Refrigerator shopping? Why do some cost $6000?

meanwhile · #1 05/03/10, 01:54 PM

I need a refrigerator. Mine is dying. I am looking at Lowe's but how in the world to know which one is best? Some cost $799 but one is over $6,000! I do know that to be more energy efficient shouldn't I get one with the freezer on the bottom? What else makes that big of a difference? Thank you.

BoldViolet · #2 05/03/10, 02:11 PM

I have one with a freezer on the bottom. I absolutely HATE it. I feel like I can't get as much stuff in it, and it's a serious pain to organize.

Windy in Kansas · #3 05/03/10, 02:20 PM

Why do some cost $6000?

Because there are some people willing to pay that much.

While it will never happen---I'd like my next to be a system rather than just a refrigerator. A remote compressor would keep the noise and heat out of the house with the heat it produces, i.e. removes from the unit/stored items, to heat water. The compressor would also do double duty for providing the cooling for a freezer as well. Maybe even air-conditioning. And as long as I'm dream it might as well be powered by wind energy with electric only as a back up measure.

As to best and best value I advise you to consult Consumer Reports. While door storage for containers the size of milk jugs is convenient it also means you must reach deeper into the refrigerator to get other things from a shelf. However the resulting shallow shelf means things don't get buried as easily.

Friends purchased one that had front filter access for easy changing so that it didn't have to be moved from its position although that probably needs done for cleaning anyway.

I do find a cold water dispenser in the door a nice feature.

Do attempt to find one that is quiet when dumping ice if noise bothers you at all.

While they all need the door and side surfaces cleaned the lighter colored ones show fingerprints less in my opinion.

Best wishes for finding just the right one for you.

mosepijo · #4 05/03/10, 02:28 PM

I have the bottom mount freezer and absolutely love it. A person spends 90% of their time getting in the fridge. It just makes no sense to always be down on your knees getting into the veggie or meat bin which is usually down on the floor. I only keep the most used frozen stuff in the freezer as I have a bigger freezer for most food. The prices are because of all the different sizes and Brands.

AuntKitty · #5 05/03/10, 02:37 PM

I've had really good luck by choosing models recommended by Consumer Reports. If you don't want to subscribe online, your library probably has a copy.

Happy Hunting!

Kitty

pheasantplucker · #6 05/03/10, 02:44 PM

My wife & I just bought new Fridge, stove and dishwasher in Feb. (Before we knew there was going to be a rebate program!) We got our first side by side. It's a GE. I think we got it for around 2200. Pricey I know, but it's the nicest one we saw. Love the side by side...the freezer is very spacious. Fridge is well light, and easy to keep clean and keep organized. We have an ice maker and water dispenser, too. Good luck.

Kmac15 · #7 05/03/10, 02:55 PM

I wanted a bottom freezer for the reasons mentioned above and finally got one. I loved the ease of getting to my stuff in the fridge and didn't mind the bending down for the freezer. The problem was it was too easy for the freezer to not be closed compleatly and ice would build up in the back freezing up the motor. It would be fine for a couple adults but when we threw a child into the mix we had problems.

Darren · #8 05/03/10, 03:35 PM

If I had that kind of money to spend on a refrigerator I wouldn't buy from a consumer outlet. I'd buy a commercial refrigerator. Of course they don't come with any doodads or gimmicks. And they're typically stainless inside and out.

HermitJohn · #9 05/03/10, 03:44 PM

I think $799 is crazy. $6000 is insane. But yea if you are going to spend $6000, go get a real commercial duty refrigerator with no plastic.

newfieannie · #10 05/03/10, 04:09 PM

I dont think you can get one for any less than 799 now HJ. i haven't seen one. mine is probably the same as pheasantpluckers it was 2500 or so. i would never have had it but Andrew wanted a one with a ice dispenser and whatnot. is that ever noisy! sometimes when i'm sitting in the living room at night and evrrything is so quiet it frightens the life out of me.

I too like the freezer on the bottom which is what i had before. i gave it to my son because it was only 2 years old. as soon as he can get back in we are going to exchange them.it will be a good deal for him but also make me happy. ~Georgia.

Patt · #11 05/03/10, 05:45 PM

This is what we bought 2 months ago:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_293511-2251-...uantity_sold|0

That is actually our second one, we lost the first one we had had for a couple of years in our house fire. Great fridge with lots of space. It doesn't come with a bunch of drawers and fancy shelves and stuff. It was only $398

Joshie · #12 05/03/10, 10:17 PM

We just got a fridge. I love it. It was on sale for about $1500. We got one with french doors on top and a freezer drawer on bottom. It's much easier to use than a side by side because you can put things like sheet cakes in there and you don't have to bend down.

