- I've spoken with a woman from Vic Consumer affairs, she agrees that "return to base" warranty can be a thing because such things are/should be outlined in the T&Cs of the contract of sale. I didn't read these of course. So it's possible, and probably likely, that's what I signed up for. I typically make large purchases like this closet to home, but pandemic situation and desperation forced my hand. Anyway, the repair + once-over cost me ~$280. I'm happy to let this dog lie and move forward with coffee again

- I've fiddled with the pressure stat to get the boiler down to 1.5bar on the gauge (1.25bar in reality). Seems ok now. At least I'm confident I can fiddle with this in the future to change if needed.
- @kofekitt All good points. a) I often keep large boxes for 'a while' before discarding, but evidently not two years
Big bloody box! b) According to the ECM distributor there is *man shrugging*. The place had what seemed like the full range of ECM machines there as well as what looked like a comprehensive workshop. They looked as 'official' as I would expect, but also agree it could simply be a contractor Espresso Connect organised (at the lowest price?) in my state. 3) Yeah, I fully understand the issues of working on something that someone else tinkered with, and I was never in dispute of this part of a warranty. 3b) I was surprised after finding out the manual for my machine stated a 1–1.25bar pressure setting and my machine was run-in 2.25 after the service. I won't take my machine there again for this (and another) reason. I have several other *non-authorised* shops closer to me that I'll try in future.
- Thanks to everyone for all the advice you've given during this saga. Especially in the diagnosis stage of the sick machine. I've learned a lot and hopefully can manage repairs myself (with help from people like you, in forums such as this) in the future.
- If buying expensive items interstate, read the T&Cs, or at least ask what happens if there an issue. I see my $3k for a machine like this is not just for the machine, but for aftercare as well.
- I'm not sure whether I could recommend ECM machines after this though. At least not until the memory of the last couple weeks fades, and only if the machine performs well over the coming years.

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