Frigidaire Dehumidifier FDL45P11 Review

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to the CEO of Fridgidaire:

September 1, 2009

Frigidaire Home Products
Robert E. Cook, Pres. & CEO
HEADQUARTERS: 250 Bobby Jones Expy.
Augusta, GA 30907

Dear Mr. Cook:
    My wife and I own three Frigidaire appliances, a refrigerator - 12 years old, a dishwasher - 15 years old and a dehumidifier - 3 year’s old.  The refrigerator and dishwasher are in great condition and are performing as they did when we bought them, we are completely satisfied and a source of good testimony for the product.

    The dehumidifier is another issue.  We purchased it May of 2006 and we were pleased with its performance.  I have a woodworking shop in our basement in which I make furniture and other related projects.  I need a dehumidifier to protect tools from rusting and keep the lumber at a workable moisture content.

    Recently the dehumidifier developed a problem and the unit would not stop running.  After taking it to the service center, I was informed that the part we needed (I believe they stated was a control board) was no longer available and they asked me “do you want us to junk the unit?”.  The service department at Bitter Neumann Appliance - TV - and Furniture in Sheboygan WI was apathetic, not offering any options or help to me.  They have lost any future business with me.

    I write to you because after playing phone tag, calling five different phone numbers your customer no service department gave me I spoke to two different people.  One person agreed with Bitter Neumann and he too offered no help or options.  The other person offered me a coupon giving me 50% off of another purchase.  I chose to write to you.

    Is this the way you would expect to be treated if you were trying to get service on your malfunctioning appliance?  The warranty states it will only cover cooling system problems after one year.  As a consumer making the purchase I am led to believe I could trust Frigidaire and that the unit would be as dependable as our other appliances and there really weren’t any other issues to worry about.  We spent $200.00 on an appliance that is basically now junk as to no fault of mine.  I bought it in good faith and now I have junk.

    I cannot understand that businesses are willing to be a disposable industry, not caring about their name, product, reputation or what they are doing.  I make furniture with only quality materials and I am not satisfied with the product until it is right, I don’t cut corners and I will not make junk.   Customers pay a fair price, less than they would retail - my warranty - I will stand behind it for as long as they own it.  Your company seems to have the attitude “please buy our product because it is wonderful but don’t bother me later.”

    I am interested in hearing from you regarding this issue, I would like to know if your customer service is going to remain the same, why products are disposable and are you willing to stand behind your product and help me?
                        
    Thank you for your time and interest.

Sincerely,
John Felton

I am still waiting for a response, today is September 10.  Buyers beware and do your homework before making a purchase you could later regret.