Nespresso U D50 Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother, Pure Black

After waiting and holding out for its smaller cousin, C91 to become available, I decided to bite the bullet and go with this one. My preference towards C91 isn't function or price, rather C91 was what I used during short trip to Paris and I wanted to replicate the experience back home, even if it's just smell of espresso and nothing else.Order was sent lightning speed (pretty typical of amazon to me) but the box that greeted me had unnerving crumple on top as if something took nose dive at this box. My heart sank a bit, but I figured they usually pad their shipping items with bubble wraps (sometimes), air packs (most of times) and stuff nook and cranny with brown papers to keep the item from bogging all the way through brown truck journey. What I saw inside was horrifying mess of what was once a pristine box, or it should have been. I never had the pleasure of opening up an unadulterated product.Two corner of the product box was completely torn apart, with various ends pieces either folded, ripped or something else and protective cover of the product was nestled in the corner of half crumbled Styrofoam box. Top of the product box had the look and feel of water damage (pour water on cardboard box, then let it air dry... you'd know how it look and feels). Water container had splatter of water marks all over, product guides were folded and was all over the place and the pods....Those jewel-looking pods were supposed to be inside separate container, 16 of them, except I only managed to count 14, with two empty spots glaring me and bottom half was ripped apart as well.I sincerely hope this was one-off experience and the next one arrives in fine shape, but I haven't had pleasant experience with the operator of big brown trucks as of late. If a product this big and heavy will be tossed around, please pack more of those brown papers. I will adjust rating with update when the replacement arrives.Second delivery (6/25/2014):Amazon made good on replacement by sending the replacement via FedEx and arrived in two days. Unlike the previous box, this one was much more compact, just barely larger than the package itself. Everything was sealed and no signs of damage.As for the machine itself, getting it primed for use is no worse than your typical Keurig machine (some rinsing, priming it with filtered water, etc). It came with all 16 pods of different varieties and it was pretty straight forward to use without having to dab onto the manual (comes in magnetized booklet)Coffee is fantastic. It gives the full flavor of espresso and the smell fills the room that would make any coffee lover smile. Some commented on pods on expensive side, but then again, if you compare it with how much you'd have to spend at Starbucks or other equivalent, I would say it is pretty reasonable.Pack of 16 pods of Starbucks French Roast (Keurig) = $12-14 at local stores (Target, Wal-Mart, etc)Pack of 10 pods of Nespresso = $6.50-7 at online store or Nespresso boutique stores (tax included, add $6 for shipping on pack of 50 pods via online)Before anyone starts with volume/price argument, remember that you are buying a machine that makes mostly espresso. If you must drink espresso that fills your 12 oz mug... bless your heart.My only concern is the durability of this machine but I have yet to hear horror story of particular breakdown, so I am cautiously optimistic.

I have been doing tons of reviews before I purchased this Nespresso U D50. I was like you are reading the reviews right now and doing website to website research. I chose Amazon.com for my purchase of the U D50, because if something may happend or I may change my mind for a didfferent model instead I can always ask for a return from Amazon.com. But believe me I fell in love with this machine and the hi-tech of its own made me have to keep it and stay with this model U D50. I opened the box went through the instruction it's just simple and if you need to learn more how to use it for the first time. I do recomend that you should go to Youtube and type in: "open box U D50" and everything will pops up and they will show you this machine when it is brewing and in action. I like the facts that this U D50 give you an option to choose more cup size than the others. Love the Touch design easy to control and easy to choose more or less cofffee dispense from the machine. I am coffee lover and I like my coffee to be HOT and 16oz size. This is my answer to my need and I am using it everyday, every morning... I am addicting to listening to the brewing sound of this machine !!!! Easy to store and clean. The Milk Frother was great too making drink experience at home more fancy and sastisfaction in ever cup! Believe me. You will like it. I am just like you guys. I am writing this review on my own experience after months of reviews. I don't get paid by Amazon or the company to write this review. My time is more valuable than this but because it is worth it !Tips: for the coffee, nespresso capsules I ordered from the Nespresso.com on their official website. When you register they will give you 200 capsule with all different flavors for $120 and a gift box so you can store 20 capsules in the box. Very nice !!!Check it out: http://www.nespresso-us.com/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Branded_E&utm_term=56220372Also when you join the Nespresso club you will have the discounts and product update news letter.Good luck and be happy with your purchase.You will love this machine and can't stop going back and forth exploring the U D50 and very soon you will invite some good friends over to show off your best investment ever !!! it's more affordable than Starbucks then why not ?Enjoy your coffee !Leon Le.Westminster, CA