Doc Jarman
My experience with Fred’s Appliance was extremely disappointing.
I contacted them because I needed an estimate for a microwave repair so I could determine whether it made sense to repair the unit or proceed through my Home Depot protection plan. Before the appointment, I provided the model number, serial number, barcode, and explained that the display was completely dead while the microwave itself still functioned.
Instead of telling me the approximate cost of the required part or advising that the repair would likely exceed the value of the microwave, I was told a technician had to come to my home.
The technician arrived, spent about two minutes at my house, took another picture of the same barcode I had already sent, confirmed exactly what I had already reported that the integrated display in the door had failed and told me the repair would cost more than the microwave was worth.
During the visit, I told the technician I didn’t understand why I had to pay for someone to come out and repeat the information I had already provided. I also made it clear that I was not authorizing the repair because it wasn’t economically reasonable. Despite that, my invoice initially showed the repair quote as “accepted,” which the company later admitted was an error and said they would correct.
Fred’s Appliance maintains that the $139 trip charge (over $150 after mileage and tax) is valid because it is their policy. While I understand businesses charge diagnostic fees, I don’t believe this visit provided any meaningful diagnostic value beyond confirming the exact information I had already given them before the appointment.
If you’re considering using this company, make sure you fully understand that you may be paying over $150 for a very brief visit, even if the technician simply confirms what you’ve already documented. That was my experience.
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My experience with Fred’s Appliance was extremely disappointing. I contacted them because I needed an estimate for a microwave repair so I could determine whether it made sense to repair the unit or proceed through my Home Depot protection plan. Before the appointment, I provided the model number, serial number, barcode, and explained that the display was completely dead while the microwave itself still functioned. Instead of telling me the approximate cost of the required part or advising that the repair would likely exceed the value of the microwave, I was told a technician had to come to my home. The technician arrived, spent about two minutes at my house, took another picture of the same barcode I had already sent, confirmed exactly what I had already reported that the integrated display in the door had failed and told me the repair would cost more than the microwave was worth. During the visit, I told the technician I didn’t understand why I had to pay for someone to come out and repeat the information I had already provided. I also made it clear that I was not authorizing the repair because it wasn’t economically reasonable. Despite that, my invoice initially showed the repair quote as “accepted,” which the company later admitted was an error and said they would correct. Fred’s Appliance maintains that the $139 trip charge (over $150 after mileage and tax) is valid because it is their policy. While I understand businesses charge diagnostic fees, I don’t believe this visit provided any meaningful diagnostic value beyond confirming the exact information I had already given them before the appointment. If you’re considering using this company, make sure you fully understand that you may be paying over $150 for a very brief visit, even if the technician simply confirms what you’ve already documented. That was my experience.
