GE Appliances & "Acts of Nature"

[W3WN]

Last December, end of the month, we had to replace the kitchen Over The Range (OTR) microwave after 5 years. It happens. Bought a GE microwave for a pretty penny.

Yesterday afternoon, power blipped off at the house. Electric company said that the interruption was caused by an accident, probably someone hitting a pole. No big deal, it happens. Power back on circa 6 PM. Everything but the 'new' microwave came back on.

Called GE. 1 year warranty, shouldn't be a problem, right?

Now they're saying it's not covered. Seems a power surge... there was no power surge and I never said that... is considered an "act of nature" and they don't cover it. $550 plus installation costs down the tubes.

...well, we'll see. As I was typing this, I was on the phone with the Home Depot Customer Care line... on hold, because THEY were on hold with GE Appliances. That's where they "explained" that the "power surge" wasn't covered. I clarified that I never said "power surge", that was said by the GE person on the phone when I called this in. I didn't pick up on it at the time, but now it's obvious that they were inserting the 'buzz word' to have an excuse to deny the warranty. I clarified that with HD CC, they told GE, we're now back on for warranty service.

I will have to have a word with the Boss. I have a feeling this won't be the last time we are told about a "surge." We shall see.

Surge my gluteus maximus.

[PA5COR]

Defective stuff through power surges are covered here with warranty and if not by the electricity company or even my house insurance, against new price even if it is 10 years old....
Have to say we only had one major power out in 36 years, benefit of most electricity lines under ground..., even high voltage lines...
Hope it all turns out well though.

[WZ7U]

Why bother warranting anything if the response to your customers is GFYS?

[W3WN]

A reputable company honors their promises and doesn’t attempt to trick people with weasel wording.

GE Appliances used to be a reputable company. Well, as much as GE itself was.

Now? Strike 1. Let’s see if they make it right.

[N1LAF]

Sounds like they may have a run of this appliance failing on power loss and power return, and maybe taking steps to stem the losses (by inserting the phrase 'power surge' in customer conversation). In my opinion, sounds like either a single event or a design flaw.

[W3WN]

One thing’s for damn sure... the next OTR we buy will NOT be a GE.

I hear a lot of good things about LG. Guess they may have fixed their QA & “cheap” issues from their early days as Goldstar?

[KG4CGC]

Check out refurb appliance stores. We have a couple around here. That's where the defective stuff that's been fixed is sold at a discount.
But you knew that.
We also have a Lowe's scratch and dent outlet. Friend bought a $2200 refrigerator for $800. It had a small dent on the side and a big one on the left door until he took a plunger type device to it.
I'm not saying you should buy dented appliances. College students however ...

[NQ6U]

I hear a lot of good things about LG. Guess they may have fixed their QA & “cheap” issues from their early days as Goldstar?

They have. In fact, that’s why they changed their name.

[WZ7U]

Well yeah, you stop making crap and Life's Good

[K4PIH]

Ron,

Just replaced the magnetron in my GE over the oven microwave. For informational purposes, GE microwaves are built by either Samsung or Goldstar, later years say from 2018/19 made by LG.

They slap a GE label on them.