6/20/2023
Approximately three weeks ago I noticed that the freezer was not cooling properly. At the lowest setting of 7 (4 is the factory default) the freezer was registering a temperature of 20 degrees. At the factory default of 4 the freezer should register at in-between 0 and 10 degrees. During the three weeks of this fiasco, I have had to keep the freezer at 7, which is taking up a lot of electricity just to keep the freezer at 20 degrees.
I called Lowes extended warranty number, and a case was opened. A tech came out and suggested a couple of replacement parts. Several days later the problem was not fixed (misdiagnosed) and I called Lowes extended warrant and opened another case.
Two weeks ago, a tech came out and stated that it looked like a compressor, condenser or evaporator problem. However, he stated that to do diagnostics he would have to tap into the compressor and if he did that the compressor would not be any good and that I could be without a refrigerator for a couple weeks or possibly up to three weeks. I told him that he should know that this was not an option. He stated he would call into the office for guidance. He then called me back and stated that the compressor, condenser and evaporator, along with necessary parts had been approved. He also stated that although Lowes offers that extended warranty on Amana refrigerators, A&E might not have the parts or would have to order like parts from a vendor they do stock.
A new appointment was made for June 19 to install the parts. The parts did not show up and I had to reschedule for this Thursday. I would think that with parts this critical to the operation of the refrigerator that A&E would have put and expedite on the UPS shipment, so the parts were on time.
It is now the 20th and all the parts have not arrived. One part arrived and it is from Whirlpool. If A&E is the contracted service repair company for Lowes, why is Lowes selling Amana refrigerators? I hope that the like parts work properly.
Another issue is that A&E has a time window of 8-5 making planning difficult to ensure someone is here at the house. I had to take two vacation days and will need to take another one on Thursday.
There are over 2,000 google reviews for A&E and they have a rating of one star. No company has an overall rating of one star. Lowes should think about hiring another service contractor. You never speak to a live person. Give their number a call and see for yourself *******505. Although UPS comes close with an overall rating of 1.1. The perfect combination to deal with on one project.
Finally received the condenser coil (whirlpool) and compressor today 6/20. But the packing slips do not mention anything about an evaporator or service valve. Which is another screw up by A&E. I think they are in the box with the compressor and condenser, but without them being on the packing slip I do not know.
6/22 – a different tech called stating it looks like the evaporator was not in an existing box and that they would check on the status with ups and another appointment would have to be made. Another appointment was made for June 30th. Provided the replacement parts from Whirlpool are correct for the Amana refrigerator. The evaporator was just delivered with no prior tracking information sent to my email address. The evaporator was sent via ups surepost, which gets delivered to the local post office then the home address. The status of the tracking shows on the way, not out for delivery. Finally received notification that the package was delivered. Called the tech to see now that all parts appear to be here that the next appointment can be moved up to a date earlier than June 30th. I left a voice message.
6/23 – I left another message with the tech. Since the evaporator has been ordered I am unable to reschedule the appointment to a sooner date because I am directed to the a&e web site and when I input the service order, zip code and telephone number it does not recognize the data and directs me to call the service number which does me no good because the part is on order. I called the first technician and left a voice message hoping to have the appointment rescheduled for a sooner date. All during this time we have left our freezer and refrigerator almost empty. I was finally able to get to a rescheduling option via phone call by continuing to press various numbers. The appointment is now scheduled for 6/26
6/26 – tech replaced compressor and a couple of other parts; the compressor was the problem.
6/27 – after 27 days the refrigerator/freezer is finally working properly. Home Depot and other appliance vendors use local appliance repair companies. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER APPLICANCE AT LOWES AGAIN – NEVER.