Debacle: "free" refrigerator installation may cost upwards to $700k

[CrazyTrader55]

MSN

Link above
Where do we start with this one? First of all, wouldn't the guy's homeowner's insurance cover this? If not, then why not? Costo needs to pay and pay big and Mr. Byrd should have already called the lawyers.

But let's dig a bit deeper. Why buy a $3,500 refrigerator to begin with, that has complicated installation? Wouldn't it make more sense to just buy a regular appliance that you plug in? Once again, as Warren Buffett has famously said: "There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult."

 

[JOSweetHeart]

How much does the average refrigerator normally go for?

God bless you always!!!

Holly

 

[CrazyTrader55]

How much does the average refrigerator normally go for?

God bless you always!!!

Holly

I see new refrigerators available on Ebay for $300 to $500

 

[JGalt]

I see new refrigerators available on Ebay for $300 to $500

I can't imagine paying the shipping on those.

 

[Independent thinker]

MSN

Link above
Where do we start with this one? First of all, wouldn't the guy's homeowner's insurance cover this? If not, then why not? Costo needs to pay and pay big and Mr. Byrd should have already called the lawyers.

But let's dig a bit deeper. Why buy a $3,500 refrigerator to begin with, that has complicated installation? Wouldn't it make more sense to just buy a regular appliance that you plug in? Once again, as Warren Buffett has famously said: "There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult."

I don't think we really know the whole story.

 

[JustAnotherNut]

In the article in your link, it addresses the homeowners insurance coverage. Some do and some don't and those that do cover something like this, may only cover certain parts but not all.

The failure here is the 3rd party installers that messed up their end of the deal. They should be insured to cover any misshaps or failures on their part and that's who the guy should be complaining too, then report them to Costco if the investigation does find the 3rd party at fault. The only way Costco would be negligent is if they knew the 3rd party were screwups and continued to use them.

My son is a 3rd party installer, doing minor electrical, plumbing and cabinetry work as needed to install the appliances, but if anything is needed done beyond their scope, then that type contractor needs to fix it.........such as improper electrical or plumbing or woodwork is needed. His employer usually does 'site inspections' to make sure those things are done first.

It may be possible this guy in the article didn't have the plumbing set up for this type fridge, but the 3rd party should have refused to install IDK

 

[progressive hunter]

I see new refrigerators available on Ebay for $300 to $500

ebay??

how about you look up some appliance stores??

3500 really isnt thatt much for high uality dbl wide units,,

 

[CrazyTrader55]

ebay??

how about you look up some appliance stores??

3500 really isnt thatt much for high uality dbl wide units,,

Why would I pay $3500 for a refrigerator when I can get a perfectly good one for $400?

 

[progressive hunter]

Why would I pay $3500 for a refrigerator when I can get a perfectly good one for $400?

I have no idea why you would do anything including using ebay as a source for the costs of appliances,,

the world doesntt revolve round you,,

 

[Fang]

I don't think we really know the whole story.

I think we know the whole story. Basically, Costo hired a contractor to do the install who isn't qualified. Been there done that with Lowes for a dish washer. Luckily for me I was able identify this contactor was full of sh!t and I told him just to leave the dishwasher in the garage for me to handle. No damage done for me, Unfortunately this guy in Florida wasn't so lucky. Reminder to homeowner's that YOU are the project manager in any home upgrade or mod you do even when you hire contractors.

 

[Independent thinker]

I think we know the whole story. Basically, Costo hired a contractor to do the install who isn't qualified. Been there done that with Lowes for a dish washer. Luckily for me I was able identify this contactor was full of sh!t and I told him just to leave the dishwasher in the garage for me to handle. No damage done for me, Unfortunately this guy in Florida wasn't so lucky. Reminder to homeowner's that YOU are the project manager in any home upgrade or mod you do even when you hire contractors.

Must be nice to be so rich this guy can just fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money. The story doesn't add up. How much is the damned house worth?

 

[JustAnotherNut]

Why would I pay $3500 for a refrigerator when I can get a perfectly good one for $400?

The guy 'upgraded' from a perfectly good fridge to a bigger, better unit. Getting it from Costco was probably cheaper than Home Depot or any other source for the model he wanted. This one was more than likely a 'smart' fridge, with capability of turning on the inside light to see what's in there without opening the door, including a list of items both inside the fridge and freezer on a screen on the front panel.......and/or whatever other capabilities all from his smart phone. Maybe, IDK. But they can be very expensive.

