I am a proud owner of a Vitamix blender. While it was expensive, it really does get the job done!

My Experience

Regardless of the reason you decided to purchase a Vitamix blender, the reality is that buying a Vitamix is not cheap, in fact, it's practically an investment of a small fortune!

I know when I made the decision to eat a plant-based diet I knew I needed a blender and after much consideration, I decided on a Vitamix blender. I wish that I had done more research into finding one for the best price because I'm pretty sure I overpaid for the blender I ended up buying. I would definitely purchase a certified reconditioned model next time and in this article, you will see why.

It is my hope that this article points you in the right direction and gives you some options to think about at the very least. Happy hunting!

Quick Poll:

Vitamix Models

The details about why one model is better than the other and all the various differences is beyond the scope of this article. If that is the kind of information you are looking for I highly recommend the link I have posted below.

What is the Best Model?

The straight answer: the one that will work best for you. A bigger price tag doesn't mean it's better, it just has different features.

3 Vitamix Model Groups:

For the purpose of finding your Vitamix for the best price, I have categorized them into three groups (as listed on the Vitamix website) for the sake of simplicity and easy cross-referencing. There are three groups of Vitamix models listed on both the US and Canada websites.

USA Groups:

• The Ascent Series (New for 2017)
• The Legacy Series (Contains the C- Series and G-Series)
• The Personal Series (Contains the S-Series)

CANADA Groups:

• The C-Series
• The G-Series
• The S-Series

*The Ascent series is not yet listed on the Canadian website and is not available elsewhere at this time.

• Which Vitamix to buy? A comparison of current models - Joy of Blending
  2016 Vitamix blender model comparison with recommendations, model selection tool, comparison chart, and details to help you make the best choice.

USA Vitamix Series and Models

CANADA Vitamix Series and Models

Pros and Cons of Buying a Vitamix Blender In-Store (US & Canada)

Pros:

• Get a better idea about the model you wish to purchase before buying
• Less chance of buyers remorse
• You get to home with it the same day vs having to wait for your parcel to arrive
• You can personally talk to staff and get their opinions/advice
• Less ambiguity about the return policy/warranty (as in they are not third party sellers)
• Loyalty program points if the store has them!

Cons:

• Many of these retailers carry only one model, may not be the one you want
• Cannot use coupons in most cases (Bed Bath and Beyond for example, excludes Vitamix from its infamous 20% off coupon)
• Cannot make use of online cash-back programs such as ebates, swagbucks, etc.
• May have to drive a fair distance just to get to a retailer (costs you time and gas $)
• Depending on the model, it may have a shorter warranty (such as the Creations models sold by QVC at a 5-year warranty instead of 7)

Pros and Cons of Buying a New Vitamix Blender Online vs Reconditioned (US & Canada)

Pros:

• More stores to shop from (larger selection of models to choose from)
• Ability to use cash-back websites for your purchase depending on where you shop online
• Longer warranty than re-conditioned (7 years vs 5 years for the Pro 500 for example)

Cons:

• Have to check to make sure you are covered by the Vitamix Warranty if not purchasing directly
• More expensive, even with cashback websites and online sales by at least $100 or more (as shown in my chart below)

Which Is the Best Price?

In the table below I have 3 categories from which many people buy their Vitamix that best shows the price differences; New In-Store, New Online and Reconditioned Online. I have not included "used" from online classified sites such as Kijiji or Craigslist as the prices may vary from State to State (or Province to Province), there is no warranty and you get what you get (who knows what they blended in it...). Enough said.

I chose 2 of the most recommended Vitamix models the 5200 (or the Total Nutrition Center for Canada) and the Pro 500.

You will see that all things considered (warranty, price, etc.,) that purchasing a reconditioned Vitamix blender online will give you the best price and the most bang for your buck. I will explain why after. Here is the chart:

Finding the Best Priced Vitamix Blender Online

The Big Savings $$

As you can see from the chart the biggest savings for the same models listed are close to $100 or over $100 when you buy a certified reconditioned model instead of new online.

What exactly do you get with a certified reconditioned Vitamix blender?

The recertification process takes place at the Vitamix factory, and any sub-par parts are replaced with new ones. The Certified Reconditioned Vitamix 17-point checklist includes both function and aesthetics—that is, everything is guaranteed to work as good as new and not look beat-up.

The following parts are replaced on every reconditioned machine, regardless of condition: the pitcher, lid, and tamper. If the shrink-wrap on the cookbook or DVD is broken, those are replaced as well.

One thing that might not be immediately obvious is that the blade assembly is not necessarily brand new. Technicians remove the blade; if it does not show any wear it is high-temperature washed and sterilized, and then placed in the new container.— www.joyofblending.com

So certified reconditioned does not mean that some old beat up blender gets packaged again and shipped back out if that eases your mind, I know this explanation helped clarify things for me and made me realize that it's definitely worth it to at least consider purchasing a reconditioned Vitamix blender.

Even if you were to invest in a fair bit of time and check out every possible online store that sells Vitamix blenders that are brand new, you won't find savings as significant as this, even if you were to deduct any cashback amounts you would get. So save yourself the time and get a certified reconditioned model if you are truly looking to get the best price for a Vitamix blender.

Awesome Value: Vitamix 5300 Blender, Black

Updates!

Obviously there is a possibility I may have missed out on something and if you have a better solution or suggestion on how to get the best price on a Vitamix blender, please feel free to let me know and I will update this article as needed!

Thank you for reading!

© 2017 Carolyn Dahl

Let Me Know What You Think Below!!

Carolyn Dahl (author) from Ottawa, Ontario on July 20, 2019:

No problem, enjoy your Vitamix! :-)

Liza from USA on July 18, 2019:

Omg, this article is very helpful! I was eyeing the Vitamix blender for a while but, the price always a set back for me. Thanks for sharing!

FlourishAnyway on February 02, 2017:

I have a different blender but have eyed this blender without looking at the price. Whoa! Your article is helpful and correct about it being an important investment.