Home Depot rocks!! AND GE SUCKS!!!

[Codewiz]

As stated in this http://forums.anandtech.com/me...8&threadid=1480225, my brand new GE washer flooded my house.

I purchased from Home Depot. Now they aren't going to be responsible for fixing any damage caused from it BUT they are giving me a new Maytag washer and dryer at no addition cost. No way in hell I wanted another GE washer.

Since I called GE on Saturday and I was told they couldn't help me out in the least until Monday, Home Depot said they would also contact their GE representative to see what they can do.

Home Depot is going out of their way to help me out and it means a lot. I have a choice in stores but I will be purchasing from HD from now on.

I still have to call GE today to see if they are going to pony up any money for the expenses I had this weekend cleaning up this mess. I know it is a long shot but if was clearly a faulty washer.



UPDATE 1/10/04

GE officially sucks AGAIN! Went through their whole process. GE has insuruance for this type of thing. HOWEVER, GE doesn't pay for replacement costs. They only pay for value. So since my carpet and woodfloor linoleum(sp?) is 13 years old, they will only give me $724. We have 50 sqft of wood flooring me have to replace and they only would agree to give costs for carpet padding which is for 300sqft. Basically $724 fixes nothing.

The wood linoleum would cost at least $400 installed to replace. I have no idea the cost of carpet padding and install.

 

[SaltBoy]

 

[arcas]

Ouch. What happened? Did the washer overflow or just leak?

 

[dman]

You should just post it to the other thread as an update.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: dman
You should just post it to the other thread as an update.

I forgot that you regulated threads here at Anandtech

 

[Adul]

Keep this one alive

Your Home Owners Insurance should help cover the cost

 

[captains]

2 threads on the same thing and no pics :thumbsdown:

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: dman
You should just post it to the other thread as an update.

I forgot that you regulated threads here at Anandtech

Wasn't trying to crap, just saying is all. At least link to the original when you say you are. Heh.

I already searched and found the original thread and read it before I posted the above... I'm still curious to the root cause of the flood. If it is the washer (and not the drain pipes) then GE may have some liability and you could possibly get money out of them w/ a lawyer but probably not worth the hassle. Who knows though, worth contacting everyone and see who helps and who doesn't. And update the original when you find out.

In the end, you'll probably have to file with HOI and let them go after GE or the others if they want to I guess. Awesome that HD will replace the machines with nicer ones though, that is cool.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: captains
2 threads on the same thing and no pics :thumbsdown:

Pics of what? You won't see much. My wife and I spent a long time getting all the water out we could. Nice feature of wet/dry vacs. They can turn into blowers.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: Adul
Keep this one alive

Your Home Owners Insurance should help cover the cost

A few people have mentioned home owners insurance, but I'm pretty sure this would be the WORST plan of action, unless the damage was really severe. (which it doesn't necessarily sound like it is)

AFAIK, homeowners insurance works the same way as car insurance - the more claims you make, the more expensive it gets. And just like car insurance, you basically HAVE to carry homeowners insurance - forever. So generally speaking, you don't want to make claims for something you can pay out of pocket...

I know that sounds ridiculous "it's what you have insurance for" but pretty sure it's accurate....

 

[maziwanka]

are you sure it wasn't a faulty installation?

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: maziwanka
are you sure it wasn't a faulty installation?

Yes I am sure. I pulled the plug and the stupid thing reset. It was a sensor or something that tells the washer it is full of water. When I got to the washer and opened the top, water was flowing over the basket.

 

[rh71]

curious, who installed it ?

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: rh71
curious, who installed it ?

Home Depots installers. So regardless it sure wouldn't be my fault Which is funny because Home Depot just used a GE contractor service to install appliances.

 

[Codewiz]

Update at the top

 

[zixxer]

honestly if it were me I'd let home depot deal w/ all of it. if they installed it, you bought it there, right? I'd have called them and told them what happened, and let them deal w/ it... but hey

 

[Kelemvor]

Could always try calling GE back a few times and seeing if you get someone else that's more lenient. Not sure if you'd have any better luck or not....

Also, did anyone fidn out Exactly what broke, fell off, leaked, or whatever that caused the whole thing to do what it did in the first place? Looks like you thought it was some sort of overflow sensor thing but did anyone look at it to see if it was faulty from the factory?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
As stated in this http://forums.anandtech.com/me...8&threadid=1480225, my brand new GE washer flooded my house.

I purchased from Home Depot. Now they aren't going to be responsible for fixing any damage caused from it BUT they are giving me a new Maytag washer and dryer at no addition cost. No way in hell I wanted another GE washer.

Since I called GE on Saturday and I was told they couldn't help me out in the least until Monday, Home Depot said they would also contact their GE representative to see what they can do.

Home Depot is going out of their way to help me out and it means a lot. I have a choice in stores but I will be purchasing from HD from now on.

I still have to call GE today to see if they are going to pony up any money for the expenses I had this weekend cleaning up this mess. I know it is a long shot but if was clearly a faulty washer.



