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It is super easy to use and it has been tremendously reliable-depite less than 'recommended' cleanings. Aside from some translation issues with the manual, this machine rocks. The only issue we had was the display losing a couple lines after leaving the machine in storage, in the winter cold, in New England. We have had it for over three years, using it close to a dozen cups a day, and had vertually no problems. It makes creamy, rich esspresso. We also pinched an O-ring on the brew unit (operator error), but customer service answered immediately, sent the O-ring we needed, plus a couple spares. Love this machine and have recommended it to friends on several occasions.
lets just say the problems keep mounting. now the screen is half blank so i can't even read the error messages. not cool.
We are on our second unit in just over a year (our first one was shipped 4/13/2007) and they have both suffered the same fate, the perpetual "Ventilate" message. It took almost a month to get the first one replaced by Saeco, and its shelf life was less than the original. All told we are less than 300 cups brewed, and we are out of service again. Do yourself a favor, spend your money at Starbucks instead, believe it or not it is cheaper.
While this machine does have some operational flaws and lacks flexibility, I have had it for about two years. However, a series of cascading failures, most likely due to the various leaks in the machine damaging the motherboard, have caused it to become non-functional. After only two years, I am going to have to spend a lot of money and get another system. This super automatic is not designed for durability.
I had it about 6 months when a gasket failed and it leaked all over the place. Great. I have had this machine almost two years now. This continued each time the machine was turned off and back on till the present where you can no longer read the cues. Wish I'd never seen this particular machine. Saeco was very responsive back then and picked up the machine and repaired it promptly. Then I found out from Saeco today that there is only one authorized repair place in this state--300 miles away.
Now I wish I'd bought the Gaggia instead. I agree with the other reviewer that this is a "luxury" item and we expect better in both service and reliability. Just what one wants to hear after laying out a bundle on a fancy coffee machine. However, after getting the machine back and following new instructions about maintenance (particularly, turning off the machine if gone more than a couple of days), I found that the led display began to break up. I had intended to wait until our next vacation trip (so I wouldn't miss the home brew) to have it repaired at a local shop but just found out that they no longer will do Saeco repairs because it takes them so long to get parts. It was great while it lasted but one would surely expect more than a year and a half out of a machine that expensive; must be the first time in my life that purchasing an extended warranty might have been a break even deal. Grrr.
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