We liked the look of it. Good heat, good foam, easy to use.
Negative Product Points
Plastic parts break. Long delays in getting replacement parts. Some types of coffee just don't work with it and plug the filter. Oddly enough, some other coffees do not have that problem.
Detailed Commentary
Overall satisfactory performance for the price, though the single hole filter plugs frequently, as does the milk frother. Both can be cleaned w/ tool supplied. Snobbery aside, you do not want to use a blade grinder w/ this machine. Irregular grind will plug it. Problem solved when i went back to my (hand) burr filter. Unfortunately, the damage was done: plastic filter holder ring cracked under pressure, likely when removing filter during a plugged episode. Cracked ring led to coffee grinds spewing while under pressure.
Very unsatisfactory after-sales service. I was advised when I brought in the machine to the service center that this is not an isolated incident. They were waiting for 3 other parts. Parts were supposed to be 2 weeks to deliver and an additional 8 weeks to install. Three weeks into waiting for spare parts, i have machined replacement from aluminum. Machine is up and running again. We will see for how long. There were definite signs of rust on inside of body, but controls seemed to remain in good shape. Contact me if you are interested in metal replacement part. www.vancouverwireedm.com/caferomadiyt.htm
Buying Experience
Bought from a department store. After sales experience poor. Long delays to get part (3 weeks already), could not get through to after-sales by phone.
Three Month Followup
It took over 10 weeks to get a replacement part, and even then we only received it after calling head office to jump the queue. The part is still available at www.vancouverwireedm.com/caferomadiyt.htm if you are having problems getting a replacement.
One Year Followup
Aluminum part is still good on our machine. We have now sold parts all over the US and Canada. You can read customer reviews on the website. The link is below.
