Nice looking but loud.

I got this refrigerator and thought I might have received an unusually loud unit so I returned it and got a unit that was possibly louder.

This is a good looking refrigerator and anyone oblivious to noise will like it. If you're sensitive to noise though the high-pitched whine of the compressor will be a huge issue.

I've had a Sanyo refrigerator (of the same size earlier model) before and it was quiet... so my noise expectations aren't unusually high. This thing just wasn't built with quiet in mind.More detail ...

handy desk size cooler

I needed to upgrade from the smaller 6 can cooler as the smaller fridge did not hold 1/2 liter water bottles. this is larger not quite as cute but does take the larger bottles and cools well.More detail ...

Gets cold in the back-- REALLY cold

For the most part this refridgerator has done a good job keeping the drinks cold and the size is reasonable: small on the outside big on the inside perfect for the dorm room. The interior is sound and the temperature is very cold even on the minimum setting.



So why did it lose three stars? Because of one minor flaw and one serious problem. The minor flaw is that while the fridge keeps the things inside cold the top and sides get uncomfortably warm. Not enough to set anything on fire but definitely not the thing you want to put your bare hand on for long. Good if you want to keep lunch warm though.



As for the serious problem-- the pipe in the back gets really really cold. After running this for three weeks my mother noticed that the fridge was leaking water. Upon further inspection I noticed that it wasn't a leak...it was water dripping from MELTING ICE THAT HAD FORMED around one of the pipes in the back of the fridge just outside of the insulation that had wrapped around the pipe. The chunk was about an inch and a half in diameter and looked like a chunk of white foam wrapped around the pipe.



It took me 15 minutes to ease the ice off then as I was inspecting the pipe under the insulating cover another chunk of ice popped out. All told it took about 20 minutes to get the mess handled but I'm glad my mother noticed the water dripping when she did otherwise I fear that the fridge might have short circuited and cost us $100 in the process.



EDIT: In regards to the ice--the refridgerator's parts seem to be watertight so you don't have to worry about the ice harming it. I do recommend that should you buy this fridge to either put some foam/insulation around the pipe to reinforce the one already present or more simply just putting a tray under the ice to catch the drips.More detail ...

Second Time Around

I purchased this refrigerator for my office. It is to be shared by a group of 5 people so I wanted one that was a little bigger than the typical compacts. I paid for overnight deliverly as others had suggested. The unit arrived in a box that had been previously opened. I was a bit worried when I removed the item from the box. It had some large dents on the side but was otherwise ok. Once I plugged it in I realized there were bigger issues. The motor was very loud and was cycling constantly. It would run for seven minutes and then would be off for four minutes then on for seven off for four - yes I actually timed it. Everytime the unit came on it startled me. At first I thought that once the motor broke in that it would become quiet. That did not happen. After having the unit for 24 hours and spilling a cup of coffee on my desk from my rattled nerves I called Amazon for a replacement unit.



The new refrigerator arrived the next day. Once again it arrived in a box that had previously been opened. The replacement had a large dent on the door but otherwise works great. It is so quiet. I barely notice it when the motor is running. What a difference! I actually check it on occasion to make sure that it is working because I don't notice it at all. I switched doors with the first refrigerator and now I have a unit that has no significant dents and it doesn't interrupt my work environment. The actual refrigerator is nice looking and has a lot of interior space. After the experience with the first one I am a bit concerned about the reliability but for now I am satisfied.More detail ...

Nice item but three of them arrived damaged due to shipper error

This really looks like a nice water cooler. I would recommend it but I would caution you before buying it from this shipper. The box clearly states that it should not be inverted but the way it was packed in an outer cardboard box this warning is hidden and it arrived upside down.



The first and third also arrived with sticky gue coming out of the box so we returned them. The second arrived without the sticky mess but when we put the water in it leaked out of the bottom.



We finally asked for a refund which they gave without a problem (although unlike Amazon they won't ship a replacement until they receive the original back).



When I ordered an earlier model from Staples several years ago I never had any of these issues unfortunately they did not seem to sell this model.More detail ...

Great Fridge - Just Be Careful with Shipping

The refrigerator works very well. As per the instructions make sure to wait 24 hours before turning it on. It arrived without damage and keeps the temperature just fine. Noise level is acceptable (nothing amazing but its not bad either).



The packaging is in fact attrocious. There is literally no foam padding of any kind. Amazon packs its books better than Haier packs its fridge. Only order if you have Amazon Prime - upgrade it to overnight shipping ($3.99) and your order is unlikely to arrive with any damage. The less time in shipping the less likely you are to see damage.



Other than that this is a great mini-fridge especially given the price.

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