Thanks for all the comments and advice. The plumbers, who installed the washing machine, refuse to file for final inspection until they get paid in full. Since we are in New York City, and *need* the sign off from the Department of Buildings, we are over a barrel. Apparently in NYC, the plumber (and electrician) OWN the permit on your job, and if they don't file for inspection/completion, there is no way to get it. This is what our architect is telling us. To davidro1, I am TOTALLY in agreement with you. I did not "let it go" - my contractor and architect did. I texted and called both of them the very first time I used it. They didn't seem concerned. A few days later, I called again. It is clear they thought I was "overemotional" as we had a couple weeks old baby, and dismissed my concern. I called again. And again. After a few weeks, they came over (while I was not home - we took the baby to the dr.) and put the empty machine on a spin cycle only. It did vibrate, but they said, "not too bad". I had to pitch a screaming fit to get them back a few weeks later (so that is one month already!) I put in a full load of baby clothes and started it before they got there as the cycle takes about an hour. When they saw what *I* had been seeing, they said, Uh, ok, well, we never put the isolation mat (?) down, let's do that. Another week goes by. No show. Then another week goes by - they did something else. No help. Then another week goes by - they put in some wood around the bottom - you see how this was going. Meanwhile, they are "gaslighting" me - trying to make me thing I am overreacting because I never had a front loader before. My position was that consumer product companies don't make products that "scare" consumers, and this was actually pretty scary to watch it vibrate and walk. My architect (who is supposed to be on my side, right?) actually told me he googled Bosch washers and found some reports of excessive vibration. Yeah, ok. This was way past excessive. When I called Bosch, they were very busy and it took about 10 days for someone to come. Probably I should have begged for someone sooner, but I told them the issue and that it was serious and they gave me the date. January 10 is the day the plumber installed it. April 15 is the day that Bosch came. So that is how 3 months went by. It was unbelievable to me at the time that it was taking so long to do something about it. If we are forced to pay, there is no question I will be filing complaints about the plumbers with every agency and consumer company possible. NYC is supposed to have a good Consumer Affairs Department - no question I will be contacting them.

I called and was told it was a $200 rebate on Vision washers. I did see on the "abes" link above the $400 rebate (mfg). Can ANYONE tell us how to find the correct information and is this until the end of Feb, 2010? I need more info as I need to make a decision tomorrow. I bought a Whirlpool, they took the first one back, said to go ahead and use the 2nd one, but not happy with it. I've been offered a Frigidaire 8000, but that seems to be an older model (they've had on the floor for a while). I guess basically, I'm ready to find out ANYTHING about these 2 washers. Thanks very, very much!

thanks for the input - took the plunge, and installed the w/d last night. I've done about six loads (various types, including a wool cyle) and i'm impressed with both the washer and dryer. even though the washer cycles seem long, it's gotten my clothes noticably cleaner than the 11 yr old kenmore front loader it replaced. also, i love the steam refresh and wrinkle removal options on the dryer.

I will be putting a desk area in my kitchen for the same reason -- we need a place to drop off phones, keys, mail, etc. Don't we all need some sort of dumping ground? Our previous kitchen didn't have one, so we always had a messy little spot of counter with that stuff. Now we will have a dedicated place for charging, with a few drawers for items like paper clips, rubber bands, envelopes, stamps, and other detritus. It won't sit in the main part of the kitchen any more! Also, I love how you handles the ceilings -- we will be doing something similar to disguise a beam.