Hollyk of Morrisville, PA is right: the stainless steel carafe is horrible.  The seam is at the pour point.  It is one of the pathways that allows dish water to enter the carafe's interior during washing, and the conduit that marries the same wash-water with your coffee.  It was an issue from the first pot brewed. 

Also, unless you shot-gun 8 cups of coffee in 10 minutes, make sure your microwave works.  The thermal plate shuts-off within a matter of minutes.  You can turn it on again, and again, but will inevitably reheat most of your servings in the microwave unless you enjoy cold coffee....