The Rolls Royce of refrigerators
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Can a kitchen appliance really be an object of desire? Well, this refrigerator just might be the answer to some people's dreams. National correspondent Rita Braver pays a visit to Sub-Zero, a Wisconsin home appliance company that leaves its competition out in the cold.
#homeappliances #subzero #rollroyce
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Worked for a company that made the shelves for the freezer. Small orders and each shelf was inspected for any type of imperfections.
I wish our car makers become like this…
@@ErsteNachname They do, Rolls-Royce in particular, hence the video title.
@@nekotfarmer I’m not a British or German 😂
@@nekotfarmer
Rolls Royce is only still around because of the crazy Germans at BMW.
RR were making junk and almost out of business when BMW stepped in and saved the brand with Quality German Engineering First to the tune of $26 Billion dollars.
Imagine going from wooden hand made fender bucks, to a 2012 New car factory.
@@ErsteNachname
Yeah, remember when Benz saved Chrysler back in the 90's.
All new wiring harnesses for every American made model, just so the turn signals would change the radio station. lol!
Twice the automation at every plant, but no lose of the union workers.
Once they split up, almost every Union guy/girl got a pink slip.
It's nice to have an American company making excellent products. However the average person can't even begin to think about buying a refrigerator that cost close to $10,000.
High end things are usually also unreliable.
@@Nicholas-f5 lol, no
@@Nicholas-f5 That depends on many factors.
Great story; and it's GREAT to have a company KEEP its manufacturing in the U.S. 🇺🇲 🥳🥳🥳👍👍👍😎
A lot of fridges are made in the US. Nearly all still have plenty of parts from Asia
War in Ukraine, inflation out of control. The last thing I want to see is a company that makes refrigerators for really really rich people! 🙄
I sold my house last summer with a two working SubZeros , a separate freezer and refrigerator, that were installed in 1996-that would have made them 25 years old. They did stop making a few of the parts for the 1996 models, however, after about 15 years, and my repairman actually made repairs with clever handyman skills and a good glue. After being told how parts can always be found for them, this wasn’t quite true, but it was largely true.
Wow~ 👍job
We have a subzero that is 30 years old! It’s amazing. A head of lettuce will last a month crispy, it’s always perfect. Absolutely worth the investment if you have the $$.
Glad for this input!! I work at their plant in Fitchburg, and it's good to know the items are a good investment!
Our sub zero still going strong after 16 years
My parents bought a new, avocado green Frigidaire in the mid '70s. When they remodeled in 2000, they got rid of it but it still worked. The replacement Westinghouse fridge they bought only lasted for about 10 years.
We have owned Sub-Zero refrigerators for 29 (24, 5) years. Excellent products.
We have these in our home n they have broken down 4 times in 19 years on the positive, the company has sent out new units every time.
@@susheila4852 What Model Sub Zero do you own?
We have a rental property with a Sub Zero thats 22 years old and still going strong. Awesome products and head and shoulders above the competition.
I also use mine to keep my Head and Shoulders fresh
Worth their $$$..
As it should
Own a base model .
Hands down best fridge ever nothing compares keep it up sub z 🙏
Very nice, but outside of my budget. My 1990 Kenmore ($1100) is still working perfectly, with only one repair (less than $100). I admit it's not as attractive as a Sub-Zero, but Reece Witherspoon is more than welcome to dance in front of my Kenmore!!
I bought my Kenmore Elite for about the same price in 2002. It turns 20 in September and to date, hasn't had to be repaired.
OMG I love Kenmore anything. I can hardly describe how much I miss Sears! 🎭
Kenmore manufactures NOTHING. Tell me what 3 numbers your model number starts with, and I'll tell you who should REALLY get the credit for your well-built fridge.
$1100 in 2022 money is $2500.
They really do make beautiful fridges and love those wolf stoves.
Worth the money. Because they last longer then those crap Samsung refrigerators.
Sub Zero is like a Mercedes-Benz while Samsung is like a Genesis or Hyundai.
Not a good comparison because they're in different markets for different socioeconomic classes.
The 1% versus the middle class
@@benjaminlibertarianscorpio it is very expensive. No doubt about that.
