Piece of Junk- sent it back to the company

Author's Rating:

Pros: Cheap? Easy to use until it craps out.

Cons: Worthless piece of crap didn't even last a year.

The Bottom Line: 
Buy something better. Spend some money and don't buy crap made in CHINA

Author's Review

(2/7/08)We purchased the coffee maker for my elderly parents, who have difficulty with any coffee maker model with a digital display. My mom is fussy, but when she saw this uncomplicated switch model and liked it, we thought we had things solved.

Anyway, barely a year after we purchased it, the thermal fuse died, effectively rendering the item useless. It would not heat water, nor would the burner work. I should also mention the hot plate chipped and rusted in that time. I suppose it's a matter of you get what you pay for, but I believed Black and Decker built goods with quality in mind. They did at one time. Apparently, this isn't the case anymore.

I was annoyed. Since I had nothing to lose, I sent the coffeemaker back to the President of Black and Decker. I sent it to the Investor Relations corporate address as a form of consumer rebellion. It seemed like a good idea- I was ticked about the quality of this item. Besides, I'm sure the CEO makes good money, especially since B&D sent manufacturing operations to China. The fact is, that now we have to search for a new coffeemaker for my parents after a short period of time. This coffeemaker is another piece of junk made overseas and now destined for a U.S. landfill.

Thank you very much, Black and Decker.

Update- Black and Decker Service department contacted me on 2/14/08. They first asked me where the coffeemaker was. I told them I already sent it back to the president of B&D as stated in the letter and no longer have it. I also added that I was sure he makes enough $$ that he can afford to dispose of it, especially at the behest of all the employees that lost their jobs in the U.S. so that B&D could save money by making substandard junk like this overseas. Next, they asked me if I wanted a replacement or a refund. I opted for a refund. I won't buy another Black and Decker coffeemaker again for anyone.