Every review I've read states how it's worth the money, they use it everyday, they'd buy it again and be willing to pay more...
It's a blender/food processor type thing that basically turns fruit and veggies into liquid dust - no bits or chunks, etc. Like a super juicer but without seperating the healthy pulp from the juice. People are making their own flours and nut butters too. I guess it also cooks soup (yep, not blends soup but cooks it) and makes ice cream.
I'm a sucker for a smoothie and thought if it really worked the way everyone says it does, I could sneek all kinds of leafy greens on myself and have a smoothie that wasn't made with yogurt/ice cream/milk or other calorie-tastic stuff.
They are about $600 online, and just under $400 at Costco. I know Costco has a great return policy, but I never imagined considering a $400 blender. But, if I started eating more raw veggies and used it every day it could be worth it.
I've seen the demos at costco, but didn't really pay attention to the blender. Sounds like very good reviews and a neat product. If you decide to take the plunge, please let us know what you think.
yes - costco is great with returns. you could probably return it used if you decided to...
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"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
We love ours and sometimes we use it two or three times a day. (Lots of smoothies are made here.) I bought it from Metrokitchen and it was just under $400, free shipping, no tax. I think you can get a discount at random home shows too. My friend says Vitamix has an ebay store where they sell factory blemished ones for much less than retail, with a manufacturer guarantee.
Blendtec is another one of equivalent quality/power so look into that too. My one complaint about the Vitamix is the bottom doesn't unscrew to clean/scrape out the last bits of something.
If you're solely thinking smoothies, the "Magic Bullet" is pretty damn good. I usually use it for my smoothies because DH uses the Vitamix in the morning. The pieces go in the dishwasher which is a big plus. It does a really good job on coffee beans and flax seeds, and is a good size for salad dressings. I don't believe it has the power for nut butter or the capacity for soups. However I got it at Costco for a good price and I'm really glad I did.