Thought I'd chime in with one more thing, since I just read the "4 y/o Bosch bites the dust" thread... Maybe it's attributable to my fastidious dish rinse routine or sheer dumb luck, but I have managed to make my low end Whirlpool Gold d/w last 12+ years. Not even really sure how old it is -- it was here when I bought this place 10 years ago and I vaguely remember hearing that the previous owners replaced all appliances two years before I bought it. I have not, not once, not a single time EVER, had to have it serviced. It sounds pretty much like a freight train during an atomic bomb detonation but it runs every time, all the time. That is the kind of reliability I need in my life. I'm wondering if I can realistically expect that with a Miele or Bosch or any other manufacturer (including Whirlpool) for that matter. ::Thinking twice about even posting this, due to the jinxing risk::

Cash for clunkers is scheduled for April 2010. And it only includes some appliance types, DW, Refrig, W/D. No ovens/ranges. I assume appliance companies will lower prices to entice you to their brand (or dealers, to their store) when that happens. Too little, too late for me. LG has a fantastic rebate through 12/24. Check this link http://www.universal-akb.com/rebates.html They don't have them all, but a lot are there. I checked Kitchenaid website, they show rebates listed, but their links don't work - on my computer anyway. Also, http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator for Energy Star rebates. Might be too late for you, but Best Buy has a great deal - 20% off all major appliances if you buy 4 of them at the same time. Plus 2 years at 0% interest. Happy hunting!

I think buying from a reputable supplier like Penzey's is the best way to go. I just refreshed mine from there. I doubt there is any time line to help get the newest stock. Any seller is going to put the newest behind the older so that the older is shipped until gone. But buying from a specialty company that turns their stock fast you really shouldn't have to worry. Any good company should have their own shelf life guide. When I worked for a specialty food company, we constantly watched our stock and as a store manager I kept my back stock low just before a new seasons products were due. Sometimes you just have to rely on people doing their job. Do you have a farmer's market where you could buy fresh herbs? Drying your own is about the only way to guarantee the freshness. Nancy

Any window or door not installed correctly can and most likely will bow. Yes, an out of square installation can cause stress cracks in the glass, but the more likely and more immediate consequence is cold air infiltration. This is especially true with Bay and Bow windows that use steel cabling to help secure the window. This is why most Pro's constantly espouse the importance of a quality installation and why the most frequent complaint about new windows is relative to a poor quality installation. . .