Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

We have been using these filters for some time and always been pleased with the result, however this last order was clearly either defective or a knock off. The filter was 1) very difficult to mount 2) the water flow was very low 3) the water had a very astringent taste that didn't clear after running several glasses of water through it. We decided to replace it and when I dumped water out of it to dispose of it, it dumped out a large clump of black (charcoal?) plus grit poured out. I called GE about it, and they said that they don't guarantee products through Amazon since they don't necessarily source from GE and that they aren't protected from knockoffs. This may have been a one time problem, but for now, I will go back to buying them from GE.