We appreciate your feedback and would like to help. If you want to soak the load longer and to prevent it from going into agitate you can do the following:
1) Choose any wash cycle, the desired temperature selection, and the desired fill level (Small - Max).
2) Leaving the lid open, press start. The washer will fill to the selected level at the selected temperature.
3) After the washer finishes filling, press the pause button to pause the cycle.
4) After pausing the washer, close the lid.
a. The washer can now be left for up to 24 hours in this state. After 24 hours it will drain automatically.
5) When ready to drain out the water (if not left for 24 hours), turn the cycle knob from whatever cycle selected to the Drain & Spin cycle.
a. Be sure that the 2nd Rinse option or Deep Rinse options (if their model is so equipped) are NOT selected as the unit will go into agitate in the next step if those options are selected.
6) Close the lid (if not closed already) and press Start. The washer will drain out.
7) If you do not want the washer to spin, just turn the cycle knob immediately after the pump-out is complete and that will cancel the cycle. Otherwise just allow the unit to proceed through the spin cycle. Note: When the Soak option is selected the washer will alternate between agitate and soak during this cycle to get your clothes cleaner with less wear. We hope the more you use your washer the more you will like it.

We are sorry for the issues you are having and would like to help! All GE Appliances washer tubs move freely within our exclusive auto balance suspension system. It is a rod and spring floating suspension, designed to withstand extensive out of balance situations without the need for an "out of balance" switch. During an out of balance load, the basket is allowed to "float" forward and backward, side to side, and up and down, yet it never touches the floor nor is it even connected to the floor. As a result, the clothes basket can move freely, and this is normal. We recommend trying to wash similar type clothes/items in your washer to balance out the load. If you continue to have issues, please take advantage of your warranty and reach out to Bodewell Service by calling 1-833-426-3393.