Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 281
 Great product, horrific customer service June 9, 2007
Eric K. Senunas (Boston, MA - but formerly Stockholm)
42 out of 44 found this review helpful
Like many here, I bought the CMM1200 to do my part in the greening of the US. And for the first 3 weeks, I loved it. It worked great, mowed my whole lawn (approx 5000 sq ft), and was relatively quiet.
But then the charger died, and the nightmare began. B&D may have customer service rivaling that of Dell. It has a two-year warranty, and since from my description it seemed that the charger had for some reason shorted (after 3 weeks! - of course it is made in China, like all the rest of the junk in the US), they said they would send one out right away. It would take 7-10 business days (no idea why it should take that long), but at least I'd be back up and running before the end of May.
After two weeks I called to see what the status was, since the charger still hadn't arrived. The rep was so stunned that she laughed at first, apologized, then said it was on backorder until July (gotta love Chinese efficiency!). By then my lawn would have been the Serengeti, so I asked for a manager. After protesting that I had just blown $400 on this piece of junk, he finally said he could forward this to "corporate" to see what they could do. What a confidence builder. And my grass continued to grow...
I decided the only way this would be fixed is if I made a pain of myself. I called each day for three days until they finally gave me the number of the corporate office. I called there (they close at 4:30 pm - nice banker's hours, eh? - which would be bad enough, but they don't have any service centers open after 5 pm or on weekends), and fortunately one of their decent employees gave me names and numbers to call after being appalled at my story (he's also a shareholder). After leaving messages, I finally found a live person, who was equally appalled. She connected me to the exec assist of the corporate secretary - I didn't reach her, but left a message.
Finally reaching this level at B&D, someone finally found a replacement charger and sent it to me. It arrived just in time for rain, and since it takes a good 12 hours to charge the mower, I've been stuck mowing small patches of my 16+ inch grass.
I've never been so completely frustrated with the incompetence of an organization. B&D shareholders should be worried, because while I'd recommend the product, I can't recommend buying it because B&D may actually be worse than Dell when it comes to customer service. I'm stuck with the mower, and I just hope these chintzy chargers hold out because I never want to have to endure B&D customer service hell again. I think it will be the last B&D product I ever buy. Wish it weren't so.
 Where's the cup holder? May 26, 2007
Thomas Ahern (Foster, RI USA)
35 out of 37 found this review helpful
I'm very pleased so far. Of course, it's been just a couple of cuts to date, of a yard large enough to be at the estimated limit of this mower's charge. But it handled the chore easily. This is a great tool, in my opinion.
Here's what I like. No assembly. Charges up in a few hours. Quiet as a blender, yet plenty of power (you can tell; it feels muscular). Stops instantly (leaping toad in grass). Mulches. Cordless, so you can take it far and wide (our driveway is one-tenth of a mile long through a field; it looks nice to keep the edge trimmed). No gasoline. No fumes. No roar. No pollution (at my end; can't speak for the power plants at the other end).
Plus it gives me some of my daily workout (trying to lose a few pounds this summer): it's not self-propelled, so you push a bit.
My only wish: a place to plunk my drink.
POSTSCRIPT: Months later I can now report that this mower is everything it promised to be the first few times out. It's fun to use. And I abuse it freely, pushing into fields of high grass sometimes to make trails. Still a very satisfied customer.
PPS: Two years later I'm cruising over rocks and roots in the woods behind my house and drove the blade up into the cowling. No problem: cut it away with shears, and I'm ready to mow again. So, yes, durable. Won't quit.
very easy to use May 28, 2007
K. Adams
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
First, I would like to thank those who posted comments previously. They were very helpful in knowing what to expect when my new B&D lawn mower arrived. I had also previously purchased similar cordless rechargeable lawn and garden tools (a small hedge trimmer and blower) which had reassured me that this electric lawn mower would be a good fit. These items were also manufactured by B&D, so I was familiar with their instructions and packaging - which I have come to interpret as 'the simpler the better'.
Let me clarify something - I don't believe that I would be classified as the typical B&D demographic. I am a 44 year old female office worker, with a passion for weekend gardening. I do my own yard work and really appreciate discovering these new tools that make the job easier and faster. I also love the fact that I can retire my old touchy pull-start machines and leaky gas cans.
