UK fridge/freezers
Aug 26th 2009 | 10:29 pm
#31
mmmmmm duff
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,629
From: Maudsland, Gold Coast, QLD
Re: UK fridge/freezers
I've seen our UK fridge for sale here in Oz and all over the USA, I personally do not think that they all have different internals. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Aug 27th 2009 | 12:35 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: UK fridge/freezers
IMHO the fridge is generally not kept outside, Sweedish houses will be heated to 20 odd degrees and Dubai houses are cooled to 20 odd degrees. Same ambient temperatures....
I've seen our UK fridge for sale here in Oz and all over the USA, I personally do not think that they all have different internals. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I've seen our UK fridge for sale here in Oz and all over the USA, I personally do not think that they all have different internals. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Aus/NZ stds require them to work over a lot broader temperature range than european testing stds do - but that doesn't mean the fridge companies don't just make one model that suits all countries - anyone know?
Aug 27th 2009 | 1:09 am
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 235
From: Arrived Brisbane 8th Aug 09
Re: UK fridge/freezers
We were told exactly the same, so disposed of the old one, and brought a newone. Unpacked it and used it for a few weeks before shipping it across. Cost a fortune to buy as it was a new american double door thing. Keeping my fingers crossed they don't try and charge us for anything, hoping to get our stuff back in the next 5 days!
Aug 27th 2009 | 9:56 am
#34
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 64
From: Gold Coast Australia
Re: UK fridge/freezers
This is a very good point, and not just with Fridge/Freezers, we bought alot of stuff over, and it dont really fit too well over here, and some things which i left/gave away in the uk, i wish i had brought with me. Good point on fidge space, our uk, one ( which was around 3 years old ) and was big for the uk, would have looked out of place in the fridge space in our new house.
If the OP doesn't own one now as current one broke then I would wait because:
- Brit who just emigrated rented a house on arrival and bought a side by side fridge from a local shop - delivery guys arrived and said no way could they get it up the stairs so they got an immediate refund and bought a smaller one.
- You don't know what fridge space your new house may have - modern houses take a big 660 litre nicely and the often smaller side by side UK fridge may not fill it well - while older houses may not take one at all. We are moving and our side by side does not fit and it is a real pain.
- Cash deals bring down the advertised price by a lot - the prices you have seen on the internet may not be the real price. Bargaining is expected - though not 600 quid of course
- Warranty issues - sending it back to the shop you bought it from etc...
- Brit who just emigrated rented a house on arrival and bought a side by side fridge from a local shop - delivery guys arrived and said no way could they get it up the stairs so they got an immediate refund and bought a smaller one.
- You don't know what fridge space your new house may have - modern houses take a big 660 litre nicely and the often smaller side by side UK fridge may not fill it well - while older houses may not take one at all. We are moving and our side by side does not fit and it is a real pain.
- Cash deals bring down the advertised price by a lot - the prices you have seen on the internet may not be the real price. Bargaining is expected - though not 600 quid of course
- Warranty issues - sending it back to the shop you bought it from etc...
Aug 27th 2009 | 12:00 pm
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,380
From: Perth, WA
Re: UK fridge/freezers
One very important point- when you arrive and find somewhere to rent, it may well not have a fridge in it. If you buy a fridge in the UK, it's stuck on the high seas somewhere for 6 weeks or more. Therefore you have to buy a fridge in Oz anyway.
Aug 27th 2009 | 12:09 pm
#36
mmmmmm duff
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,629
From: Maudsland, Gold Coast, QLD
Re: UK fridge/freezers
, and its always good to have the extra freezer space, and If the big one was to break down at least we have a backup.
Aug 27th 2009 | 2:48 pm
#37
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 781
From: Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
Re: UK fridge/freezers
True again - but the chances are, you are shipping a heck of a lot more than just a fridge so the same would apply to a bed, sofa, TV etc etc... So with that logic you'd either not ship anything, or not move into a place until you know your stuff is or has arrived at port...
Aug 27th 2009 | 3:00 pm
#38
mmmmmm duff
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,629
From: Maudsland, Gold Coast, QLD
Aug 27th 2009 | 5:06 pm
#39
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 64
From: Gold Coast Australia
Re: UK fridge/freezers
And then time your shipping so you dont arrive here and have no stuff, and end up buying double of things, keep your nice stuff, and bin the rest in the uk
Aug 27th 2009 | 7:48 pm
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 300
From: Cambridge, Limassol - now Oz at "Avoca Beach" NSW
Re: UK fridge/freezers
I'm curious too. They definitely look like they have different testing standards as I posted above.
Aus/NZ stds require them to work over a lot broader temperature range than european testing stds do - but that doesn't mean the fridge companies don't just make one model that suits all countries - anyone know?
Aus/NZ stds require them to work over a lot broader temperature range than european testing stds do - but that doesn't mean the fridge companies don't just make one model that suits all countries - anyone know?
I had a newish Bosch Fridge in the UK and I emailed details to Bosch Australia and asked them if it was ok to use in Aussie. They sent me an email back confiming it and I sellotaped a copy to the fridge when it was packed just in case Customs queried it. In my experience they are more concerned with possible quarantine items such as garden equipment etc.
Aug 28th 2009 | 7:35 pm
#41
The Brains
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 886
From: Dubai / Hervey Bay
Re: UK fridge/freezers
I know of people who have taken their fridge/freezers and had no problems.
We are not taking our american style one as we have had many problems with it and it is only 4 years old. It stuffed up about a month after the warranty ran out and we have had to have parts replaced twice. Don't buy Samsung if you do buy one.
The other problem you may have is that customs requires all your possessions to be more than 12 months old and can charge you duty on it if they can tell it is less than this. It is easy for them to tell the age of electrical items as it is usually stamped somewhere with serial numbers etc. Not sure how vigilant they are but worthwhile being aware of it.
We are not taking our american style one as we have had many problems with it and it is only 4 years old. It stuffed up about a month after the warranty ran out and we have had to have parts replaced twice. Don't buy Samsung if you do buy one.
The other problem you may have is that customs requires all your possessions to be more than 12 months old and can charge you duty on it if they can tell it is less than this. It is easy for them to tell the age of electrical items as it is usually stamped somewhere with serial numbers etc. Not sure how vigilant they are but worthwhile being aware of it.
Aug 28th 2009 | 10:25 pm
#42
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,322
Re: UK fridge/freezers
We have a samsung american fridge feezer with ice and water and it works exactly the same as it did in the uk!!
and...they are loads more expensive here so ignore what they say!!!!
and...they are loads more expensive here so ignore what they say!!!!
Sep 1st 2009 | 10:12 am
#43
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 781
From: Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
Re: UK fridge/freezers
Yeah - thanks for pointing out the obvious. But, I suspect those people emigrating with have an awful lot more choice of people to stay with in the UK than they would be when they arrive in Aus. And thousands of people ship, fly then rent furnished until their stuff arrives.
Bottom line is I'd say bring everything because it all works - why lose money selling items in the UK for less than they are worth, when much of the items you replace ARE more expensive here, and there is less choice.
Bottom line is I'd say bring everything because it all works - why lose money selling items in the UK for less than they are worth, when much of the items you replace ARE more expensive here, and there is less choice.
