[hvac-q]

By the end of this month, I need to purchase a new 5 cu ft freezer that I can pick up and fit inside my friend's car.

I'm looking to purchase an Insignia™ - 5.0 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer - White ($169.99) from Best Buy. Is it a good idea to buy their 5-Year Standard Geek Squad Protection Plan for $99.99? They would even reimburse me up to $200 for food loss if an awful occurrence were to spoil everything.

Or, should I take my chances and purchase one of the following:
IGLOO 5.2 cu. ft. Chest Freezer ($150) - Home Depot
Magic Chef 5.2 cu. ft. Chest Freezer ($169) - Home Depot
Idylis 5-cu ft Chest Freezer ($148) - Lowe's

I'd get just a little bit more cubic feet and the Idylis one is currently the cheapest. Albeit, according to my research, these products tend to fail more than the better or more major brands such as Amana and GE. Neither Home Depot nor Lowe's will cover food loss caused by Igloo and Magic Chef freezers unfortunately. If I were to purchase one of the three freezers listed from Home Depot or Lowe's, they would only offer me a replacement-only plan for up to 2 years maximum after the manufacturer's warranty stops.

Lastly, the GE 5-cu ft Chest Freezer costs $199 at Home Depot (Delivery only - $59.99 fee) whereas it's $219 (Pickup is offered, no fees) at Lowe's. With this product, Lowe's offers a 5-yr Extended Protection Plan for $99.97 (along with up to $250 for food reimbursement). This freezer is supposed to be a lot better than any of the ones listed.

Here are my main concerns:

• Wasting money on an extended warranty for a superior product that won't break down at all within 5-6 years of warranty coverage
• Wasting money on delivery fees
• Buying a troublesome product with minimal warranty coverage
• Having all of my non-covered food spoil
• Freezer breaks after the warranty's over
• The Idylis 5-cu ft Chest Freezer is available now in countless Lowe's locations and I can pick it up at the store at anytime, but I'll have to wait until the end of December if I want to get any of the other freezers. I didn't even go food shopping yet because I want to get everything in one-shot right after purchasing the freezer.

Due to my indecisive nature, I suck at making these kinds of crucial decisions on my own. What do you think I should do? :Faint:

 

[jtrammel]

Get the cheapest one. Or just go to the store more often a forget about getting a freezer.

 

[CircusEnvy]

I don't know, I would just pick the best reviewed one and forget the warranty. For that kind of money, I'd just put it in savings or something. I've never had a refrigerator or freezer break down on me. They're pretty durable.

 

[pecmsg]

Freezer Warranty LOL
If or when it fails they'll be there within a week, by then everything you had in there is gone

 

[hvac-q]

Freezer Warranty LOL
If or when it fails they'll be there within a week, by then everything you had in there is gone

Won't they still reimburse me for the food if I have an active 5-Year Extended Warranty? How does this process typically work with these stores?

 

[pecmsg]

Won't they still reimburse me for the food if I have an active 5-Year Extended Warranty? How does this process typically work with these stores?

Ask before you buy! Talk is cheep get it in writing.

 

[catmanacman]

I'm considering this one

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-7.0-cu...er-white/p-04612702000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=CIzpt9GS5MkCFdBefgodTs4P0Q

 

[hvac-q]

Ask before you buy! Talk is cheep get it in writing.

Do I still have to get what they say in writing even if I go to a reputable store like Best Buy or Lowe's? Wouldn't the extended protection agreement they provide me be enough?

I'm considering this one

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-7.0-cu...er-white/p-04612702000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=CIzpt9GS5MkCFdBefgodTs4P0Q

As much as I would like to get it, there are 2 small issues:

• More than likely it won't fit in my friend's car. My friend's very particular about what can or can't go inside the car. Basically 5.5 cu ft is acceptable and anything larger than that pretty much isn't.
• Sears only has extended warranties that last up to 3 years. I'm looking for 5 year warranties with food loss coverage.

 

[CircusEnvy]

Here's a question you may want answered: assuming the freezer does break and spoils your food, how do you prove to the warrantor the value of your spoiled food? Technically if it breaks and all I had was a steak in there, I don't think I can just say, "yep, I had $250 worth of food in it." I doubt they're going to reimburse you fairly because warrantees also try to undermine the warrantor. Be wary of warranties like that and understand the terms.

