I've read numerous disastrous feedback for this unit on Amazon and I'm a bit worried about the number of defective units being sold. Has anyone owned this for more than a year without incident? Has anyone used the Geek Squad extended warranty for repairs? null

Question

explore42 · Accepted Answer

There are a couple of versions of the Opal out there. I just picked up the Opal 2.0 which is an improved version and seems to work quite well. One way you can differentiate the units is the 2.0 version has touch button sensors on the front for the power, light and cleaning cycle. If you are really concerned you can get the extended warranty through Best buy. Although I have not used the extended warranty on this unit I have used it on my Samsung refrigerator's ice maker and found the service to be quite good.

Answered by explore42 5 years ago

Top 250 Contributor

NotHappy · Answer

You're taking a gamble when you buy this machine, no matter where you purchase it. Ours was great for 2 months. Now it is stuck in permanent defrost cycle. The solution from opal is to send our broken one in and receive a refurbished unit in its place. I do not want a refurbished unit, I want a brand new working ice maker - the thing I purchased. There is no way a refurbished unit will ever be as clean and pristine as a brand new out of the box unit. Given how prone ice makers are to mold build up, I find the idea of a refurbished replacement disgusting. Best Buy warranty isn't going to be any better. We had high hopes for the opal 2.0 but it has been a disappointment.

Answered by NotHappy 4 years ago

danitaliano · Answer

Our's lasted about 18 months. We used filtered water, and cleaned at least once a month. There were several times I had to take the water tank apart because of mold build up that the bleach and vinegar rinses just couldn't cut through. It had started to fail about 9 months in (while still under warranty) and the customer service was helpful but basically said we'd have to send it in and get a replacement. Well I left it plugged in over night one more time and it happened to start working again so we decided we didn't need to do the replacement and the customer service seemed legit for a 500$+ product *face palm* I should have known better. Well another 8 months and we started having issues where the low water level indicator will turn on, even though the water tank is full. I tried cleaning the sensors, resetting it, cleaning cycles, everything and contacted customer service again. We checked the water pump which was working fine and narrowed it down to a faulty circuit board or water level sensor, but since it was now out of warranty the customer reps said we were screwed, they couldn't even recommend where to get parts to try a dyi. So, try one with warranty, we really did love the ice it made my pregnant wife so happy. But you'll likely have issues with the blue light indicator and unless you can swap it in under warranty you're screwed.

Answered by danitaliano 4 years ago

Kona76 · Answer

Great question. Here’s my experience, and the extremes that were not in my favor:
1.	First Opal 2.0 lasted 3 months, then complete failure to make ice. 
2.	I did purchase the extended warranty, about $60. 
3.	Using the “Best Buy” ext. Warranty, the store replaced the unit with a brand-new Opal 2.0.
4.	The new unit cancels out the ext. Warranty. The Geek Squad explained this is the way it works. No hassles, just replace the unit. 
5.	The store wants me to purchase an additional $60 for another ext. Warranty!! I thought this was insane as it was still under GE’s 
Warranty for another 9 months, (12 total). 
6.	The ext. Warranty is in this case useful, but they are selling defective products, and raking additional money each time a broken icemaker is returned. This is not an ext. Warranty, it’s a replacement tax on consumers only to avoid dealing with customer service at the manufacturing. Amazing!
7.	I said no to the second “tax”. What a joke! However…
8.	There are inherent problems with this item such as the inability to handle high levels of minerals contained in our local water here in Northern California. Many of the breakdowns in these ice machines are due to Calcium that clogs the pipes too small for the application. Lots of icemakers fail apparently from this singularity of Calcium. 
9.	My next Opal 2.0 lasted approximately 60 days, same problems. No ice is produced. I had to work with GE’s support directly and trust me, it’s a long, tedious process that has taken months to complete. Nice people, back-ordered products, and of course Covid excuses fill the process with terrible results that you have read about already. 
10.	The replacement unit sent to me did not work out of the box. It’s refurbished, and garbage in my opinion. In addition, the price from Best Buy went up over $50. It’s been a few months now and a total pain in the rear end. Keep in mind it’s over $649 now plus the extended warranty cost of $60 or more. I’m still waiting for a working model of the Opal 2.0 Ice Machine. Buyer beware doesn’t even describe my frustration.

DiggThat · Answer

We got the 2.0 as a Black Friday special. We had to get a replacement about 6 weeks in because it was making horrible squealing sounds. 

The unit requires a 30 minute cleaning every week. 

The replacement took about 2 weeks to arrive and the unit was dented. I’m now waiting for a replacement but they will not send a 2nd unit until they receive the original unit back. This whole process is going to add 2 more weeks. 1 week to send them another week to receive. 

I did purchase the geek squad extended warranty.

OpalisKingofmold · Answer

I have had my Opal 2.0 for a year.  The mold is horrendous.  After following all of the user manual maintenance guidelines faithfully, nothing is stopping the mold.  Do not buy.

