I didn't end up getting one right now for several reasons.
1) I'm broke and decided I can't just wack it on the card. Too irresponsible.
2) The model I want is Saeco Gran Crema is now sold exclusively through Costco's web site. The good news is that it is now $199. Other folks will tell you they have it, charge your card and then say the factory is having difficulty delivering. Someone is fooling somebody.
3) The bad news is, even though I have spoken several times to the factory, the boiler tank on this one and the next model up, the Magic, are specified on the web sites as Aluminum. I am not gonna buy a $200+ unit with an Al boiler. The factory tells me the Gran Crema is stainless and all new Magics are stainless - but I have not confirmed this.
When this house deal closes and I don't have $3000+ house payments - I can pay for a few niceties.
The wife had an OK birthday, but that's a separate forum, although I cooked an OK dinner.