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Be warned about Sunbeam

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  • #16
    Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

    Originally posted by Wushoes link=1170029626/0#12 date=1170049699
    DrT

    I have once owned the sunbeam grinder and found it performed perfectly. <snip>I have since sold it as it didnt grind good enough for my liking.
    Thats an interesting interpretation of perfectly, but point taken. I havent had any problems at all with my 0480, and there are quite a few others on CS that have reported the same. But you have to admit that the failure rate is pretty high - whether and by failure I mean results that are poor when compared with the user manual. The manual says that a grind for espresso should be within a certain range (cant remember the exact numbers, but about middle of the scale) - while we know that this isnt realistic a lot of the time, there are a fair number of people here who are grinding at the absolute limit of the machine. What makes this even worse is that this is not just the case with non-Sunbeam machines, but also with the machine that the grinder is designed to be paired with. The odd problem here and there can be expected, but there seem to be more than youd expect with this gear.

    On top of that, yes, the 6910 may be a fantastic machine, and hopefully theyve ironed out the kinks from the 6900. But its still pretty early days yet, so if I were upgrading tomorrow Id steer well clear. In 12 months time, if theres very few complaints about it, maybe Id reconsider. But given that they obviously know about the faults in the 6900 (theyve supposedly fixed them, after all), and given that theyve already stuffed the guy around with his grinder, why not just suck it up and give him a new machine? Makes sense to me - maybe they could actually salvage some good PR from the exercise, instead of having someone tell everyone they know about 2 crappy machines and poor customer service...

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

      Well perfectly shouldnt have been the choice of word there...perhaps within specification would be more fitting...it performed what it said it would....nothing more, nothing less. Granted, it didnt grind well enough for my liking...no fault of the machine build itself. The adjustment steps were just too large.

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

        When I sent my EM6900 off for its 2nd repair the other day the courier said that he takes heaps of stuff back to Sunbeam. He said that his warehouse is full of crates to go back to Sunbeams Sydney office. I dont know if they are all EM6900s or other appliances as well. But it would seem that they have a quality control problem...

        I know the courier guy isnt the most authoratative source, but it is more evidence of the extent of the problem.

        Originally posted by varanid99 link=1170029626/0#4 date=1170043721
        Good idea Lucinda,

        Didnt Paul Bassett do an infomercial for Current Affair a couple of years ago? Surely they wouldnt want their show to be associated with a recommendation for a dodgy consumer product, would they?
        Has Paul Bassetts reputation been soiled by Sunbeam? What does the professional barista community think of all this?

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        • #19
          Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

          I do know that I would be very sceptical about anything that has been endorsed by an "expert" in the field.

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

            Originally posted by Kaffee Schnüffler link=1170029626/0#11 date=1170049461
            <soapbox>
            I never take ACA or TT seriously. I stopped watching them years ago. The incessant drivel they spew on an unsuspecting public who still associate them with journalism is despicable. They have all the integrity of Kopi Luwak!
            </soapbox>
            Perfect... 100% correct that statement.... they twist things just to make a story.... Its pathetic!

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

              Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#18 date=1170110875
              I do know that I would be very sceptical about anything that has been endorsed by an "expert" in the field.  
              Maybe I have gotten cynical in my old age because I feel much the same way.

              All too often I have found that just because someone has a trophy or a piece of paper doesnt mean they are very good at what they do. Generally I am disappointed.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#18 date=1170110875
                I do know that I would be very sceptical about anything that has been endorsed by an "expert" in the field.  
                Who else would you get to endorse it then?

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                  Originally posted by marcstolk link=1170029626/15#19 date=1170112107
                  Originally posted by Kaffee Schnüffler link=1170029626/0#11 date=1170049461
                  <soapbox>
                  I never take ACA or TT seriously.  I stopped watching them years ago.  The incessant drivel they spew on an unsuspecting public who still associate them with journalism is despicable.  They have all the integrity of Kopi Luwak!
                  </soapbox>
                  Perfect... 100% correct that statement.... they twist things just to make a story.... Its pathetic!
                  Ohh come on Marc! The punter has a right to know! I dunno what you guys are all so worried about..

                  TV Journo Rule #1: "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."  

                  TV Journo Rule #2: "If its on TV (or the internet) it has to be true!"

                  Win/win

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                    It seems you good people know just why I am hesitant to use TV as a medium for "twisting" arms. Most people that appear come across as shows like ACA come across as complete dingbats!! Just last night, a 19 yr old single mum that took out a car loan for more than she is paid in a year and guess what, boo hoo, she is not paying it back so of course its the lenders fault for giving her the money in the first place. (At least thats what I made of it). Oh pleeeease.

