Unimpressed with dehydrator, very impressed with customer service.
922174
I'm giving this product 3 stars because the company has excellent customer service and what could be a pretty decent product. I ordered the dehydrator because of the price. When it arrived the heating fan unit didn't line up well with the cabinet and was very difficult to assemble. Once it was assembled (after much prying and not a few cuss words) I found that the slightest bump would dislodge the unit and I would have to go through that ordeal again. Then, I found that the electrical cord did not fit tightly enough into the unit's socket. So, once again, the slightest movement would cause the unit to shut down with no warning. Here's the good part, I started the return process and was told I would have to pay postage to send the unit back. I called the company ready to argue with them. There was, however, no argument. A very polite young man told me to send a picture of the damage and they would consider a full refund. I sent them a video of the unit shutting off as I gently moved the electrical cord. Within two days I was notified that I would receive a refund of the purchase price. I am going to assume that I was unlucky enough to get a bad unit (it happens) but fortunate enough to deal with a company that believes in good customer service.
3101486
The first 3 times I used this, I was in love. Fast to heat up, easy to use and works well. Now, it spits a lot of water and leaves my shirts very wet. Yes, I am using it correctly and keep it upright. I have not overfilled it with water.

Update:  I originally reviewed this with fewer stars. I am now updating it to 5 as the company is sending me a new one to replace the defective one I received.  Outstanding customer service!
793235
I have wanted a Panasonic SD-YD250 for two years. When the Amazon price dipped, I had my own Santa get it for me for Christmas. Sadly, out of the box, the "automatic yeast dispenser" did not work. The yeast ran through immediately for my first two tries. The third try, the device was closed...and failed to dispense. I meticulously followed all the directions. I reviewed all the literature and website looking for a solution. I called Panasonic and explained the situation. The kind customer service representative told me that the machine must be defective and located the nearest service center...Rhode Island. I live in upstate NY- five hours away. Seemed a little extreme to me, so I asked if I could send the machine to Rhode Island. The answer was yes, I could...at my own expense! I asked the young lady if this didn't seem wrong to her. She gave me a case # and told me a representative would call me in 24 hours to discuss the situation. Supremely frustrated, I checked with Amazon on line and found I could return my purchase to them (printed a mailing label at no cost) and get a new machine within a week. I have already shipped the defective machine back. I had read many of the reviews and knew customer service from panasonic is nonexistent. I am so grateful for amazon. I fully expect my new machine to work...if not...I know amazon will take care of me.
2250215
Steam output is less than expected and reservoir runs out in less than 10 minutes. If traveling and a little extra time, this steamer can get the job done.  But for regular home use the steam produced is not sufficient and reservoir is too small.  The company selling this, however, is a very reputable and customer oriented company.  They stand behind their product and are more than willing to help if you are not completely satisfied.  Whether my expectations are too high or my needs too strong, it does not work for me.  The company was willing to help me out in any way, by replacement or refund, if I was not satisfied.  I have edited my response to depict their strong customer service and desire to make sure I was satisfied.  Kudos to them for caring about the consumer.
188934
I've dried fruit and made beef jerky with it.  I'm very satisfied with both the machine and the vendor.  I would recommend both for anyone thinking of buying an inexpensive dehydrator.
4854882
I received the dehydrator and used it one time with great success.  The second time I used it, it stopped heating.  I have contacted LEM, but was told to call back due to the folks in the service department being gone.  Hopefully I will reach them tomorrow.
1159751
I was torn between getting the L'equip and the Excaliber.  Since I'm a novice in the dehydrating realm, I wasn't sure which one suited me better.  In the end, I went with the Excaliber because if the LED timer/temp setting, the long warranty, the good reviews, and the ability to purchase many more trays if I need them.  I found a slight glitch in mine upon arrival and the company immediately sent me a replacement within a couple of days by UPS.  Their customer service is top-notch.  They even sent me some yogurt recipes by email when I wrote that I needed a good one.  It works well.  If you only use 4 trays you don't need to rotate.  6 or more and you do - but that doesn't bother me (as I like to check periodically on them anyway).  I've made great jerky, fruit leathers, and apple chips that my family enjoys.  When the fruit is drying my house smells like an orchard.  I recommend this one.
4898083
I received the Dehydrator, plugged it in and received an error.  My wife spent an hour on the phone trying to get rid of he the error, with no success.  Sent it back for refund.
4606072
i use the dehydrator a lot, and am extremely happy with it. the only problem i had was it quit working the first time i used it. it took 2 weeks to get the replacement part to fix it . it was a very easy fix, but the customer service number sucked. took several days for them to get back to me after leaving my name and number twice a day after first day i called. when they finally called i got the part quickly. i would still purchase this again, but realize that i am going to get a bad heat sensor that everyone else gets, and not use it for two weeks. i would have given it 5 stars except for problems.
4680852
It could be user error but I have yet to have good dehydrated door.  Everything becomes too small and its soggy?! Maybe I don't know what I'm doing.  My roommate complains about the noise... Didn't bother me tho.
344983
Original review:

Bought because of the good reviews, but did not have a good experience. Poor quality plastic, got stained orange from the first sweet potato we tried. And after hours of soaking and five hand-wash attempts, could not get all the potato residue off. Also, spirals are way too thin, needs to have a thicker attachment.

Returned one, but unfortunately the second we'd already gifted. I hope they had better luck with it than we did, but I'm too embarrassed to ask. Gave an extra star because of the quick and painless return process.

