Neato Robotics Botvac D3 Wi-Fi Robo Vac

IN SUMMARYThe D3 is an amazing machine, which makes me think that the D7 must be AWESOME! However, I don't expect to pay 400(?) bucks for an item to work +/- 1 year. I don't expect to pay a further $50ish for a 'solution' that doesn't work and, with the sub-par level of support (BTW, I train, build, run and troubleshoot CS departments for a living) and the literal 'one day working, another day not' event that happened to Dusty, I would never touch another Neato product again.IN FULLLet me start by saying that this is my 3rd robot cleaner over the years and it is by FAR the best cleaner I owned. I have only ever needed to replace a battery and/or brushes before. All replacements were simply a desire for a better/newer item.On or around the end of the warranty period, 'Dusty' suddenly just started to fail. All he did/does is jerk backwards in an arc for three or four jolts before quitting with an error related to 'an obstacle' in the way. If I raise the back (leaving the wheels on the floor), he will 'reverse' for several minutes before quitting.I sent photos, app screenshots and videos to Neato CS explaining the issue.Neato CS was dire. They repeatedly asked the same questions and also asked me to perform tests that I had already conducted and outlined in previous emails and requested images/screenshots that I had already sent. It was obvious to me that they were simply going through a template process, regardless of what I was telling them.Nearly 4 months later (which included weeks between their replies), they suggested it was a battery issue. I purchased a new one (the larger model for a longer duration) and... well you already guessed what happened...This had no effect. The issue(s) were identical.I seethed for a while and tried again some months later and had exactly the same response with almost word-for-word suggestions. I preempted the 'try a battery' suggestion and, ONLY THEN, did I get asked for serial numbers, proof of purchase etc and - what a surprise - was informed that the model was 'out of warranty'.WHAT DID I LEARN?• Their CS is poor, intermittent (at best) and dismissive. They do not read what you have sent them and they will offer no actual solutions other than to eventually suggest you 'buy more products'.• Regardless of your issues, and regardless of what you inform them, they will simply follow a set path of questions, rendering your input and attempts to expedite the process, irrelevant.• They will change tack whenever you fully rebut their questions and insist that the issue is now is something contrary to their original assertions.• They will do everything to delay helping you and eventually use 'out of warranty' as justification for being unable to help.LATERThirty minutes of searching online provided a diagnostic tool that would read Dusty's data. None of the sensors was broken, the LIDAR unit was working perfectly, the brush, the wheels, the bumper sensors etc, all worked fine! ERGO - the issues must be with the motherboard. Dusty's 'brain' was somehow fried and misinterpreting what he was being told. Obviously, this was going to need a complete overhaul/replacement.I am not saying that there is an inherent or known 'fault' in these units, but I am suspicious that my issue was delayed for as long as possible to ensure that it was way past any argument concerning warranty and a replace/repair solution. They wanted me to give up, and I did.NEATO WINS!