In through the out door part 3
So our refrigerator decides to stop working around noon on the day before the Seder. I start calling someone to come to fix it but everyone is already so into the Passover spirit that no one is interested. My only option is to buy a new one. This is not as bad as it sounds. A few days before I had a shed constructed in our backyard. The plan was always to add an extra fridge so we would have extra space if needed for the holidays. It seems we needed it sooner than I thought but not a big deal. So I go on the Israeli electronic website, zap.co.il to find something.
I know I am racing against time so I do not spend too much time researching. I find a few models I like. Fortunately the person who takes care of our home for us, Itzik, was with me. He started to make calls to stores to see who could deliver a refrigerator the same day.
The answer to that question, we soon found out , was no one. For the most part in Israel delivery is 3 - 7 days. Same day or overnight does not exist. There is a good reason for this. Most stores do not keep stock. They are all just distributors for the big importers. Everyone has the same stuff and you have to find the guy who is willing to make the least markup.
My wife, easily one of the chillest people in the world starts losing it. We have 27 people coming to the Seder and no fridge. I tell her to stop worrying, I will take care of it. I think she believes me but I have no clue what to do.
Itzik has a clue. He has a friend who works in a store in Petach Tikva that might have something. He calls him and the friend says he has nothing. We keep trying other stores. No luck.
Wife Crying
Food Spoiling
No clue
Arghhhhhh
Itzik's friend calls him. He can sell us a floor model but we need to come to Petach Tikva ASAP to get it. Also the stores driver can not deliver but he has someone who can. We jump into Itzik's car and head for the fridge.
The store is massive. It is called Rosenfeld. This is their only store. The story goes that Mr. Rosenfeld built a very big business with this one store. He sold it to the company that brought Ace Hardware to Israel. They destroy the business. Mr. Rosenfeld buys it back two years later at half price. Nice!!
We meet Itzik's friend. He shows us the floor model and I choose the biggest one.The brand is Hisense. Never heard of it. Doesn't mater, I only need it to last a day besides Itzik's friend is going to give me a great deal because it is a floor model. Half price he says. He will come back with the exact number in a minute.
20 minutes later he returns with the great price , 4200 NIS ( around $850). While I was waiting I looked up the price on Zap. It was 3800 NIS for a new one out of the box. I mention this to the Mr. Great Deal. He says that price is for white this is stainless. White is cheaper everyone knows this. I say the one on Zap is Stainless. He says "show me". I do. He says you are right, do you want it or not?
After we pay, which for some reason takes another 30 minutes, Itzak and I call the delivery person that Mr. Great Deal gave us. He wants 250NIS and he will bring it some time before 9pm. This is not ideal as I know that could mean the next day also. My wife needs the refrigerator now. The food needs the refrigerator now. Itzak sends a whats app to his friend group that seemingly has many people with trucks in it and in less than a minute has a response. He has a friend in the area willing to come right now and bring the Fridge straight to my house. All he wants is 500 NIS. I think of my wife crying at home, the food spoiling by the minute and agree.
He comes right over, 30 minutes later.
Within another 30 minutes the fridge is in and running. Wife happy, food saved, everything figured out.