Foster Fridge Avis 2

I purchased a blast chiller from Foster refrigeration which came with a very fragile temperature probe. Within a commercial kitchen this probe continued to break and they would charge £600 a pop to fix, despite it clearly being an issue with the product and still in warrenty. We have spent tens of thousands with these guys over the years and it’s quite shocking to see how little they value repeat customers. When asked why we are being charge so much to fix something that won’t be more than £30 cost price, their customer service team was pretty rude and unhelpful. I will not be using them again and I recommend if you want to be treated with respect that you don’t either. Also bear in mind they will do anything they can to not pay out a warranty service so you might as well assume you don’t have a warranty when purchasing their kit. TERRIBLE SERVICE

My church was given a new Foster Fridge by a theatre which couldn't fit it in its front door(!) This is now used for the benefit of the local community.

Unfortunately, less than a year after taking delivery, the fridge is excessively noisy - last Sunday many of those present turned around when the fridge came on. Additionally there are occasions when the fridge's motor(?) switches on/off every minute or so.

Thinking there might be a fault I called the Foster Fridge customer service line on 01582 865050. I was referred to the technical team on another number, being told that the line was open from 1100.

Phoning at 1230 I got a message that the line was open 1100-1200 and 1400-1500. Phoning back at 1415 I found the answerphone on.

I phoned the original number and was transferred directly to the technician; I sensed the answerphone scenario was not a new one. Having run through the details above, the engineer agreed that all did not sound good and that an engineer might need to visit. I was asked for the serial number to ensure the fridge was within warranty.

Asking for the person's name I was told that I should just tell customer service "I'd spoken to technical". So back to customer service with the serial number then...

I emailed in the serial number to customer service, asking that the matter was taken forward with our church's premises manager who I cced.

The customer service email reply stated:
"Further to your email the best course of action is to contact the Foster Service Team 01553 780333 they can help advise over the phone or send an engineer out to site for you."

I replied, asking again for the technical team to engage by email; I have a full time job and simply can't add to the 3 calls to customer service and 3 calls to technicians I've already made.

Not being a regular fridge buyer - and never having bought an industrial strength fridge - I know of no alternatives to Foster Fridge.

What I do know is that if ever I'm in the market for something like that I'll seek a company that can resolve customer queries by email.