BobVilla · Answer

Question: Has anyone used this for over a year without incident?

Short Answer: No
Long answer: He// no.

They are made to break immediately after the warranty expires. If you can afford $500+ a year, every year of the rest of your life, for one of these machines, the ice is great. 

Haven’t bought the extended warranty but it is intriguing. I too might check it out.

Plove · Answer

These machines are JUNK, we should all ban together and file a class action lawsuit against GE for selling an extremely expensive, defective product!!!

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i do not know about the 2.0 version but i have the the original GE opal ice and it failed right after the manufacturer warranty expired. the control boards failed, the non transistor that controls the pump shorts out in one of two ways. it will stay open causing it to always go into low water mode, or it will short to closed causing it to never turn the pump off so it will make ice for a couple hours then go into cleaning mode. i have seen many reviews describing how the units fail and it typically goes back to a control board problem.

Answered by Anonymous 3 years ago

kirfarm · Answer

I had the old version & it finally quite - bought the new version end of November and works fine. My daughter bought had the old version also & bought the new version end of January and it stopped working yesterday - they won't take it back & has to be repaired. No longer than it's been to be having problems I feel it should be replaced.

Answered by kirfarm 4 years ago

Crasher · Answer

i haven't owned it for a year only a few weeks but it works flawlessly plus you have to take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. Remember Amazon outsources from other vendors so if a vendor doesn't take care of their units during storage then the end result is a flawed unit that the consumer is left with. Always tread lightly when buying from Amazon. This is coming from someone who is a prime member as well. I always take caution when buying from them.

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I’m going on my 3rd replacement from GE.  WE ARE SO DISGUSTED with this unit we wrote an email to the CEO who authorized a replacement with no warranty.   I love the ice but it’s a piece of junk.

sm444219 · Answer

I have had nothing but problems with my 2.0 and it is still under warranty.  The GE support has been useless.  Now they want me to take a 1.0 that has been refurbished. also I will have to put down a deposit until they get mine back and it will still take 30 days TO GET A REFURBISHED LOWER grade model.  Don't buy it.

techguy2012 · Answer

DO NOT PURCHASE. This thing makes great ice... I'm on my 3rd. it is an absolute piece of garbage that will fail, and fail, and fail. Thoroughly regret not just returning when I had the chance.

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Short answer is no. Mine stopped producing ice after 7 months at which time they said they would send me a replacement.  Fast forward 5 months and the 2nd one stopped working.  Now they tefuse to replace it.

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We bought ours from Best Buy in May of 2021. It is now dead. It will not suck water from the side tank. I have tried cleaning it. I have tried clearing air out of the line. Nothing works. It says add water when full and then it just cuts off. We never could get the wifi to work. I just bought 4 GE Cafe appliances and I hope they last longer than this did.

Benzman · Answer

Mine cut out right before the year Warrenty. It's great when it works, but the quality is poor if it's breaking after a year especially at a $600 price point. Being in Hawaii they wanted to charge me $177 for a Warrenty repair that should be free. Honestly it's not worth it.

BiggE · Answer

I have a friend who has had his for 2 years and has had no problems. I have had mine for a week and nothing has gone bad. It's like anything you buy sometimes it doesn't work for somereason or another i would get the protection plan. But that is just me Best Buy is great about there warranty.

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We are about to exchange our second one due to small cuts in the tubing B that are leaking. They are slow leaks, but leaks nonetheless. I’m so sad because I hate being without my ice, but Best Buy has been great since we got the insurance in it.

NoMoreGEappliances · Answer

Do not purchase this product.    I have the original Opal Ice Machine from First Build and wanted the new Opal 2.0 with the side ice tank and the black stainless finish.    It lasted just enough over the one year warranty for GE to say they don't fix them and basically I have a $600 paper weight.    I will NEVER purchase another GE product.

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Definitely believe the Amazon reviews. I had my opal 1.0 just over a year when the machine  stopped working. I used filtered water, but not distilled, so maybe that was my problem, but I kept getting mold problems. I cleaned it SO OFTEN, but it continued. Then I noticed the back wall of the reservoir (the part the ice drawer pushes up against) starting bulging. I don’t know if the unit overheated or what, but this bulge now makes the drawer stay pushed out just enough that I’m wondering if that’s why it won’t make ice. It’s super frustrating. Something so expensive should have a better warranty.

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I bought mine from GE and I have had 3 replacements since October 2021!!  I will never purchase a GE product again!

