Anyone own a vitamix?

Lyfer

Diamond Member
May 28, 2003
5,842
2
81
Is it worth $600? The woman wants one now that her friend has one. I hardly have a need for a blender and would rather get a new phone.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
$600, no.

$350-$400 refurbed from Vitamix, sure. It's an incredible addition to the kitchen, especially if you are into breakfast smoothies and making your own sauces.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
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Go with the next gen one:
https://secure.vitamix.com/Certified-Reconditioned-Next-Generation.aspx

If you go through a referral link(google vitamix referral) you can get that down to $399 and free shipping.

The container is a lot nicer and the whole unit fits under a counter. That's worth it for the convenience alone. It also has the variable speed dial which I think is very nice and what really sets the unit apart from other units.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,509
7,222
136
I bought a Blendtec after seeing the labcoat dude blend a rake on Youtube. It was $400 and I think has been my most expensive kitchen purchase ever.

I have no regrets :awe:
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
I bought a Blendtec after seeing the labcoat dude blend a rake on Youtube. It was $400 and I think has been my most expensive kitchen purchase ever.

I have no regrets :awe:

My grandfather bought one after I showed him a bunch of the "will it blend" videos. I got to use it and it really is awesome. From what I hear the vitamix blenders are just as good. I like the idea of supporting a company that does stuff like those blendtec youtube videos though.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
If you hardly ever use it, I wouldn't say so. If you're the kind of person who makes a daily smoothie, definitely. Vitamix and Blend-tec own the high end, compare the small features and pick the one you like best, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
 

rpanic

Golden Member
Dec 1, 2006
1,896
7
81
Bought 400 $ refurbished one off vitamix site. Looks new and is used every day at least once or more.
 

Born2bwire

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2005
9,840
6
71
Bought 400 $ refurbished one off vitamix site. Looks new and is used every day at least once or more.

I had never noticed that they sell refurbished ones. I was thinking about a Blendtec and I now notice that they have sub $400 refurbished ones too.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
I had never noticed that they sell refurbished ones. I was thinking about a Blendtec and I now notice that they have sub $400 refurbished ones too.

Problem with Vitamix refurb is that it's a total guessing game when they are in stock. And it's totally random as to what color they have available. It took me three weeks of obsessively checking before one was available and it was only sold in red.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,006
430
136
I bought this one at costco for under $400:

http://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-1723-P...ywords=vitamix

I use it all the time. No regrets. I thought long and hard before buying. Then I thought worst case scenario, I will return to costco if I don't end up using it, but I use it on a daily basis.

^^^ correct answer.

The Vitamix 5200 is around $379.99 at CostCo B&M.

Blendtec is around $329 or sometimes they're on sale for $299.
 

l0cke

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2005
3,790
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Someday...

Currently I'm making smoothies on a 5-year old blender and resisting the urge every time I walk by the display in Costco. :wub:
 

Born2bwire

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2005
9,840
6
71
^^^ correct answer.

The Vitamix 5200 is around $379.99 at CostCo B&M.

Blendtec is around $329 or sometimes they're on sale for $299.

Well, that's cheaper than the refurbished prices. Maybe I need a Costco membership...
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,006
430
136
Well, that's cheaper than the refurbished prices. Maybe I need a Costco membership...

Or a friend, co-worker or family member.

Plus the CostCo models offer an extra year warranty, making it a total of 8 years.

Made in the USA!
 

Born2bwire

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2005
9,840
6
71
Or a friend, co-worker or family member.

Plus the CostCo models offer an extra year warranty, making it a total of 8 years.

Made in the USA!

So on the Costco website, the classic is $330 while at Blendtec a new one is $455. That's worth the membership fee alone. Just wish I had other things I needed to buy.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,006
430
136
So on the Costco website, the classic is $330 while at Blendtec a new one is $455. That's worth the membership fee alone. Just wish I had other things I needed to buy.

No other electronics, coffee, toilet paper, food, cereal, MEAT, milk/eggs, books, batteries, caskets, or clothes that you need to buy?

You don't have a single friend, co-worker or family member who can help you out? Grab a Vitamix 5200 off the shelf, at the check out line you can pay using YOUR debit card (eliminates the hassle of repaying someone), you're in and out in about 30 minutes plus travel time.

Edit: Wow it's been the same price for about a year now, these things practically sell themselves:

http://slickdeals.net/f/4882470-Vitamix-5200-Costco-B-M-for-374-99
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Vitamix and Blendtec make awesome blenders. I have the older Vitamix 5000 and it's just fantastic. Vitamix has more of an industrial presence in the food service industry, so I went with them after seeing them in so many kitchens where they are used dozens of times daily without failing. Blendtec may be just as good from all the reviews online.

I say you can't go wrong.

If you don't blend that often, the Ninjas are okay for cheapies (Best Buy, etc). About 1/4 the price or so IIRC, and honestly good enough for common smoothies/mixed drinks/etc. For heavier duty stuff like making nut butters, blending raw food stuff (eg; fruit with hard casing & seeds included, it will take a whole apple and utterly turn it to a fine mist lol) then you probably want to go whole hog.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
Its the same one Jamba Juice uses and its definitely worth it. Only blender that doesnt leave spinach all leafy.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,509
7,222
136
My grandfather bought one after I showed him a bunch of the "will it blend" videos. I got to use it and it really is awesome. From what I hear the vitamix blenders are just as good. I like the idea of supporting a company that does stuff like those blendtec youtube videos though.

You really can't go wrong either way. My buddy has a Vitamix and I like the Blendtec better, mostly because of the square jar design (makes it easier to pour, to clean, and to not need a plunger most of the time). Plus they have some new stuff like a huge 5-sided jar and a smaller Twister jar:

http://www.blendtec.com/products/twister_jar

My only complaint other than the price (which I would say is worth it if you use a blender a lot, because I've had mine for years with no hiccups, and went through three other blenders before that) would be the noise level. You almost need earplugs for it :p
 

HydroSqueegee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2005
1,709
2
71
we came across the Vitamix on the home shopping channel of all places. was just flipping through the channels and landed on it because there was nothing on and it looked interesting. watched the whole damn infomercial on it and ended up ordering one for $450. the next day, our old blender burnt up, so it was a good thing we got it. well worth the money. smoothies all day every day.