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GE Washing Machines - Service

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Brenda of Wright City MO (1/23/03): On January 2, 2003, my washing machine stopped working. It would not spin or agitate. I looked up the GE website on the internet, there it has an area that you can diagnose your problem and order the parts yourself. My machine is 8 years old, so it is worth repairing. I discovered that it was the motor that was faulty. I called GE and gave them all the information required to purchase the motor and they sent it right out.

After receiving the motor, it was extremely obvious that it was completely different from the one in the machine. Not only was it a different size/shape, it had different specs on the motor label plus the wiring harness did not match the machine. I called GE immediately and I explained this to them, they told me that perhaps the wrong motor was placed in the box. They sent another motor out ... the same one. In the meantime, I went to an independent appliance parts dealer with my old motor and they looked up my model number and brought out the very motor I needed, it was EXACTLY the same motor as the one on my machine. I documented that part number so I could give it to GE.

I called once again to order the correct part and they researched it further and told me I was correct there were two parts that superceded the part number I gave them, so they sent out the most recent. When I received the package, all that was in the box were wires and a relay and a capacitor, NO motor. I called GE once again to DESPERATELY try and order the part that I documented at the appliance parts store and was given a hard time about how I need to call a technician and schedule a service call. I told her that this is the part I need; I have already talked with a technician. Finally, she agreed and said she would send that part right out.

I received the part and again, it was the wrong motor. I called GE immediately and was given a hard time once again and I explained that I gave her the correct part number and the lady sent the wrong one. This lady found what I was explaining to her to be correct and that she would research it further. She found that right before her eyes that a new part number had superceded the superceded part! I could not believe my ears. She said that she would research this with the parts department and send out my part priority FEDEX and call me back. She did not do either one. Two days later I called to find out what was going on and was notified that they could no longer do anything for me, they would not send out any more parts and I would have to schedule a service call with GE at my expense. I know this is a lengthy complaint, however, it is really a condensed version of the problem that I have experienced with GE.

I feel that GE is trying to force me to schedule a service call. They have humiliated me and brought me to tears. I know the part number I need, and now I have been told that they will not send any more parts to my home unless a service technician visits my home and calls them with the correct part number(at my expense). I have been without a washing machine for 21 days. I have had to wash clothes by hand and at the laundromat. This has been a terrible experience.

Eugene of Omaha (10/08/00):
We purchased a new General Electric Washer & Dryer pair in June of 1997. I chose this because the sales person told us what a great machine this is. With six people in my family and laundry is something that needs to be done on a daily basis.(Our Hotpoint washer lasted 21 years with no problems). Unbeknown to us, within a year of purchase, we started having problems. On April 10, 1998 the timer went out. It was not even a year old and the washer did not run. Since it was still under warranty, GE had a service man come out and replace it. I asked him if it were strange that the time would go out so soon considering it was "brand new" and he said "these things happen, not a big deal."

Well at the time I was just happy to have a working washing machine again. A few months later in July of 1998, I had another problem with the machine. It would not work. Of course the warranty was up by exactly one month. I called a repair man and was told that "he had fixed too many of them, he has seen this happen all too many times." I thought that perhaps he was exaggerating. He suggested that we consider buying a new machine. I could not afford to do so, after all this machine was just one year old.

The lid switch went bad on the machine and it was replaced. The next problem that occurred was that the tub came off its supports, causing a very loud banging sound and the clothes not properly washing, rinsing or spinning. That problem was fixed several times. I then noticed a small amount of water draining from the bottom of the machine, just a trickle at first then a stream. My clothes had spots of an oil like substance on them as well. I called a repair man to my home only to be told that the "transmission had gone out." He said the part should be covered by GE but that the labor cost was probably about as much or more than the part.

This is not to count the cost of my clothes that were ruined, the floor tile that was ruined under the machine, the service charges through the years and now this big expense that we have to inccur. The service man told us that GE washers namely this model is well known for this problem. I tried looking on the Internet for General Electric to file a complaint and try to locate a way to speak to someone about the problem. I obtained a number but so far have been unable to reach anyone to help me. I will keep trying this week. I feel that they do not care about their products since they are selling faulty merchandise so frequently.

Evie of Republic MO (5/15/01):
My husband and I decided to buy a new washer 6 years ago, the GE Super Jumbo machine. Since the first day that we been using it, it flooded my entire kitchen. I had a GE technician take a look at it and he told me that there was something stuck inside, but I never believed him because I still have the same problem until now. I spent almost $600.00 for that machine that is a complete piece of junk. I ended up replacing my kitchen floor.

Sherry of Mars, PA (3/13/02):
I, too, have had many items ruined by my GE washing machine. It "eats" clothing, towels, just about anything and everything put into it. I have towels with a square "bite" taken out of the corners! It tears belt loops from my jeans. Nothing comes out clean, but instead has soap scum all over everything. It has dial settings for 3 speeds, but only actually has 2 --too slow and too fast! It has 4 water level settings, but again actually only has 2 -- half full and 3/4 full. And, of course, water leaks from the bottom all over my laundry room floor at least once a week. I have had 3 control knobs break apart with normal use after only 1 year. GE wanted me to pay for new knobs for it, but when I fought with them about it, they finally sent me new ones. I have had similar problems with my GE dryer, microwave and dishwasher. I will never buy another GE product again. They are worse than junk!!

GE replaced the knobs for free. I didn't contact them about any of the other problems.

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