First Impressions of Dolce Gusto

I've been waiting impatiently for the Krups/Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine to become available in the United States.  It finally is, so I ordered one.  It arrived day before yesterday.  The starter kit included with the machine contains two of each of the flavors available in stores (espresso, cappucino, cafe lungo, latte machiato, chococino, etc.) a cup and saucer and tall, clear coffee glass.  First problem:  our saucer arrived in two pieces.  Set-up of the machine was quite simple and all of the drinks we have tried thus far are quite good.

Seeing how quickly we were going through the starter pack drinks, I got online to register our machine and order our free drink capsules (which you get when you register).  I entered my code from the pamphlet that came with the machine.  Second problem:  the code doesn't work.  I worked through all the permutations and combinations I could derive from substituting different letters and numbers (a serif font would be helpful for readability issues like this, so of course it was a sans-serif font).  I got online, sent an email describing my problem and went on my way.  Later in the day, I got a very nice voice mail from Kathleen who told me to call a 1-800 number with a case number she gave me.  I called the 1-800 number.  Problem three:  the 1-800 is out of service.  I called the 1-800 number that showed on my Caller ID and got the main Nestle phone number — that is a phone tree that really gives you an idea of how big and world-spanning the Nestle operation is.  I found another number online at the Dolce Gusto web site and called that instead.

Anthony was very helpful.  He is sending me a new saucer.  He told me that none of the codes they sent out with the machines are apparently working, so he will be sending me a new code at some point.  He also said he would let their people know about the non-functioning 1-800 number that was being given out.

Happy with Anthony's customer service efforts, I got back online to order new drink capsules using the 15% off code they sent me in email with my order of the machine.  I made my selections and went to the checkout screen.  Problem Four:  the discount code doesn't work on their web site.

Defeated, I went into the kitchen and made a drink.  It wasn't coffee-based.  There were three olives on the bottle...

The Fourth Time is the Charm!

Congratulations to SpaceX on the successful launch of the Falcon 1 on their fourth attempt.  This makes the Falcon 1 the first privately built liquid-fueled rocket to place a payload into orbit.  Congratulations to Elon Musk and his team!