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I have one and it was great for about a year. Mine has since had mold in it that transfers to the ice bin, it makes extremely loud squealing and grinding noises and I just unplugged it yesterday because some black, hard stuff, the size of dirt, has been in the ice bin.  I have no idea what that is.  Sometimes, it also just shuts off for no reason. I love nugget ice but after having so many issues with this and finding out that you can't even get it serviced and repaired, I would never buy this machine again.  I've researched other nugget machines and they all seem to have the same issues. Once the warranty expires, you are out of luck. My sister also has one and she is now having issues with hers.  I would never be able to recommend this in good conscious. To pay so much for something and then be told basically just have to toss it, is unacceptable.  One would expect more from GE. The positive reviews are all from people who either haven't had their machine long or have had the machine less than 2 years. Read the fine print in the extended warranty and trust the negative reviews. This has been a disappointing purchase to say the least. Save your money.

kirfarm · Answer

I bought the original first build opal and have had it several years. It just now gave out. So I can not complain. Also about 3 years ago bought one of the special edition soft ice ones for my daughter for Christmas. She has had no problems either. Getting ready to now buy the GE Profile Opal.

MikesOpalDied · Answer

I’ve owned mine for 10 months, it’s the love of my life.  Unfortunately I’ve been going back and forth with Opal support and my hope that she comes back to life is lessening by the day.  Buying this thing is like getting a puppy with a short lifespan.  They’re friggin awesome, but don’t appear to last very long.

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Avoid!  Ours dies after 3 years and Best Buy doesn’t help at all nor does the mfg.  at this point we will just throw it away.

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These units do not last and they want you to spend another 250.00 to send it back. And if they can’t fix it you get only half your 250.00 back but nothing towards the price of the expensive machine

Kris · Answer

We got one for Christmas.  We took it back right away.  It was making a high pitch squealing noise.  It said it was defrosting but it was doing it all the time.  We just got our replacement but haven’t opened it yet.  My sister in law and in laws both have one and theirs works fine.

Buyerbeware · Answer

Not me. Warranty nonservice was despicable. They outsourced to onpoint warranty contractor. Gearbox bearing failed within 8 months and it would not make ice. New gearbox is $135. That’s with me doing the repair. Buyer beware.

Faultyunits · Answer

I had 3 of these units within in a 2 year span.. When it works it’s awesome, but then it starts making horribly loud noises almost a sounds like styrofoam being twisted then a loud knocking sound.. I will only buy at Costco since they will refund your money, such a huge disappointment they can’t get these machines to function long term. This is my last unit, just not worth it to keep returning it.. FYI-GE customer service is awful you have to send a video of the issue before they will file a claim- Sounds like they know the units are defective..

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I have had my Opal for 3-1/2 years and loved it. It has finally started to malfunction. I’m trying to find someplace near me to do a repair.  If not, my plan is to purchase a new one from Best Buy and get the Geek Squad extended warranty.

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Trust me dear, I did also. But if you notice , look at the model of the opal. You will notice that they are not GE Opal. They are Nugget Opal . I purchase this machine about 4 month ago. Ans belive me when I say I am happy with this product. Its does nothing to what videos I seen. I just notice that the machine I was looking at was Opal Nugget . And the one at bestbuy is GE Opal they are two different machine. I also thought the same until someone pointed this out to me.

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Didn’t even hesitate to buy the warranty.  I knew the risks when I bought it from Best Buy.  I am meticulous about the cleaning.  First one lasted a little over a year.  Replacement lasted almost 18 months.  Getting ready to pack it up a take it to Geek Squad in the Best Buy to get another replacement.  I don’t remember if I had to pay for another warranty but if I did I must’ve done it.  Current warranty expires in Jan of 27.  Both units same failure - Add Water lights up but plenty of water in tank.  Pump just stops working.   I wish they were built better but then they would probably cost $1500.

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It’s the worst ice machine you’ll ever buy. I won’t go into details. Just pick out a review. You might find 1-10 happy customers. I don’t care how much maintenance you do on it. It squeals like a banshee. And we use distilled water!  I don’t know if one exists

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I have the 2.0 and am beyond year two. Only cleaned it once. Something to note is that we have excellent well water.

HeavyK · Answer

I bought ours in December 2020 as a Christmas gift for my wife.  About 6 months ago, it started leaking.  Despite numerous cleanings as recommended, it still leaks.  We absolutely love it except for the leak.

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First model I had to return, it was broke upon receiving. Second one I've used for two years and it stopped making ice this week. I LOVE this machine so I’m ordering another one but their life span seems to only be a couple years.

KMGLouisville · Answer

Over a year owned and never a problem. Seriously, this machine is great, works like a dream. Recommended it to a family member and they also bought one, they also have never had any issues.

KariW · Answer

I have to wonder… are they failing because people aren’t cleaning them weekly like suggested in the manual? I do understand some units are outright faulty, but you can’t expect a machine to last without the proper suggested maintenance.

“I've read numerous disastrous feedback for this unit on Amazon and I'm a bit worried about the number of defective units being sold. Has anyone owned this for more than a year without incident? Has anyone used the Geek Squad extended warranty for repairs?”

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