What The Bleep Is This?!

ID Plate from a 2006 GSS 23, made in Mexico.	Ice dispenser chute is clogged with frost.

There's a story that goes with this particular refrigerator owner.  Bob had no less than 8 moisture-related service calls from GE.  It took a year of tenacious phone calls to GE to finally get the replacement refrigerator that GE promised him (and others) in March 2005 (before there was ever a class action lawsuit)!

On July 8, 2006 Bob was thrilled to finally receive his new refrigerator.  Life could now go on.  The GE Tech (who was now on a first name basis with Bob), could come and visit for a frosty one in a mug - instead of a frosty dispenser chute.  But most dramatically, Bob thought he could leave behind the 'deep and intimate relationship' that he had developed with the folks at the GE Customer Care Line.

NOT!

Less than two weeks after delivery, Bob's spanking new 2006 GE refrigerator became possessed by the "Frosty Demons of GE Defect Hell".  Like a spurned lover, it just wouldn't leave him alone!

We'll follow this tale to see how many repairs are required on Bob's 2006 model . . .

July 13, 2006

Why did the class action notification program not include information available from the following sources:

• builder and retail customer lists (Lowes, Home Depot, Bill Smith, etc);
• GE Authorized appliance repair companies;
• all production and distribution databases;
• OEM warranty records (original equipment manufacturers);
• ESP warranty records (extended service plan);
• archived scheduling records which would include telephone area code changes.  (Your home telephone number is your GE account number if you have had a GE Service repair.)
• GE suppliers like Key Prestige who actually schedule the service calls and take care of billing for technicians;
• Third Party Agents who sold or administered extended warranty contracts.

And why the bleep didn't Class Counsel insist this clause be inserted into the Settlement Agreement:

"Class Counsel shall have the right to review or audit the procedures used by the Defendants to ensure that the Settlement is administered in compliance with the Settlement Agreement."

We wonder . . .

Silent Dangers

A refrigerator is the most important appliance in the home; we cannot live (comfortably) without it.  It is where we store the food we feed our families, baby formula, medicines, etc.  We rely on it to keep our food items safe to eat, and most of us would never suspect our refrigerators might not be maintaining safe temperatures.  Who would think to keep a thermometer in their refrigerator just to be sure?  Not many.  Who would think to check for foreign objects in ice cubes as they're dispensed through the door?  Not us - or many others.  Until of course, the discovery is triggered by someone choking or because you just happened to look into your glass.  How often do you kneel on the floor so you can look up - up close and personal - at the dispenser unit inspecting for mold?  Not often, unless unexplained illnesses, allergies, etc. make you desperate for answers.

You have heard us refer to the health and safety hazards associated with the refrigerator defects.  Let us explain in a little more detail why we keep (literally) screaming about this.  Just to make it absolutely clear to those who don't quite get it, we are talking about models both included and excluded from the class action settlement.

Approximately one third of the people who have contacted us describing defects, report temperature control problems:

• food inside the refrigerator section "feels" too warm
• food inside the refrigerator section freezes
• food inside the freezer section thaws then re-freezes
• food spoils or becomes mushy
• food poisoning attributed to unsafe temperature control

When a thermometer is used to check the temperature in their refrigerator, homeowners discover it is dangerously above the recommended level of less than 40 degrees (as much as 10 to 20 degrees above safe levels).  Just as disturbing are the hundreds of complaints describing pieces of plastic dispensed with ice into a consumer's glass; some reported choking on this plastic.  Most frightening is when you consider small children or the elderly who are especially at risk for not noticing plastic which can be clear or white or who may have difficulty swallowing due to their age or health.  We have provided theses specific and individual reports to the appropriate authorities involved, and yet no one appears to take them seriously enough to do something about it.

What is so difficult about warning consumers across the country who have no idea there is a silent risk to their health residing the the heart of their homes?

We are convinced General Electric is doing everything they can to keep this information contained and hidden from the public.  Where are our elected officials?  Where are the authorities who supposedly protect the public?

What the bleep?!

Someone Got Bleeped!

Nancy and I felt that the document we're about to share with you is the quintessential example of "What the bleep is this!?"  A Collier County homeowner shared this story (and documentation) with us.

Mr. Bleep purchased a new GE refrigerator model number GTS22JBP on December 9, 2004 from Bill Smith Appliances.  He immediately had problems with the unit including excessive frost.  Bill Smith Appliances replaced the GTS22JBP with another unit (same model) on December 22, 2004. Same model, same problems.

On February 18, 2005 Bill Smith Appliances delivered yet a third refrigerator, but this time Mr. Bleep asked for a Whirlpool.  Now at this point, I'll bet you think you know the punch line.  (I'll bet you don't!)  What follows is a copy of the exchange instructions and invoice left at Mr. Bleep's home.  (We have redacted personally identifying information about Mr. Bleep.)  Click the small image below, and a full sized version will open in a new window.  You will notice 3 areas of text that are highlighted.  Read them very closely.  THEN you will understand why we said, "What the bleep is this!"

ALERT!

If you purchased a GE refrigerator model GTS22JBPWW with Serial Number TG301733 between December 23, 2004 and today, click HERE now for critical information!