The dreaded F28 signal

I bought the machine 2yrs ago. I choose the machine because I felt I could trust the MAYTAG name. Apparently that is not the case.  The F28  signal came on, and now the machine will not complete the washing cycle. After turning the machine on and off, the water flowed in the barrel and the door locked, but the barrel would not even move. I spoke to customer service and they told me that the F28 signal comes on when there is a communication problem, and that this would usually occur when there has been a power surge. I have surge protection through my power company and so that threw out that theory. They would only offer a to send out a service man that would charge $80 just to look on the machine, and then the cost of the repair will be billed separately, or to pay for a plan that costs over $300. I think this is highway robbery.