We had a service person out this morning to look at our Bluestar oven door. After a 15 second inspection (a.k.a. opening it once) he told us that it was supposed to work this way, and even called the flopping open a "feature." I have used another Bluestar and the door did not do this, nor did the door on this oven do this when first installed. So, apparently, it's a late-appearing "feature." My incredulity (and sarcasm) stems from several facts, not the least of which that this is the exact same service person who told me, 10 months ago now, that the Bluestar's simmer burner was "not designed for a low flame" and that the burners were "made by Wolf, only cheaper"--leaving my house after doing absolutely nothing about adjusting the burners. Eight months and much begging on our part later he returned, with a Bluestar manual this time, and adjusted the burners. But only after we'd proved to Bluestar, via a $40 service call from our gas company, that nothing was wrong with our gas pressure, and under pains that we'd be on the hook for a $250 service call if the service person found it was an "installation error." Also, I know for a fact that this man, the only service person Bluestar has ever sent out, has never seen a Bluestar other than mine. So, the problem--and this is what could pertain to other Bluestar owners, or potential owners--isn't that there aren't service people in our area (we haven't had problems finding multiple service people for other appliances) it's that 1) no one is familiar with this brand and 2) they won't work for what Bluestar pays them. I mention the latter because, when Mr. Bloodgood (former Bluestar service manager) couldn't find anyone other than the one-man company I described above to service my unit, I suggested the company that had fixed, promptly and efficiently, my Gaggeanu steam oven, also under warranty. After not hearing from Bluestar, I called the latter company myself and was told that Bluestar had contacted them but they wouldn't work for Bluestar's rates. I did not ask what they were, nor do I even know if they're unfair, but it does beg the question: How can I, or other potential customers, have any expectation of decent service if Bluestar insists on sending, again and again, people who have no idea what they're doing? It's not surprising, under those circumstances, that I've had dismal service and, therefore, a rather grim view of Bluestar in general. When you send out incompetent people, you really can't expect anything less. (The fact that anything at all was fixed, ever, is actually probably the surprising part.) Oh and, PS, my conversations with Mr. Bloodgood, which ended with the same service man returning last December, were that I had "maligned" this "very capable" service person and that I was "lucky" he was willing to return at all ... I apparently had "maligned" him by telling Mr. Bloodgood, exactly what he'd actually done/said. (The same service man wouldn't service my vent hood because it was on a dimmer, which he said voided the warranty ... Until I went online and pulled up the vent hood specs and photos, that showed the company itself, Prestige, SELLS dimmer switches to run the fan and has them installed that way in EVERY SINGLE advertising photo in their brochure.) Well, back to this morning ... The end result is that we had my one-year-old demonstrate pulling the oven door down on his head and the service person finally deigned to look at it. He tightened (or did something to) the hinges and it seems to be working again, though the service person (for what his opinion is worth) warned us it would probably come loose again with use. So, basically, as long as we don't open the oven door it works, I asked him. He shrugged and left. For us, unfortunately, that describes the Bluestar service experience to date in a nutshell. So, I gotta' agree with "mcmann," not that I have Bluestar's "white glove service," and it does seem like a step in the right direction, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't ensure that you will have actual COMPETENT service, or service at all even, in your area. -Susan W.

Hi Spruce, Sorry for the late reply. I am still enjoying cooking on the Bluestar and would recommend the purchase of one but with the following caveat: Don't count on Bluestar to be reliable when it comes to white glove or whatever service you may have to arange directly through the company. So far, the range is great and the company stinks. My earlier posts mentioned that the 48" range for which I waited approximately 3 months showed up with the burners in the wrong configuration. I was scheduled for white glove service on July 30 (where the burner placement would be corrected) and no one showed up. After many calls to Bluestar and the dealer (dealer, with whom BS does not contract for the white glove service, has been great, btw - quick to respond and always on my side), service was rescheduled for August 6. So I stayed home from work - again - to have the service company call me at 2pm to say the truck broke and the tech wasn't coming. They offered me a service call for tomorrow (Aug 10) but wouldn't agree to make me the first service call of the day. Despite that I pleaded with them and urged they do me that favor since they failed to show up, they wouldn't agree. Calls made to Bluestar on Friday just after 2pm are still unanswered. The dealer spoke to the local BS rep who claimed to have had a conversation with me on Friday wherein he assured me I would be the first service call of the day on Aug 10. I most certainly did not have a conversation with the rep on Friday and I thoroughly explained that to the dealer. The dealer is contacting the rep again and I'm waiting to hear. To complicate my life, my household endured many months of the standard discussions, debates, arguments and finally combat over whether to purchase a Wolf or a Bluestar. I was for the Bluestar and won. And now, when she has comments on this matter, I have to take them on the chin. ;) As I said, I enjoy using the range, and am eager for BS to finish correcting its mistakes. I'm sure we'll get there someday, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thought I'd update. Got Windows installed without a hitch, Dell talked me through it. I debated whether to put Win 7 in since I was starting from scratch but worried some of my software might not work Everything went well except I couldn't find drivers for some things such as my wireless adapter so couldn't get on line. Called Linksys and they spent over an hour trying to get the driver in and finally did. That was the best part, finally getting on line and getting hit with a zillion MS updates. I have misplaced or lost some software. We moved here in March and I could not locate my Office disk, wireless mouse/keyboard software and a few other things, might have gotten lost in the move. I'm most concerned about Office 07. I paid for it. Dell says they can't help and I could try contacting MS and see if they would do anything. I haven't moved any of my files back yet. Otherwise, I feel like the computer runs better than when it was new. Things seem different, have to fool with fonts and views, but I'm amazed how effortlessly the machine runs. This computer always seemed to have a few 'glitches' but I was used to it. Now it seems so fast and smooth (of course there isn't much running on it yet.) I don't know how to thank everyone for all the support and help I received. You are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! Thanks from the bottom of my heart... Jane

Well ... it's finished. The painting, that is. It's been non-stop painting around here for the past week. Painting around all the kitchen trim was more labor-intensive than I realized it would be, and as of this posting, I am beyond exhausted. But thrilled with the new look in the kitchen! I went to take a couple of pics, and discovered that my camera battery needs charging, so pics will have to wait for now. I wasn't sure about the BM Warren Acres when it first went up on the walls, but now that the entire space is complete, I'm thrilled with the color and don't think we could have chosen anything better. It's warm and soft and definitely provides the vintage vibe I was after, especially against the red woodwork. Think old red and green wooden handled kitchen gadgets! I have a collection of about 60 (gasp!) Mexican decorative items and themed artwork that are now going to be sold. It feels a bit like parting with old friends, but I'm ready to shift gears. DH keeps wandering into the kitchen and remarking about how open and airy it feels without so much clutter everywhere, and even he can't believe what a difference the lighter wall color makes. Pics will be coming, but for now I wanted to say thanks again to everyone for encouraging me and inspiring me! Young-gardener, Sugarberry Cottage is to die for! What a wonderful place! And Lkplatow - thanks very much for the info on the old clocks! I was just looking at one a little while ago on eBay that had been converted from electric to battery-operated, so from that I knew that it was possible. If I find an oldie that I like, I'll just need to find a local clock repairman, and I'm sure that will be fairly easy to do.