Buying a fridge freezer (Comet)

Member Name: kerrypanda

Product:	Comet
Date:	25/05/09 (270 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Don't have to pay online, can look at the appliances before choosing

Disadvantages: Deliveryman giving incorrect information

Last week my second-hand fridge freezer packed up on me and I needed to buy a new one for the first time.

I'd seen a fridge freezer being advertised by Comet on TV, so I had a look online and compared prices, and Comet seemed reasonable and the most convenient for me. I was going to be in the area the next day to go to the Oxford store.

I went by bus, and it was easy to get there, there is a bus stop right outside the car park.

The store itself seems nice, carpeted, and not uncomfortably warm and stuffy as I often find with these kinds of shops. The entertainment electricals were on the ground floor, and appliances on the first floor by escalator. The "descending" side of the escalator wasn't moving.

I was there on a Thursday lunchtime, and the store was very quiet. I only saw two other customers, including one at the information desk just inside the front door, though I didn't look round, I made a beeline for the fridge freezer section.

The refridgerator section was right in front of me as I walked off the escalator, and I noticed two members of staff but they were talking and didn't look up. That suited me as I wanted to look around, but ten minutes later I did want assistance and of the three sales assistants I could see one looked busy working at a computer and the other two were deep in conversation. I approached the salesperson at the computer and he said yes, he was busy, but he called over one of the other two to help me.

I had found the fridge freezer I was interested in, it was prominently placed at the end of the aisle with a big price sticker on it, so it was easy to spot.

The salesperson was very attentive and polite, and agreed the model I'd chosen was the best one for my needs. The only irritating thing was when he went to check it was on sale at the price displayed, as the sale had just started that morning. If the sale has started, its started! The transaction was completed very quickly and easily otherwise.

I was offered next day delivery 2-6 p.m. which I was very pleased with.

The delivery man called on the day at 3 p.m. and said he would arrive within the hour, which he did.

He took the old fridge freezer outside and left it in the back garden and wheeled the new one through. I was surprised it had no plastic wrapping or packaging of any kind but I didn't ask why. He heaved the machine up the steps by himself too, which I was a bit nervous about but it seemed to be okay.

I had researched what you do with a new fridge freezer when it comes, because I didn't know. In fact I wouldn't have even thought to defrost the old one had I not looked on the net! The general advice was that when a new fridge freezer is delivered it is left to stand for roughly six hours before being switched on to allow the gases to settle, and then left empty overnight to get to the right temperature.

The delivery guy said I could load it up with food straight away and turn it on in 4 hours, and actually to turn the temperature dial right up to maximum "to give the system a boost."

After he'd left I read the manual as I was aware the insurance policy doesn't cover damage if the manufacturers' instructions aren't followed. There was no mention of a standing time in the instruction pamphlet, or when to put your food in it, but it does say to turn the temperature to an average value, not maximum.

Then he gave me some more incorrect advice. At the top of the appliance is a button with a frost symbol and a half-sun symbol next to it. He said pressing it defrosts the freezer but means you can still use the fridge. The instruction pamphlet says its to switch on the fast-freeze function to ensure cooling temperatures are reached quickly! Not quite the same thing!

All in all, I would use Comet again. The store was well laid out and comfortable, the staff member who eventually assisted me was helpful and friendly, and my new appliance (which I will review too if my suggestion comes through) was delivered the next day within the time-slot agreed and installed. I'm just glad I did my own homework too!

Summary: A good experience 8/10