 

[doug1111]

OP - You have done $200.00 worth of research LOL - I am not a warranty guy> I could care less about warranty. I'm thinking years ago consumer report mag. said don't buy ext warranty unless a high end electronic device, but that was many years ago.:.02: I would buy the IGLOO, use it, & then sell it about 6 mo. before warranty out, & buy another new one. Also many years ago I worked @ large Hotel - the owner did up-grade on the PTAC - A/C units 136 - about 6 mo or so before the warranty was up he would up-grade again buying 136 more. Sold the used ones after the up grade - very seldom had A/C, heat problems. Wish I could do that with a vehicle up-grade every year or 2- some people do. Also wish A/C customers would up-grade more. maybe every 5 years or so. Doing estimate & some math on cheap small mobile home trailer package unit install. Landlord will pay up front but Roughly $26.00 per mo for 10 years- that is what it will cost the landlord & landlord is going to raise rent $50.00 a mo for the up-grade. The tenant might save $60. a mo. on elect higher SEER. He might sell it (A/C) after 4-5-6-years? & do it again up-grade?? How often do you up-grade your phone??

 

[hvac-q]

Here's a question you may want answered: assuming the freezer does break and spoils your food, how do you prove to the warrantor the value of your spoiled food? Technically if it breaks and all I had was a steak in there, I don't think I can just say, "yep, I had $250 worth of food in it." I doubt they're going to reimburse you fairly because warrantees also try to undermine the warrantor. Be wary of warranties like that and understand the terms.

Here is Home Depot's Food Loss Hotline Instructional Guide:
http://www.homedepot.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOM/HomePage/Enterprise/THD_Protection_Plans/Docs/FoodLossClaim.pdf

It looks quite simple.

 

[hvac-q]

OP - You have done $200.00 worth of research LOL - I am not a warranty guy> I could care less about warranty. I'm thinking years ago consumer report mag. said don't buy ext warranty unless a high end electronic device, but that was many years ago.:.02: I would buy the IGLOO, use it, & then sell it about 6 mo. before warranty out, & buy another new one. Also many years ago I worked @ large Hotel - the owner did up-grade on the PTAC - A/C units 136 - about 6 mo or so before the warranty was up he would up-grade again buying 136 more. Sold the used ones after the up grade - very seldom had A/C, heat problems. Wish I could do that with a vehicle up-grade every year or 2- some people do. Also wish A/C customers would up-grade more. maybe every 5 years or so. Doing estimate & some math on cheap small mobile home trailer package unit install. Landlord will pay up front but Roughly $26.00 per mo for 10 years- that is what it will cost the landlord & landlord is going to raise rent $50.00 a mo for the up-grade. The tenant might save $60. a mo. on elect higher SEER. He might sell it (A/C) after 4-5-6-years? & do it again up-grade?? How often do you up-grade your phone??

Are you staying to do the math, and resell it before the warranty runs out or it's about to break? If I buy it new at $200, then could I sell it for $150 after 3 years?
And I have a very basic phone. In fact, I'm trying to wait for the prices go down before buying a new smartphone.

 

[doug1111]

Are you staying to do the math, and resell it before the warranty runs out or it's about to break? If I buy it new at $200, then could I sell it for $150 after 3 years?
And I have a very basic phone. In fact, I'm trying to wait for the prices go down before buying a new smartphone.

Buy for 200 & sell 3 years later for 150 - Well maybe???? Or sell for 1???? Will the prices go up on the new units??? 10%-12% per year. Can you transfer the warranty?? Will 3 used ones last longer than one new one?? I have some used snap on tools that are worth or retail for 3X what I paid new. Some things go up in price every year making the used more$$ - I don't think the prices on smart phones will go down?? The newer ones are better. Batteries last longer- they do more, etc. Friend bought new car last month- 2015 said he could have got a 2016 for $600.00 more- his choice- whats going to be the average resale in 3 years VS 2015 VS 2016 plus the $600.00 - is the MFG going to make the same style, model, 3 years from now???? Are the new 2020 vehicles going to cost 30% more LKQ than today's price??

 

[doug1111]

By the end of this month, I need to purchase a new 5 cu ft freezer that I can pick up and fit inside my friend's car.

I'm looking to purchase an Insignia™ - 5.0 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer - White ($169.99) from Best Buy. Is it a good idea to buy their 5-Year Standard Geek Squad Protection Plan for $99.99? They would even reimburse me up to $200 for food loss if an awful occurrence were to spoil everything.