@@benjaminlibertarianscorpio 😂😂😂
Now that’s a funny comparison.
Not only a business but a family legacy that has no price tag.
Massive respect for "Sub Zero"!
02092022
I've had Sub-Zero twice in my kitchens and I love the quality. But my advice, buy the base models. You get the quality of the build and any artsy yrends will fade..
(I don't even like automatic ice makers.. long story with some spilled frozen broccoli once)!
Just go basic but choose a quality brand like sub-zero!
cosign
This video was... wait for it...
cool.
Alright, virgin
😂
This was probably not intended to be a commercial for Sub Zero, but I'm sold, and when I win the lottery, or whatever will allow me to buy one, I want one!
it wasnt a commercial
@@daveklein2826 I know it wasn't, I was just commenting that it sure would have worked well if it was!
Great respect for Mister Bakke, who is devoted to quality and who is not tempted by a big payout if he sold the company for a huge amount of money. He is a rare breed of businessman.
Sub-Zero proudly defies the typical corporate ethic of planned obsolescence.
My 30 plus years old Subzero 532 is still running.
Yay!
Thank You Jim love this story
Would I buy one if I had that kinda cash? Absolutely.
💯
Want one!
Buy one! You can put it on your credit card.
They way to keep something reliable is to use the engineering motto "KISS" Keep it simple stupid! The Hotpoint fridge in my house has been here long before I bought the place. It's a mid 1980's fridge, I have been here since 2003. I never had a single issue with it. Lots of fridges and other appliances were that way when they kept them simple. No circuit boards, just a bunch of large relays and a few switches to control things. Easy to get parts and fix it if it did go bad. No circuit boards filled with next to impossible to find parts. Or $600 to replace the whole circuit board. I know what I am talking about since I am.in the electronics repair business. I don't want a lot of electronics in my basic appliances. I like them dumb and simple. Even if that means they burn a little more energy, but last 20, 30 years and then some...
I was hoping they would discuss the supply chain issues resulting in delivery waiting times of over one year!! Also, I've heard they're now not accepting new orders, the backlog is so long.
You start to think ...scalpers.
Computer chip shortage probably
My parents got two large subzero’s in ‘97. One large fridge, one large freezer. 600 series.
The first failure happened within the first year, and we’ve had problems every single year with them. The condenser, pump, and fans have all been replaced once or twice. Biggest problem is the freezer icing up every few months, the defrost heaters never seeming to work reliably, the circuit board going bad a couple times, and the ice maker often having problems as well. After many repairs, my dad ended up leaving the ice maker off for good.
The fridge has been more reliable, but today the door bushings failed which causes cold air to escape from a bad door seal. Freon capacity tested at 100% (although both units have leaked in the past)
My dad made new bushings on his precision lathe and fixed the door for probably the second or third time since ‘97.
After fixing the door, the fridge won’t cool at all anymore now. It’s stuck at 70 degrees. Nothing we’re doing is making it work.
My dad is sick of having yearly problems with the subzero’s, and might be going out tomorrow to shop for new units.
Meanwhile our 35year old Kenmore secondary fridge out in the garage has never had a single service, and still works fine without any attention. Haven’t even bothered to vacuum the condensers on that one…probably should.
Im starting the Scorpio Fridge line. You open the door, throw a spear w/ rope at the food and yell, "GET OVER HERE!!".
My parents SubZero Has been running strong for nearly 30 years. The condenser went out for about $900. Other than that it’s flawless!
Both of my grandparents side family had Subzeros bought new back in the 70's and in both cases the units worked for 35+ years, simply amazing.
For years me and my family referred to our refrigerator as an "ice box".
Back in the day, the ice man would bring a block of ice and put it in the box to keep the food refrigerated. Hence, the name.
Wow I forgot about that name. Just remembered when you said that. Lol
My family still does.
