General Electric (GE) Appliances has established itself as a leader in the household appliance industry with a diverse product portfolio spanning refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. Renowned for their enduring quality, state-of-the-art innovation, and timeless design, GE appliances command a premium in the marketplace.
However, the higher price point gives pause to value-focused appliance shoppers. This comprehensive assessment provides an impartial analysis of the pros and cons of GE appliances to guide informed purchase decisions.
The Pros of Purchasing GE Appliances – Used, New, and Open Box
Legendary Reliability and Durability
General Electric’s appliance line is revered for its reliability and durability, engineered to provide years of uninterrupted service. Multiple consumer surveys rank General Electric as one of the most dependable brands in the market.
For instance, in this article from Good Housekeeping, they have ranked one of General Electric’s dishwashers at #4. They had this to say about their experience:
“This GE model did a very good job in our cleaning performance evaluations and was quiet and easy to use. Hard-to-wash items like water bottles and dirty forks and spoons are no match for the water jets in the top rack and beneath the flatware basket to ensure that these pesky items emerge their cleanest. We particularly like the extra space between the tines that’s standard in all the GE brand dishwashers we test.”
Similarly, Yale Appliance found appliances made by General Electric have a service rate of just 6.8%, a testament to how well-made and reliable their products usually are. This service rate demonstrates GE’s mastery over quality control and material selection. Premium grade metals, polished finishes, and sturdy built exemplify GE’s pursuit of perfection. Consequently, consumers can trust GE appliances to endure daily wear and tear over long ownership cycles.
Cutting-Edge Innovation
As pioneers of purposeful innovation in the appliance industry, General Electric leverages the expertise of its prolific engineering corps to push boundaries. Several ingenious innovations from the company have become industry mainstays: the first refrigerator with a factory-installed icemaker, the first bottom-freezer refrigerator, and the first over-the-range microwave, to name a few.
Currently, GE is spearheading connectivity with its smart appliances compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. The integration with smart home ecosystems provides conveniences like remote monitoring and control. GE also collaborates with partners like Keurig to deliver novel capabilities like an integrated coffee maker within the refrigerator. Such a zealous pursuit of meaningful innovation keeps GE ahead of the curve.
Premium Aesthetics and Design
In conjunction with technology, GE recognizes aesthetics as an appliance differentiator, infusing artful sophistication into its products. Stainless steel finishes, contoured doors, and contemporary accents give many GE appliances a timeless, sculptural beauty. Multiple GE collections even feature collaborations with renowned industrial designers like Jason Wu and Patrick Jouin to incorporate couture-level attention to detail. This synergy between form and function satisfies both aesthetic leanings and practical needs for discerning consumers. Several GE models are displayed in museums like MoMA and Chicago Athenaeum for their iconic designs.
Extensive Product Selection
As one of the oldest and most versatile appliance makers, GE offers one of the most expansive product selections to serve varied consumer needs. Their refrigerator range encompasses French door, side-by-side, top freezer, and counter-depth models while cooktops extend across gas, electric, induction, and dual-fuel varieties. GE even caters to niche needs with specialty appliances like under-counter ice makers, over-the-range microwaves, and beverage centers. Such diverse offerings make GE an ideal one-stop shop. Thoughtful categorization into Good, Better, and Best lines provides multiple price points as well.
Reassuring Warranty
GE appliances come backed by strong standard 1-year warranties across the board and extended warranties up to 10 years for premium models, like the Monogram series. Many key parts like compressor, evaporator, condenser etc. have warranties in the 3-5 year range. This reflects GE’s confidence in their products’ longevity and performance. Local GE-authorized servicers provide warranty support, facilitating quick repairs/parts replacement. Registered GE appliances also qualify for loyalty discounts on future services. For extra coverage, consumers can opt for GE Appliance Care+ extended service plans as well.
Cons of Purchasing Used, New, and Scratch and Dent Appliances from General Electric (GE)
Expensive Price Points
The main deterrent for GE appliances is their steep sticker price, often noticeably higher than comparable models from other brands. This pricing premium mainly stems from GE’s investments in premium materials, innovative features, rigorous testing, and exacting quality control. While GE offerings exist across budget, mid-range, and luxury tiers, even the baseline models command higher prices. During promotions, GE prices become more palatable. Ultimately, buyers must decide if the GE difference warrants the higher expenditure.
Mixed Reviews of Customer Service
While GE garners praise for product dependability, customer service reviews are mixed. Some users express frustrations with long hold times, sparsely located service centers, delayed technician visits, and repetitious troubleshooting suggestions. However, GE has been striving to improve after-sales support by expanding service availability, offering loyalty discounts, and allowing self-scheduling of repairs. But there is room for improvement, especially when consumers are paying premium prices.
Potentially Expensive Repairs
Sophisticated engineering and premium materials also translate into higher repair costs for out-of-warranty GE appliances compared to economy models from discount brands. Some diagnose the root cause and order special replacement parts. Simple repairs like defrost heater or thermistor replacements could run over $250 with labor costs. Bigger repairs like a compressor or circuit board replacement may cost $500-600 or more. However, GE’s relatively low 6.8% repair rate somewhat mitigates this. Careful maintenance and avoiding improper usage can further minimize repair frequencies.
Conclusion
GE appliances justify their premium price points by merging inspired industrial design with ingenious innovation to deliver durability and performance. While their appliances have many pros and cons to consider, we would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for great deals on something that can last for a very long time and require very little repairs. Extensive product variety caters to diverse needs while reassuring warranties provide a safety net. However, steep sticker prices, inconsistent customer service, and high repair costs are realities buyers must consider.
Conduct in-person appraisals, utilize promotional financing/rebates, and purchase extended warranties to maximize value. Consider GE for long-ownership appliances but compare against other brands as well. In appliances, as in life, quality comes at a cost – determine if GE’s caliber aligns with your budget and priorities. If you ever need repairs on your appliance purchase, whether you bought it from us or another vendor, we are here for you! Check out our General Electric appliance repair page for more information! We are based in Atlanta, and offer our appliance repair services in Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb counties currently!
