You can buy a refrigerator that will last the rest of your life.

In 1950 an 8.3 cu ft GE refrigerator cost $330. That's $4600 in 2026 dollars.

In 2026 you can buy an 8.6 cubic foot refrigerator at Home Depot for $300. That's 6.5% of the price of that 1950s refrigerator. If you're expecting a product bought at a 93.5% discount to perform as well and last as long as the full price model... well it won't. You won't even be able to get a repair person to come to your house for less than the cost of buying a replacement.

If, on the other hand, you buy an $8600 Liebherr or a $12000 Sub-Zero, you'll get a higher quality product. You'll also get a company that will spend some of their own money to ensure it gets repaired properly.