My question is why or how did so much water leak to create so much damage in just a few hours? Most water connection hoses are only about an inch wide. Supposedly the line was connected, but not properly and that would stem some of the flow. He would have had at most a few gallons to deal with that could have been cleaned up with only minimal damage.

 

[CrazyTrader55]

I have no idea why you would do anything including using ebay as a source for the costs of appliances,,

the world doesntt revolve round you,,

What's your problem pal?
I went to Ebay to get a quick idea of what refrigerators are selling for, and I was successful.

Moron. By the way, spell check is your friend.

 

[progressive hunter]

What's your problem pal?
I went to Ebay to get a quick idea of what refrigerators are selling for.

Moron. By the way, spell check is your friend.

so it never crossed your mind to check appliance stores,,

as I said 3500 for a good dbl wide is nothing,,

maybe they should have checked with you before they purchased,,

 

[Fang]

Must be nice to be so rich this guy can just fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money. The story doesn't add up. How much is the damned house worth?

I just bought a new fridge. I can't remember the exact cost but it's a pretty nice one. It might have been a couple thousand, or at least approaching 3K. I recall upgrading to a nicer model since this is an appliance you use many times a day. Now, I don't have 300K sitting around if damage to my house was done. But there is a water line on the back it. After the installer left the first thing I did was roll the fridge out to make sure the water line was properly secure. Not that I know what the heck I'm looking at, but if he sat the fridge on top the line like these Florida people did that would be obvious.

I don't think there's any more to the story than that. The installers screwed up.

 

[Independent thinker]

I just bought a new fridge. I can't remember the exact cost but it's a pretty nice one. It might have been a couple thousand, or at least approaching 3K. I recall upgrading to a nicer model since this is an appliance you use many times a day. Now, I don't have 300K sitting around if damage to my house was done. But there is a water line on the back it. After the installer left the first thing I did was roll the fridge out to make sure the water line was properly secure. Not that I know what the heck I'm looking at, but if he sat the fridge on top the line like these Florida people did that would be obvious.

I don't think there's any more to the story than that. The installers screwed up.

There is more to the story. The story doesn't add up.

 

[jackflash]

MSN

Link above
Where do we start with this one? First of all, wouldn't the guy's homeowner's insurance cover this? If not, then why not? Costo needs to pay and pay big and Mr. Byrd should have already called the lawyers.

But let's dig a bit deeper. Why buy a $3,500 refrigerator to begin with, that has complicated installation? Wouldn't it make more sense to just buy a regular appliance that you plug in? Once again, as Warren Buffett has famously said: "There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult."

Keep it simple. 120 v.a.c. plug in, lightweight, & small enough to install under or on top of ones work bench in the shop. Low co$t operation. 3.3 cubic feet enough space for beverages & containers of potato salad etc. Freezer space is limited but can hold a dozen or so Klondike ice cream bars. I got the model listed in the link below installed for a tight fit between one of my tool chests & my plating bench, like takes up precious little space. I believe back then I paid about $109.00 for it. $133.00 @ today's price still a good buy for a shop refrigerator for sure!

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/072f80af-1763-4e82-9ab1-a5dafd30b306.f3c427f0b14577cbe763c1feaddbe481.jpeg?odnHeight=2000&odnWidth=2000&odnBg=FFFFFF

 

[CrazyTrader55]

I just bought a new fridge. I can't remember the exact cost but it's a pretty nice one. It might have been a couple thousand, or at least approaching 3K. I recall upgrading to a nicer model since this is an appliance you use many times a day. Now, I don't have 300K sitting around if damage to my house was done. But there is a water line on the back it. After the installer left the first thing I did was roll the fridge out to make sure the water line was properly secure. Not that I know what the heck I'm looking at, but if he sat the fridge on top the line like these Florida people did that would be obvious.

I don't think there's any more to the story than that. The installers screwed up.

They did.

But who should pay?

 

[Fang]

They did.

But who should pay?

Costco. They are responsible for the contractors they hire. Worse case scenario file a law suit against both Costco and the Contractor and let a judge it out.