Defy/Game Warranty Nightmare – 13 Days Without a Working Fridge

I purchased a Defy 555L Side-by-Side fridge from Game on 15 April 2023, which came with a 3-year warranty.

On 13 February 2026, both the fridge and freezer suddenly stopped working with no prior warning.

I reported the fault in-store on Sunday, 15 February 2026. Game contacted Defy and arranged a technician.

A technician eventually arrived on Wednesday, 18 February and advised that either the gas needed replacing or the compressor was faulty. He said someone else would be sent to complete repairs. Nobody contacted me.

I returned to the store on Monday, 23 February 2026, where Defy was contacted again. I was told someone would come the following day. On Tuesday I was informed it would only be Wednesday.

On Wednesday, a technician finally arrived and replaced the gas, compressor, and relay switch. He then stated that the fault had affected the board and that he now needs to wait for another part before returning. He left with only the freezer working. The fridge itself is still not cold at all, he described it as “mellow.”

At this point, I have been without a functioning fridge for 13 days.

This is completely unacceptable.

It is Ramadaan. I cannot cook or store food. I am forced to buy meals daily because I have nowhere to keep groceries. I normally prepare food in advance during Ramadaan, but now soups and meals are spoiling. Fruit and vegetables are going off due to the heat.

I am a pensioner, and this situation is causing real financial strain.

Who is going to compensate me for the food that has gone to waste and the additional daily costs I am now carrying?

I am also extremely concerned about the parts being installed. How do I know these are new and not refurbished? What happens if this fridge breaks again in a month, just as my warranty expires?

To make matters worse, the fridge is now making strange “frog-like” noises, yet there seems to be no urgency whatsoever to resolve this.

Imagine being without a fridge during Ramadaan, in the middle of a Cape Town summer.

I expect immediate resolution, either a replacement unit or a clear repair timeline with priority escalation. This level of service is unacceptable for a product still under warranty. When I purchased this fridge I was told repeatedly that if anything happens during the warranty period I will get a new fridge.