UPDATE 1/10/04

GE officially sucks AGAIN! Went through their whole process. GE has insuruance for this type of thing. HOWEVER, GE doesn't pay for replacement costs. They only pay for value. So since my carpet and woodfloor linoleum(sp?) is 13 years old, they will only give me $724. We have 50 sqft of wood flooring me have to replace and they only would agree to give costs for carpet padding which is for 300sqft. Basically $724 fixes nothing.

The wood linoleum would cost at least $400 installed to replace. I have no idea the cost of carpet padding and install.

This is what HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE is for!

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Codewiz
As stated in this http://forums.anandtech.com/me...8&threadid=1480225, my brand new GE washer flooded my house.

I purchased from Home Depot. Now they aren't going to be responsible for fixing any damage caused from it BUT they are giving me a new Maytag washer and dryer at no addition cost. No way in hell I wanted another GE washer.

Since I called GE on Saturday and I was told they couldn't help me out in the least until Monday, Home Depot said they would also contact their GE representative to see what they can do.

Home Depot is going out of their way to help me out and it means a lot. I have a choice in stores but I will be purchasing from HD from now on.

I still have to call GE today to see if they are going to pony up any money for the expenses I had this weekend cleaning up this mess. I know it is a long shot but if was clearly a faulty washer.



UPDATE 1/10/04

GE officially sucks AGAIN! Went through their whole process. GE has insuruance for this type of thing. HOWEVER, GE doesn't pay for replacement costs. They only pay for value. So since my carpet and woodfloor linoleum(sp?) is 13 years old, they will only give me $724. We have 50 sqft of wood flooring me have to replace and they only would agree to give costs for carpet padding which is for 300sqft. Basically $724 fixes nothing.

The wood linoleum would cost at least $400 installed to replace. I have no idea the cost of carpet padding and install.

This is what HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE is for!

BS, this was a FAULTY machine. They replaced the pressure regulator. The machine was screwed up. So I should have to pay for this? It is GE's fault. Get a clue.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Could always try calling GE back a few times and seeing if you get someone else that's more lenient. Not sure if you'd have any better luck or not....

Also, did anyone fidn out Exactly what broke, fell off, leaked, or whatever that caused the whole thing to do what it did in the first place? Looks like you thought it was some sort of overflow sensor thing but did anyone look at it to see if it was faulty from the factory?

Unfortunately, it is GE's insurance company that deals with this. I had an adjuster assigned to my case. I am currently trying to gather a few emails of GE employees that I can voice my displeasure with their policy of only paying for insurance that covers the value of the damage instead of replacement costs.

 

[brian_riendeau]

Two options:

1) File home owners insurance claim

2) Be happy that GE gave you ANYTHING, pay any remaining cost yourself

If you accepted GE's $724, then they should be done with you. Calling back and asking for more at this point is just tacky. I am surprised GE did not say that you should not leave the washer unattended and just tell you to stuff it

 

[kranky]

Don't be too quick to get your homeowner's insurance involved.

You said they would pay $724 and the wood linoleum would cost $400. That leaves $324 to pay for some carpet and padding. How much would that carpet and padding cost you?

I wouldn't make a claim on my insurance unless it was over $1,000. Too many people have had their rates jacked up or policies terminated for water-related claims. The insurance companies are paranoid about mold claims which could cost them many thousands, and are increasing in popularity.

And the killer is that if you call your insurance just to discuss it, they will note it on your record even if you decide not to file a claim! And any other insurance company that uses the CLUE database will have access to that information.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: brian_riendeau
Two options:

1) File home owners insurance claim

2) Be happy that GE gave you ANYTHING, pay any remaining cost yourself

If you accepted GE's $724, then they should be done with you. Calling back and asking for more at this point is just tacky. I am surprised GE did not say that you should not leave the washer unattended and just tell you to stuff it

you're telling me I'm supposed to sit and watch my washing machine to make sure it doesn't break? wtf.. get a clue.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: brian_riendeau
Two options:

1) File home owners insurance claim

2) Be happy that GE gave you ANYTHING, pay any remaining cost yourself

If you accepted GE's $724, then they should be done with you. Calling back and asking for more at this point is just tacky. I am surprised GE did not say that you should not leave the washer unattended and just tell you to stuff it

Actually I WAS THERE. I was in part of the house concentrating on other things. Like unpacking. We just moved in the house.

I didn't realize the thing had overflowed until too late.

Filing homeowners insurance would be stupid. My premium would skyrocket not to mention I have a 1k deductible.

Homeowners insurance is for disasters and ACCIDENTS. This was not an accident. This was a malfunction of a product made by GE.

As for asking for more money. I talked to the adjuster. GE simply does NOT pay for replacement costs. I am not asking for more money, I am asking for the money they should give me. They have admitted that it was a malfunction. It is just the fact that GE doesn't pay for replacement insurance. I want GE to know how I am unhappy with the way things get handled.