A HOLY ENCOUNTER: IN SEARCH OF A NEW REFRIGERATOR

“Because of the Lord’s great love

We are not consumed

For His compassion never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is your faithfulness”

Lamentations 3: 21-23

So two Thursdays ago, our refrigerator “conked out” on us! Alas! Three days later,

the service/repair men informed us of the harsh reality that the compressor was

defective and it would cost us $3,500.00 to replace and install a new one. My entire

brain went into shock because our refrigerator was way less than 10 years old. My

mind went back to “dem old time days” when my grandmother, Ambrozine Martin,

had a white Westinghouse fridge for eons of years and I don’t remember her

replacing it at all. Nevertheless, the task at hand was a procure a new appliance.

Last Monday, I started running around to see what was on the market for

refrigerators. By then, people started telling me, what brands to stay away from. I

was also advised that brands like Whirlpool and Frigidaire still provided good value

for money. The following day, I set out to visit three stores. At the first store, I

received a comprehensive overview of the key criteria for refrigerator selection:

French Door or Top and Bottom, Ice maker and water dispenser, dimensions (Height,

X Length X Width), tall and slim or short and wide, cubic feet, energy efficiency,

smart technology, humidity controlled crispers, regularity of service (if you have a

water/ice dispenser), expected life span etc. All these things matter! But what was of

paramount importance was the place of manufacture, United States or Latin

America. I was told that a fridge made in the U.S. should last about 10 years versus

one made in Columbia might give 6 years or uninterrupted service! The visits also

opened my eyes to other brands that I did not know about as competitors in the

refrigerator market e.g. Kitchen Aid, Samsung, Bess and Maxsonic. I saw refrigerators ranging in price from TT$6,000 to TT$45,000. And yes, there are Trinis with TT$45,000 fridges in their house!

I am a firm believer in the value of a brand! You get what you pay for. My late mother used to say, “It may look similar but it is not the same!” In the end, by Tuesday, I decided to purchase the appliance from Parts World. It is a Whirlpool brand and it met all of our criteria for selection. We didn’t want any ice maker/water dispenser because one has to service those fridges on a quarterly basis and a new filter cost $400.00. I made the purchase and was promised delivery by Friday.

However, the next day two pleasant and professional delivery men made me happy when they brought the new appliance. However, five minutes after they left I noticed some kinks in the bottom door. Lord! Lord! What a discovery! I had already signed as having received the fridge in good order. I contacted the gentlemen and then returned to the store to advise the saleswoman of my findings. Of course, I was asked, if I had signed the document.

After several calls, she came back to me with a proposal: a 5% discount or a new door. I told her it was not about the money. So, we agreed that the door would be changed. But God always intervenes in our lives! He is always working His purpose. He knows are needs before we ask and we must always believe that. In all fairness to me , they should have simply told me that they were going to change the appliance. This would have been an indication of another important criterion…after sales support.

Nonetheless, if it be God’s will, it will still happen. Yesterday morning, I received a

call from the two delivery men. I said, “You all are coming to bring the door?” They

replied “No ma'am, we are bringing a whole new unit!” Amen and Alleluia! My

expectations were exceeded! When they came and we were talking, they said “You

all are good people!” God loves us all! Apparently, they had no new doors in stock!

Lol!

“ So do not fear, for I am with you

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”

Isaiah 41:10