I'm really surprised to hear you say this.. I would be inclined to try again in hopes I would get another CSR. Maybe even mention the deal I got???
Good luck.
Cheap Fridge <$400 shipped
- Thread starter teotwaki
- Start date
I'm really surprised to hear you say this.. I would be inclined to try again in hopes I would get another CSR. Maybe even mention the deal I got???
Good luck.
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
Well that blows!!!! No shipping to Canada... I guess its a 700 dollar ARB for me..To bad to.. this seems to fit the bill perfectly
Go through Sierra Expeditions, look for their portable fridge/freezer - brand Whynter.
It's the same thing, prcing not "quite" as good through Compact Appliances, but they are a forum sponsor. Give them your business.
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
For those concerned with quality, and have thought about going with an ARB instead, check out this thread:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44360
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44360
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
Another quality issue with a reportedly more "trustworthy" brand:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=645431&posted=1#post645431
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=645431&posted=1#post645431
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Bring this up not only if/when Edgestar is still in business in 20 years but when they have units that are still working in 20 years.
No offense but I'm seeing a sizable number (still low) of problematic cheaper fridges including the Edgestar (this thread details several) and I can't count the number of problematic Engels and ARB's I've dealt with in 10+ years with my elbow
Now, with that said, the Edgestar is the 'best bang for the buck' unit out there right now and I hope they do last 20 years both as a unit and a business. Eventually you'll need spare parts and if you can't get a spare hinge, latch or lid... you get the point. Sometimes you pay a bit more for an equal product knowing that product 'x' will still be supported in 5 or 10 or 15 years. Try getting a engine part for a Chinese go-kart sold at Checker Auto
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
Bring this up not only if/when Edgestar is still in business in 20 years but when they have units that are still working in 20 years.
No offense but I'm seeing a sizable number (still low) of problematic cheaper fridges including the Edgestar (this thread details several) and I can't count the number of problematic Engels and ARB's I've dealt with in 10+ years with my elbow
Now, with that said, the Edgestar is the 'best bang for the buck' unit out there right now and I hope they do last 20 years both as a unit and a business. Eventually you'll need spare parts and if you can't get a spare hinge, latch or lid... you get the point. Sometimes you pay a bit more for an equal product knowing that product 'x' will still be supported in 5 or 10 or 15 years. Try getting a engine part for a Chinese go-kart sold at Checker Auto
I know what you're saying, and to some extent I agree with you.
But specifically with this Edgestar, and Compact Appliance being the distributor, they've handled every problem unit at a VERY high rate of customer satisfaction. If they keep selling these units in high volumes, there is no reason that the Edgestar's won't be around and supported for 20 years.
From my point of view, if 2 products are both made in China, one has a reportedly trustworthy name, and the other is the new guy on the block but costs 1/2 of the name brand one, I'm going to look pretty darn hard at that less expensive model.
And this board is great as a resource in this respect because there are bunch of people that are willing to test the product and report back before I spend my shiny nickels.
So, maybe Edgestar and it's variants won't be around forever, or maybe they will force ARB, Engel, National Luna etc. to drop their prices to remain competitive. And in my very humble opinion, that would not be a bad thing.
HB 4X4
Adventurer
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
And that is great, ARB an Engel handle everyone of their fewer problems too. Like I said, I hope they stick around too, but lets have this discussion in even 10 years and see if feelings are the same. While its fun to predict the future based on today's trends, its far from telling.
Sorry but the other already are competitive just for different markets. Your comparing an XJ to a G-Wagen
. Lower dollar fridges are nothing new, Bushman and others in Aussie have been on the market for years. Competition is healthy, no doubt about it. Your biased slope would stick if the products were on the level but they are not. Start with dealer network, spare parts availability, accessories, power consumption (Martyn said it best "It’s like having a generic brand car that uses a Mercedes motor, but only get 9 MPG"), control features such as power protection levels, etc. While the Edgestar units are quite popular here on ExPo, I've not seen any indications they are making a dent in the market of any others. ARB's still working their tails off to keep fridges here in stock in the US a year after its introdcution for example. If/when we do start seeing the back end support similar to that of Engel, ie dealers all over the world, I think you'll see a proportional increase in their pricing. Each mouth has to feed along the way but when you need a cord in Alaska or hinge latch in Cambodia, likely Englel dealers can make it happen overnight.This doesn't make sense unless Edgestar makers are dumping at artificially low prices and slim margins, as opposed to the low price reflecting cheaper labor and parts to begin with. I think the latter is probably true (consider the various quality issues reported here which indicate BOTH low cost parts (more power hungry compressor) and labor (crooked latch, etc.)); hence global distribution would be more likely to not affect, or maybe to lower, the pricing.
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
And the Edgestar does have the low power protection for the battery, doe sit not?
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Great points. I was referring to what apparently is just one or two retailers for the actual lower cost units, both of which are 'big box' outlets with little or no vested interest in our hobby and lifestyles and a knack for 'low prices'. Start getting camping outlets and 4x4 gear retailers selling them, stocking them, repairing them and stocking spare parts... the price will have to go up. It takes a lot of money for a manufacture to set up an actual parts and accessories line in a market such as the US. Its one thing to ship containers of finished product, its another to have an actual presence here in regards to spares, etc. Edgestar may very well have that, I don't honestly know.
My comments were not comparing two distinct products, just highlighting the many differences that exist between the units and how a simple comparison based on price and origin simply doesn't work
The Land Cruiser and the Rav4 both have 4WD and both come from Japan. Shall we then assume that the Rav4 beats out based on price alone? :ylsmoke:
The Adam Blaster
Expedition Leader
Just a very specific counter to your point here:
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=264
They are selling the Whynter model of fridge right alongside the Engel and ARB offerings. The Whynter is a rebadged Edgestar, granted, the fine folks at Sierra Expeditions are not selling quite as inexpensively as Compact Appliance, but they do not have the buying nor distribution power of CA either.
Sierra Expeditions caters to a much smaller market - us.
I'm very thankful for that, and if/when I'm in the position to warrant buying one of these units, it will likely be through a supporter of our beloved activity of exploring.
Actually, just checking prices on the 2 sites, they come in under the CA price on the 63/65 quart size. CA does offer free shipping, but that's kind of meaningless to me since CA won't ship to Canada, so the Sierra guys would DEFINITELY get my business!
EDIT: I never really intended to start an argument regarding this issue. I'm just interested in exploring other less expensive options, and my focus has been on the fridge/freezer item because I would personally like to get one in the coming year or so. The goal to my posts in this thread is simply to continue to explore the options out there, look at the merits and faults of the less expensive models as well as the higher priced name brand units.
What it comes down to FOR ME (and possibly others) is my expectation of paying $1000+ for a piece of equipment when I could look at spending half that on a less expensive model is that the high-dollar one BETTER operate flawlessly or else I would experience severe regret on a purchase where I had wasted a decent amount of my hard-earned money. I've linked to threads where people have had issues with their high-end fridges, I feel this information is valuable to those considering a purchase on this type of item such as myself.
I have no financial stake in ANY company involved in the the manufacturing, marketing, distributing or retailing of ANY of these fridges. My only stake is my $500-$1200 future PERSONAL investment, that is all.
If you happen to feel that my posts on this subject are not worth reading (HB 4x4?) you can simply skip past them and go on about your day.
I think that's all I will say on the matter. I intend to continue researching these fridges and posting any and all quality issues I find.
Last edited: