Costco-Vitamix 5200 $369.99

This is the everyday price for the 5200 at Costco. Bought mine in July for the price. Use it almost everyday and is worth the cash.

Quote from garycoleman : what can a $370 blender do that my $30 blender can't do?

Lol you have no idea. I put a couple handfuls of frozen fruit along with ice to the top of the caintainer and turn the blender on and it makes the perfect smoothie with no slow down or having the motor smell like its about to blow. Look on YouTube there is plenty of videos.

Quote from stilz : Vitamix or Blentec?

I believe Blentec came up with this design of 5 side jars and Vitamix pretty much copied it. But as of now, Vitamix offers more consistency and durability. Mechanical buttons they have work much better than the Blentec's touch/push buttons.

Quote from thrustbucket : If you get the Blendtec right now (about the same price as this) you can get a free wildside jar here: http://www.blendtec.com/sharethelove which are normally $100. You just pay $13 shipping. That makes the blendtec a MUCH better bargain. Actually if you buy the blendtec that comes with just one jar it should be under $300. For some reason vitamix is more expensive. The free jars are because blendtec successfully sued vitamix for stealing their wildside design, so they are sharing a million dolalrs of the 11 million they got from the lawsuit with their customers via free product.

Thought it already comes with it - are below the sames one you you're talking about? So this is just an additional one they're sharing?

Jars:
WildSide jar with 4” cold-forged stainless steel blade
WildSide jar design shifts blending vortex to enhance performance creating consistent blends in a fraction of the time
FourSide jar with 3” cold-forged stainless steel blade

Why drive a Bentley when a Suzuki will get you there?

Because I can. Don't be jelly.

Quote from WelcomePhoenix : Vitamix 5200 and Blendtec Total Blender at Costco are about the same price (just called and checked), but I'm not sure which one to get. I'm leaning towards Blendtec as it doesn't have the "stick" like the Vitamix does (not too crazy about that technology). Will use frozen fruits for smoothies, but did come across someone on here saying it won't blend too nicely if frozen. Any thoughts, suggestions?!? It appears the Blendec is more powerful though. Thanks for the feedback!

My comment about the tamper (stick thingie) is that it's really nice to have when you need it. It helps when making margaritas, but most of the time I use it when I've literally packed the container so tightly with vegetables it gets locked against the sides.

I'm not sure if you were commenting about the Vitamix or that other blender having problems with frozen fruit, but it's absolutely not true for the Vitamix, that's nearly all I use during the winter. It makes a thicker smoothie, like with ice cubes, but doesn't water it down so much.

Quote from WelcomePhoenix : Vitamix 5200 and Blendtec Total Blender at Costco are about the same price (just called and checked), but I'm not sure which one to get. I'm leaning towards Blendtec as it doesn't have the "stick" like the Vitamix does (not too crazy about that technology). Will use frozen fruits for smoothies, but did come across someone on here saying it won't blend too nicely if frozen. Any thoughts, suggestions?!? It appears the Blendec is more powerful though. Thanks for the feedback!

I can say the "stick" is a WELCOME feature. When I first started using the blender I had forgotten about it and whatever I was blending just wasn't moving around enough to get it blended. Pushed the "stick" in it a couple times and it took off from there. So that is actually quite a handy feature of the blender. I have also used fresh and frozen fruit for smoothies and have had zero problems with frozen fruit. I did my homework on these two brands as well when I was about to purchase and it lead me to the Vitamix. After owning it for 3-4 months, I have zero regrets!

Do what I did..... Best of both worlds. The Wildside is better at all but nut butters. I tested both myself and came to this conclusion. Sold the Blendtec and kept the VM. Was all good for a year or so, but missed the Wildside jar. I then noticed a company selling a WIldside that would fit a vitamix (search VM Wildside on eBay). I have had for a few weeks and now can DO IT ALL!

Enjoy!

Haters:

Your $30 blender won't blend an iPhone 4S:

http://www.willitblend.com/videos/view/129

Quote from Ace2377 : I can say the "stick" is a WELCOME feature. When I first started using the blender I had forgotten about it and whatever I was blending just wasn't moving around enough to get it blended. Pushed the "stick" in it a couple times and it took off from there. So that is actually quite a handy feature of the blender. I have also used fresh and frozen fruit for smoothies and have had zero problems with frozen fruit. I did my homework on these two brands as well when I was about to purchase and it lead me to the Vitamix. After owning it for 3-4 months, I have zero regrets!

Here is what blendtec thinks of vitamix's plunger stick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X...ults_video

It's not a new deal, but it's also worth noting that you can get this model refurbished with 5 year warranty from Vitamix [vitamix.com] for $329. If you buy from Vitamix you can get free shipping with any number of codes on the web.

I'm a big fan of Vitamix machines and have been blogging about some of the things they can do at http://joyofblending.com

I sell restaurant supplies and equipment. Vitamix is the best brand you can get for blenders. Blentec has no comparison for its durability and consistent quality of products it processed when using long term.

Like others have said, this is not for you if you are using it only few times a month.

Tips for those interested at Vitamix or other commercial kitchen/restaurant products, shop around in your local fixtures stores. You can often negotiate pricing with them. Sometimes it is worth paying little extra for getting commercial graded products if you use it often enough.

Quote from subzi : Will it blend? Silly Vitamix, Plungers Are for Toilets [youtube.com]

I have no need to buy an expensive blender, but if I do one day, I will buy a blentec just because of those "will it blend" videos. Clever marketing is clever and it is even better when there is substance to it.

Quote from adamp17 : It's not a new deal, but it's also worth noting that you can get this model refurbished with 5 year warranty from Vitamix [vitamix.com] for $329. If you buy from Vitamix you can get free shipping with any number of codes on the web. I'm a big fan of Vitamix machines and have been blogging about some of the things they can do at http://joyofblending.com

thanks for the info and your blog looks awesome. bookmarked!

*edit* bought a refurb 5200 from that link, woot