Brand new GE TL washers not so good? An FYI...

[revvinkevin]

About 3 weeks ago my next door neighbors bought a new top load GE washer & dryer (through Sears, not that it matters) because they wanted something with a "normal" agitator in it.

Washer model GTW460ASJWW - supposed to be a "deep fill" model.

They were delivered 2 weeks ago and since then they've done two loads in them. They couldn't do a 3rd load because they couldn't get the washer to start again. The service tech came out to check the washer and said "the main circuit board failed and the part is back ordered the next 2+ months."

No way they are going to wait, so they contacted Sears about returning the machines. They got a full refund plus got an additional $100 credit and bought slightly fancier model Whirlpools as replacements, which are being delivered today.

Yesterday a truck came to pick up the GE pair and I walked over to chat with my neighbor. He was talking to the driver as they closed the truck. As the truck drove off, my neighbor said the the driver told him "we've been picking up A LOT of these GE's lately....."

That right there says A LOT to me.

Kevin

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Does GE( or any of the manufacturers) ever get these back and look them over to see what exactly is going on, or do they already know from the moment they chose the cheapest board maker out there?

 

[suburbanmd]

Temperature

3/4 of the temperature knob scale consists of less-than-warm settings, i.e. variants on a cold wash, ugh.

 

[revvinkevin]

variants on a cold wash, ugh.

Yeah I noticed this too when I looked at the machines the day before they picked them up.

Also Interesting to note the drum in the dryer is plain galvanized steel, not painted or coated (that I could tell).

Kevin

 

[alr2903]

Thanks for the info Kevin, OH no, I had high hopes after someone posted the GE guy talking about them.  The galvanized dryer drum might not be that bad... if the price was right.

 

[revvinkevin]

The matching dryer - GTD42EASJWW

The interior.

That "white ring" between the drum and the airflow grill, looks like plastic. I didn't notice this (didn't really look) when I briefly glanced inside the dryer.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
I think these were discussed here before...but I don't think anyone was speaking from real experience.
I saw the BOL deep fill model at a store and thought it had a chinsy feel to it.

The last, seemingly awkward line in this video from reviewed.com may have inadvertently hit the nail on the head.

Laundry Reviews, Features, and Deals - Reviewed

Find the perfect washers and dryers here, the most comprehensive source for unbiased, trustworthy washer and dryer reviews, including top load, front load, stackables, and more.

laundry.reviewed.com

 

[gusherb]

Family friends of ours got a TL GE washer back in April and it's already leaking and not washing/spinning properly. She wanted a speed queen in the first place but her husband picked the GE set out and they were told SQ was not available. (I about had a bitchfit when they told me someone said that to them). So now she's using the broken GE as her excuse to get that SQ hopefully.
She said her husband is gonna call GE first and see if they'll repair it. ....I have a feeling they'll be getting that SQ...

 

[revvinkevin]

I just noticed on GE's website the drum is "Aluminized Alloy".

 

[murando531]

Why am I not surprised...

 

[rp2813]

Ditto

 

[mjg0619]

I'll third the 'not surprised' motion. I noticed these machines the last time I was in Home Depot and they looked super chintzy, almost like knockoffs of the Whirlpool Cabrio in appearance.

Almost makes me want to go downstairs to the laundry room and kiss the Maytag for being such a dependable performer.

 

[johnb300m]

I actually AM surprised that these things are neither well received, nor seem to be showing to be durable :/
I was really hoping GE answered a lot of the annoyances in top load laundry in the modern day with a nice compromise.
Seems like they came up short.

And to the comment on whether 'they' know or not?
I guarantee you, the ENGINEERS know how good or BAD these are.
Oftentimes their hands are tied by crap management :/
I've lived it. Many times.

As for the dryers.
The drums are indeed ALL metal, with plastic baffles.
that white section of the drum is a white powder coated paint.
Last time I saw the dryers in person, they seem to have a metallic aluminum powder coating baked onto a likely steel alloy drum.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Really?

Really? GE used to be built tough. They're not what they used to be.

 

[askolover]

the inside of that dryer is virtually identical to my old '98 model, just the color of the drum is different and the lint filter shaped differently.

 

[joeypete]

Well oddly enough, these new machines are getting rave reviews from users. Could be just an isolated thing going on. Those delivery drivers/technicians always seem to think they know everything lol. My coworker just got a new refrigerator...her old one was a Frigidaire and the ice maker kept breaking (which I've seen happen on every brand). They guy that delivered her new one said he has seen them break alot. Whatever.

I can't really comment because I haven't used these new machines but I wouldn't be afraid to try one that's for sure.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
For Joeypete:

 

[johnb300m]

joey maybe you're right!
Those guys are only picking up bad machines all day. So maybe they only see the bad stuff and don't see the thousands of machines working fine in homes all over?

 

[mark_wpduet]

Gosh

It they really are nice looking machines - too bad they are flimsy

amazing the control board failed that quickly - they couldn't even make the control board last until after the warranty was over - SAD - I mean, the 2 plus mos back order PROVES a problem with these boards...

I have to wonder if a surge protector would have helped since I haven't had a single error code since my Duet has been plugged into one...but seeing is how the board went that quickly, I doubt it.