I first bought this flat-iron about 5 years ago at WalMart - basically because I wanted a straightener (I had never owned one before this) and this one was $15.00, so I thought I'd give it a try. I have used it almost every single day since I've had it, and only in the past 6 months or so has it started to wear out. The ceramic coating is starting to wear from the plates, and it does not heat as well as it used to. Since it started to wear, I have bought 3 other flat-irons to replace my Andis (for some reason, I just cannot find another Andis in any store anymore!) and all 3 of those irons has gone right into the drawer, never to be used after the first 1 or 2 uses. I just cannot find one that I like nearly as much as my Andis! I am ordering a replacement here today. Why didn't I think of coming here sooner to get another one??