We had our 1st one for 15 years no problems, the heating element was going out.  We bought this one a year ago and ever since we have problems and fought with the plates since day one.  My teenagers make waffles almost 3 times a week and I hear about it.  The plates are uneven the clips don't keep them in place.  Very frustrating.  It has never sat right, but we kept it thinking it was just something that needed to be adjusted.  Now I need to buy another one after a year?  And reading reviews it looks like this is a common theme among this product in the recent years.  This is the only waffle maker we have owned iur 20 years of marriage.  And the last year has been frustrating in our house at breakfast time!