Last December Les and I decided to upgrade several of our appliances. This decision started with our washing machine dying. One thing led to another as they do, and we decided to get a new stove and new refrigerator at the same time.
Because of the Covid pandemic we knew we weren't going to be spending our "travel money" any time soon, so off we went to Lowe's. On December 3, 2020, we bought and paid for all three appliances. The washing machine and the stove were delivered in a timely manner and installed. The refrigerator was on back order and we were told to expect delivery the first week of January.
Then we were told delivery would be in March; then it was in April. The date was moved all over the calendar. Then it was back to March on the 6th. Nope! Then we got a call saying for sure on the 13th.
Alright!! Everyone involved passed all the Covid questions and we all took precautions. We emptied the current refrigerator. We were ready! The delivery men showed up and got the appliance off the truck. It was not long before one of them came to us and said "we have a problem". The doors and drawers on the refrigerator are made to be taken off if necessary for moving it and installation. In trying to remove the first drawer, they broke the wiring, thus making it unusable.
We were all standing out there on the street around the refrigerator with them explaining everything. While Les had gone inside to look up the instructions in the manual, the delivery men told me there was no way that they could get that model of refrigerator into our home and installed without damaging it.
Obviously we did not want this broken one anyway. They loaded it back on the truck and said they would explain to Lowe's and we would be getting a call. We did not get a call. So on Sunday morning we geared up and went to Lowe's to see what was going on. The refrigerator had not been returned yet and was not in their system. We were told to call back in the afternoon; still nothing. We were told weekend returns are not processed until Mondays.
So, on Monday afternoon I called again. The return was in the processing stage, but no confirmation yet. This return amount is to be for the refrigerator, a connector, and the maintenance agreement/extended warranty.
To make this whole disturbing, disappointing, frustrating, ordeal even "better", I was told it was past the thirty day cancellation date for that warranty. WTH!!#@%&**!! (I did not say that out loud) I told them that I was not paying for an extended warranty for time that I did not even have the appliance. I was told they understood, but I would have to call the extended warranty company.
To sum this all up, we are back to "square one" and looking at refrigerators and researching online. We think we have found one we like but whether it is even available or not is a question. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on a lot of companies, and a lot of businesses. As soon as we have the refund confirmed, we can get serious about buying another one.
And FYI..some interesting information we found out during all this. Because of all the shortages in stores, if something is on display in the store, it is probably out of stock. We were told this is because people buy what they can see. But other models or appliances not on display are in the back warehouse. So if you need to get something, look online and see what is listed. You might not see it in the store on display, but it could be in the back.
I am going back to the phone now. If you hear any loud shouting, just ignore. I intend to start out polite and nice as usual, but I am not going to accept any more nonsense with this.
Take care and stay safe!
