Help buying Refrigerator

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3. 2.6k for a samsung fridge is very very low. You would get a better (double the amount) good deal on olx or you can also donate the fridge to a charity.
My existing fridge is over 15 years old, but in good working order. Have absolutely no idea about exchange prices, and was under the impression that 2.6k was decent. If it is a rip-off, I'll do just what you suggest - give it away to someone.
 
Sounds good, thank you. Before I take the plunge on the Samsung, have a few more questions, if you will:
1. Does it come with all trays included? It's weird that I need to ask this at all, but my present Samsung actually came with no egg trays and had to purchase it separately.
2. Have you ever needed to service it during these 2 years? Is the extended warranty worth it?
3. How much did you buy it for? The price on Flipkart comes to around 29.8k, with discounts and exchange value applied (they quote an exchange of around 2.6k for my existing Samsung).
1. I am vegetarian so dont remember if egg tray was there or not. But rest all trays and shelf are there. Even the ice box is completely removable which comes handy if some more items are to be stored in freezee.
2. No need of any service yet. Also have not taken any extended warranty.
3. I bought it locally from Surya Electronics Pune for around 28k including no cost emi and 3k cashback. Sold my old fridge for 7k at olx (Videocon 200ltrs 3 years old)

Also the exchange value is just approx. Even if there is single strach or dent or color faded they would deny the exchange.
Would suggest check some local shop for a better deal and sell the old one on Olx.
 
Apologies to @LaatSahab for hijacking this thread - I'll move this to a new thread if you want me to.

So I'm also looking for a new fridge as well to replace my ~12 year old Samsung 430L fridge which has been acting up this summer again (very low cooling, had been giving problems since last 2-3 years). Was looking at around ~700 liters capacity in a side-by-side configuration.

At this point in time I am looking at two models, one each from Samsung and LG.

LG GC-B247SLUV - 687L
Samsung RS72R5011SL - 700L

Went to look at a few showrooms yesterday. All of them were next to each other, so it was convenient. Here's my experience:

  • Croma - Fairly large range, clean store. Staff was courteous and showed us their range of side-by-sides. List price of the Samsung RS72R5011SL was 88,000, was quoted a figure of 81,000 after discounts, and possibility of another 6,000 cashback (credited after 90 days) if I opted for a no-cost 6 month EMI on a HDFC or ICICI card. Unfortunately, my ICICI Amazon card was not supported and they did not have any offers on Citibank credit cards, which I have. So effective price for me was 81k. I asked about the exchange of the old fridge (obviously didn't tell him that the old fridge is not cooling satisfactorily), the guy said they would be only able to give something like 1000-1200 for it, and suggested we'd be better off selling it on OLX.
  • Vijay Sales - They had the widest range of models on display among all the stores we visited. Unfortunately, sales staff seemed to be uninterested in making a sale. Nobody bothered to ask what we were looking for. Was pretty crowded as well, no social distancing, most masks were worn below the nose. Bad experience, left after a couple of minutes.
  • Reliance Digital - Not too many models on display, but staff were attentive and helpful. For the Samsung RS72R5011SL, I was quoted a price of 78,000 after discounts, and they had the same 6,000 cashback if I took it on six months EMI, which I could not avail. Guy said if I was ready to make a purchase he would negotiate with management for 'final best' price, I guess he would give me another 1,000-2,000 discount. Told me that they have suspended any exchange of old models due to COVID, but he could provide me the number of a dealer who buys old electronics and I could talk to him (that is to say, Reliance Digital would not be involved in the old fridge's buyback). They did not have the LG model we were considering and it slipped my mind to ask him. He did take my number and if he calls, I'll ask him the 'final best' price for the LG B247SLUV. This place had the cheapest Samsung quote
  • Sargam Electronics - Wide range of Samsung fridges, LG range was a bit sparse, but they had the model we were looking for. Sales staff was helpful. In the earlier stores most staff was neutral when we told them I was looking at LG or Samsung and said we could go for any we liked, but this guy seemed pretty certain that LG is better in terms of quality and after-sales service. Granted the LG model is about 8,000 more than Samsung, but I don't think he was pushing for LG just because it was more expensive. So I guess the brand rankings give by @bssunilreddy are correct. Guy gave a quote of around 88,000 for the LG model, said he would try and match any better quote for the model (I guess he knew we were visiting all showrooms one by one, LOL).
  • Standalone LG Showroom - Since they had only LG models, went straight to the B247SLUV and asked for the best price (sticker price was 96,000). Salesman quoted 87,000, plus the same 6,000 cashback offer. As I was leaving the owner/ manager who was listening said he could give it for 86,000 - This place had the cheapest LG quote.
So after the trip yesterday and reading more reviews, I'm almost made up my mind for the LG B247SLUV. It has some stupid ThinQ gimmick, which I can do without, but otherwise it seems good.

