I bought a GE washer, model GTWN4250D0WS, on 9/24.in January, it started making a loud thumping noise, like the load was unbalanced. The load didn't look unbalanced, but I shifted some things around, and it seemed fine. The next load made the same noise, so I called their service line. The machine was serviced on 1/21, and all seemed well. The problem was a screw coming loose, making the tub unstable.
On 7/21, the machine started sounding like I was washing rocks in it. Once again, I looked inside, shifted a few things around, and the load was fine. The next load sounded as bad, so I made a service appointment. The machine was serviced on 7/26, and the same screw was found about an inch from where it fell the last time. The repairman put something clear on the screw, and told me it won't come loose again. He ran the machine empty, and there was no problem. The first load of wash had a few thumps, then quit. This happened after the first repair, and things were good for 6 months, so I thought it was all right. The second load thumped like mad, and I looked inside the machine. The clothes looked fine, but I shifted a few things, which silenced it briefly. I immediately called the repair line back, and the woman who answered said she'd either see if the repairman was still local and turn him around, or try and find another in the area. No luck there.
Visit #1 cost GE $147.22. Visit #2 cost GE $146.14. The repair is described as Washer, Auto-Belt Drive. Thus far, GE has put $293.36 into a machine that I bought for $539. I've got another appointment set up for 8/5, to try and fix the same problem. I anticipate that Visit #3 will also cost GE at least another $146 or so, for a washer that retails for $599. Both repairmen I saw said they'd never seen or heard of this problem before, but I found a complaint about the same model, same issue on another website. Strangely, the other person also lives in Texas, like me.
GE recently mailed me, trying to get me to buy an extended warranty for $62.05/year. Considering the history of this machine, GE can anticipate at least 3 visits in the next year, costing nearly $150 each (total $450), which would not only be a loss to them, but it would be a greater investment than the machine is worth. Lowe's (where I bought it) said that GE has been known to take them back and give store credit for another washer. I hope that Lowe's and/or GE can provide more effective help than I've had so far.
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