Update: out of stock
Vitamix just rolled out a sale with their best deal on a Vitamix, ever. The Certified Reconditioned Standard Programs (aka 6300/Pro500) is currently marked down to $249. This model usually sells for $379 reconditioned, which is already a significant savings from the $559 new version. Vitamix has dropped its price to $299 a few times in the past, but they’ve never sold it for $249 before now.
Also, good news for Canadians! Vitamix sometimes neglects Canadian customers with their sales, but this time the same model is discounted in Canada (to about the same price with the current exchange rate).
Back-to-School Bonus
In the spirit of back-to-school season, I want to try something new. I will send a DonorsChoose.org $25 gift card to the first 10 people who forward their Vitamix machine order confirmation email to bonus@joyofblending.com (for orders placed in August 2016 using promotion code 06-007021). DonorsChoose is a top-rated charity that allows you to fund supplies for classrooms in need, and you get to choose the classroom.
More about the Vitamix Sale
For anyone on the fence about buying a Vitamix, now’s the time to come on over! Or maybe you want a second Vitamix: think about being able to blend up awesome smoothies and soups in your work kitchen. Or is there someone else in your life who could use a Vitamix?
This Standard Programs model has three preset modes (smoothies, soups, and frozen desserts), plus variable speed control and a pulse switch. It has the full-size, commercial-grade, 1380-watt, 2-peak-horsepower motor, and it comes with a 64-oz container, tamper, and cookbook. For more details about how it relates to other Vitamix models, you can check out my Vitamix comparison page.
Certified Reconditioned Vitamix models are guaranteed to be as good as new, and they come with the same level of warranty support as new machines (just for 5 instead of 7 years on this model). If the difference in warranty is an issue for you, you can buy a 3-year warranty extension for $75, and still come out way ahead.
The only possible reason to pass on Reconditioned is if you are getting a gift for someone who you do not know well enough to explain the value of Vitamix Certified Reconditioned to. Someone who does not know the whole story could see Certified Reconditioned on the box and think you were cheaping out. However, once it’s out of the box, no one will know. And with this sale, you would be paying less than half as much as someone buying new.
This deal is scheduled to run through the end of September. However, at this price, they may sell out before then. Especially if you care which color you get, I’d advise not waiting too long. If you end up changing your mind about your purchase, you can send it back within the first 30 days for a full refund, and Vitamix even pays for return shipping.
So I took the plunge this last month and purchased a 5200 Certified Reconditioned – it arrived and I’ve been very pleased with it (didn’t think the programs were worth the price) – but this sticks me in a pickle and is really frustrating – I’m within 30 days of the purchase – so should I run a return and purchase this model for $100 cheaper – or stick with what I’ve got? Is there any greater chance of failure with the program model?
I do not think the program model has a higher chance of failure. I’ve never heard of anything going wrong with the programs, and beyond that, the hardware is the same. As for what you should do, I’d recommend calling up Vitamix and seeing if they’ll make you an offer. I have no idea what they’ll say, but it seems like it would be in their interest to make a deal with you to avoid paying for two way shipping and more order processing (I just don’t know if the person you speak to will be authorized to make you an offer). I think you still got a good deal—this current deal is just better.