I will cross post this in kitchens as well. I'd taken a free techniques class at a local W-S recently, and saw the 4 qt soup pot with lid on display (and later, in one of their catalogs). It seemed like a good size/pot to have in my "arsenal" so I decided to check around for the best pricing; Amazon.com, Fortunoff's (had a 20%) coupon, Chef Central (another coupon).... There was no listing for a 4 qt soup pot on any of the above-named locations, nor was that pot listed on the A-C site. The closest thing I could find, was a 4 qt casserole pot (also with lid), which looked to be pretty much the same size/pot. I got the dimensions of the casserole pot off a couple web sites, and then contacted W-S to confirm their A-C's soup pot's dimensions, and they were identical. The clincher, was the sku or model # on the soup pot box (5304), which is also the # for the 4 qt casserole. Why go to all that trouble, when I could have clearly purchased the same exact pot (with a different "name") at a number of other places? Price! The 4 qt casserole is selling for ~$185 everywhere. Even with a 20% off coupon, the price would be $148. The price of the pot at W-S is $134.95 ($14 less than the coupon price at other stores), AND, you get the A-C large ladle with the pot (retails for $25 at W-S, ~$22 on Amazon)! Now, I realize that this isn't quite the bargain one might find at a HomeGoods, or TJ Maxx for example, but it still seemed like a good deal for those who want the pot (like me), but don't want wait for it to possibly show up at discount stores or outlets.

Man but this lack of a search option is frustrating. I thought Pirula had put her foot in her mouth on a thread about coffee-makers of all things and had her post yanked ;-) until I saw the warning about GW searches being down. Took a manual search through a dozen or so pages to find this thread. Anyhow, the reason I'm posting is to request a performance update from the Delonghi 3300 Magnifica people. We were keeping an eye on this thread since have been on the market for a coffee/espresso maker and the husband was collecting reviews. Well, he too settled on the Delonghi Magnifica 3300 and I went to take a look at it today and I thought it was quite flimsy feeling especially at nearly $1K for a coffee-maker. The plastic dial seemed insubstantial and felt/looked quite flimsy and the wobbly buttons - a whole row of several flimsy, wobbly looking ones at that - don't inspire much confidence that this would last the year let alone at least 5 years service that you'd expect a $1K machine to provide. Also, most of this machine seems to be plastic. Is that true of the parts that contact and dispense hot water too? Certainly anything discernible seemed to be all plastic. Hot water swirling around plastic usually takes on a nasty flavour which is why glass or metal is usually preferred around hot water; is this interference with taste not the case in this machine? So, despite my incredulity at the fit and finish of this machine, because some of you have opined well on the workings of this machine, I'm asking those who have had it or have any experience with this if you can weigh in with your assessment of the machine, if it is providing the longevity or if things are dropping off at the rate that to me it would appear things should be dropping off of it. Also, we were looking at the Jura Capresso E9, F8 and F9 at Williams Sonoma. Any one have any opinions to share on these machines? All of these were at least somewhat more inspiring that they'd live to see the end of the year. Lastly, Ivette, for completeness we wanted to hear from WS about their reasons for discontinuing lifetime coverage for the Juras; to us anyhow, WS's stories for discontinuing their lifetime service warrantee on these machines are getting in the realm of the ridiculous. We went in a couple or so weeks ago and the lady there said that it was because they found that people were using the Jura's "semi-professionally" which these aren't built for and that was why they were breaking and WS didn't want to take that loss. Well, I thought that was a story and a half (how would WS know that their customers were using JC's thusly?). Today went in again, and asked a different lady and her even wilder story was that it was because these being pricey machines, there have been many thefts of these machines and people were returning stolen machines for a big store credit. So this was Jura's or Capresso's policy and no amount of questioning could get her to go off of Jura's warranties and on to WS's vis a vis these machines. Got a bit fed up that so many WS people thought I looked so gullible that I'd fall for such yarns, so I told her that was hog-wash and if she could confirm if these machines last or don't last. Not a good answer but to reassure us (wide eyes and promises on the bible) that Williams Sonomas around the country have been hit with a professional hit of Jura Capresso kidnappers. The next time I go to a WS, I'm going to ask again - the stories get wilder. I'd love it if anyone going to WS could check in and report WHY WS is not providing the longer than 2year warranty on these machines. Perhaps the mean of the reasons will point to the truth. I'd certainly like to know if JC's are fragile machines.

No way to delete a comment - unless GW deletes it. The best you can do is comment it's over and the comment itself will move it down. Kind of like Ann T did when the swap box arrival announcement threads needed to be moved on after a bit of time at the top. I really miss having a WS store in downtown Minneapolis. I can't imagine they were not doing well. The place was always pretty jammed during the weekdays... all the downtown workers.

I didn't want to assume that that was the room you were looking for ... Whenever I try to help someone find something, via search engines, I somehow always miss the mark.. Just a note : PRINT IT OUT....I learned the hard way last week when I had a computer error(OK operator error)and lost ALL my treasured bookmarks.......... :(