Of course I'm also looking at buying online. Amazon has the LG listed for 90,000. But, I can use by ICICI Amazon card here and get a 5% cashback of 4,500, making it effectively 85,500 - cheaper than the quote given by the retail store. They are also offering buyback of 1,600, so it would come for around 84,000.

Reliance digital has listed the LG for 89,000, with an instant cash discount of 3,000. So effectively 86,000 - no buyback option. Some other benefits/ vouchers as well, which seem okay.

Flipkart has the same model listed for 87,000. But I can't claim the 5% cashback from the ICICI card there. Surprisingly, they are offering a buyback of 6,000 for my old fridge. I'm wondering why they are doing this and if they intend to find some fault when they come for inspection and deny the buyback. If they do honor the buyback, the effective price would be 81,000 - the cheapest anywhere.

So now I'm confused if
  • I should buy online vs. offline
  • If online - should I trust Flipkart. Amazon has been my go-to for any high-value purchases, if FK messes up, I'm screwed.

I'm also seriously considering to apply for a regular ICICI lifetime free credit card (I already have a savings account with them) to avail the 6,000 cashback offer that everyone is giving.

EDIT: @codelad I noticed the lack of egg trays instantly when I was checking out models. I'd say 90% of the models, especially the side-by-sides don't have them, but some of the smaller double doors did (but even this was usually for 6 eggs only - in comparison, my current Samsung has room for 24).
 

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This is what I was quoted today by local dealers
Haier 320 ltr (non-Convertible)- 31K
Haier 367 ltr- 43K
Samsung 330 ltr- 36K
LG 308 ltr -36K
Bosch 340 ltr- 38K

I was initially hoping to get a 1.5 ton Split (Non-Inverter) and up to 340 ltr (Non- Convertible) in under a budget of 50K, but seems to have to stretch it by 10K more. Don't have Chain Retail outlets in my town or anywhere nearby, so will finalize something by tomorrow.
 
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Also the exchange value is just approx. Even if there is single strach or dent or color faded they would deny the exchange.
Would suggest check some local shop for a better deal and sell the old one on Olx.
... If online - should I trust Flipkart. Amazon has been my go-to for any high-value purchases, if FK messes up, I'm screwed.
The exchange offer on Flipkart does appear a bit dicey. Still, I am in such a position that ordering online is my only practical option at the moment, living in a small suburban town with no decent real store options and with shopping around in the city still way too risky, given the times. The local stores here have very few models available and usually offer to acquire any other model on request. But it really makes no sense to me to commit to buy a model sight unseen *and* end up paying more than the online price. All things considered, the price of the RT37T4513S8/HL at Flipkart is actually lower than anywhere else (~32.5K, with discounts), even without the exchange.

On a related note, has anyone here dealt with the Flipkart seller "Akshnav Online"?
EDIT: @codelad I noticed the lack of egg trays instantly when I was checking out models. I'd say 90% of the models, especially the side-by-sides don't have them, but some of the smaller double doors did (but even this was usually for 6 eggs only - in comparison, my current Samsung has room for 24).
The lack of egg trays on my present Samsung has been a huge gripe of mine. Looking back, I actually would not have minded if they offered trays as an option for an extra fee. The fact is, we could never find a suitable one, and it has always remained an inconvenience.
@letmein - Could you please share your Samsung model with the huge tray - if only to indulge my curiousity?

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Samsung 330 ltr- 36K
LG 308 ltr -36K
Bosch 340 ltr- 38K
Could you please share the exact models for these? They fall within my budget and would really like to look them over.
 
So now I'm confused if
  • I should buy online vs. offline
  • If online - should I trust Flipkart. Amazon has been my go-to for any high-value purchases, if FK messes up, I'm screwed.
I would always prefer to support my local store if the price is not too different. I have someone to shout at if something is not right (delayed delivery or demo etc). I play on their sentiments by telling them that I want to support offline stores but they should make it affordable for me and show me a reason why I should buy from them. Another trick that you can try with offline stores is to go to a retail chain (here in Hyderabad I would go to Bajaj Electronics) and ask for their best price and tell them you will come back in 2 hours after checking with other stores. At this point they will try to offer you their near best price. Then go to few more branches of the same retail chain and give them the same spiel. At the end go back the store you think should buy from and play one against the other and why branch 1 cannot do better than branch 2? This trick works best on the last day of the month. The sales who has not yet met his target will be willing to give you the best discount. I got 11K discount with this method on a Samsung Fridge that was costing 1.87 L. All stores were willing to sell it at no less than 1.12L. I waited until the end of the month at got it at 1.01L.
 
50K for 350 litres where I asked but the build quality was cheap, Chinese level cheap. The door handle plastic finish and quality was so low that it felt it just might come off if I opened it couple of times. LG units do look and feel sturdy.
Do you remember the model you looked at? I am also contemplating between their 472 ltrs wala Dual Cooling (4740) and Easy Fresh (4765) range.
 
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