This is my second Panasonic fridge, and the first was made in Japan, so I do know what that feels like when made in Japan.
Best Denki pushing the blame to Panasonic, and Panasonic not taking responsibility for their claim of Japan Quality.
First time delivery after purchase, was sent to my home so late in the day, despite salesperson saying that large fridges are delivered early in the day to avoid issues.
Start of the problem then. The fridge arrived with scratches on the doors, as well as on the top of the fridge as well as ill-fitting metal panels.
Deliveryman, despite seeing the scratches, asked “where?” And when shown several scratches, said those are “sticker marks”, can be wiped off. We offered wet towel to let him wipe off and when that did not work, he argued that we must sign the delivery note, while the fridge was still in the corridor and not in my home. Because it did not fit through the front door.
Not only that, one hour later, another deliveryman from Best Denki came to loudly argue again that those are not scratches. I believe they are penalised for damage during delivery so he wasn’t happy at all.
So, no technician was able to come to remove doors because it was too late in the day.
Sharon Tan the salesperson, then overseas, was difficult to reach and we had to talk to Florence, who through Sharon then arranged a technician to come over to remove the doors, saying that we are aware we need to pay $100 for the service.
Fridge and mess of box and styrofoam was left in the public corridor, in the way of my neighbours. Deliveryman also refused to clean the puddles they left from my old fridge, saying it was our responsibility, angering my neighbour.
Next day technician arranged by Sharon came and removed the doors to move the fridge into the home, taking more than an hour. He did not know what he was doing and left behind parts that were not fitted back into the fridge at all.
I was not aware of this and my Mrs paid $100 for the defective work (by third party technician which we only found out later was not Panasonic). She was told to leave the fridge off until at least two hours later.
At night when we switched on the fridge, it had and error U10 and keep beeping non-stop and could not be used. So, we had to switch off the power again.
All our unfinished food was thrown while they are sorting out mistake after mistake.
That night after further communicating our frustration, Best Denki promised Panasonic technician to call in the next morning, did not call at all. Only after our repeated complaints did they manage to get the technician to come later at 3pm.
He looked and the doors and spare parts left behind and every single one of the doors had fitment errors by the previous technician who was arranged by Best Denki.
At least the fridge, although temporary, is able to keep some food.
Best Denki then promised to do a 1 for 1 exchange to make up for the defects of the fridge. It took a total of 11 days for the second fridge to be delivered to my home.
Again, the delivery was late. Promised to come at 1130am, and Panasonic technician also arrived by that time but the actual fridge turns up only at 115pm.
Sadly, upon checking the fridge, this time instead of scratches, we find dents. How to accept this as a new fridge?
Manufacturing that has poor quality control? Shipment mistakes, mover not careful? Now they want to wash their hands and asked me to just accept the fridge with scratches for a $100 grocery voucher!
We already paid $100 in cash to the incompetent third party arranged by Best Denki to cause faults in the fridge, and now we get it back in vouchers only. And nothing else?
According to Best Denki manager Vincent from Junction 8, the grocery voucher is already the best he can do. Nothing else.
So now we have a defective fridge that is not new and they want to wash their hands of the matter?
This is what happens for not made in Japan fridge and claiming Japan Quality by Best Denki and Panasonic.
Claimed loss: Loss of spoilt food, loss of working time spent waiting for multiple deliveries and so called fixes that did not work.
Desired outcome: Provide a defect free fridge or upgrade to an actual made in Japan fridge and refund of spoilt food, loss of work income and time spent
Confidential Information Hidden: This section contains confidential information visible to verified Best Denki representatives only. If you are affiliated with Best Denki, please claim your business to access these details.