I just got an awesome deal on a Solis Palazzo super automatic with a scale problem for $130 (MSRP is $1300). The seller said it asked to descale and he ran water with a bit of CLR to descale and it ended up clogging completely.

I'm good at taking things apart and fixing them (I just fixed a business color photocopier and a robot vacuum cleaner), is this something I could fix myself?

If not about how much can I expect to pay to have the machine descaled/unblocked? Even if I have to pay a few hundreds on repairs I think it's a good deal, but I hope to fix it myself.

What type of places fix this and how would I find a place? Does it have to be a Solis place or do any espresso machine repair places repair these? I assume it's no longer under warranty.

Thanks

Dood, you're embarrassing us Canadians

Could I please get a serious reply? I don't see what's so funny.

I think he probably could have sold it for more than $130 had he let it go as an auction but we agreed on buy it now for $130.

I think I got a great deal too, it shouldn't be hard to fix and even if I have to pay a few hundred to get it fixed it's still a good deal, how else would I get a $1300 machine at 90% discount?

I realized super autos aren't popular on this forum, does anyone know of a forum specific to super autos?

Thanks

A decent WORKING used prosumer machine is worth 60 to 70% of retail : ~$1000 or about $600 to $700, probably less for the Solis Palazzo.

A parts bin machine is worth maybe 10% of used : maybe $65 max.

@ $130 you paid 200% of what it's worth.

Just what CLR did the owner use?

From CLR MSDS
CONDITIONS TO AVOID: Avoid elevated temperatures.
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS: Strong oxidizing agents, metals, acids, and bases.

I think it's up to me to decide what it's worth to me and not some equation that comes from I don't know where. If I can fix it easily then I'm more than happy to have gotten it at $1170 off the regular $1300 price.

I don't know what CLR he used but he did put just a bit in a large amount of water.

Gotta be east of the Rockies

John-
I Once agreed to fix a Gaggia Syncrony (I later found out not really a Gaggia but a Saeco sold as a Gaggia). Badddddd idea on my part!!!!
Butttt anywho .. Sounds like your not getting much support here on HB, as you have noticed, most folks here are, purists.... of sorts.
Fixing a superauto, can be a big hassle. Once the clog, a piece of scale caught somewhere probably after the boiler, is cleared out, you'll likely find the machine will start leaking, depending on how much CLR was used and how long it sat in the machine before being flushed. If it doesn't happen right away rest assured it will be soon. Many Superauto's, your manual here, http://www.solis.ch/pdfs/manuals/kaffee/PALAZZO/PALAZZO_ENG.PDF, have many many small o-rings that cause chronic leaking problems, the craftmanship is poor and repair bills will be high. My recommendation cut your losses and buy a decent machine.