I was born in Germany, and I grew up with names like Stiebel-Eltron.
When I had my home built in 2010, I wanted it to be as environmentally friendly as possible and at the same time low maintenance. The builder offered a few hot water options, amongst them a Stiebel Eltron heat pump, and I happily went for the familiar name - a company that had been around for some 80 years - back then still believing in the quality myth that surrounds products 'Made in Germany'.
From the beginning, the warm water pressure was significantly lower than the cold water pressure, to a degree that filling a bucket with hot water took several minutes; so the internal resistance of the device has to be enormous.
The water was never really hot; the mixer tap always had to be on 80+ % to feel comfortable in the shower, but after maybe 3 years, the water temperature started to drop further. I called Stiebel Eltron several times without getting any helpful support. In the end, the water was just hand warm. Now after exactly 7 years, the unit is completely dead. It happened on a weekend, and when I called SE support, the phone just rang through, no recorded message, no way to leave a message, nothing. I then got the nearest hot water plumbing service to have a look, and for A$185 got the diagnosis that all the refrigerant gas had escaped and I needed a new hot water system. After the weekend, again I tried to ring SE, during normal business hours, and the phone, again, just rang through - several times. However, when I finally rang the number for sales, I got someone instantaneously... SE insisted that before they could give any comment, a refrigeration technician had to look at the system, who confirmed the diagnosis - for another A$ 165.
SE's position then was, that the pump was out of warranty, and while they would expect those pumps to last at least 10 years, there was nothing they would want to do for me, except for giving me a bit of a discount on a new pump. Over a couple of not exactly pleasant phone conversations, which involved discussions about the Australian Consumer Protection Act, the ACCC, and me mentioning that I could and would contact the German Headquarters, this eventually shifted to a significant discount.
I was not overly keen to risk another frustrating experience with a SE product, but it was the most economical solution - whilst still getting an energy efficient system.
The day before the SE appointed plumber was meant to replace the pump, I rang to confirm with that plumber and learned that the plumber had assumed that SE would send the pump to my place, and SE had thought the plumber would get it, so there was no pump available for the next day - and meanwhile I had been without hot water for around three weeks.
At that point, I decided that I had had enough of SE products, service (or lack thereof) and unprofessionalism, and contacted the initial local hot water business to have them install a heat pump from a different (also German) manufacturer. Luckily they could slot me in for the next day, and now after having had the new pump for almost two weeks, I am happy that I didn't get another SE - despite the 1k more that I had to pay. The water, for the first time since I moved into my home, is really hot (mixer tap just a bit above middle position is hot enough), and the difference in water pressure is even more amazing.
The plumber (and owner of the business) had a lot to say about SE heat pumps, but I won't write anything here that is not based on my own experience.
Summarizing, my experience with the Stiebel Eltron heat pump, the company's after-sales support and overall professionalism is extremely disappointing. I can neither recommend the product nor the brand in general. Contact me via PM if you want more details.

I have been suffering from Achilles tendon insertion and heel pain for probably 1.5 years now - to the degree that I had to stop running and dreaded getting out of bed in the morning. I tried all sort of running shoes, night splints, podiatry treatments, and nothing really helped.
The various pairs of Z-Coil shoes that I bought so far did not miraculously completely cure my heel pain over night. But I can walk - and even run again - without serious pain. In the morning and after periods of inactivity there is still stiffness and pain, but it disappears quickly when wearing the Z-Coils. With the very effective shock-absorption that the Z-Coils offer, the continuous micro-traumatisation stops and the inflammation finally has a chance to heal.
So far, I have purchased 4 pairs: Freedom classic and enclosed, Outback open, and Sidewinder open, and I try to wear them as much as possible. Running in Z-Coils is a bit different; the shoes are heavier than normal running shoes, and the coils do seem to absorb some energy, so I can't run at my usual pace, but the important thing is that I can run again without having to fear that my heel pain will be worse over the next couple of days.
The shopping experience at Springy Feet itself is fantastic. Nikki is very passionate about Z-Coils, and she will not tire to work with you, tweak and adjust things, until you have achieved the best possible outcome.
If you suffer from any form of lower limb or even lower back pain, give Z-Coils a serious consideration.

Approximate cost: $300

Did a best-price Google search for a guitar that I am interested in. Audiobuy came up with a really good price. Thought, what the heck, at this price I'll take the risk to buy from an unknown online seller (and then there still is buyer protection with PayPal...). Ordered, created account, paid, received confirmation email and PayPal invoice, money was transferred (transaction status was "completed" in PayPal. Prices on website are in AUD (Order total AUD 442), according to disclaimer company operates under Australian Consumer Laws. but PayPal payment was in USD and and my debit card was charged with AUD 456, however that was still a very good price for the guitar, so at that time, I did not really care. Nothing further happened, after a couple of days, I sent an email, asking for an update regarding order status – was ignored. A few days ago, when checking into my PayPal account, I realized the money had been refunded. No communication, explanation, apologies whatsoever. But the money had been refunded in USD, and converted back to AUD this was only AUD 422. I then contacted the seller again, was then informed that order had not been processed because of a pricing mistake, and a full refund had been sent. My reply that the deal had been in AUD and that I was still AUD 24 short was ignored. So I have now lost 24 dollars because the seller made a pricing mistake...
So my fellow musicians out there, be careful. One can't really know whether an advertised price is real, or a "pricing mistake", and if it is the latter, you might end up without the goods AND lose money.
Update 29 Sept 2016: Lodged a complaint with the NSW Office of Fair Trading, but surprise, surprise, nothing they can do since the merchant is in US, ignores their communications, and doesn't even have an ABN. So if you order there, get your goods, and they work, you might, with some luck, save a few bucks. But if anything goes wrong, you will find yourself screwed without having much leverage.

Approximate cost: $456