                    I admit I am harsh on Sunbeam. My singular experience alone justifies that but people do write in saying they have returned the gear two or even three times - what on earth does that say about QC? If you get a good one, great. Consider yourself very lucky. And yes, what about the grinder that says use settings 12-16 (specifically with the EM6900) and people write in saying they are right down there, like me, at setting 4 or even worse, setting 1 !! Too much variation and so the products are just not up to standard.

                    There should be no one person to get behind the machine to endorse it - if its so good, they need a PERMANENT test bar at various places that sell the equipment. Let taste be the authority. Then, you will have to excuse from laughing hard right now, what do they do when they are plugging the machine real hard and the steam pump fails, or the thermoblock splits, or.... right in front of the customer. After all, a demo machine would get a hiding and given the QC issues, it would become a circus.

                    DrT

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                      Originally posted by Flo link=1170029626/15#22 date=1170116097
                      Originally posted by marcstolk link=1170029626/15#19 date=1170112107
                      Originally posted by Kaffee Schnüffler link=1170029626/0#11 date=1170049461
                      <soapbox>
                      I never take ACA or TT seriously. I stopped watching them years ago. The incessant drivel they spew on an unsuspecting public who still associate them with journalism is despicable. They have all the integrity of Kopi Luwak!
                      </soapbox>
                      Perfect... 100% correct that statement.... they twist things just to make a story.... Its pathetic!
                      Ohh come on Marc! The punter has a right to know! I dunno what you guys are all so worried about..

                      TV Journo Rule #1: "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."

                      TV Journo Rule #2: "If its on TV (or the internet) it has to be true!"

                      Win/win
                      Very good Flo ;-)

                      You know, whats sad is people believe everything they read/\/watch without research.... TV/\/Internet is convenient...

                      TV in my house is used for the following (in no specific order);

                      Sport
                      Docos
                      Special Interest Progs

                      Everything else - no thanks... Where is my DVD player... ahhh... insert DVD... Play.... nice... :-)

                      ;D

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                        Paul Bassett was no doubt paid a LOT of money for his endorsement..... and advertising.

                        He also no doubt had some input at the "concept" stage of these machines.....

                        But just like the legal advice that has been provided here by people (who are qualified to provide such advice) on consumer rights etc.... it is as significant a quantum leap to go from that advice-- to us actually arguing a case in court (without legal representation)- as it is to go from concept stage of an item to the production of that item.

                        Sure, Sunbeam have a name which they can use, sure they have a great design concept - but a lot has been lost in engineering design (about which Paul Bassett would know nought) and the actual manufacturing and quality control.......

                        Too often people who are great in their field prostitute themselves - for money. And we, the gullible consumers, buy that item because of the endorsement....

                        The money spent to buy the endorsement would have been far better spent on the rest of the process - but then they would have sold far less in number - and higher in quality - machines......

                        Ah well, better start cooking lunch on the George Forman grill..... because it is so much better than any other cooking device

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                          Originally posted by Flo link=1170029626/15#21 date=1170115526
                          Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#18 date=1170110875
                          I do know that I would be very sceptical about anything that has been endorsed by an "expert" in the field.  
                          Who else would you get to endorse it then?
                          Doesnt matter who they get to endorse a product - Im aware that the "expert" has been paid money for his/her recommendation, and so I discount it completely. In this case its worse - Sunbeam are advertising that Paul Bassett had a hand in the design of the machine. Im guessing that they asked him what hed like to see included, he gave them something equal to the specs of a Synesso and Sunbeam then worked out what they could afford to fit to the machine and still keep it in their targetted price range.

                          Would he have won the WBC using this machine that he supposedly helped design? I dont think so. :

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                            To tell you the truth, I have no idea who paul Basset is

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                              Originally posted by lucinda link=1170029626/15#27 date=1170131966
                              To tell you the truth, I have no idea who paul Basset is
                              He is the Ozzy (and only Ozzy to ever have) that won the WBC in Boston in 2003 :-)

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Be warned about Sunbeam

                                Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#26 date=1170129308
                                Doesnt matter who they get to endorse a product - Im aware that the "expert" has been paid money for his/her recommendation, and so I discount it completely.  
                                ...puts on the devils advocate hat...

                                Ok, thats your prerogative to do so. You may be just throwing the baby out with the bathwater though... The other thing to note is that if you had a reputation within a fairly small industry, would you be wanting to have your name associated with a product or company that could potentially damage your credibility? I dont think so and I dont think Paul does/did either. Reputations are hard to earn but easy to lose...


                                Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#26 date=1170129308
                                In this case its worse - Sunbeam are advertising that Paul Bassett had a hand in the design of the machine.
                                Do you, for a fact, know that he didnt?

                                Originally posted by Viviane link=1170029626/15#26 date=1170129308
                                Would he have won the WBC using this machine that he supposedly helped design?  I dont think so. :
                                Would he have won it using my Giotto and Mini? That is just a ridiculous question. Was the sunbeam equipment was ever marketed as competition standard...?

                                Comment

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