Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

O.K. negative reviews always get bad marks but I feel compelled to warn potential buyers about some quality flaw with this machine. I got mine in July and used it 4 times upon which the plastic paddle that mixes the ice broke during normal use of the machine and creation of regular chocolate ice cream. The paddle has 2 parts: a wide and strong arm and a flimsy and very thin arm. The thin arm broke off. I called their customer service department and they told me they have it on back order and that many people are waiting and I might not get it with the next load. I also found a 3rd party site that presumably sells the paddles but there also the paddles are back ordered until October 31. The net is that a) the paddle seems to brake fairly often b) the company sells machines and doesn't have replacement parts in stocks for SEVERAL MONTHS. I ordered a couple of these paddles but still I am peeved about not being able to use the machine. In retrospect I would have bought a more expensive machine with all metal paddles....