Cost efficient repairs for a broken Vintec fridge?

[chocdog]

The recent thread about the latest Vintec/Penfolds deal reminded me that I need to get my Vintec SG30 fixed as it stopped working about 2 months ago (sounds like the compressor tries to fire up but fails).

I rang Vintec to get a service tech recommendation but they essentially said “sorry its stopped working but you'd just be better off to get a new one than get it fixed”. Hmmm... I rang the fridge tech firm they recommended though and their prices to repair and replace with new parts were:
Compressor: $790
Evaporator: $595
Just a little excessive when you can buy a new one for $570!

Was planning on buying a much larger fridge this year (but would also like to get this up and running), but not sure if I would go Vintec this time if this is a fair indication as to their reliability and cost to repair. The older (8 year old or more?) Siemens 100 bottle fridge I also have hasn't missed a beat.

So does anyone have a recommendation for a fridge mechanic/Vintec service tech in Melbourne (prefer inner north) that would be worth talking with? Would appreciate it if you do as it seems ridiculous to have to throw away a (RRP) $600 fridge after only 4 years.

Cheers!

[pc79]

terms and conditions apply, but $200 +55 Delivery for the same fridge here.

http://www.penfolds.com/en/Penfolds/Pen ... intec.aspx

**note - I hope this is ok to post Gavin. Please remove if not.

[redstuff]

I would expect a fridge to have a life expectancy of at least 5 years. Can't find the ACCC link but the below one is a good summary:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-07/broken-but-out-of-warranty-you-still-have-rights/2749924

[Polymer]

I would expect a fridge to have a life expectancy of at least 5 years. Can't find the ACCC link but the below one is a good summary:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-07/broken-but-out-of-warranty-you-still-have-rights/2749924

Yeah..personally I see a really terrible law..but I know many disagree..

At the surface it looks like a good law for consumers...but it is all very very subjective...As long as most people don't know about it, it probably doesn't matter and retailers aren't going to ever mention it (but they all know about it). Once it becomes more common knowledge, all it will do is increase prices..

But to the matter at hand...Yes, I think you'd be able to argue it should last longer than 4 years....but who knows...

[redstuff]

If my large vintec died a few months out of its warranty I would be pretty angry if I had to pay $1000+ to have it repaired.

[chocdog]

terms and conditions apply, but $200 +55 Delivery for the same fridge here.

http://www.penfolds.com/en/Penfolds/Pen ... intec.aspx

**note - I hope this is ok to post Gavin. Please remove if not.

Hi pc79, it was actually the fact that Penfolds were doing this promo again that made me remember I need to get mine fixed. Not very keen to buy another small Vintec (even at $250 total) and then worrying about only getting a few years of use out of it. I would have hoped to get this (a $600 fridge) repaired for b/w $100-$200.

Thanks for all the info so far guys, much appreciated.

[chocdog]

Haven't been wandering around here much lately (flat chat with other things like house renos and trying not to be swayed into buying more wine at the moment - need to reduce stock not increase it ATM!), but thought I should post a follow up on this in case others experienced a similar fault on their Vintec.

The other day I finally got around to having a proper look at the broken SG30 (I have 2 identical ones). After a bit of fault finding and diagnosis, it turns out it was the OLP (overload protector) device that had failed. Not the compressor. $20 part shipped down by Vintec and bingo, we are back up and running again. Pretty annoyed that if I had followed Vintec's advice and bought a new fridge, I would have spent $$$ as opposed to replacing a $20 part. Not the greatest support if you ask me.

So, if anyone else has a similar problem with their Vintec (compressor tries to fire up but fails), check out the OLP (and of cause the relay).

Granted, this has now confirmed to me that my next fridge will be a Kitchener when I have time to sort that out.

Cheers.

[Jim]

Granted, this has now confirmed to me that my next fridge will be a Kitchener when I have time to sort that out.

Just bear in mid that only the top (Peltier) range from Kitchener is made down under.

[chocdog]

Yep, thats the one I'll go for. No more compressors for me.