Our freezer has pull out drawers/racks. I think that a freezer is probably bigger in the side by side. But that means the fridge is smaller. Ours has water inside the fridge and an automatic ice maker in the freezer.

I have never seen a $6000 fridge. I'm guessing that is one of those hugely fancy fridges (without freezers) that you see on TV... the ones with a glass front. I can think of a whole lot more that I could do with that kind of money than purchase a fridge.

bluetick · #13 05/03/10, 10:41 PM

When I moved to this house last year, there were no appliances at all. Having had top mounted freezers all my life, I wanted a bottom freezer this time, and couldn't be happier with it! I am in the vegetable and fruit bins much more frequently than the freezer. Having all items at a reasonable arm's reach is wonderful! I also opted for the French door style and am very happy with it. I also bought a separate freezer to take advantage of good meat sales.

jil101ca · #14 05/04/10, 05:30 AM

I pd $498 for mine at the end of March, it's 18 cubic feet, black and stainless steel. It was on clearance, 80% off because of a small dent and scratch on the front of the door. In April I bought the matching stove, same deal...

7thswan · #15 05/04/10, 06:38 AM

I will never spend much on an appliance. I don't know why, but maybe I have too much electricity in my body, things go bad real fast, lights blow out, radios can never be tuned in properly ect. This last refer, It was amasing how little it is supposed to cost to run per year. These Energy Star info tags are very helpful.

GrannyG · #16 05/04/10, 07:35 AM

I bought a used side by side with the ice dispenser in the door last year for $400. I usually buy second-hand.....my $50 maytag washer has been working for over 10 years.Sometimes you can find good buys if someone is having to move and not wanting to take the appliances or store them.

oberhaslikid · #17 05/04/10, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosepijo

I have the bottom mount freezer and absolutely love it. A person spends 90% of their time getting in the fridge. It just makes no sense to always be down on your knees getting into the veggie or meat bin which is usually down on the floor. I only keep the most used frozen stuff in the freezer as I have a bigger freezer for most food. The prices are because of all the different sizes and Brands.

Iam right there with you .One day I walked in and caught My DH on all fours looking for the mustard.I knew then It was time for a new fridge.
I got the freezer on the bottom and we love it.

Fae · #18 05/04/10, 08:18 AM

I have the french doors with freezer on bottom and love it. I also have a chest freezer but plan to downsize it as soon as I get my canning and drying done this year. I don't plan to put any veggies in the freezer so only need one for meat which we don't eat a lot of.

jill.costello · #19 05/04/10, 08:26 AM

YES, "scratch & dent" appliances is the only way I'll ever buy them! About 6 years ago, I was in a Sears shopping for refrigerators; found one orig. price $999. marked down to $269. because of a crease in the side from leaning too far on the forklift in the warehouse. OK! Put that in my truck!.......THEN, while browsing the washer/dryer section, I was drooling over the "upstairs/downstairs" style stacked washer/dryer combos. They had about 4 different versions, but they all started at $1000.00. The sales guy tried to talk to me about them, but I just looked at him sideways and said "I can get a normal, used set for $200. in the local paper". He then said, "Well, I've got one in the back that's last years model with some shop-wear that we took off the showroom floor for $250.00.". OK! Put it in the truck!!!!!!!

So, I got a NEW refrigerator and a NEW stacking washer/dryer for $519.00 plus tax! Shoot, someone could've drew a smilie-face on them in black Sharpie marker and I STILL would've loved them and took them home!

**alleyyooper** · #20 05/04/10, 08:56 AM

We needed a new fridge lately also. We also shopped at Lowe's since ABC wearhouse prices stink and Home Depot doesn't carry much you can really look at and open and close the doors.

Prices went from lowest for the smallest cubic feet of storage to the highest with the whopping 28 cubic feet of storage and so many bells and whistles it would make your head swim.

There was also a price difference for where the freezer was on the thing. Top mounted was the cheapest.
Color was another factor white and black being the cheapest.

We bought a 26 cubic foot Frigidare gallery model in silver mist (looks like stainless unless you look real close.). Seems to stay clean looking a long time.
It was just at $1100.00 on sale. We like the fact we can get a glass of crushed ice or cubes or cold water out of the door front. Being able to shut the ice maker off with the flip of a switch is nice also.
This is our first side by side and we like it real well.
I eat a lot of veggie mostly meals so I like the humidity controlled crisper drawers for keeping them fresh. OH and the lit front of the freezer door controls of the temp of the fridge and freezer works great as a nite lite in the kitchen. I can get up at 2:00 Am and get a cold glass of water with out triping or falling over stuff.
So after 5 months we would still buy the same model again we like it so well.

Al