My grand dad was an ice man so that trend lasted forever! He delivered coal for trains & when the engines changed, he became the ice man (much cleaner work but very cold, lol)
When I was a kid (mid 1970s), we spent a couple weeks each summer at our neighbor's summer place, on a marsh island at the edge of the bay (the father was a commercial fisherman, and could dock his boat there). These days, we'd call it "off the grid": no electricity or running water. We had kerosene lamps for light at night, and batteries for our transistor radios, for all that great '70s AM music.😉 Every few days, we had to row over to "the mainland" (actually, a larger, modern, inhabited island), to the fishing station (where bait, etc., was available), to lug water in heavy glass gallon jugs (plastic jugs were not available yet), and get a block of ice for the ice box. The ice was put in the upper part of the ice box so the cold would sink throughout the compartment. I believe meat was kept touching the ice or below, where the cold accumulated, milk was kept next to/touching the ice block, and veggies maybe above where it was warmer. As the ice melted, water ran out a port in the bottom. So glad to have had these experiences!
I wish they could start a sister company that made fridges in the USA that were not so fancy, but were good quality and didn't cost $9k. Seems like all appliances are garbage now, and you're lucky if they last more than 5 years.
Quality = $. No way around it.
I have a 22 year old sub-zero all refrigerator/freezer. I have had one repair: replace the ice maker. I paid $7k for the two units about $320 per year. They are still going strong. A fancy Samsung or LG at COSTCO is just shy of $9k. A similar sub-zero is $15k. I will invest in the subzero anyday over any other brand.
Woo-hoo!
I've seen that name for ages. (Not in my home).
Thanks for the deep-dive. 🥶
I am 58 and do not romanticize much about "the old days." The main thing that I do not miss is all of the secrets that went on behind closed doors pretty much everywhere in America. I do, however, love this guy's attitude, attention to detail and appreciation for quality over quantity and money for money's sake. Also if you look at my last name, it is rather obvious that I am Norwegian. My grandfather poured concrete for a living, but his work ethic and character in general were strong and true. Thanks for the good story. : )
Well nothing is changed. A lot of secrets from behind closed doors going on now as well. Human nature has not changed.
@@wu7690 Agreed, but the particularities, meaning the hows and whys and wherefores are different. Details change, but the basics remain the same.
My moms sears fridge is 36 years old. Gold. Never ever had a problem. Zero. My cousins 4 year old fridge has had repairs twice.
So much jealousy and hate in these comments. Who cares if most of us can't afford one of these? Isn't it fun to dream a little? It's highlighting a successful company that has kept jobs here in Wisconsin and still is proud of offering quality products that they can stand by in an age of planned obsolescence from other manufacturers. Appreciate that and stop the jealousy and whining.
Stuff for the.0.01%
Like a Mercedes, it is just the name. The best cars are not Mercedes or BMW. The best refrigerators are not sub zero and wolf.
Celebrities out here demanding we put a stop to world hunger as they dance in front of their $9000 fridge.
I’m sorry greedy corporations but family legacy is not for sale.
Yeah ok ours has lasted quite a bit longer than other fridges and is by far more aesthetically pleasing however, it’s around 2k Everytime we need a repair. AAAAND we have to use someone certified to work on a subzero. It’s an ok choice but we likely won’t buy one again.
The same here! Our last house had one. All of the working parts are on top and can only be accessed by a certified Subzero tech working with a mirror! While all the parts are guaranteed for the life of the unit, we never had a labor bill under $600. Even for the gaskets! The tech's hourly cost it very high! I will never have another!
Plus, I couldn't fit a 9x13 pan let alone a defrosting turkey in it! Forget a party platter!
@@karenallen7064
No thanks. Anything over $1K is a waste of good money. I don't need my refrigerator to connect to the internet and track inventory. I need it to make ice and keep my food cold.
The units are made to last at least twenty years and are of standard sizes should it become necessary to replace. Keep the coils clean yearly!
IMO, Kris Jenner has the most beautiful refrigerator I’ve ever seen
I've worked on SubZero refrigerators and they are like badly made sports cars. They cannot be fixed for the price of several new good fridges.
Love this! Definitely worth saving up for! Lesser companies fridges breakdown within months. I prefer to buy from subzero bc the leadership actually knows the product and the history of the company. 99% of CEOs come in a raid a company leaving it worse off then when they came; degrading the product cutting corners, laying off, paying themselves. Dont sell to these hollow people.
There is no appliance like a SUB!
