Smeggin style over substance
This pile of junk has wasted a lot of my time and money (user quote)
The Fab28 in not FAB (Wendy quote)
A recently published user review study gives preliminary indications that 1950′s style Smeg Fridge (FAB28)* is aesthetically pleasing, expensive and functionally f******. This Smeg fridge scored a severe health warning level of 26% on the Wendy International Standard for Experiences (WISE) because of its unreliable, expensive, breaking parts, poor support service and short life that left people fridgeless and with water damage to their homes. The score scraped itw way up to the depths of 26% due to the branding, size and visual styling that influenced users’ original purchase decision.
Study summary:
An expert Wendy (me) collected and reviewed reports from SMEG fridge owners then used the information to complete the WES ©â„¢ questionnaire (below) by placing an X on the line in a position that best summarised the user experiences published on product review websites:
|
Absolutely Fabulous |
——————-X |
Crappy |
|
Cover-it-with-a-brown-bag ugly |
——————X- |
purrrrrrr-rity |
|
Just what I need |
——————X- |
Don’t see why I’d want to use it |
|
You’d have to pay ME to use it |
X——————- |
Take all my cash, and credit, NOW! |
|
Squeeze, stroke, and lickable |
——–X———- |
Cooties, don’t touch IT! |
|
Did I brake it or what? |
X——————- |
Works a treat |
|
I can use it first time |
—–X————– |
training-required nightmare |
|
Snore, Snore, Snore |
—X—————- |
Fun, Fun, Fun |
|
Its obvious what it was going to do |
—————X—- |
it was full of surprises |
FAFFAUCEP score of 23/90 = 26%
Source product review websites:
- Individual reviews on unbeatable.co.uk suggest that the compressors break, the seals don’t work, the shelves smash, it turns itself on and off, it leaks, replacement parts are outrageously expensive.
- Reviews at ‘the review centre’ are predominantly critical with a couple of pleased users. The comments confirm expensive parts that are prone to breaking. Buying a new door because the seals break, a frequently mentioned problem, costs more than replacing the fridge.
- Australian ‘product review’
Quotations:
- it is without doubt the worst purchase I have ever made
- I’ve had to replace the freezer door twice, and the plastic door compartments are also broken. Don’t buy it!
- Less than 3 years since I bought this Smeg Fab28 fridge, it is heading to the tip.
- thought it was cool (!) and looked nice but soon found out its a pile of crap that breaks regularly!
- The seals on the main fridge collapsed within 3 months
- I have to clean this fridge out more than we clean the car
- I have noise like small explosion coming from around the compressor area
- fridge has frozen up at the rear, and it then decided to defrost all over the kitchen floor!
- I have been plagued with problems such as the door seal going (you have to buy a whole new door at a cost of £300 plus labour to have this repaired!)
- This pile of junk has wasted a lot of my time and money
- One complete positive review
* this review only covers the Fab28, it cannot be generalised to other Smeg models.
April 8th, 2009
That’s okay then, I have have a different model…
Sx
[reply]
April 8th, 2009
‘have have’…. I’m obviously spluttering my indignation!!!
Sx
[reply]