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Had to choose between fixing the compressor or buying a new fridge on that 2014 Samsung
Got a call last month from a customer in Phoenix who was sweating over a 1 year old Samsung fridge that just stopped cooling. I had to decide between swapping the compressor for $450 or telling them to trash it and get a new one for $1200. I went with the compressor swap, figured it was worth the gamble. It's been running fine for 6 weeks now, but I still wonder if I should have just pushed them toward something more reliable. Anyone else seen these compressors hold up long term or did I just kick the can down the road?
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davis.noah1mo ago
That 2014 Samsung fridge is right in that weird zone where they had those R600a compressor failures. I read somewhere that Samsung finally admitted to a bad batch of compressors around that time, but didn't do a full recall. So your customer might have gotten one of the duds. I've heard from a few other repair guys that swapping the compressor on those older models can be hit or miss, but if it's been 6 weeks in Phoenix heat with no issues, that's actually a decent sign. The aftermarket compressors are usually fine if you get a good brand like Secop or Embraco, not the cheap knockoffs. I think you did the right thing honestly, because even a new fridge these days has a decent chance of the same problem within a couple years.
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jenny471mo ago
You know what I mean? I feel like you did the right thing honestly. Those compressors are hit or miss but 6 weeks is a decent sign, maybe it'll last a few more years. The new ones aren't exactly bulletproof either, I've heard plenty of stories about people buying brand new fridges that die in a year. So swapping the part for $450 versus dropping $1200 on a whole new unit that could have its own problems, that's a pretty solid bet in my book. Idk, maybe it's just me but I think you gave them a fair shot at saving some money, which is more than a lot of repair guys would do.
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Not gonna lie, that's exactly what I was thinking when I read the original post. People act like new appliances are some kind of magic solution but they're just as likely to crap out on you. Did the homeowner even ask about a warranty on the compressor swap? That's the real question for me, because if it comes with even a 1 year warranty then you're basically set either way.
I've seen too many cases where someone drops big money on a new fridge and the icemaker dies in month 3. Or the door seal warps after a few months. Nobody talks about that stuff when they're selling you on a new unit. So yeah, giving the old one a fighting chance for $450 seems fair to me, especially if the rest of the fridge is in good shape.
Just curious though, was this a name brand compressor or one of those off brand ones that show up in a plain box? That usually tells you everything about how long it'll actually last.
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