Friedrich AC’s – CRAP quality all of a sudden?

[Agent_C]

I recently replaced a Friedrich air conditioner which I bought back in

1991. The old unit (a SS12H10A) worked great for 15 years, needing nothing more than steam cleaning and lubrication every 2 years. It cooled just fine up until I replaced it, but the controls were getting rusty and the sound insulation was flaking off.

I felt I had gotten my moneys' worth, so didn't hesitate to go out and get another Friedrich; which I've always understood to be the highest quality room AC's.

The replacement unit (a SS12J10AR-B) was riddled with problems, including:

• The membrane switches on the electronic control panel failed to register at least 50% of the time.

• The internal clock didn't keep time properly.

• The front grill arrived cracked.

• The fresh air / exhaust valve is controlled by a flimsy wire attached to the front grill, that got jammed easily.

In addition, it was nosier that its predecessor and didn't cool quite as well.

I wrote the president of Freidrich and secured a full replacement; no complaints about customer service.

However now, a year later, this damn thing is acting up again! - The electronic control panel seems to be possessed. It turns itself on and off all by itself and/or selects features like 'Money Saver' spontaneously. It addition to that, the cooling is really anemic.

I don't think I'm going to have it repaired, or pursue a replacement again. Freidrich is obviously not the product it once was.

QUESTION: Who currently makes the highest quality room air conditioners?

Thanks,

A_C

[aka-SBM]

How much you wanna spend? For 900 you can get a real nice PTAC.

Or, for less than the price of a service fee, you can go to Wally World and buy another POS shaker.

[Noon-Air]

Korea

[a.seput]

BIG Big big mistake thier present product is crap From Dido

[Agent_C]

?????

[KaptKanga]

Well I too have this problem. I bought two Friedrich AC units, one was dead out of the box, the other died after two weeks in mid summer. Now try getting it fixed under wtee. Their agents within 25 miles wont travel 25 miles. They do work with other service companies on special arrangement. But really, the Cadillac of AC, rather its the Yugo of Acs. If you have the address of the president I'd like to write to him about this. Meanwhile my made in china Walmart unit costing $75 has run flawlessly for 5 years. Makes you wonder doesn't it. Still waiting on Friedrich to respond to my web submitted request for a senior manager to contact me. I guess they must be so overloaded with complaints they just have not been able to get back to me!!

[Tony944]

I to had two AC units one lasted one month the other die after first season. First one their service people came to fix it (Stupid morons) O yes you have condenser leak it took them month and half to bring it back, it lasted to the end of season which was already end but the time got it back, when I decided to take look for myself what it is going on Find the leak on Evaporator fix and it run for about three-four years when compressor internal relief valve started to bypass gas at around 300psi. I would not by their product if they give it away.

[NotMe]

Look up the address and contact information on 'investor relatgions' might let it slip you got the info from your broker.

Be polite and give them your story about your problems and no return phone calls. Be candid that you KNOW you're calling the wrong department but since NO ONE will return your calls ...

[KaptKanga]

After some VERY frank discussions with their warranty manager (a separate contracted organization) I received a call from Friedrich asking me to return the serial number labels and they would send me a new unit. This rather than send out a repair guy to fix the one i have. I guess this is good news but it begs the question, how do i transfer my 5 year warranty and is it worth transferring seeing as i cant get anyone out to service it anyway, and will the new one be any better in quality. Ah well, at least they seem to be trying. Now all I have to do is figure out how to dispose of the old one :)