Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine

I bought the Saeco from Amazon, using Amex points. I picked it after seeing Alton Brown recommend it as an effective, moderately priced espressomaker without too many useless bells and whistles. My machine worked beautifully for about 2 months, and then the pump quit.

As it was under warranty, I sent it back to Saeco in Ohio, and they promised a 4 week turn around. 6 weeks went by before they decided they were too backed up, and sent it to a repair shop in NJ, where the repairman told me that there were (unspecified) parts missing. I called customer service in Ohio, and asked them to expedite the parts, since it had been so long, and they agreed. It still took another 4 weeks to get the machine back........2 1/2 months total!,
When my baby did finally arrive home, the pump worked, but water was dripping into the filter basket without the machine being in the brew mode. I called back to Saeco, looking to have my machine replaced rather than go through another repair drama, and got a supervisor who told me that dripping water into the basket both before and after brewing was normal. I told him I found that hard to believe, but he held his ground.
As time went by, the dripping got worse. They still wouldn't replace the machine, so I've now sent it back to Ohio. They've promised a 1-week turnaround.
I'm not holding my breath.