EDIT:

I need to add that the Crafty Kitchen really stands behind their product and cares about customers, so I've thus added another star. Immediately after leaving my original review I received a phone call from the owner of the company who pleasantly discussed my complaints at length and sent a replacement at no extra charge, to make sure it wasn't just a lemon. Unfortunately, between travel and a newborn I didn't have any time then to give it a second look (I barely had time for the phone call), so I apologize to the Crafty Kitchen for not updating my review sooner, knowing how important Amazon product reviews can be.

Anyhow, this product wasn't right for me, but considering the great reviews, price, and amazing customer service and warranty, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try for yourself.
3780972
Really can't say.
The dehydrator was non-operable; neither the fan nor thermostat worked with dirt from other people's food stuff on tray parts & lid. It also had a dent in the metallic portion, yet the box was not dented!
To bad since we had a similar model for over 20 years and it worked almost flawlessly!
The Boss recommended this model over the top-down heating system due to physics. Heat rises! and thus distributes, drying fruit leathers, from sugarless applesauce, evenly. We had the top down Nesco and that was fair, though it lasted only 5 years!
Amazon was great in the return process.
4805242
Just to update on the customer service or rather nonexistent customer service and the product. The coffee machine and the coffee product has performed great. Just for information we are close to a Target store and that company carries a very good selection and at reasonable prices.
Now for the customer service all I can say is don't rely on service from this company(Tassimo) It is too bad and with regret that I write this as I have never experienced such a total lack of regard for the customer here. I guess since the machine in made in Salvenia that is how the customer service is run, or not run.
I would be really happy to hear how you have encountered help in registering  your coffee maker at their site?

We purchased the Tassimo 45 system after several hours and a couple of days research and felt that this would be right for us.
This family is husband and wife, early 70's and really coffee drinkers. Both husband and wife enjoy coffee and do frequent Starbucks several times a week. So this seemed to make some sense for us to try the coffee.
We have had the machine several days and can happily report that the machine lives up to the name and ads.
HOWEVER< we wanted to register the machine and take advantage of the free coffee so went on line to do this last step. Oh my, what a mess. lets just cut to the bottom line and say that we couldn't handle this simple step on line, so call customer service to request their help to complete the registration. After several attempts of not working the representative politely said that they would refer the matter to another department, technical services I believe they said. No word came after 48 hours so I called again, this time I was told that the web site is not able to handle the registration of US buyers as the company is updating the site. They expect the site to be down for updating for 2-3 weeks !!!! This is terrible in itself however there is not a mention of this on the web site and it took me several phone calls, two emails etc to learn finally (I guess) why they can't complete this simple chore and it will be 2-3 week before they can do the job.
Come on guys, this is not the 1800's. A very poor job of communicating facts as I know them to your customers.

An F grade for customerA service concerns.
An B+ grade for the product.

You decide what is important to you.
1312347
Like others, my dispenser died a pretty quick death (began with leaking, followed by not working without using the manual button).  I had purchased one of these for my mother at the same time.  Hers also quit working properly.  She had kept her box and found there is a two year warranty on the product.  She contacted simplehuman and they sent her a new one.  I contacted them on Monday via e-mail.  All they asked was that I send either my receipt or send a digital picture as proof of purchase.  I sent a picture yesterday and they advised the same day that a new dispenser was being shipped to me.

I initially LOVED this dispenser and would have given five stars had it not stopped working.  I still give five stars due to simplehuman's customer support staff and willingness to replace a defective product, easily and with no questions asked.
1729757
I read the reviews before I ordered this.  They are very mixed.  Here is my experience.  In a nutshell, I probably wouldn't order this again because it doesn't have a drip tray under the bottom steamer basket and the top basket doesn't steam as well as the bottom basket.

Yes, upon my first use of this steamer, the bottom basket filled with water and overflowed all over my counter.  I emailed Oster through their website explaining my issue and asked for help.  I received 3 emails: one confirming receipt of my original email, one stating my order for a steamer at $0 had been received, and then one stating my steamer was on its way.  I would have liked a personal response telling me they were sending a replacement but whatever.

I received the new steamer and tried it out.  It didn't fill the bottom basket with water and it didn't over flow.  Like I said, I'd prefer to have a drip tray so the food filled water that drips down would have somewhere to go other than into the area with the heating element AND the top basket doesn't steam as thoroughly as the bottom basket.  However, it does work and I'm keeping it.

So I emailed Oster through their website again to ask if they wanted the broken one returned.  I just received an email stating that I will receive a prepaid UPS label to send it back to them.  I'll do that as soon as it arrives.

For those of you having the overflow/water filling issue, email Oster through their website.  Fill in every blank, serial numbers, your address, everything.  That's what I did and now I have a new steamer that works with very little hassle.  I have a feeling they had a bad batch of steamers.  They are very willing to rectify the situation.
4165675
It worked great, until after about 20 batches, the bottom tray melted and electronics crapped out.  With a 12 yr. warranty and ~$140 purchase I expected I'd have  a dehydrator for life, wrong.  I tried all the phone #'s, even a Canadian one, all the email addresses and they are all bunk/disconnected or don't even exist.  Interesting the site appears to still be selling items though, hmmmmm.  If anyone has had success with an issue like this, I would love some suggestions.  -Aa
241314
I received this item yesterday (2/12/14) and it was gripping water at bottom. I realized this when my carrier was soaked. Irritated, i emailed the sender and they responded very quickly. They gave me the option of a refund or a replacement unit. I chose the replacement unit and will update this review as soon as it comes. The seller didn't even make me send the broken unit back! Very impressed and would recommend this.