General Electric Company - GE Very Disappointing

Posted by trmn8r on 2013-01-12:

Can you be more specific about phone calls in which they "just don't seem to care"?

I am guessing that what you mean is, they take the attitude "it's out of warranty, there is nothing we can do." That is pretty much the way companies are these days. Fact of the matter is, you are in all likelihood correct - it is poor engineering. That is also common across appliance manufacturers these days, a VERY sad state of affairs for homeowners.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I am a satisfied GE appliance owner for 18 years, and also an investor. I think you need to wait for a change in the industry, unless manufacturers are willing to let their former customers run to any other company, thinking it all evens out in the end.

Posted by At Your Service on 2013-01-13:

I too like many G.E. appliances. Unfortunately, you haven't provided the exact models of the appliances you're referring to.

I've got a considerable amount of appliance background and can hopefully fill in a little additional information. For $2400, your refrigerator is not likely to be a 'built in' as it would be extensively more money. If it is a side by side, $2400 would likely place you into something like a 'cabinet depth' refrigerator. These are designed in the same way a regular side by side refrigerator is, but with the shallower depth of 24 inches so as to not stick out on the floor of the kitchen. Even though the overall cubic footage is less, the price is increased because of less production.

The reason warranty coverage will typically not cover broken shelves is because physical damage is not typically covered under terms of most warranties. The reason for this is really more understandable when you further understand that all shelving has a certain weight limitation. That is, even though the shelves may fit a larger or heavier item(s), it doesn't mean the design allows for the weight. This is especially true if one takes a heavier item on and off, in and out of a shelf frequently, placing more stress on the shelf as it gets set within the shelving.

A good example here might be a couple of 1 gallon containers, filled with milk. The two containers are placed within the same shelf and are removed from time to time. Each time the weight is then placed back upon the shelf, creating more stress.

Many people don't concern themselves with weight limitations, assuming anything that can fit should be okay. Consider something of much greater density, like maybe a watermelon. What if we were to take a single shelf. Removing any other shelves above it, we have a very large space. Now we take two or three fairly large watermelons and pile them onto this shelf. Of course, any shelf is going to break. At some point, the stress causes the shelf and support structure to collapse. No one with any common sense would question the breakage, as to the amount of weight.

In this case, the same thing can happen. It's just that the weight may not have been as initially significant and the damage as massive as our watermelon example.

I am sorry to have heard it happened. For the value of a cabinet depth fridge, however, I'm sure you will find it advantageous to replace the shelving out of your own pocket this time. Check for the weight limitations and stay well within it.

As a separate issue, but very important is how you have the refrigerator placed. Many people do not realize the importance of giving a refrigerator, especially in the case of a cabinet depth fridge, room to breath. Compressors have become considerably smaller over the years. They are a fraction of the size from the version of yesteryear. THEY NEED AMPLE ROOM TO BREATH on both their sides, top and back. Some people are so intent on making the appliance look 'built in' that they forget about the breathing requirements of the compressor. If you close these areas off, you make it difficult for the compressor to get enough air. The result is a great deal of more work for the compressor AND A LOT SHORTER LIFESPAN. Just something I thought you may want to know.

Best of luck.

Posted by GE_Appliances on 2013-01-23:

Hello Louisemarie. My name is Julie and I work for GE Appliances. If you'll send an email to eResponse@ge.com I'm sure they will look into this for you. Thanks! Julie

Posted by 2cent-er on 2013-02-09:

Don't know about shelf supports-could be any # of reasons. but on your wall oven; many of that vintage are having panel problems- peeling/bubbling etc-there's a rework for that-need model/serial#'s.