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April 14, 2008
Refrigerator repair
I am having problems with the fridge in our rental. The freezer is not staying frozen. The problem is that I do not know how old it is.
Can anyone recommend the pros/cons of hiring a repair person come out vs. buying a new one for $400?
Comments
The freezer won't freeze - you don't know how old it is - the new one is a cheap $400, and you have to ask? Are you the sort of person who likes spending $200+ on something likely on its last legs?
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 2:09 PM
yes, how dare you ask a reasonable question about home repair in a home repair forum! you obviously wasted so much of 2:09's time that he had to spend the time composing a snarky reply.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 2:35 PM
If you want to find out the age of the refrigerator look for the serial number and call the manufacurer.
You can also explain the problem so they can send you the part to repair it.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 14, 2008 2:46 PM
If you want to find out the age of the refrigerator look for the serial number and call the manufacurer.
You can also explain the problem so they can send you the part to repair it.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 14, 2008 2:46 PM
If you want to find out the age of the refrigerator look for the serial number and call the manufacurer.
You can also explain the problem so they can send you the part to repair it.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 14, 2008 2:46 PM
Thanks Ysabelle. I should have thought of that.
The fridge is 13 years old. Does anyone know if something this old would be worth repairing?
Posted by: lincolnlimestone at April 14, 2008 3:29 PM
There is a website that has forums on appliancesm kitchens, etc. - garden web. don't have the exact url but is very useful.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 3:38 PM
A 13 year old fridge is not worth repairing. A new unit will work much better and will be much more efficient. Look for an Energy Star rated unit. BTW, if the fridge came with the apartment, doesn't your landlord have to fix it or get you a new one? Check your lease.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 3:50 PM
I think this IS the landlord posting. And if like my prior landlords, if the tenant is paying the electricy, he or she likely couldn't care less about energy efficiency.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 4:36 PM
If you are the landlord buy a used fridge in good shape from someone selling one for about $200 and be done with it.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 4:46 PM
Sorry to sound snarky above - but I'd had landlords in the past who insisted on spending more to repeatedly repair used up appliances than to just buy a new one for less. Some have this weird attitude about buying anything for a rental unit - like the tenant shouldn't have a newer refrigerator than they have (even if the tenant's is a cheaper, tiny model.)
And I took the "I don't know how old it is" as an "I don't care how old it is" - I just assume anyone who uses the internet can google up an applicance manufacturer and nose around, find an 800 number to call, or maybe plug in serial numbers - these things have serial numbers and they are in quite evident. I forget that common sense, or thinking about how to go about solving a problem logically, isn't distributed equally - sorry.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 4:51 PM
Thanks everyone. I bought a new one today at PC Richards. Hotpoint (GE), 18 cubit feet, $490 including delivery and taxes. The energy star models start at $650, so this was off the table, but this model is twice as efficient as the old unit and has the nice glass shelves.
I've calculated this non-energy star will cost my tenants ~ $4 more a month in electricity compared to a new energy star model. All things considered, I had to go cheaper. It looks like the green products have caught up to this end of the price spectrum.
Posted by: lincolnlimestone at April 14, 2008 4:55 PM
4:51 - You had to finish your apology with another swipe at me. I hope your friends don't find you as intolerable as you sound in this post.
Thank god my tenants are more respectful than you. I'm sorry about your bad past experiences, but there are landlords out there that are courteous and respectful of their tenants.
Posted by: lincolnlimestone at April 14, 2008 5:01 PM
2:09, 4:51. You have problems.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 5:10 PM
2:09, 4:51. You have problems.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 5:11 PM
Hot point makes a good refrigerator.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 14, 2008 6:44 PM
While I am certain there are landlords who are courteous and respectful, it's fair to say that, for the most part, they don't post here.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 6:46 PM
Negative Troll on this post.
Kind of weird that you decided to pick on a landlord who was simply asking a legitimate question, and ended up shelling out cash for his tenants.
Reading and posting on this forum should not substitute for your therapy sessions.
Posted by: guest at April 14, 2008 7:21 PM
"Hot point makes a good refrigerator"
So does Frigid aire, Ysabelle.
Posted by: johnife at April 15, 2008 10:53 AM
Little late for this advice now, but many times when a freezer is not staying cold enough, a drain is clogged. I just pour some very hot water in and it fixes the problem. 6:46, you are sort of right. I like to think I'm a good landlord, with a house full of great tenants. Now, I only read and reply to very specific posts that I might learn something from or be able to offer help. The content and tone of most replies on this site are kind of depressing.
Posted by: guest at April 15, 2008 11:41 AM
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