The part about "the newer models have a different finish" is what gets me, because that sure sounds like they know the old finish was a problem. Did they actually offer to replace it or were you stuck eating the cost? I'm curious what they told you exactly, because "the manual says dishwasher safe" and then it rusts in one cycle is a pretty big gap. Mine hasn't hit that point yet but I've only run it through twice, so now I'm second guessing it. Also, when you say orange spots on the bottom where the fries sit, was it just the outer basket or did the inner crisper plate get hit too?

Watched my buddy drop an extra $15 on the fancy Amtrak business class seat once, thinking he'd get peace and quiet on the ride to Portland. Turns out a youth soccer team booked the whole car behind him and screamed the entire three hours. He ended up standing in the cafe car with the regular folks, which is where he would've been anyway. The free coffee and slightly bigger seat were not worth a dime, in his words.