SMEG South Africa

I Purchased a Fridge 3 years ago from SMEG, paid R40k for the fridge. 2 months after receiving the fridge, the Fridge started making a big noise. I contacted SMEG and was advised that the ice box was a problem, the ice box was replaced, a few months later the same thing happened and again the ice box was replaced. I am now 3 years down the line and have had my ice box replaced 3 times and the fridge has started to rust. Three months ago the same sound was back and a different technician was sent through. I advised the technician that I had lost all faith in the Fridge and felt vulnerable now that my warranty was coming to an end that I would be sitting with a Fridge that would give me trouble for the years to come and this cost will be for my account. He advised that from looking at the History of Fridge, the ice box was a problem and will continue to be a problem as it doesn't seal. I advised him that I would be taking this up, with management, as I felt that surely they would know this from all the reports put through from previous technicians and that they were doing nothing about it.

On the 29th of June 2021, I sent through an email to the lady I was dealing with Kubashni, who advised that she would take it up with Management. I had to keep following up as information was not forthcoming unless I followed up. After further follow ups on the 05th and 08th July I was then advised of two options that I could choose from as the current Fridge I have has been discontinued.

I drove down to Durban from PMB on 26/07/2021 to view the Fridges and unfortunately both Fridges did not suit my needs. The one Fridge did not offer much space and the other fridge did not have the ice box and water dispenser as my current Fridge. I was willing to forgo the Ice Box and Dispenser on the Fridge, if the difference of the fridges would be reimbursed to me. The current fridge I have, I paid R40k and the Fridge they are offering costs R28K.

Another month had passed and on the 23/08/2021 I was advised by Kubashini that Management had advised that they would not be reimbursing me and that I would have to choose one of the options. I sent through and email on the 23/08/2021 to Kubashini to send to her Management advising that this was a bullying tactic and that I had paid a huge amount of money for my current Fridge and that it was not good customer service to bully me to take something that did not satisfy my needs.

I explained that 3 years ago, I renovated my Kitchen and that the current space was created for the Fridge I now have and was not going to settle for something that did not fit my needs nor my kitchen design. Also I was not going to take a huge loss and settle for a fridge that is much cheaper than my current Fridge. Further to this the Fridge is rusting into two places.

I advised that if they did not come back to me by Wednesday 25/08/2021, that I would put a review on Hello Peter, I even called Kubashni on Wednesday and she advised that her Manager was going to give me a call shortly.

It is now Saturday the 28/08/2021, 3 days past the deadline I issued and still no contact. I also purchased a SMEG stove from them, so I didn't just spend R40k on the Fridge but spent quite a bit of money with this company based on their Brand. It is so sad to see how they have let their Brand down in terms of their customer service and they further have poor Management representing this Brand.

My hope is that they would do right by me, if not I will need to take this further to the Consume Complaints of South Africa and whoever else as I will not be exploited nor bul**** by this company.