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Updated almost 8 years ago, 02/06/2017

User Stats

46
Posts
33
Votes
Ken Musial
  • Virginia Beach, VA
33
Votes |
46
Posts

Refrigerator Storage Parts - Outrageously Expensive

Ken Musial
  • Virginia Beach, VA
Posted

While turning over a vacant rental property, I noticed that the lower storage pan in the fridge, along with the shelf support, was broken.  Unfortunately, I didn't notice this prior to refunding the security deposit (yes, negligent on my part).  When pricing replacements for these, I discovered that the average price for these two pieces of cheap plastic is about $120.  An extensive internet search for cheaper alternatives have come up empty.  I don't want to replace the fridge but for about $200 more, I could get a brand new unit.  Has anyone come across this dilemma and do you know of any source of cheaper and/or used fridge components?

Thanks,

Ken 

User Stats

2,667
Posts
1,760
Votes
Deanna McCormick
  • Minneapolis, MN
1,760
Votes |
2,667
Posts
Deanna McCormick
  • Minneapolis, MN
Replied

Craigslist for used fridge,,  yes the parts for replacement are stupid expensive,  

User Stats

226
Posts
102
Votes
Kurt K.
  • Investor
  • in, MI
102
Votes |
226
Posts
Kurt K.
  • Investor
  • in, MI
Replied

Yup. Basically if a shelf breaks you may as well buy a new fridge.

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User Stats

70
Posts
38
Votes
Lawrence Henkel III
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ypsilanti, MI
38
Votes |
70
Posts
Lawrence Henkel III
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ypsilanti, MI
Replied

Have you tried repairclinic.com? I don't know if they have big items like refrigerator shelves but I replaced the brains of one of my dishwashers dirt cheap. They have really good how-to videos.

User Stats

1,982
Posts
599
Votes
Jassem A.
  • Investor
  • Pennsylvania
599
Votes |
1,982
Posts
Jassem A.
  • Investor
  • Pennsylvania
Replied

I usually pay about $100 or so to have a used appliance dealer deliver me a fridge and they warranty it for 30 to 90 days. When they break then I have another one delivered. Sometimes a tenant will prefer to buy themselves a newer/nicer/bigger fridge.  I will sometimes wait until I have approved an application before providing appliances. I usually put language in the lease that appliances are provided as-is so that I am not expected to fix broken appliances for a tenant that may end up not paying the rent anyway.  These used appliance dealers can usually be found on Craigslist or with a Google search.

User Stats

575
Posts
407
Votes
Stephen E.
  • St Thomas, Ontario
407
Votes |
575
Posts
Stephen E.
  • St Thomas, Ontario
Replied

@Ken Musial I was in the same situation this summer. I had bought a unit and the previous tenants had kicked in the lower refrigerator bins and removed the rails for the door shelves. The parts were around $300 CAD. The fridge was a number of years old and had dings in the door which was stainless so they really showed. I decided to buy a new fridge for $500 more. But this did change my move in procedures. When I photograph a unit to document condition I now open the fridge and carefully photograph the interior so that if there is damage like this again I can go after the tenants for it.

User Stats

1,077
Posts
461
Votes
Kelly N.
  • Investor
  • SE, MI
461
Votes |
1,077
Posts
Kelly N.
  • Investor
  • SE, MI
Replied

@Lawrence Henkel III- mentioned repairclinic.com, and yes they do have big things like shelves, I've bought glass and plastic shelves, brackets, handles, etc. from them.  Very handy if you are close to them, but they do ship as well!

User Stats

46
Posts
33
Votes
Ken Musial
  • Virginia Beach, VA
33
Votes |
46
Posts
Ken Musial
  • Virginia Beach, VA
Replied

I've watched a few of Repair Clinic videos and it's a great site.  However, their prices are in line with every other place I've looked.  It seems like Electrolux monopolizes their parts and figures that large property managers will pay the crazy prices since its usually security deposits that are paying anyway.  

User Stats

293
Posts
175
Votes
Tyler Ansell
  • Investor
  • Tampa, FL
175
Votes |
293
Posts
Tyler Ansell
  • Investor
  • Tampa, FL
Replied

We do pay about that same amount for parts, it's dumb. But they don't break by themselves so you know what that means...bill it back!