Expobar Office Lever will not get hot - Page 4

[Fullsack]

I don't wish to drag myself or this site's membership into this more than what's already occurred, but I understand you expected Joe to contact you because you posted in this forum. It would be more expedient to e-mail Joe directly.

The episode is complete. My experience with WLL was relayed with facts rather than judgements. If Joe felt anything I said was inaccurate it is his responsibility to make public corrections, as I had chosen to make my tale a public one. At this point, there is no reason for Joe and I to communicate. I did not expect him to contact me, The "Never heard a word," was a response to a question from another H-B member, not a complaint by me, (read The Etruscan's 10/17 post in this thread). My story stands. If other H-B members have had positive WLL experiences and would share them that could be beneficial to the readers of this thread and WLL.

What WLL needs to do is improve its customer service, so it can be among the companies that this and other forums rave about, (Chris' Coffee, 1st-Line, etc.), not embed a smoozer in an H-B forum.

No one likes to report bad service from a vendor.

[iiifrank]

I want to simply make a note on this thread that I was one of WLL customers that Joe Harmon contacted and worked with. First let me say that he was completely professional through the entire process and, if his behavior is sign of what WLL is returning to, I would be happy to give them another shot...I want a new grinder to go along with my new boilers.

Anyway, for those curious about the details, Joe sent out a box for me to ship my Brewtus (free to me) and, once he had it on the bench, he found pretty bad damage. The insides of both boilers were coated with black, which he said was very similar to smoke damage. The black flakes I was seeing was actually this black coating flaking off and being sent through the system. He was unsure what would cause this to happen although a water tester told him that well water with high amounts of sulfur (hydrogen sulfide) could cause this. While our home tap water *is* poor quality well water, none of my espresso machines (especially the Brewtus) have ever touched the stuff nor do we even drink it ourselves. From the beginning of owning the machine, it's been nothing but Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water (per the Water FAQ) diluted with bottled distilled water.

So, here is what Joe did:

* replaced both boilers and heating elements
* replaced the main hot water copper tubing
* cleaned other lines that did not contain the black coating
* cleaned both steam and hot water taps and wands
* upgraded the OPV valve
* replaced the vacuum relief valve

Wow.

Now, my question is...has anyone seen this type of damage before and/or have a theory as to what might have caused it? Note that the flaking and bad taste were present immediately after I bought the machine new, so it's not something that could have developed over time. My only thought is that somehow I could have done something wrong when initially starting up the machine and filling the boiler that would have burned up or damaged it.

Anyway, moral of my story...Joe Harmon was incredibly attentive and great to work with. Surely if WLL is returning to this level of service they'll be considered for my future purchases.