7 Mistakes to avoid when buying a fridge
Are you looking to buy a refrigerator for your home? Well, you certainly aren’t alone. I serve customers looking to buy a new refrigerator on a daily basis here at Ross’s Home Discount Centre. But why do they come to us? Because they know, we offer some of the cheapest fridges in Perth.
However, you must understand that there is a difference between high quality fridges at low prices and cheap fridges, which offer low quality. To ensure you get the best value for your money, you must look for a fridge that offers value for money, not a fridge that is just cheap.
Being the head of purchasing at Ross’s, it’s fair to say that I know a thing or two about the refrigerator buying process. Continue reading this post as I list out 7 mistakes that you must avoid when buying a fridge. This guide will enable you to find high quality fridges in Perth at the best price possible.
1. Buying only by brand
Many people purely buy appliances based on their knowledge of a brand. These people think that buying a fridge based on brand name alone will result in a high quality purchase. However, the top refrigerator models offered by big brands lie on the higher end of the price spectrum. These refrigerators will be anything but cheap.
What’s worse is that the lower end models offered by big brands often fall short of providing value for money. Remember – it’s all about getting a cheap fridge which is high-quality.
If you’re looking for cheap fridges in Perth and you’re targeting top brands, then you need to change your approach. In my opinion, you should take a look at specific models rather than buying on the basis of brand alone. This way, you will get the best value for money.
2. Buying a fridge of the wrong size
In my experience, the most common mistake that people make when buying a fridge is choosing the wrong size. When you’re looking for cheap fridges in Perth, never choose models that are too large or too small. Depending on the size of your household, you must choose an adequately sized fridge. A unit which is too small will offer less functionality. On the other hand, an oversized unit will cost more and may not even fit in your kitchen cavity.
Before you buy a refrigerator, you should measure the dimensions of the area where you will place the unit. Keep some extra clearance around the area to allow air flow and to let you operate the fridge easily. By factoring in size, you will be able to zone in to refrigerator models that are perfect for you.
3. Not making a budget
In my time, I have dealt with customers who are looking for fridges in Perth but have not thought about their budget. This again brings up the question, are you looking for a cheap fridge or a quality fridge at an affordable price? This is something you need to determine right off the bat.
Refrigerators are available in a range of prices, starting as low as $200 and going upwards of even $5,000. You must make a budget before you start looking, else you’ll be overwhelmed with the number of options available. Your budget will also determine the features and capacity available at a given price point.
4. Not considering energy costs
Even though modern energy efficiency standards are very stringent, fridges are still a very power hungry resource. If you buy cheap fridges in Perth without considering energy costs, it may cost you more in the long run. Consider this fact – a less energy efficient refrigerator may cost you up to $60 per year to run. According to the Home Energy Audit Toolkit, “A fridge using 300kWh per year will save you $60 in electricity costs each year compared to one using 600kWh per year (at present electricity prices).”
This amounts to $500 or even more over the lifetime of the unit. You will certainly be better off by looking for an energy efficient unit, which allows you to save on power.
At Ross’s, every refrigerator that we sell is labelled for energy efficiency. By looking at this label, you can determine whether a unit is energy efficient or not. You must always look at this label and factor in the energy efficiency costs before you make a purchase.
5. Choosing the wrong design
Today, you’ll find that fridges are available in all sorts of designs. Some designs that are popular with customers at Ross’s include single door, double door, side by side and French door, among others. Of these, our single door and double door models fall under the affordable category. Unless you need a refrigerator with lots of features and functionality, these models will serve all basic needs.
Take a look at our 48L refrigerator, which is an affordable unit with all basic functionality.
If you think that you need a double door fridge, then consider our 420lt Refrigerator (White).
Remember – with refrigerators, you will only get what you pay for. Cheap fridges won’t offer a lot of features. However, those, such as our range, offer great functionality at affordable prices. These basic models are only meant to provide value for money without any added frills.
6. Going for the wrong finish
When buying a fridge in Perth, you must look for a unit that matches the décor of your home. The finish of a refrigerator will determine whether a unit blends in with your interiors or stands out awkwardly. Take a good look at your interiors before you start hunting for a refrigerator unit. Your new fridge should complement the interiors of your space and not be a misfit.
As with the design, fridges are also available in many different colours and finish options. So, it’s safe to say that you will definitely find something that matches your home. If you’re unsure of which finish will go well with your interiors, choose standard white, stainless steel or black options. Those among you who want a bolder look can opt for slate, bisque or other coloured finishes with accented rims. Keep in mind though that going outside the standard finish options may require shelling out a little bit more cash.
7. Ignoring noise made by the unit
Although quality fridges generally work very well, some cheaper fridges may make a lot of noise. If you plan to keep your refrigerator in an open plan layout, then noise can be a concern to you. Before you finalise a purchase, make sure to ask salesmen about refrigerator noise. Alternatively, you can also test the unit in a showroom before committing to buy. If you’re an online shopper, check reviews left by other customers before you buy a unit.
At Ross’s, every refrigerator that we sell is noiseless in operation. While our models are incredibly affordable, they are also of a very high quality. This is why we offer a 14-day money back guarantee on all appliances that we sell. If you find that you’re not satisfied with your purchase, we will refund you the money. That being said, most customers simply love our products and we have had to deal with very few refunds.
Conclusion:
If you’re to buy a cheap fridge in Perth, it is important to understand that you get what you pay for. You cannot expect to get top features and functionality at low prices.
However, you can still find refrigerators that offer incredible value for money with basic features. Make sure not to restrict yourself to the top brands as other brands can also offer you a great deal. Choose a fridge that is the right size for your needs and kitchen cavity space. Create a budget and factor in energy costs before you start looking for fridge models in the market. Go for design or functionality as per your needs and opt for a finish that complements your décor. Also, don’t ignore the noise of a unit as some cheap fridges tend to be very noisy in operation. By avoiding these basic mistakes, you will definitely find a refrigerator unit that’s perfect for you.
When it comes to cheap fridges in Perth that offer the best value for money, Ross’s can’t be matched. We have in stock a variety of refrigerator models, starting as low as $292 and going up to $3,014. Our refrigerators are ideal for people on a budget, who want the best bang for their buck. And with manufacturer’s warranties and our very own money back guarantee, you cannot go wrong in buying from us.
Visit our showroom in Guildford or look at our online store to buy high quality, yet cheap fridges in Perth. If you have any questions regarding a refrigerator model or the buying process, please give us a call. We’ll be more than happy to resolve any doubts that you have.
