Recently recommended Fisher & Paykel Fridge isn't available to general public

The recommended Fisher & Paykel fridge model RF442BLPX6 (March 2023, pge 49) meets our size and capacity requirements, however, it appears that Fisher & Paykel offers certain fridge models for commercial purchase only and not for sale to the general public. Despite attempting to obtain clarity on the availability through Fisher & Paykel Messenger Chat Support on March 14, we have not received any response, even after sending three additional messages following their request for our location (Adelaide) the next day.

Why assess and review a Fridge that we can’t buy.

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A simple search online shows that model available in many stores.

It is a home fridge freezer, not in any way a commercial orientated device.

Choice would never have bought a fridge to test if not available to the general public.

And relying on web site chat bots for any sort of sensible communications with most companies will just lead you down the path towards madness.

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Welcome to the Community @Alice7

Unless it is published otherwise as a special review, every product Choice tests was purchased retail on the open market. It is done that way to avoid receiving ‘ringer’ products that do not reflect what a consumer should expect.

Unfortunately because of the publishing cycles it is sometimes the case a product has been discontinued between purchase/test and publication, or shortly after publication. There is no way for Choice to know that as that is a commercial decision companies keep to themselves to enable them to clear ‘end-of-product-cycle’ stock.

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Thanks for the welcome PhilT and for kindly providing information and the reminder that Choice do purchase retail.

We spent some weeks hunting for the RH hinge but were told by retail stores that “no they couldn’t get us one because it wasn’t available to them”. The Fisher & Paykel Australia website still lists it as “Commercial Only” but it seems that it’s available in online stores again now.

F&P bot message reads “Thanks for getting in touch. Your message has been received and one of our Customer Care specialists will get back to you within 24 business hours” but it took a week for them to get back to me to request the model number and after supplying it, they ignored my messages.

I think I’ll pass on F&P products, the support wasn’t the experience I expected.

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Hi @Alice7, welcome to the community.

Retailers unfortunately won’t provide spare parts. RH hinges will be available from specialist online spare part businesses. It is easier to do a search for the hinge if you know the part number. Hinges are also usually not unique, but used across a number of different models by the same manufacturer.

Also check that the fridge can be converted. With F&P, they usually have plugs on the top of the fridge on the side without the hinge which are removed and allow alterative hinge placement. It is highly likely that the hinge side can be swapped as the model has left or right hand opening options.

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Was it the fridge or hinge that wasn’t available?

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I should have been more specific, it was the fridge with the right hinge that wasn’t available.

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My wording was poor. I was wanting to purchase the fridge with a right side hinge.

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I’m laughing because most sensible people would do a final google search before posting so I take full responsibility for my brain glitch. Thanks for the heads-up that they’re now available, maybe I can reclaim some dignity and suggest that my contact jogged them into action to make them available to retail buyers again. Adelaide stores aren’t showing availability but Appliances Online does have them it seems.

The stores told me the RF442BLPX6 is a “Commercial” fridge meaning it’s sold in bulk lots to developers of apartments etc and not individually to retail buyers. The manufacturers website does show them as Commercial still.

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The F&P website indicates the fridge comes with option of right or left opening door…

When negotiating a purchase through a retailer that stocks this model, ask for the right sided hinged one. If they don’t have a RH one in stock, you might have to wait until they receive a delivery from F&P.

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It could be that after the Choice test, some business came along and offered to buy lots of these fridges at a bulk discount price, and supplies from FP were devoted to meeting this order. So temporarily unavailable to retailers.
Just guessing.
But with bulk order fulfilled, now retailers can get them.
Again just guessing.

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‘Commercial’ in the context mentioned is new to me. I thought product targeting builders et al was a ‘Trade’ product. Commercial would have been heavy duty eg for a restaurant, hotel , etc. +1 to my vocabulary.

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Me too. It’s obviously a domestic fridge but the website says “Commercial” so that’s why I chose to believe the shop advice and message F&P to ask for clarity.

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If you want the left hand hinge the model is RF442BLPX6

For a couple of stores that sell it and seem to have current stock

Or see https://www.binglee.com.au/products/fisher-paykel-rf442blpx6-442l-activesmart-fridge

It appears this is a model that is being superseded and so stock levels could be low for most businesses.

Winning Appliances Commercial section has a listing but as it is commercial sales, pricing needs to be requested

For a 2nd (Scratch and Dent type)

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Thanks for the reminder, the fridges do actually have different model nos. for left and right and at this stage it looks like Appliances on Line is the only stockist with any availability at all. I note that Bing Lee has it “out of stock” in the “Clearance” section so I’m wondering if it’s going to be discontinued soon - maybe that’s why the F&P messenger chat hasn’t got back to me with the list of stockists as they promised.

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I think you’re right that it’s going to be superseded. I looked for availability around Australia early March and couldn’t find anything so we started looking secondhand, it’s been a long and frustrating journey.

I’m after the fridge with the right hand side hinge. Funnily, even the 2 secondhand ones I found both had left hinges.

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