Others say...

"Not perfect, but it works well enough."
I got tired of the ten dollar monthly rental fee per cooler, so I decided to buy my own. This Addico cooler is pretty slick looking, though it is definitely larger than the one it replaces. The water bottle itself is covered by a slide off hood, which makes it look even better (I hate looking at those scratched up bottles!). Now for what I don't like:
1) A spring-loaded pouring mechanism has to be inserted into each bottle before mounting it (and that requires completely removing the plastic seal from the bottle, not just removing the outer foil),
2) The fact that the hood makes it impossible to know when your bottle is getting near empty (a simple clear strip down the hood would have solved that),
3) The cheap feel of the dispensing mechanism and the fact that the labels are not securely glued in place, which perhaps belies some overall inattention to Q.C.
Lastly, it ain't cheap, considering it is only a hunk of plastic & a very tiny refrigerator.

"Looks, nice, does what it's supposed to do..."
I'm happy with the Milano cooler I bought off Amazon (the free shipping was especially nice)! The cooler is attractive, yet a couple things I'll comment on: I thought when I bought it that it would have a hot water dispenser as well...Also, the picture looks like the silver parts on the cooler are metal, but in fact they are stickers...All in all, though, the cooler does look nice and does it's job just fine.

"Stylish and Practical"
I recently received my water cooler and couldn't be more pleased. Not only does it keep the water extremely cold for when thirst attacks, but it is also a great addition to my appartment at college which I try to keep with a contemporary motif. The style of it looks like i spent hundreds of dollars which is not the case. I also get compliments on it everytime I have a party or just have people over. I am reminded of the practical aspect of the cooler on the days after a night of partying when I can re-hydrate myself with very cold refreshing water.

"How cool is this thing!"
I saw this originally at the Housewares show in Chicago, and I had to have it. I sent my standard model Hinkley and Schmidt packing and replaced it with this baby. Love it, love it! It's beautiful, tasteful, works great and I couldn't be happier!!

"Highly Recommended"
I have read the other reviews, and frankly I was surprised at the negative comments. I have been using my cooler now for a few months and have had no problems. It looks really, really cool (pun definitely intended). I bought the black. The water in the cold tap is VERY cold (and this in the year-long heat of the Caribbean sun). The water in the cool tap is cool - just as advertised. It takes up surprisingly little space.

I feel sorry for those who may have gotten a defective machine, but mine is working just fine.

Add to all this the convenience of not having all those bottles in the fridge - I DEFINITELY recommend.

One last thing ... you don't get a bottle with it though I think the presentation gives you that impression. That bottle shown is apparently to show the customer the non-drip valve cover (which works very well by the way).

December 2002: I wanted to add one more thing ... if the water begins to freeze in your compartment (mine did for some inexplicable reason nine months into use), the thermostat that the extremely brief instructions talk about is that screw that you see on the INSIDE of the grid. It is a little hard to get at, but once you do, it does what it's supposed to do. I STILL love this cooler after 15 months.

April 2006: Still works fine. Not one regret yet.