the left one has a vertical strip that pushes out to the right and closes flush with the frig. Thing is, you MUST close the left door first, then the right door. If you don't, the doors don't seal properly and the darn frig starts going ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Another downside to this is that because you MUST open the right door, even if you want to open only the left, you're dealing with an energy inefficient unit. I have no idea whether other brands are made like this. Say away from Samsung. (We love all of the other Samsung products we own.)

2 things to consider about the freezer: (1) What is the production of the ice maker? Our ice maker is sa-low and because we do not have a side-by-side, we don't have access to ice from outside, nor a water spout outside; (2) and, I have a horrible back and really miss being able to put my favorite items at waist, chest or face level. Something to consider if you're in your late 40s or 50s.

Good luck!

sfnative.....we were at Home Depot the other day and decided to look at the refrigerators. We looked at all the Samsungs and saw exactly what you are talking about. Other Samsungs didn't have that design. I even mentioned it to my husband as we opened and closed every single one.

[Mama Mia]

On 11/16/2014 Lynnj said: Thanks for sharing your experience, Pamelasue. I need to go play with them and ask questions (as you suggested). So far all I habe done is window shop online and read reviews. To your experience with Lowes - when I remodled the kitchen just over 10 years ago, I bought all of the appliances through Lowes. They had the best prices at the time. I also already had a lowes card, and got a discount for using it, plus they offered the extended payment no interest. I think I had 2-3 years to pay it off, as long as I made minimum payment no interest was charged. That came in handy at the time since I had just sunk a bunch of money into to remodel work. Delivery was flawless, and they hooked everything up for me also. I'd probably buy from them again this go round...so I hope they have the best price once I find the one I want.

Lowe's will match prices right there for you. We bought the Gallery series refrig, microwave, gas range from them, already had a new dishwasher, anyway, they were just fabulous in everything. Delivery smooth, no extra chge,. old frig took away, everything installed properly. Very satisfied in every way.

Get the extended warranties, at least on the refrig., they are very inexpensive and worth it.

The frig. has two icemakers, one inside on top, comes out the door, one down below, they are really handy,

The Gallery series stainless steel is smudge proof, no kidding, just wonderful. That was a big selling point for me. I wouldn't go anywhere else if I were you. Good luck and get a nice one.

mm