Traditionally when buying a new fridge freezer, consumers have walked into a large appliance retail store and had the time to check out all the brands and models on offer, speak to a sales assistant, and measure up the refrigerators in order to make an informed decision and choice on what they are going to buy.
However, times have now changed with more and more people shopping online for larger appliances due to time constraints plus the fact that there are far better bargains to be found with web-based retailers. But there is a draw-back to shopping online because you can’t get a real feel for the product as you can do if walking into a shopping mall or physical store. With that in mind here are a few hints and tips to what to check for when shopping online for a new refrigerator.
Measure Up Your Cabinet Dimensions
Before you even start looking at a new refrigerator it is essential that you measure up your kitchen so you know what dimensions your new fridge should be. Some refrigerators are designed to be cabinet or counter-depth meaning that they will fit seamlessly into a fitted kitchen. Measure height, depth, and width and then consult the technical specification of your potential purchase.
Decide What Internal Capacity You Need
Typically the following capacities will suit different sized families who only want to shop once or twice a month. For average sized families of 4 don’t go any lower than a 25 cubic foot capacity refrigerator. Anything smaller than that probably won’t suit you. Larger families can find new fridges that are very large – even up to 33 cubic feet. The best larger models tend to be the Samsung refrigerator range.
Think About the Refrigerator Style
There are a number of different styles on the market as follows:
- Stainless Steel
- French Door
- Side by Side
- Counter or Cabinet Depth
- Bottom Freezer
- Top Freezer
To find out what all the different styles and types mean then consult the Refrigerator Reviews 4U website which goes into a lot more depth and has some excellent FAQs (frequently asked questions) that go into a lot more detail than is possible in this small and handy guide.
Length of Warranty and Guarantee
Most manufacturers offer a lengthy parts and labor warranty and the online retailers should have a returns policy of nothing shorter than two months. It’s sometimes possible to pay for a longer warranty should you need it – expect to pay an additional $100 US Dollars if you want to extend the terms.
Delivery Times to Suit Your Schedule of Kitchen Renovation
So many people buy a new refrigerator online and fail to check what the delivery time is going to be. If you are in a period of kitchen renovation then you need to check that the fridge freezer will be delivered to suit your timeframes. Some retailers tend to hide this information a little deeper into their website – especially if they can only guarantee a long-term delivery time of over one month. Don’t get a nasty surprise – make sure you check their terms and conditions thoroughly before you make a purchase.
Final Thought on Your Refrigerator Purchase
Those are the top five tips you should consider when buying a new fridge freezer online. Of course, a lot of this does come down to pure common sense. Your new refrigerator should be a part of your home and kitchen life for the next five to ten years so it’s imperative and hugely important that you really take your time when making what could be one of the biggest and most expensive purchases for your home.



