Long story short.
A sudden power outage has killed my fridge and the power distributor is only giving $1000 for a fridge that's only a few years old and was worth $3000.
What is an ideal outcome?
Power Outage Killed Fridge
NEEDHELP on 13/05/2017 - 01:06
Last edited 13/05/2017 - 08:45 by 1 other user
Last edited 13/05/2017 - 08:45 by 1 other user
Comments
They have accepted liability, they also don't know whats wrong with it hence why they're trying to give some sort of compensation.
Negotiate with them for a better deal. Perhaps ask them to replace it with the current generation of the same model.
$1000 towards the cost of a replacement fridge + $1000 credit on electricity, etc..
What your fridge cost a few years ago is not what its value is now.
All else fails, your home content insurance may also cover its replacement.
I am trying to negotiate, but they say that their offer would most likely be final. I have created a case with the Ombudsman and we'll see how they react to that final offer.
What do you mean by $1000 credit on electricity? As in my electricity account to be in credit for that amount?
Yeah. If they play hardball then the ombudsman is the correct way to go. Ensure you keep everything in writing or via email, so you can rely on it later.
the warranty should cover the repair ? obviously you don't need to tell them the cause.
edit: just read 'a few years' … out of warranty i guess.
A $3,000 fridge would be expected to last more than just a 'few years'.
You have a statutory warranty - enforce it.How many years after extended warranty expires is statutory warranty valid for?
what does your house and contents insurance cover?
As a starting point read their terms and conditions which you can find on their website. They should outline a dispute process as well
Try to seek a warranty claim from the manufacturer, some will still service outside the warranty period
I'd get insurance company to take it up with the energy company and between the two of them get your fridge replaced plus food lost.
Power surge.
I once spent an hour trying to figure out if I should put a surge protector on my new fridge and the conclusion I reached was that it was probably pointless- the surge would defeat the protector unless I spent a squillion dollars.
i always make sure to turn off the switch of the fridge, TV, PC whenever there is a power outage. (provided someone is home)
a good surge protector will sacrifice itself while keeping the machine safe.
Do you use surge protector at all? Let me know if my question is irrelevant.
They reckon the amount is fair under some ATO guidelines. Even if they think it is, I'm out of pocket $1500-2000 to replace that fridge with a similar model and brand.
was worth $3000
a fridge is a depreciating asset. there is no way that the item is worth the same today as it did a few years ago. how many years is a few years? three, four or five?
I realise that, but it was something out of my hands and it shouldn't have happened. It just turned 5 years old. Why isn't like insurance where if you claim for a written off car you get a high amount of money back?
because your fridge is not insured with the power distro ?
no black & white that the power distro is liable to reimburse up to the original value either.you can always take them to ACCC/tribunal but you know it's not worth your time.
i always turn off the switch of the fridge, TV, PC whenever there is a power outage.
Why do you think that?
Insurance pays out because you are paying a premium + excess, you're demanding the power company pay original value? really…?
Your insurance company would pay reasonable replacement costs today, $1000 gets you a hell of a lot of fridge today, even factory seconds would suffice
They are really going above and beyond with your claim and offering you $1000 to sort you out due to an issue technically may not of been their fault, whos to say the fridge motor had an issue and the power surge caused it to fall onto its last legs, 5 years out a fridge is pretty good, although some might claim 10 years under consumer law
Theyre giving you $1000 for a 5 year old fridge and accepted Liability for it
They don't have to provide you with Squat, at the end of the day its your responsbility to ensure your devices are surged protected etc
You are really being pedantic granted a fridge after 5 years old isn't going to be worth much more than the price theyve offered
Surely you could chip in your own funding to buy a new fridge or exercise your rights under consumer lawI personally think you're being unreasonable towards the power company who have offered to help you out when they could have washed you clean and fobbed you off
It's their mess and they have accepted responsibility because I provided time and date and they saw it on their records. The problems I already said is that to replace the fridge of same or similar build and quality, I have to spend another $1500-2000. That's not good enough! Imagine many people having to do that every time a similar situation happened. Every few years an appliance breaks down and you have to spend a few thousand to replace it to a new model with similar features.
If you can negotiate still get an agreement for them to repair the fridge at 100% their cost.
Will be more than $1000 to repair probably.
You won't get more than old-for-old replacement cost unless you claim hardship and they go above the industry standard.
I had extended warranty on it as well, but I as wondering even with extended warranty then how long does the statutory warranty also count for? Is almost 6 years enough life for a fridge worth almost $3000?
Who spends $3000 on a fridge?
Curious to know what the outcome of this was?
What is an ideal outcome?
smartarse reply:
going off-grid, of course.Both manufacture and power distributor are playing hard ball! Still trying to work out a solution after many months!
Accc complaint didn't help?
Ideally you should provide some more details