GE ceramic cooktop

[Rick]

While cleaning up on Thanksgiving day, we noticed the ugly crack, going thru the right burners, front to back. Was browning gravy and heard a "snap".

The unit has a parts only warranty for 4 yrs after the 1 yr all-inclusive P&L time. GE is coming out this week, and charges $70 just to come out and look at it. I figure that the guy will look at it, say "uh-huh, you need a new cooktop" ...duh, and order one, only to come out again to install it for another $70+.

Anyone have any experience with GE service? Can I insist that they bring one with them and install it on the spot? I had an interesting discussion with the GE service people (in the Phillipines somewhere) who said it had only a one year warranty. The manual says otherwise. The part costs $494.00US. - HELP!

[Lawrence]

Who did you buy the unit from? Maybe they can help you.

[marks542004]

Check your warrenty before the service call. Many of the GE ceramic tops now show a i year parts and labor .

The service tech should have all the parts with him.

[Rick]

Check your warrenty before the service call. Many of the GE ceramic tops now show a i year parts and labor .

The service tech should have all the parts with him.

The owners manual, in the back, says 1 yr from date of purchase covers parts and labor, 5 yrs covers replacement cooktop cracked due to thermal shock, discolor or pattern wear, and the radiant surface unit. I sent in the card, too. I found an exploded parts diagram, and it seems that there is nothing complicated about installing this glass cover.

-bye, Rick

[Lawrence]

Since you are sure what is needed you may as well buy the part. Then if you can't install it yourself or dont' wan't to then call someone.

[trader4]

In my experience, unless this is covered by warranty, you might as well get a new stove. I would do my best to establish upfront that it is covered by warranty before incurring a service call charge. And if you live in a state where you can record phone conversations without having to tell the other party, I'd record the phone call too, so you can prove what was said.

A friend of mine bought a stove like this for about $350. It was less than 6 mths old when a renter dropped something on it, cracking the ceramic top. I looked up the cost of the replacement part and it was over $300. The ceramic part came as part of the whole top assembly, including metal frame. I'd go online and see what the replacement costs for your stove.

[Rick]

In my experience, unless this is covered by warranty, you might as well get a new stove. I would do my best to establish upfront that it is covered by warranty before incurring a service call charge. And if you live in a state where you can record phone conversations without having to tell the other party, I'd record the phone call too, so you can prove what was said.

A friend of mine bought a stove like this for about $350. It was less than 6 mths old when a renter dropped something on it, cracking the ceramic top. I looked up the cost of the replacement part and it was over $300. The ceramic part came as part of the whole top assembly, including metal frame. I'd go online and see what the replacement costs for your stove.

The part ($494 from GE) is supposedly covered under the 2-5 year warranty, but not the labor. Probably needs a service call to determine if I dropped something (not) or it suffered thermal shock (browning gravy on high) The owners manual indicated a thermal switch that is supposed to prevent damage from overheating and no warning about using high heat.

[JGolan]

[Rick]

[Rick]

Well GE service didnt show up last Thursday as promised. My wife called to confirm around mid morning, and they said that the service guy rescheduled for the next wednesday because he didnt have the ceramic cooktop part on hand. Well, duh, no one called us to reschedule, and we cannot be home that day. The service girl said "That happens once in a while." Morale of the story, always confirm service appointments the day before, to avoid wasting a day off in vain.