We bought a Electrolux ERM 305 FF refrigerator from Sumaria in Mahim about 6 yrs ago. Our family has been a loyal Godrej fridge supporter for nearly 40 yrs but this was the first time we bought a non-Godrej fridge on the recommendation of the Sumaria salesperson.
We liked the look of the fridge and it suited our needs as far as size and space available was concerned. They delivered it the next day and lo behold, the piece they sent us wouldn’t cool at all !!!!!!. We got it promptly replaced with another one, still keeping faith with our choice. This one was better and did not trouble us for 3 yrs. The cooling in the main compartment wasn’t the best but it was adequate. The freezer compartment on the other hand seemed to work a little too well !!!!.
Since 2004, however, the fridge has given us a lot of trouble. It would be the compressor one time, then the coolant , then the fan, then the circuit. We are quite fed up with the problems. Every 4-5 months, there’s something or the other going wrong. Since the fridge is now outside the warranty period, we shell out Rs 1000- 3000 every time we hav to get it repaired depending on the part or component that breaks down.
The first fridge I remember as a child was a Godrej which was with us for 30 yrs without ANY problem. I am sure it wasn’t as technologically advanced as fridges nowadays claim to be, but it cooled, it chilled, it kept things fresh. it did whatever a fridge still needs to and it never ever gave us trouble.
I wonder if refrigerators nowadays are bigger on looks and technology than on reliability and sturdiness and longevity.