This review is for SJ-PK45M. I have done my research for over 1 month visiting about 10-12 showrooms in West Delhi namely Kapila Elec, Better Deals, Sachdeva Elec, Super Elec, Sunview, Sargam, Croma, Vijay Sales, Electronic Paradise and a few others. Initially I had been looking at Whirpool professional series as they have a good brand image for Refrigerators. Whirpool has a wide range of refs and have variants in same model as well. We were looking for good number of shelves as in 3-4 full size so Whirlpool 340ltrs, 380ltrs, 410ltrs were the options. 340ltrs and 380ltrs will give u shelves but the width is not too great. I saw 410ltrrs which had total 3 tuffened glass shelves and 1 plastic shelv which s the cover for vegetable basket. We skipped the Professional series as the looks of fridge are not that great and cooling technology is same as others(old). We also looked at their proton series which again scores on the looks but does not gives any new features in comparison to the old one even though it s more expensive.
Meanwhile I looked at Godrej EON series which seems to be economical but the plastic quality and shelves quality was really below expectations, so we skippedd this. Finally we understood that we had to shell out some more money to get the quality, featues and looks.
Now we started lloking for premium brands like Toshiba, Hitachi and Sharp. Toshiba with latest glass door offers a good range, quality and looks. Price for 380ltrs is about 33K at Super Elec( 3 full size shelves - tuffened). Hitacthi scores on quality, not much of range and looks are old steel finish. Sharp scores with glass door looks, long steel cylinder handles, amazing plasic quality which I have only seen in Toshiba, none other brand is giving this plastic quality. The Door has massive space to accomodate 6 bottles of 1ltrs, 3-4 bottles of 2ltrs, a long rack for 12 eggs where u can accomodate alot more as it is very wide also. 2 extra racks between 2ltrs rack and egg rack which also very usefull as they are alos very wide.
The shelves are very wide and can accomodate huge number of vessels(believe me on that).
Cooling technology is hybrid which is unique and locks the comparment with 0C. The fruits and vegetables are staying fresh as claimed for 2-3 days(very happy for that) and its does not get moist as it happens in other fridge with regular cooling technology(air flow). Freezer has a unique rubber belt to hold bottles(i think its for beer) so that they dont fell down on floor once you open the freezer.
The fridge is really silent. Even at night you cant hear any noise.
Glass door is not scratch resistant as told by Salesman of Electronic Paradise(8 showrooms in delhi - same owner) where I have purchased from.
ELECTRONIC PARADISE(OR HELL)!(Decide Youself)
Price Rs.31000/-(delivered)
The owner of Electronic Paradise confirmed that it is their responsibility to deliver this in good condition.
When we asked that we would like to check it at showroom, he again insisted that he is soley responsible for everything. This was delivered and unpacked at my place.
Freezer Door has a lot of scratches. The main door has a very deep scratch and 2 visible dents. I called him at that very moment where he claimed that it is quite late and the doors will be replaced first thing in the morning. When we went to his showroom next morning, everything changed. He wanted us to take doors from the sample piece lying there which already had dents and scratches. When we insisted to replace the peice, he said I can return your money but dont have another piece thinking that we will back out but we accepted. Within half hour, he confirmed on the phone that he is getting 5 more pieces from Bombay and he will replace the peice which he did not(not a surprise). After 2 days we got a person from Sharp who took our complaint and it has been 4-5 days there has been no response. On asking dealer for replacement he just got rid of us saying the company will take care of this, we cant. Now he is not ready to reufnd or replace.
I think ELECTRONIC PARADISE is not a place I will be visting in my life and will make sure anyone known to me doesnt. He tricked us and left us with dented and scratched product.
Shame on Electronic Paradise!
This is case of cheating and I will make sure Sharp gets to change this anyhow.
Will update this review as when there are changes.
Update - 23/07/2011
The company agreed to replace the piece and have delivered a brand new refrigerator at my place. This has been delivered directly from there warehouse. It seems Sharp does value thier customers unlike their dealers.
To all readers - now I can officially recommend this product.