<p>I seem to remember when touring Balch Hall that the RA said the only way I could have a fridge and/or microwave was if I rented it from Cornell.</p>
<p>However, I must say he certainly was not sure of himself when he gave me that information and several of the other things he said have turned out to be false.</p>
<p>So, can some of you who have lived in Balch before tell me what the "official" ruling is on fridges and microwaves and then also what happens in real life if it is different than what is "officially" allowed.</p>
<p>I definately want to have a fridge and I'm thinking I might want a microwave too. Thoughts? Do I need the microwave or is it just as easy to go use the one in the common kitchen? I don't use the microwave at home much now, but then again I have a stove and oven...</p>
<p>You might be better off if you just use the one in the kitchen, but I believe it is true that you’re only allowed to have a microwave if you get it from Cornell (if you get the Microfridge).</p>
<p>Yeah, I think you can bring your own minifridge, but the microwave (microfridge) must be rented from Cornell. I already have a minifridge so I’m just going to bring that and use the microwave in the kitchen.</p>
<p>no coffeemakers allowed either but people still have 'em ^^ </p>
<p>you’re ****ed if there’s a fire though D: </p>
<p>i would just look at the wattage/amp of the microfridge microwave and get that separately. although the fridge itself in the microfridge deal is actually spacy (i think). </p>
<p>can anyone in dickson with a minifridge/microwave/microfridge in dickson share their experiences? i.e. did you have your breakers go out b/c the fridge drained too much power?</p>
<p>^i had a 4.6 cu ft fridge (my own fridge) and never had a problem in dickson. i know ppl with water boilers couldn’t use them in their rooms though.</p>
<p>I also plan on bringing a hotshot (water boiler) with me…a friend told me that she stored hers in her room (no one ever checked) and used it in the bathroom or the kitchen to avoid power outages/fire hazards.</p>
<p>So, sounds like maybe I would be better just renting and then not having to worry about what to do with a fridge in the summer. I know that might end up costing more if it turns out I need a fridge the following year, but being 10 hours away from home, I really don’t know what I am going to do with a fridge over the summer.</p>
<p>So, that being settled, kind of. Who has rented a microfridge before and what was your experience with it? Did the freezer really keep stuff frozen? Did it work all the time? If you had a problem, was the rental company good and responsive about getting it repaired or replaced? I definately don’t want to spend $200 only to find out the thing doesn’t work all the time.</p>
<p>If you’re just going for a cheap minifridge (no clue about microwaves, never lived in the dorms) the dump and run sale during orientation usually has a few dozen available, for much cheaper than new. Just make sure to get their early, as they tend to go quick</p>
<p>I plan on just buying a mini fridge when I get there, that way I’ll have it, instead of renting. Don’t really need a microwave (just use the one in the common room) and I figure I can get a decent one for the same amount it would cost to rent that one for a year.</p>
<p>^ I agree with you. but then having to figure out what to do with it at the end of the year.</p>
<p>My thinking is if I have to pay to store it somewhere and maybe not even need it next year, I might as well get a good fridge with a freezer and a microwave for the same price.</p>
<p>But I only want to do that if the ones they rent are good and the service is good. I have seen some stories online at other schools about them breaking down and taking forever to get a replacement or repair.</p>
<p>I plan on getting a storage place next summer. No way I’m gonna carry that and my snowboard and everything else home, haha. Hopefully I can find someone to share with…</p>
<p>We were convinced that we wanted to buy a fridge, but in the end, it just seemed so much easier to rent the microfridge. So glad we did! We had so much stuff to move both in and out, so not having to worry about a fridge was a HUGE relief. Also, my daughter ended up renting an apartment for her sophomore year, so the fridge would have just been sitting at home anyway. It was in her room when she moved in, and all she had to do was unplug it when she moved out in May. It worked perfectly, except for the clock, which they would have fixed but she just never bothered to call. I doubt she used the microwave much at all, but it was nice to have. </p>
<p>I say rental all the way! One less thing to think about!</p>
<p>199/yr. I was going to buy one, but because I’m flying in from Texas, I decided it’s just one less thing to have to worry about, and went ahead and rented it. It’d cost me probably that much for just a refrigerator, but this way I get a freezer and microwave, and don’t have to worry about getting it there or taking it home, as the other people in this thread advised me to do.</p>
<p>Where/how did you rent the microfridge? Can you purchase it independently from the vendor? Or do you have to rent it through Cornell? And if you do need to purchase it through Cornell, can you just get one during orientation or do you need to pre-order during summer?</p>