Or, should I take my chances and purchase one of the following:
IGLOO 5.2 cu. ft. Chest Freezer ($150) - Home Depot
Magic Chef 5.2 cu. ft. Chest Freezer ($169) - Home Depot
Idylis 5-cu ft Chest Freezer ($148) - Lowe's

I'd get just a little bit more cubic feet and the Idylis one is currently the cheapest. Albeit, according to my research, these products tend to fail more than the better or more major brands such as Amana and GE. Neither Home Depot nor Lowe's will cover food loss caused by Igloo and Magic Chef freezers unfortunately. If I were to purchase one of the three freezers listed from Home Depot or Lowe's, they would only offer me a replacement-only plan for up to 2 years maximum after the manufacturer's warranty stops.

Lastly, the GE 5-cu ft Chest Freezer costs $199 at Home Depot (Delivery only - $59.99 fee) whereas it's $219 (Pickup is offered, no fees) at Lowe's. With this product, Lowe's offers a 5-yr Extended Protection Plan for $99.97 (along with up to $250 for food reimbursement). This freezer is supposed to be a lot better than any of the ones listed.

Here are my main concerns:

• Wasting money on an extended warranty for a superior product that won't break down at all within 5-6 years of warranty coverage
• Wasting money on delivery fees
• Buying a troublesome product with minimal warranty coverage
• Having all of my non-covered food spoil
• Freezer breaks after the warranty's over
• The Idylis 5-cu ft Chest Freezer is available now in countless Lowe's locations and I can pick it up at the store at anytime, but I'll have to wait until the end of December if I want to get any of the other freezers. I didn't even go food shopping yet because I want to get everything in one-shot right after purchasing the freezer.

Due to my indecisive nature, I suck at making these kinds of crucial decisions on my own. What do you think I should do? :Faint:

I would also make sure the new one worked for 24 hrs before you get food?? Are you going to lay it on the side to move it or move it standing up????

 

[jpsmith1cm]

I've seen nice freezer temperature alarms on amazon that allows good monitoring.


I really think you're over thinking this. It's a $200 freezer.

Slap a relatively inexpensive temp alarm on it and go to town.



Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[hvac-q]

I would also make sure the new one worked for 24 hrs before you get food?? Are you going to lay it on the side to move it or move it standing up????

Yes, I am planning to make sure that it successfully freezes for a full day. Is it better to have both a chest freezer and an upright freezer standing up during transport?

I've seen nice freezer temperature alarms on amazon that allows good monitoring.


I really think you're over thinking this. It's a $200 freezer.

Slap a relatively inexpensive temp alarm on it and go to town.



Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

At this point, I'm thinking about forgoing the warranty altogether and getting either a GE 5-cu ft Chest Freezer or a Kenmore 7.2 cu. ft. Chest Freezer (if my friend allows me to put it inside the car).
Is this a good freezer alarm: http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Commercial-FGR80DC-Refrigerator-Thermometer/dp/B005KDEFNK/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1450467213&sr=1-4

 

[hvac-q]

So now that I am still deciding whether to buy a GE or a Kenmore freezer, I stumbled upon this video:

[video=youtube;ggj_TigRWRk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggj_TigRWRk[/video]

This clip is a tad bit odd and robotic, but seems quite informative nevertheless.

IS Kenmore really more durable than GE? I need something built to last.



Also, I found a top 10 freezer list here: http://chest-freezers-review.toptenreviews.com/

 

[doug1111]

So now that I am still deciding whether to buy a GE or a Kenmore freezer, I stumbled upon this video:

[video=youtube;ggj_TigRWRk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggj_TigRWRk[/video]

This clip is a tad bit odd and robotic, but seems quite informative nevertheless.

IS Kenmore really more durable than GE? I need something built to last.



Also, I found a top 10 freezer list here: http://chest-freezers-review.toptenreviews.com/

Cute video. Reviews if I paid xxxx company $500 a month would I get good reviews? A few months ago I was asking about transporting a ac condenser laying it on its side. Some say it would be okay if the highside refrigeration tubing was facing up. Some say don't risk it. Some say if you transported laying on its side too set it up right and do not plug it in or turn it on for 24 hours.

 

[doug1111]

Did you get that new freezer yet??? Post some pics & info.

 

[hvac-q]

Did you get that new freezer yet??? Post some pics & info.

Not yet. I'm not sure if I'll get one as early as today or as late as January of next year.

I was asking someone which freezer I should buy. Basically, they said that all of the freezers in which I listed (ex: GE, Idylis, Amana, Kenmore) are disposable and typically last for only a few years.
Should I just shell out more money for a Whirlpool or a Frigidaire?