When I was a kid growing up we called it the “ice box”, and I’m only 54, so…
I shall down a beer & bratwurst in salute to Sub-Zero, because that what they do in Madison Wi.
Anyone who thinks a Rolls Royce is highly reliable has obviously never owned or had experience with a Rolls-Royce long term! Be happy for that. The old motto, a fool and his money. Luckily very wealthy people can afford to be foolish with money I guess! Lmao...
I just want a place to live, and a job😅VERY nice fridge
Yeah, and just like millions of others like us. Solid company to work for, it sounds like?
How refreshing, old fashioned values never go out of style. Made in the USA … amazing.
Wow pretty and expensive one lottery win.
Cool, but $9,000 is quite a lot when a nice refrigerator costs $1,000-1,500
It's not at the point where it's unattainable for the normal person so that's good, but still, *starting* at $9,000?
It should be like almost *ending* at $9,000
To sleep, perchance to dream... of being able to own a Subzero - and a house big enough for it to fit.
I should have known better than to watch this. Now I want to trade in my $500, 10 year old refrigerator, with my…let’s just say not sub zero budget.
It seems humanity is doing well. Once people used to struggle to find food. Now, people are decorating the place they use to store food- while others still struggle to find food.
What a guy 🤝
As an Refrigeration Mechanic. They are the best in the industry.
I purchased my frenchdoor whirlpool fridge for 550 bucks back in 2005 and its still running strong. Subzero does not make their own compressors. Nothing special about them. You want to keep up with the jones's its going to cost you
Wow, just wow! So heartwarming to see such dedication to his products! Bravo sir! Hope to own one someday!👍😃
Me, I have a Kenmore fridge and it's 32 yo and the ice maker just recently stopped working. I watched a TH-cam video on how to repair it and bought a $15 part to fix it. When it started to look dated I found a company that sells "refrigerator wraps" and now it has "cool" look to it
My parents remodeled their kitchen in 1968. In 2003, they had to replace the sub zero refrigerator....
A Cold Beer from any Fridge.. is a Cold Beer. !
My mom’s first Frigidaire that she got as a hand me down in 1956, is still in our childhood home, still runs and is used as an extra fridge. It’s never had any problems and has worked for over 66 years!💪🏻
Unfortunately they don’t make them like they used to
Not quite as old but I have a GE that's 40 years old. Still works great!
@@ei3170 Little is made like it used to be.
Unfortunately , it may be solid mechanically , but extremely inefficient energy wise . While great to look at , it could be costing you double or more to operate . Certainly worth keeping as a display piece . Could also have value as a movie or theater prop .
@@billsmith2212 That’s actually not true at all. If it’s a 50’s or earlier fridge, chances are it does not have automatic defrost (that really didn’t become common until the late 60’s). A fridge of that era with manual defrost, and much thicker walls/insulation than a modern fridge actually uses the same or less electricity than a modern fridge. My 1954 GE in the garage pulls less current than my 2020 LG in the kitchen. Late 60’s thru 80’s models are the inefficient ones due to the way their auto defrost systems were designed.
Ok I’m from uk and I am sold on the idea that this guy won’t sell up only because was pass down from grand father to father to son.I’m buying one
Jesus Christ called people everywhere to repent, therefore, if you confess with your lips the Lord Jesus and believe with all your heart that God
My absolute dream refrigerator. A friend has one in her new home. I went there for her son’s engagement party. I told her “If I had my husband’s truck, I would back it up to your front door and steal your refrigerator. I’ll leave you your food”.
Subzero has become garbage. They used to be amazing now the internals are cheap trash for what you pay for.
Know very little about frigs-- this one looks like a treasure, though...
What a Puff Piece....
I just visited the SubZero in the house we're selling in MA. Bought 11 years ago and it's still like new; kept produce fresh much longer. Still sorry we couldn't fit one into our current kitchen 😥
The ordinary home owner can’t afford a 9k+ frig. And who cares what celebrities own.
Celebrities LMAO
How many people can afford a $9,000 refrigerator??? At present I couldn't afford to replace my $2,000 one.
