"hated"...
I think what made customers dislike these was simply not knowing how to use them. I've been in homes of friends who have these (which were very popular in my old state because the area had a Maytag dealer) and it seemed like everyone loaded them with cups in the top rack, plates somehow crammed in the bottom. To someone who never used on of these, it would be easy to goof and load them much like they've been accustomed to. Personally, all dishwashers outside of the RR have it backwards. I find bowls tend to be more soiled then dishes, and like having to reach short silverware without bending down. But to each his own.