Black & Decker DCM2000B SmartBrew 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Black
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List Price: Our Price: $21.87 You Save: $3.12 (12%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Black & Decker DCM2000B SmartBrew 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Black
Customer Review: Shoddy piece of junk- Don't buy it!
Summary: 1 Stars
I am returning my elderly parents defective Smartbrew coffee maker to Black and Decker's corporate offices and to the president to be exact. My parents liked this particular model of coffeemaker because it was easy for them to use. My parents are technophobes (especially my mom) and avoid anything with a digital display or that looks like it involves programming. It's a pain in the butt for me and the other siblings. We thought we had an easy match with this coffeemaker until it ceased to function.
The coffeemaker unit is, and was, relatively new (purchased in early 2007). The thermal fuse blew out and as a result, the unit can no longer heat water. For the same reason, the item cannot be used as a warmer. This coffeemaker has only been in use for ONLY 1 year. The burner has also rusted. The only useful components now are the filter AND glass coffee decanter. I am extremely disappointed in the quality of this item. I had the belief that Black and Decker made quality products. Apparently I was proved wrong. Somewhere along the line, they substituted quality for cutting costs as evidenced by this example. Another cheaply made piece of shoddy junk made in China, and now, just another offering destined for a landfill somewhere.
Advice: Go buy something better!
Customer Review: Nothing's perfect...
Summary: 2 Stars
...and this C-maker confirms that. It makes the basic coffee without fuss or spillage and the hotplate doesn't scorch the coffee for awhile after brewing. BUT, the basic BD c-maker I bought in 2007 had some problems:
1. The illuminated power switch, identical to the one pictured here, broke--it just fell out. Bear in mind that I am a gentle user of my kitchen equipment and I don't make coffee more than once a week on average, which means that for the daily user, it might not live past the 13th month.
2. Blackened Ecker assembled it with screws that require a special screwdriver not sold at your local hardware store, which says to me, don't fix it, trash it, buy a new one to replace it. I drilled out the screws, cut off the power switch and spent less than $5 for a beefy new switch and a washer--fixed. BD has rubbed me wrong with its "You can't fix this" attitude--Fis-It-Yourself users shouldn't require a drill to open up the thing.
3. Your basic flunky, cheapo coffeemaker really shouldn't cost more than $20, no matter where you buy it, or what the brand.
4. Well, you just wonder what will break next. If the carafe breaks, I doubt I'll find one suitable for the model I have. That condemns me to buying a new CM.
Customer Review: Good Basic Coffee Maker
Summary: 4 Stars
We didn't want timers, clocks, adjustable brew strength, bells and whistles... We just wanted a good cup of coffee. We like the comfortable handle, we like the the location and size of the on/off switch that you can find in the semi-darkness when you're still mostly asleep. And we LOVE the clear markings on the carafe that takes the guesswork out of the fill level. (For this much coffee, fill to this water level.)
We have not experienced the problems mentioned in some of the other reviews. Maybe it's because I'm used previous makers, but I'm in the habit of holding the lid partway open when I pour coffee, so have not noticed the leaky-drippy factor that seems to be the focus of some of the complaints. The only problem I have had so far was not seating the basket properly, thus getting 12 cups of coffee all over my kitchen table. It only happened once because we now take an extra second to make sure the basket and carafe are properly in place.
As far as the referrals to this product as "cheap" - What do you expect for 20-25 dollars?! Normally, I would say "you get what you pay for," but in this case, I feel we got MORE than we paid for: A good coffee maker at a decent price.
Customer Review: Ugly Masquerade
Summary: 1 Stars
My Black & Decker 2500B coffeemaker stopped dead after only 8 months. Right before the holidays. When I tried to make a warranty claim, I found out that the product is NOT made by Black & Decker.
Here is what the Black & Decker web site says: "In June of 1998 Black & Decker (US), Inc. sold its Household Products business in North America and Latin America, excluding Brazil, to Applica Consumer Products Incorporated. Under the terms of the sale Applica will continue to produce appliances that carry the Black & Decker brand name. However, all issues regarding warranty, service, accessories, or parts, will be handled by Applica... If you have a question regarding a household product such as a toaster, toaster oven, coffee maker, or other similar appliances, please contact Applica Incorporated or call them at 800-231-9786."
The Applica web site has no warranty information. When I called the 800 number several times, the shortest wait time I got was 29 minutes.
What sort of masquerade is this? A well-known name is stamped on a piece of junk by a mystery company.
Customer Review: Poorly made coffeemaker
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this coffeemaker just six months ago. After about two months of use I found it difficult to replace the lid on the carafe. Then I realized that somehow one of the "hooks" that are attached to the hinge had disappeared; seemed to have broken off. I lived with it though it was a nuisance. However, a few days ago I was drying the carafe after washing it in a plastic dishpan. I realized that there was a large piece of glass missing from the side of the carafe, and several cracks radiating away from the hole. I looked into the pan and there was the glass. I'm the only person who handles the coffeemaker, and the carafe has never been bumped or dropped. I'm grateful that I didn't put my fingers through the hole while drying the carafe, as I would have had a serious injury. I first thought I would replace the carafe, but have decided not to do so. The coffeepot is ok, but nothing special, so will use the old one in the cupboard and research coffeemakers once again. I've seen at least one person's review stating they had the same problem with the hinge.