They stand behind their product, and this brewstation has lasted a year - so I was wrong about it's longevity.
Positive Product Points
Easy pour/easy wash bucket Controls on the side One-handed pour spout component design is easy to keep clean
Negative Product Points
Clock is hard to read and is not reliable, we owned two of these appliances because the first one's clock died after three months. The second died after 4 months and the element quit after a year.
Detailed Commentary
We were excited about the removable bucket for filling, the no drip spout on the bucket, the one handed dispenser and the component design of the coffee maker. Since we wanted a programmable coffee maker this was a key feature. The clock is hard to see, it is not lit in any way and low on the unit so you have to bend down to see it. Also the clock died in both units within four months. The clock enables the brew feature whether programmed or not and to rescusitate the clock we had to unplug and plug the power cord. The element died in the second unit about a year after purchase. We've owned other units that lasted two to three years so we expected the same from this unit as well.
Buying Experience
It appears that they have very little understanding of what is essential in coffee makers. If they had done a bit more research they would have used a better clock and sturdier element. However Hamilton-Beach provided outstanding customer service dealing with our complaint.
Three Month Followup
Following the demise of our second Brewstation and after writing the review in CoffeeGeek; we emailed Hamilton-Beach and vented our displeasure with the Brewstation. They responded with the request that we send $7.50 for shipping and handling and the plug (male) attached to the coffeemaker. We did so and after 6 weeks received another Brewstation. At this time it has been slightly more than 14 weeks and the appliance has performed flawlessly. We still think that the clock is poor, because it is hard to see day or night due to the use of a gray (background) LCD with black numbers located in such a manner to make the view angle downward when you are close to the unit (such as when you are programming it). It should be bright numbers (yellow, red?) on black background and higher up the unit to facilitate ease of reading. We'd put the clock and program buttons on the top facing straight forward with brighter clock numbers. The drip tray should be refined to prevent splatter on the counter when the spout drips (which it always does after you pour a cup). Since the last Brewstation clock failed after 4 months and the element at about a year, the jury is still out on the longevity of this product. However Hamilton-Beach was prompt and customer-oriented in their response to our complaint. A nice plus in this "take it or leave it" kind of customer service these days. Very positive interaction with this company with regards to the problems we had. We will look carefully at any product they market but we feel better about how they will treat us if we have a problem.
One Year Followup
The third Brewstation is still operating. The features such as the clock type and location are still inconvenient. An additional feature for brewing devices would be a battery back-up. I would consider the way Hamilton-Beach handled the complaint to have been very successful. It certainly changes my mind on how I would view other HB purchases. The Brewstation continues to provide good coffee and hasn't shown any sign of defect. Let's hope it continues.