The purchase experience from Amazon was wonderful. I ordered this lawn mower on a Tuesday and received an email on Wednesday stating that it would be delivered on Friday. Sure enough, a driver appeared on the appointed day, just three days after placing the order, while I was home for lunch. I had the box dropped off directly into my garage without me having to lift an ounce. I opened the end of the box and rolled out my new mower. Fifteen minutes later it was set up and charging, and I was headed back to work.
TIP - bookmark the illustration pages so that after reading the instructions you can quickly flip to the corresponding picture. Also, don't over-think it - it really is unbelievably simple.
I used it the next morning. I still can't get over how quick and easy it is to start this lawn mower! No bending, no cord pulling, no coughing and sputtering engine. My only concern going into this purchase was that my previous gas-guzzling machine was self-propelled, and this new electric was not. On a smaller lot this would not be an issue, however I have a 1/4 acre with some slight, but definately noticable, grade changes. My concerns were laid to rest quickly as this lighter and more maneuverable machine did the job without adding additional strain on the operator.
I live in an area where smog is an issue. When I first learned how much pollution a gas powered mower generates, I was shocked. Now I don't have to feel like I am giving the neighborhood kids asthma so that I can have a nicely groomed lawn.
One final TIP - as you accumulate more recharging products, it is a good idea to label your rechargers with their corresponding equipment, especially the ones that you don't use on a regular basis, such as the hedge trimmer.
Happy gardening!
This is like mowing your yard with an ANVIL! April 11, 2008
Amazon Addict (Austin, TX)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
I was optimistic having read the reviews here on Amazon and I liked the idea of not having to mess with a smelly gas mower or pay for gas at the prices the oil companies are bending us over for. so, I ordered and it arrived quickly as everything does from Amazon (I am also an Amazon Prime customer). I let it charge overnight and in the morning I went out to mow the yard.. It was very easy to start, just pull the lever and it is started. It was very easy to adjust the height, I adjusted it to its highest setting since this was the first mow of the spring.. Most of the lawn is still dormant here in Texas and it is St. Augustine grass so in the areas where it was growing it was dense and thick. The cutting power of the mower is acceptable it was able to cut through even the dense areas of grass, it did bog down the mower but I would expect even a gas mower to bog down in the high dense parts that I went through. Everything sounds good so far the problem is that this thing weighs way too much to not be self propelled. I have only a slight incline at it was taking all my strength to push this up the slope. I am a 6'3" 225 pound man who is more than capable of pushing any mower (this is what I thought before I met the Black & Decker 24 volt Anvil). The mower weights 80+ pounds and the weight of it causes it to sink into the turf which causes resistance, too much resistance. maybe it was just my yard but I am sure there are others out there that have think plush turf for yard rather than just grass poking up out of hard dirt. I know my lawn in Nebraska was like that felt more like hard dirt under your feet rather than a plush cushion of grass. so if your yard is hard then you may be okay but if it is soft, plush and gives when you walk on it you are going to need something else. pushing this mower on the sidewalk is no problem so if you want to mow your sidewalk then this is the mower for you. As for me I just submitted my return request and got a return authorization from Amazon and UPS will be picking it up on my doorstep tomorrow. Just to praise Amazon some more I would like to add that their return process is awesome I have never had a problem return a product that didn't work out for me.
 poor cousin to the CMM1000 May 1, 2007
Alan N. Sabrosky (Jackson, MS)
27 out of 34 found this review helpful
My old CMM1000 finally died last week after 6 excellent years, no new batteries or anything needed. I ordered this model, and it arrived today (kudos to Amazon, btw, REALLY fast S&H!!!). Still charging for the first run, but very disappointing let-down, for three reasons: (1) on-off handle on this is a cheap plastic lever VERY loosely attached to the handle, if it lasts a single season without snapping off, I'll be astonished (CMM1000 had a solid metal bar attached to both sides of the handle); (2) there is no charge indicator on the mower, as on the CMM1000, which was both color-coded and with a moving indicator to let you know how much of a charge remains -- only indicator on this model (CMM1200) is on the charger itself, with nothing to tell the user how much of a charge remains while mowing; and (3) safety is VERY bad, CMM1000 had a plug which was inserted into the mower itself, this has a cheap turn-key [plugging into -- where else? the handle assembly where the cheap on-off lever is attached]. B&D generally make great products, but DO NOT buy this one, pay the extra money and get the CMM1000 -- and Amazon, you should pull this from your inventory, and carry the CMM1000, pricer but LOTS better, and safer as well.
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