Samsung Fridge

We bought that exact model a few months ago and have been very pleased with it so far. It does seem to be a little slow at dispensing ice compared to some other fridges I have used, but that's not something that really bothers me. Also of note, I believe it has a 10 year factory warranty on both of the compressors.

Overall our bill has dropped compared to last year, but it's likely attributed to multiple efficiency improvements we have done over the past few months. However, based on the stated power usage, I should be using about 200 watts less than my old fridge when it is running. It also does seem to run less frequently.

Better hope you never need service.
4 yr old Samsung kitchen here. 4 month wait for fridge door parts. Almost 1 year to finally get the dishwasher back running. Never again

I've got a good friend that had a terrible experience with a Samsung fridge a few years back. Of course no brand is perfect. But for me Samsung is not on my list of brands to consider for appliances.

For what it's worth I think the Samsung's have been plagued with board issues (electronics) and not mechanical issues. I'd get the extended warranty.

I remember looking at Samsung a few years ago and I think I determined that they weren't stainless steel, which is what I wanted. The had some similar looking material.

Our 4-year old Samsung is going strong with no problems yet. Our only complaint has been that ice output could be better as mentioned earlier.

One of the primary reasons we bought this unit is because of how the air flows through under the fridge through the condenser coil (and my wife liked the soft start interior light). The air is pulled in through the back of the unit and flows downward through the condenser to the floor.
This has been great as we have dogs and cats. We put some filter material over the rear inlet and clean it on occasion. The condenser coils have stayed clean.

Funny you should ask. 2010, we purchased model#RF197ABWP from State St. Discount in Portsmouth, NH. We purchased the 5 yr. extended warrantee. In 2012, the Twin Cooling fan took a dump and the crispers filled with 1/2-3/4" of water and a frozen puddle beneath them appeared. This is a French door model with a bottom freezer. I'd forgotten we'd purchased the warrantee (we usually pass on that stuff) and called a local repair man. Including the diagnostic visit the bill was $200-250. Well, the dreaded crisper with water and frozen puddle reappeared about October 1st.. I called State St., explained the problem, learned we had a warrantee and it was still good. I called the Warrantee Group (1-800-615-8632) and gave them the invoice agreement number. They put me in touch with Broadway Appliance (Dover, NH).

I called Broadway and discovered Samsung has issued a bulletin to repair people about the defective part. So the issue that's afflicted our 'frig. is by no means uncommon to Samsung. According to Broadway Appliance the necessary parts are apparently "back ordered". Two more calls to Broadway have resulted in no action, let alone a return call to my messages. (we'll see about that).

No appliance manufacturer is perfect, I understand that. But be VERY careful with Samsung. I'm not ready to completely write them off, but there is clearly an "issue" with this 'frig. and make damn sure you buy the warrantee (and keep it handy!).

Isn't it amazing that we're talking about picking up scratch and dents for $1,800? My how far we've come! I was shocked when I saw how expensive appliances are during a recent trip to Best Buy. Man I must be getting old...

At least you found the dent before they left.

If you got a frig, or any appliance that's working good, don't buy a new one just to save a little electricity. The new stuff doesn't seem to last and is priced high. Any repairs seem to be close to 2/3rds the price of a new one, and I've got a local top notch repair guy. He's not impressed.

The required parts for the necessary (warranteed) repair are still on back order. We are removing water from the crispers and ice from below them at least once weekly. Our 'frig. is a JUNK, in my opinion. It will be repaired (come hell or high water!) but I will likely never buy another Samsung product.

Samsung? AVOID THIS COMPANY LIKE THE PLAGUE (or, like ebola?). Every major company has a "lemon" and I am a pretty forgiving soul. However, when the company can't get the necessary repair parts to the people who're doing the warrantee work in anything remotely close to an "efficacious manner" you need to take notice. Run! run away quickly!

the shelves in the Samsung are a "biocth" to clean ...the chit goes between the glass and the frame of the shelves ...and it don't come apart to clean !... moose blood and the bottom of a gallon of milk...yuk

Bobbin said:

The required parts for the necessary (warranteed) repair are still on back order. We are removing water from the crispers and ice from below them at least once weekly. Our 'frig. is a JUNK, in my opinion. It will be repaired (come hell or high water!) but I will likely never buy another Samsung product.

Samsung? AVOID THIS COMPANY LIKE THE PLAGUE (or, like ebola?). Every major company has a "lemon" and I am a pretty forgiving soul. However, when the company can't get the necessary repair parts to the people who're doing the warrantee work in anything remotely close to an "efficacious manner" you need to take notice. Run! run away quickly!

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I just bought a lemon dishwasher. They are sending a replacement and I pray the new unit is not plagued with problems too. Sorry about your fridge, ours were ruined from no electricity for 2 weeks during wildfire mandatory evactuations, everything rotted... We ended up buying a dorm fridge for the necessities for awhile.

I do understand that huge corporations have their failures and try not to hold that against them. The response to failure is what's really important, IMO. If it's addressed openly, honestly, and the repairs are done in a timely manner I'm pretty much "good with that".

The fact that Samsung has issued a bulletin to stores and repair companies about the failure of the model we purchased indicates to me that they're aware of the problem. The fact that the necessary parts are "back ordered" and however many customers are left in the lurch and the companies tasked with the upholding the warrantees have no information to pass along (time frame for repair) is what has really earned my scorn (have they failed to watch the debacle at GM?); a PR nightmare in the making, if you ask me. Neither State Street Discount or Broadway Appliance can fairly be held accountable, they simply sell the line or fix it; and they're the ones left to deal with unhappy customers like me.

I agree about the difficulty in cleaning the shelves, too, Atvalaska. We did not realize that the indoor storage was sized for metric containers; a foolish oversight on our part and in no way attributable to poor design. But the result is considerable "wasted space" and we will carefully consider that aspect of design when we purchase the next 'frig.. I will likely rehome the present 'frig. to a home my brother and I own (seasonal rental) and replace it with something more suited to our needs.

We have a Samsung TV, and it's performed well and reliably. But the present experience with an expensive appliance has really colored my view of Samsung. Very disappointing.

We've been looking at fridges and am amazed at the number of brands that only warranty them for 1 year. LG seems to be the only one with a long warranty, think it's 10 yrs on the compressor and such.

Sam

mellow said:

Went ahead and got the Samsung, found one at Lowes that was scratched on the side and picked it up for $1800. Went ahead and got the 5 year extended warranty.

With so many good reviews out there I figure it is worth the chance. Every fridge I looked at with a door ice dispenser seemed to have a few negative reviews so I take it that is a hit or miss problem.

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Sorry, Bobbin, I just saw this post.

The fix for your water / ice under your crispers, is a modified drain heater. It should be readily available. I can check availability Monday.

This fix applies to MANY Samsung models.

Who's the under writer for the service contract?

The repair guy is coming tomorrow, actually! I have been assured that the repair parts have been tested and have stood up nicely to what's required of them. I have done my research about the repair I paid for (not realizing the appliance was under warrantee) and plan to go after either compensation or a "free" repair when/if the new parts crap out within a fair amount of time.

The extended warrantee is through the Warrantee Group. I called them after learning of the repair part back order and they've been most helpful. So has On Broadway Appliance... there were some glitches in communication but they're "right on it" and I'll be certain to keep you posted. Samsung is a major brand and knowing about failures is important... so is knowing about the necessary repairs.

Repair has been accomplished! As previously noted this particular problem is pretty common; the addition of a small heating unit to the drain may well prove to be the ticket to hassle-free operation. (I hope!)