It disintegrated, and we threw it out. We bought a KitchenAide Proline - because it's mostly metal.
Positive Product Points
It gives a reasonably consistent grind. It does grind from very fine to quite coarse. It's not bad looking on the counter. It's pretty easy to scoop out your coffee. The lid has a built-in shelf that lets you level off the top of the scoop without making a mess on the counter. It's not terribly expensive for a burr grinder. It's not as noisy as my old blade grinder. I haven't had any grounds get stuck in the hopper-to-burrs grill.
See follow-up.
Negative Product Points
Static electricity. But I see that this is a not uncommon problem with burr grinders. Immediately after the grind, for 5 minutes or so, if you open the bin the grounds are repelled by the plastic and into the air and onto your counter. It's kind of a smile, actually. This does settle down pretty quickly, though, as the static electricity dissipates. I don't use the espresso doser. I understand it, but it's not a match with my espresso machine's coffee holder, even 'though that's a Briel too. The dosers's discharge is too big for my holder. No real loss, as I prefer just scooping grounds out of the hopper.
See follow-up.
Detailed Commentary
I'd done burr-grinder hunting on the 'net, and didn't find much out there that cost much less. I took a chance on this grinder, in part because I've been satisfied with Briel's "Chamonix" espresso machine. Neither of these products is a gleaming brass or chromed beauty - they're made with lots of plastic, metal only where it counts. They do work, together, they make good coffee. They don't give me the miseries when I look at them and I don't regret purchasing them. Neither do they give me the satisfaction of my old KitchenAide stand mixer. Now THAT'S a piece of steel! But you know what? Don't be a whiner. If you want steel and chrome and brass, pay for it! It looks real nice. If you want a good cup of espresso and don't have Ken Lay's bankroll, get something like this. No regrets. It works. Your wife won't castrate you for cleaning out the balance on that credit account.
See follow-up.
Buying Experience
Nowonsale.com isn't the worst re-seller out there, I guess. I'm sure they're just some schmuck with a phone line and access to a warehouse in Brooklyn, but they do answer the phone, sales arrive at your house quickly. Be careful of their return policy. Like many re-sellers, they're not exactly eager to deal with returns.
Three Month Followup
Still hanging in there.
One Year Followup
The machine disintegrated. Parts fell out of the bottom when we took off the base plate to locate odd noises. It stopped grinding, instead spitting out mashed beans and pieces of plastic.
