Product review (4 stars): It really does work!
As a few have mentioned, it's not a heavy duty complicated looking apparatus.  It looks like something you would take to the beach and put shells in.  But I just wanted it to work and I was pleasantly surprised.  I just did my first load... some white undergarments.  They came out RESPLENDENTLY white and I could not be happier!  However, here's what I've learned so far:

Tip #1 - The lid REALLY does not fit tightly on top.  With it "locked", you can't get in but water can DEFINITELY get out.

Tip #2 - When the instructions say "fill" the bucket with water...don't you do it!  Make your loads small and do NOT fill water up to the top.  As a matter of fact, I'd say, don't go too much higher than halfway full.  I made the mistake of filling to about three inches from the tip... and TIDAL WAVES OF WATER came gushing out.  Which leads me to my next tip...

Tip #3 - Put towels around the unit to catch any water that leaks from the top during the cycle.

Tip #4 - (For aged, infirmed or just not very strong friends) Whereever you fill the bucket, plan on doing your wash very close by - since the bucket with laundry and liquid is very heavy.

So far this is all I know.  For the price, I feel like I got a nice alternative to hand washing.  It remains to be seen just how much this little machine will keep me from the laundromat (which is why I bought it).  I'm thinking, it will probably depend on me and how often I can make myself do little loads... or else take out a whole day to do several in a row.

But I'll make it work.  For the price, I think it was/is worth it.