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Everyone looks out for the best of things in life. From everyday needs to appliances around the house, you need only the best options. This way, you don’t need to complain all the time or replace your gadgets frequently. This goes for blenders, too, of course.
Kitchen owners know how important it is to have a top-of-the-line blender. However, brand new blenders from a top manufacturer like Vitamix is pretty expensive and may be over your budget. So, are you comfortable spending over $400 on a Vitamix blender? Or will you prefer a cheaper alternative to get your hands on one?
Well, if you want to buy a Vitamix blender for a lower price, you’re in luck! Vitamix offers refurbished blenders that are just as effective as their newer counterparts. However, most people ask, are refurbished Vitamix blenders worth it? Can a reconditioned Vitamix last as long as a brand-new unit? This article will cover all the details you need to know to decide whether it is worth purchasing one yourself.
What is a Certified Reconditioned or Refurbished Vitamix Blender?
In simple terms, a reconditioned or refurbished Vitamix blender is a used or serviced unit that has passed a 17-point quality assessment checklist to certify that the blender meets the required standards for a certified reconditioned blender.
Certified reconditioned Vitamix blenders get a new 5-year warranty and all the benefits you can expect from the brand. Although these benders are not as expensive as brand new ones, they’re not exactly cheap either. Also, there are two categories of refurbished Vitamix blenders:
Returned Units
Returned units make up for most of the reconditioned Vitamix blenders you can find on the market. Now and then, customers buy a Vitamix but decide they want a different model or color. Thanks to Vitamix’s 30-day money-back guarantee and a free shipping option, customers can quickly revert their original purchase.
Vitamix can’t sell returned units as new any longer because the initial factory-sealed box has already been opened. So, all the units returned to Vitamix get refurbished or reconditioned before they hit the shelves again.
Display or Demonstration Units
As part of marketing campaigns, Vitamix representatives usually conduct live demonstrations for customers. For these demonstrations, Vitamix makes units store owners can use to show off the power and functionality of the models. At the end of the display, these units remain in excellent condition, and they eventually get sold.
The Refurbishing and Reconditioning Process
There are various Vitamix models that you can purchase as refurbished or reconditioned models, including the Vitamix 780, Vitamix Pro 500, and 750. With Vitamix, the process of reconditioning its units involves a strict 17-point inspection. However, only the base and blade assembly are refurbished. Vitamix replaces all other blender parts and accessories with brand new ones.
One thing you need to know is that reconditioned Vitamix models are only available based on returns and display units. This means that even if you have a Vitamix model in mind, you may have to settle for what’s in stock.
Finally, once a Vitamix blender is refurbished or reconditioned, the company performs two more quality control inspections and ensures it passes the 17-point checklist before it gets to a customer. Every reconditioned Vitamix blender is assembled and refurbished by hand at the company’s factory in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Difference Between New and Refurbished Vitamix Blenders
Although new and reconditioned Vitamix blenders share the same power and efficiency, there are a couple of differences between the two. These differences include:
Refurbished Vitamix Units Have Different Packages
If you purchase a certified reconditioned Vitamix, your unit will come in a new packaging that indicates a refurbished unit. This makes it easy to spot refurbished Vitamix.
However, beyond the different packaging, a refurbished Vitamix is similar to a brand new one. It still comes packed with a cookbook, DVD, and a new tamper.
Refurbished Vitamix Blenders Come With a 5-year Warranty
Instead of the standard 7-year warranty that brand new Vitamix blenders are covered with, reconditioned models come with just a new 5-year warranty. However, the warranty policy isn’t different.
A reconditioned Vitamix’s warranty covers performance, labor, and all the parts. So, if any part or accessory needs repair or replacement within the period of your warranty, Vitamix won’t charge you anything. Also, the company covers the cost of shipping.
However, if you need more coverage, you can purchase an additional 3-Year Extended warranty for reconditioned units at an extra cost.
Where Can You Buy Reconditioned Vitamix Blenders?
Contrary to what some people may think, it is not so difficult to get your hands on a refurbished Vitamix blender. For example, one of the easiest and most convenient ways to purchase a reconditioned unit is to check Amazon. All the available products are listed, so you can easily find the model you are interested in.
However, not all models are available as reconditioned units. If you don’t know which Vitamix blender you should buy, you can consider some highly-rated refurbished models such as Vitamix 5300, Vitamix 780, Vitamix A2500, or Vitamix Explorian blender. As we said, reconditioned Vitamix blenders are just as effective as brand-new units so that you won’t be missing out on anything.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on brand new Vitamix blenders because you want to enjoy the functionality of a top-tier blender. Thankfully, there are a couple of reconditioned or refurbished units that you can purchase for a lower price.
Reconditioned Vitamix blenders are ideal for you if you don’t want to settle for standard blenders that cost less than $100 but can’t break the bank for brand new premium Vitamix models priced over $400. The refurbished Vitamix is just as effective and durable as new units.
Additionally, any certified reconditioned Vitamix blender you purchase is covered by a 5-year warranty which is an excellent indicator that you are getting great value for your money. So, if you’re still thinking twice about purchasing a reconditioned Vitamix, don’t. Buy one at almost half the price of a brand new Vitamix, and enjoy the same level of functionality and quality.