Who cares? It's highlighting a successful company that has kept jobs here in Wisconsin and still is proud of offering quality products that they can stand by in an age of planned obsolescence from other manufacturers
Well they’ve been in business for 77 years and still going strong, so I’d say the answer to your question is enough people.
@@fytghggyungf7601: I don't think they started out with $9,000 refrigerators.
But even with Sub-Zero refrigerators, how can we really be sure the light always go out when we shut the door? ;)
CBS News needs to talk about Ecosia they are a search engine that plants trees
9,000 is FALSE. Theyre 15k-23k
wouldn't "the Cadillac of refrigerators" be more appropriate?
no
We bought a new fridge from Sears 5 years ago. Salesman kept "highly recommending" extended warranty. We didn't get it. 14 months later, multiple pieces of the fridge started to fall apart. We couldn't believe it. Similar story with a new washing machine. They used to build appliances to last. Meanwhile my 30 year old microwave is still going strong. Would love SubZero if we could afford it.
There is always someone who goes for quality.
Lose the Andy Rooney impression, Ugh!
Sub Zero is the status symbol of the Kitchen world.
For now...wait until China or other foreign company offers a price they can't refuse.
will never happen
I'm sorry folks take it from a appliance repair technician it's over engineered and are a boatload of money to fix.
LIAR
The cost for repairs (which are often needed) are almost as much as the fridge. My parents paid 13k for a subzero and have invested another 6k in repairs over the last three or four years. They can’t switch out the fridge because it was installed (to the second floor) using a forklift when the side of the house was opened up for remodeling. The kitchen was then built around it. They would have to remove the whole side of the house again to bring a new one in. Seems like quite a racket
This reminds me of the Brian Regan joke, "This keeps all your food cold for 600, this one here keeps all your food cold for 800 etc."
I remember it. GREAT stuff.
I wish he were 100% correct but Planned Obselescence...
I'm running right out there to take out a loan for this fridge, I might need it someday when I win the Lotto 😆 🤑
I have a Kenmore that I bought in 1996 for the game room. Still works like a champ. Even had money left over for the pool table. 😉
The refrigerator....if not the focal point in the kitchen. Its where everyone heads to for some people to search for something to eat. Its as though there's...a buried treasure of sorts...especially when its over packed with delicious food items. 😋
I will have one soon.
Made in the USA. Awesome!
Absolute worst morals and ethics among my company's many, many vendors. Walked away from them for Hestan - no regrets! They were great quality until about 10-15 years ago - today they deserve to follow Viking down the toilet!
LIAR
To sell to make more money 💰. I have no interest in that . A good man ...
Isn't this just a feature commercial?
absolutely NOT
We put a Sub-Zero refrigerator in our house I designed 0ver 30 years ago. Still going strong. They were the first to have shelves that you ca move in the door.
Thanks for the info!
I’d rather a longer video about the wildflowers…
who cares
What an honorable man! To bypass selling the family business for a huge amount of money means nothing to him, as much as honoring his family’s hard work, ingenuity, and legacy! You truly don’t see that happening very often with extremely successful businesses!! I hope this company continues to be family owned & that it’s always a leader in its field!! Great video clip👍🏻🤗
I worked for SZW for 4 years, worst company I have ever worked for.
That's cool. I have problems with generalised America enterprise. Their negative impact on the environment, the treatment of workers but this company seems genuine. Plus the concept of buying a products that last is appealing. Now do i have the cash and is it available in New Zealand!!!😅
Great to see a spotlight on American manufacturer but ummm the average person cannot afford this item. We can barely afford groceries right now...How about doing a story on how we are suffering through the worst inflation in 40 yrs and investigate the WHY BEHIND IT.....and what is being done to combat it
Hey CBS producers, you know this reporter's voice makes this piece unwatchable and unlistenable right?
LMAO you mean like your comment?
@@daveklein2826 No, my comment isn't heard by all the viewers of the video, as the reporter's voice is. Not everyone should be an on-camera reporter or do voice-overs.
@@FreddySherman Boo Hoo Princess, everyone can't be as perfect as you.....NOT
@@daveklein2826 I was not comparing anyone to myself, just to other on-air reporters for major news networks like CBS. That's my point, she is not at a professional level for broadcast. Part of being on-air talent is having a pleasant voice.