I wouldn't recommend a Delonghi product to anyone.
Positive Product Points
The BAR 41 has an appealing design. I found it easy to use and while it worked it delivered great results.
Negative Product Points
It only worked for 2 months of light use. Getting service has been a nightmare.
Detailed Commentary
UPDATE MAY 14th, 2003 - Yesterday I received my long awaited missing parts shipment so that after 3 months I could once again begin using my espresso machine. One problem, THEY SENT THE WRONG PARTS!!!! I called back today and was told I'd have to wait TWO MORE WEEKS! IS THIS A COMPANY YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH?
(Original Review) My wife bought one of these for me at Christmas time. I had wanted a pump type espresso machine for a while and was very excited to get one. The BAR 41 worked great for about a month of once to twice per day use. Then then problem began. After completing the brew cycle, water continued to leak from the boiler into the filter basket. This problem began as a small leak and grew into a continuous drip. We contacted Delonghi and were instructed to take the machine to the local service center. Upon arrival, the service center refused to repair it. They claimed they were unable to get parts for this machine from Delonghi and would not repair it. We were forced to send the machine to the New Jersey repair facility. After three weeks of no contact from Delonghi, my wife called for an update. She was told that she had shipped the machine to the wrong location (despite sending it to the location printed in the service manual) and that it would take up to 8 more weeks to have it repaired. A month later she called again for an update and was told that they could not fix our machine and offered to send a replacement. After two weeks we received a replacement BAR 42 machine with missing parts rendering it unusable. My frustrated wife called immediately and was told that by the Delonghi service representative the "we don't have any of these parts here" and that getting them might take a few more weeks. The story goes on but I think this dialog is sufficient for you to see how deplorable the service provided by this company is. If you decide to buy one of these all I can say is that I hope it never breaks...
Buying Experience
No problems. Amazon is easy.
Three Month Followup
The replacement unit has the same problems as the original.
One Year Followup
I still use this machine on average about twice a week. The problem that affected the first one is also inherent to the replacement unit. I have concluded it is just a poor design. In the future I think I'll stick with a better brand.
