Black Samsung 345 L refrigerator. Review on Samsung RT-35 Refrigerator

Research:

After 4 months of research of frost-free double-door refrigerators, we finally zeroed down on LG and Samsung, both being BEE 5-star rated. LG had the green-ion cooling system while Samsung had the light behind the vegetable section to keep the vegetables fresh and minerals retained. Probably, these are features one would experience over a period of time, but sounded something good and useful.

On comparing both LG and Samsung 345 L, we found that the LG was narrower compared to Samsung. The capacity of refrigerator section of LG was smaller than Samsung. Also, the vegetable section volume was bigger in Samsung than LG. LG has a larger freezer section compared to Samsung. Well, we were not that hung up on freezer section.

In Samsung, the freezer and the chiller had a good facility of cool pack, considering the power cuts we experience.

The vegetable section of Samsung has small slider for lemons, green chillies and other sundry small items. We found it a helpful feature, but some may find it irksome. Personal choice.

We also found that the spacing between shelves was more in Samsung compared to LG which allows all sizes of vessels to fit in comfortably.(Now that we are using it, we do find a lot of space where pretty big vessels fit in seamlessly)

Both models do not have freezer light. Initially we did not like it but now we have got used to the feature not being there. It seems the freezer light is there on models of capacity higher than 400L.

Finally we went for Samsung and also our earlier refrigerator was a Samsung model and our experience was trouble-free with it for the past 4 years.

Having zeroed down on the model, we also explored the showrooms which were giving the best deals. Finally, HomeTown and Bajaj Electronics in Punjagutta turned out to be the winners. Difference between HT and BE is that in HT there is no scope of negotiations but in BE you can negotiate the price. Thus, always be sure of the MRP and the current offers before visiting BE so that you are in a better position to negotiate.

Purchase:

We made the purchase from Bajaj Electronics as HomeTown did not have the model. HT generally does not charge handling charges, but BE charges Rs. 200 as handling charges(read it as delivery charges). It being the new year time and off-season time for refrigerators, we were offered a good price. Overall, the experience at BE was positive.

Installation:

We purchased the refrigerator on 26th December and the delivery was made the next day as promised by the dealer. It was a great feeling having the new refrigerator opened and installed. We were given instructions of when to switch it on and when to start filling the refrigerator with our stuff.

Service:

Now, this is the tricky part. Our refrigerator was delivered on a sunday thus our demo was set for monday. No one turned up on monday. Then thanks to the bandh in hyderabad it got delayed by another few days. Finally, after calling up the dealer twice, the demo was rescheduled and the guy turned up after 10 days of installation. The worst was that the guy looked so unprofessional, with very little knowledge of the product.

I wish that the refrigerator provides us with proper service as the last refrigerator did, so that we have minimal or no interaction at all with the service guys.

Performance:

It's just been 2 weeks and the refrigerator seems to be working fine. One may find it funny, but when we switched on the refrigerator for the first time, the lights in the refrigerator section gives a very pyschedelic effect with the vegetable section light being red and the upper lights yellow!:)

Anyway, the cool pack is working fine when the power goes. Vegetables are really fresh, specially the leafy vegetables, which generally go stale after a day. Looks like the light behind the veg section does seem to work.:) The cooling is good.

Overall a good product as long as we stay away from service guys.

Feedback after 4 months of usage:

Benefits:

It had been really a luxury of space that we have enjoyed with RT35E.

The cool pack had been pretty useful during power cuts.

The vegetables remain fresh as promised by Samsung owing to their special feature at the back of the vegetable shelf. Various sizes of vessels have fit in perfectly well.

The spacing between the shelves have really proved helpful. In fact, there have been times when I have stacked the refrigerator to the fullest and still looks spacious!

Drawbacks:

Compressor is noisy. Since we were not used to it with our previous refrigerator we found it pretty annoying, but now we have grown used to the noise.

Also, the door makes some creaky noise, but that was due to some problem developed during transit from the warehouse to our house. Guess, its not a general problem with the model.

The door cooling is not that effective in normal cooling mode i.e. from 1-4. The door items get chilled only if cooling mode set above 5. It may be due to summer heat also that we want everything chilled that normal cooling does not work. I guess, LG door cooling is better though.

Future purchasers may double check these.