Lost number on stainless cooktop

[Red Horse]

Not sure if this belongs here but given wealth of knowledge out there here goes:

we have a GE cooktop that is out of warranty (purchased 2/09 for 1400 bucks) It is "black glass" variety and has a stainless frame with the control panel in the middle and all the numbers relative to heat settings are just about gone. Dealer says..."Did you purchase extended warranty?...No? well that willbe $800 for a new stainless surround".

I can't believe this is a unique problem. Anyone have a similar experience? And if so how did you correct. the wife made the mistake of touchingup the numbers with one of those marker paints when itfirst started happening-and was under warranty. I should have played hardball right off the bat and demanded areplacement. Instead we were "reasonable".

Lesson learned

 

[jix]

Bad service from GE........No duff?
I don't buy any appliances made in USA...: all the different brands belong to only a few companies..and they all suck. I hate to say it, but offshore stuff (except Chinese) are way better...and less costly, too

 

[mddorange]

Red Horse, what is the model number on your cooktop? Does the $800 include installation?

 

[Country Geek]

Are the numbers really important? I mean, you turn the heat knob 1/10th or 1/4th or full of whatever. Cooking isn't that precise :thumbsup:

 

[Red Horse]

Red Horse, what is the model number on your cooktop? Does the $800 include installation?

MD-It is a PP972SM2SS

 

[Red Horse]

Are the numbers really important? I mean, you turn the heat knob 1/10th or 1/4th or full of whatever. Cooking isn't that precise :thumbsup:

I hear you-and for that matter I could (and probably will) end up having the wife use her fine hand to use a paint stick again. Don't like the idea though that you spend a pile of money to do over a kitchen and you cook top that you use with "kentucky windage!"

 

[Red Horse]

Bad service from GE........No duff?
I don't buy any appliances made in USA...: all the different brands belong to only a few companies..and they all suck. I hate to say it, but offshore stuff (except Chinese) are way better...and less costly, too

No argument with your point on a consolidated manufacturing base. Then again I have heard of people that have had trouble with Bosch, Electrolux etc. And I do believe those brands are significantly more costly are they not?

as I look back on things, I think I would have to say we have had the least trouble with Kenmore. And for all I know GE may well have built some of those Kenmore appliances but perhaps Kenmore writes a tighter spec?

GE? In any case the "white appliance" group is on the block. Probably get snapped up by some Chinese outfit.

 

[mddorange]

MD-It is a PP972SM2SS

That model number relates to that 36" cooktop with, GE, Whirlpool, and Maytag brand names on it.
The Black with S/S main assembly top is the most expensive, $607.00, where as the white one is $339.00.
So if the $800.00 includes installation, then that amount is the going rate.

 

[dave1949]

That model number relates to that 36" cooktop with, GE, Whirlpool, and Maytag brand names on it.
The Black with S/S main assembly top is the most expensive, $607.00, where as the white one is $339.00.
So if the $800.00 includes installation, then that amount is the going rate.

I looked that up too. I couldn't tell what is included in that 'main assembly.' It could be new burners and everything?

 

[Red Horse]

MDO, Dave,
Thx guys- it is the ss surround only-and 800 is the part only. Looks life the wife is going to have to shjow how good a detail painter she is!

 

[mddorange]

Red Horse, then that is too much.

Dave, no the burners are not included with that.

 

[MarkF48]

How's about something like ....

http://www.ovenlettering.co.uk/
or...
Stove Stickers

Whether these would be suitable on a cooktop, I don't know how much nearby heat they would take.

Betcha a good appliance store might have something like this as well.

 

[Red Horse]

Update. I finally used the GE website and sent in a complaint to customer service via the site. got a response next day. Bottom line they are sending me the $800 part for $160 including taxes and UPS. Guess I can't complain about that but think about it- a cooktop that cost me $1499 6 years ago and the stainless surround piece is $800 list!!

 

[Red Horse]

Update. I finally used the GE website and sent in a complaint to customer service via the site. got a response next day. Bottom line they are sending me the $800 part for $160 including taxes and UPS. Guess I can't complain about that but think about it- a cooktop that cost me $1499 6 years ago and the stainless surround piece is $800 list!!

Well the part finally came, and while over 800 bucks on a $1500 cooktop is STILL a lot of money, I thought I was getting the stainless surround tjhat sits on the glass. Actually what you get is a new glass top with the stainless surround bonded to it. Installation is easy -like 10 torx screws on a flange that drops over the burner units.

 

[dave1949]

Huh. It must not be feasible to bond the glass top to the SS surround frame in the field?

 

[Red Horse]

Huh. It must not be feasible to bond the glass top to the SS surround frame in the field?

Like my wife said when she saw it..."what a waste". And before the part came-and I thought I was getting just the stainless surround, I did a little prying on the edge-it lifted up without too much pressue-nothing but some sort of heavy mastic/glue. Although I have to say, seeing the new top compared to the old one, 6 years of usage shows.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good for GE for finally helping ou out, Red Horse, but how do you keep the numbers from wearing off again?

I used to work in a sign shop, and they had adhesive backed clear mylar that would stick to almost anything, permanently. That might hold up to cleaning and such, but you'd have an edge to contend with.

Or maybe one of the two part acrylic clear auto finishes?

Dunno, that's a tough one.

Always purchased Whirlpool appliances, never had an issue. Even the used ones I snagged off Craig's List in '10 are still going strong, and no numbers lost yet...