Complaint Review: hhgregg

On 2/20/12 I bought a Samsung RFG297HDWP refrigerator at HHGREGG because it was marketed as a energy star unit, and on sale. Upon delivery I connected it to a power meter to verify it was energy efficient. I found the refrigerator was noisy and it consumed on average 2.0 kwh or more a day which exceeded the 1.45 KWH/day listed on http://www.energystar.gov website (531kwh/year or 1.45kwh/day) for this model and the yellow energy start sticker that came with the refrigerator. In fact it exceeds the federal standards of (709kwh/day  or 1.94kwh/day) and should not have been given the Energy Star rating in the first place. To insure the energy consumption was not related to installation, I double checked the refrigerator was level and moved into the center of the kitchen to verify air circulation was not an issue. I also measured consumption while away on a trip. The doors were never opened for 9 days. Power consumption was 1.69KWH/day. A very untypical condition and still the unit was not within the energy star rating.

I talked to the store manager, Maurice Hammond, and he agreed to replace the refrigerator. We asked what if the replacement refrigerator (the same model) performance was no different. Mr. Hammond said we would have a week to decide. If we were not satisfied we could get our money back or get another refrigerator.

Upon receiving the second refrigerator around 3/20/12 , I found this refrigerator was noisier than the first, and it consumed an average of 2.0-2.2 KWH/day. More than the first refrigerator. Again exceeding the federal energy star standards by 50%.

We confronted Mr. Hammond and he denied our last conversation, yet my wife and both definitely remember to the contrary. HHGREG would do no more.

I called Samsung, and the response was "if it is cooling they would do nothing". I had a Samsung service technician come out and his response was the refrigerator is supposed to be noisy and it was normal to literally run almost constantly. I then wrote to Samsung customer service and the response was ".... we have designed the product after extensive technical research and feedback from customers about the product by our design team. ..... We value your comments...... we do not have an option to provide you with a reimbursement or refund."

We have filed complaints with the Florida attorney general, the state consumer protection, BBB, and all the bulletin boards/forum I can find to report product/company issues to warn other consumers of our problem. I have also filed a complaint of energy star tag misuse with the federal government at http://www.energystar.gov. The last response from the EPA was and I quote "EPA is looking into this product and may require that this product be re-tested in an EPA-recognized laboratory to ensure that it meets our strict specifications."

HHGregg sold me a refrigerator that is NOT energy efficient yet is claiming it is. I have also attempted to post a customer review on their website recommending people not buy the unit. HHGregg keeps deleting the review. This was our first purchase at HHGregg and to say the least the experience has not been pleasant and will more than likely be our last.

In short we want our money back.