Guest Author - Cheryl Lewis

I'm issuing a recall on my latest review of the Black & Decker Programmable Coffeemaker. I'm so disappointed, not only in the product but also in the company itself. Please keep in mind that this is my personal opinion and that opinion is based upon my own personal experience. I must say, of course, that your experience may not be the same. In good conscience though, I must share this with my readers.

Those of you who have been reading my Coffee & Tea columns for a while, know what a big Black & Decker fan I am. I first recommended the Black & Decker Space Saver coffee maker, the one that mounts under the cabinet. I used that model for years. In fact, my last one was almost seven years old when it finally gave out and quit working. When I went to buy a new one, it wasn't with the intent to get a Black & Decker because I didn't think I would be able to afford one at that time. I was very excited to find a really nice looking, almost chic feeling, Black & Decker Programmable Coffeemaker that I could afford!

After several weeks, I wrote a review. Two days ago I got up to find a huge mess on my kitchen counter. Apparently something happened and the basket clogged causing water and coffee grounds to end up all over the outside of the pot, on the counter and right out onto the floor. What a way to start the day!

I quickly and carefully unplugged the coffeemaker after I made sure I wasn't standing in anything wet. The first thing I checked was to see if the coffee pot were properly placed. I thought maybe I sat the caraffe on the warming plate incorrectly. It was sitting correctly and I noticed too that if it's not sitting correctly, it's extremely obvious. I checked to make sure I put in the filter and coffee correctly, which I did. I know I didn't put too much water in the tank because it leaks out the back at the top if you do.

After I cleaned up the mess, in a coffee deprived state because the stand-by coffeemaker is visiting another state, I realized that this coffeemaker was done-for. I have to assume it shorted itself out, or the main tiny computer brain that controlled it got wet and died.

I got out the book and papers that came with this very recently purchased coffeemaker, as in roughly 30 days from purchase to coffeemaker death. I called the company. I was very surprised to get a live person at 8:00 am on a weekend, but I did. I explained my problem. She didn't seem surprised, didn't question me, didn't offer me any kind of apology on behalf of the company, but she did offer to replace it.

The catch to that replacement is that I have to cut off the end of the cord and send it to this address. In addition, it's going to be several weeks before my replacement can be shipped because that model is on back-order. I could handle the situation up until that point. My question to Black & Decker, was and is, how can this new model take several weeks to get straight from the manufaccturer?

Am I really expected to patiently wait, until you replace this coffeemaker? Do you really think a self-admitted coffee addict is going to wait "several weeks" for you to replace the coffeemaker? Nope. I'm not. I'm going to go out and buy a new coffeemaker. I'm not sure that it will be a Black & Decker product. If this is the kind of product this company is producing and the customer service they are going to provide, I'm not sure I want to be a Black & Decker fan anymore.

More importantly I don't want to recommend a poor product to my readers. I would hate for one of you to buy this coffeemaker and then have the identical problem within the first month of owning it. You would have to wonder what the heck I was thinking.

Now you know the rest of the story behind the Black & Decker 12 Cup Programmable CoffeeMaker. I'll keep you posted as to how it all turns out, but buyer and coffee addicts alike, beware.

This product went from 5 out of 5 beans to 1 bean out of 5 beans in an instant!