comments on BlendTec warranty, from me and BlendTec . . . part 1 of 2
I read some comments about BlendTec and VitaMix warranties on my blog when I returned from my long vacation. You can easily read the 7 reasons why I chose to promote the BlendTec Total Blender, instead of VitaMix (though I own both), here: https://greensmoothiegirl.com/favorite-things/tools/blenders/. Okay, it’s really 6 reasons, because the last one is pretty stupid. But I’m adding another one (as soon as my newly hired webmaster comes on), and that is how much easier it is to get stuff out of the bottom of the BlendTec canister! (I always wasted stuff using the VM, which is terribly narrow at the bottom where the blades are.)
If I wanted to, I could promote both companies on this site. I’m going to focus on the positives of the one I chose rather than the negatives of any other. I have a strong conviction about the integrity of BlendTec, a company headquartered here near my home. I know the employees all the way up to David Beck, the president, and worked with one of the authors of the “Will It Blend” campaign when we were both fresh out of college. These folks are phenomenal, on a perpetual quest to provide the best products in the world in the home appliance industry. When I send David an email with a question, I get a phone call from him within five minutes.
About the warranty, David Beck told me about a commercial shop he works with who says they burned out 20 VitaMix machines and only 2 BlendTec machines in the same time period. I believe it. Although I like my VitaMix (I have two of them, and owned them long before I found BlendTec), I have had to send mine in for repair a number of times. Not so my BlendTec machine. I like that the BlendTec automatic shutoff prevents the machine from burning up (I have burned up my VitaMix motor before, twice).
Dave says their experience is that if you are going to have a problem with your machine, it is right away, not three years after purchase. Comparing the length of the warranty on two different companies’ machines is somewhat pointless, since the machines are not equal. You need a long warranty if you’re not confident your purchase will last.
To address John’s confusion about limitations on the cycles within the warranty, which he recently posted, tomorrow I will post a memo BlendTec wrote me.
Posted in: Tools & Products
Awww, you’re so welcome, Leslee. I love doing it.
I just have to say that, it makes sense that if you were going to have problems that it would be right away. That would mean that they would have made a mistake in the manufacturing or something. If the problems were coming later then that would mean the machine was meant to break. (Like cars, that can only last so long) So I disagree with the statement that it wasn’t a good enough argument. If you’ve ever watched “Will it Blend?” then you know that BlendTec is a top of the line appliance.
Yeah, it’s a manufacturing phenomenon called “planned obsolescence.” You know how back in the 50’s, everything was made with steel and really durable materials (and things weren’t computerized), so they lasted forever. Now engineers have to choose materials to compete in a global economy, considering price AND longevity. So they look at a warranty of, say, 3 years, and they plan for materials and parts that last about 5 years!
I watch BlendTec. They seem to want to provide a product that will last many, many years–not just slightly longer than the warranty. Great company.
Robin,
If you are making the list open to those who are not part of the 12 step program then I too am interested in another jar.
I do have a quick question however. I looked at the BT website and I can only find the “64 oz” jar. The thing is – it looks to me to be the exact same jar as the one that came with my blender, I get 64 oz out of it when it is full. Is there a larger jar that is not available through their website? I’d like a 2nd regardless, but that particular question is perplexing me.
Thanks!
I’d be interested in trying one of these blenders—I have a bosch (and I KNOW it’s not as good as these or even close but it’s okay for NOW)–i also have a food processor…i was wondering if you have both–as in can you use the pulse to chop ANYTHING or does it not really do it nicely? (i wish they showed the chinky salsa up closer on the video)
The vm demo guy made recipes for diabetics and added cabbbage to the diet ice cream. I need recipes for my diet of complex carbs and less sugar.I like frozen stuff cause in san bernardino it is over 100 many days in the summer. I hope I can get this macine at target as it says they sell them. I think this machine works better.also what happened to mushrooms in the soup?or should they be added afterward on top? What comes with the machine? Cd, recipe book,etc? I am 62 and have lots of diet restrictions. Thanks
I bought my blendtec in May of 08 after reading that it was the best machine. Because I didn’t have much money, I got one for $269 off ebay, it was used for demos and was in brand new condition when I got it. It only had a year warranty. Well, for two days now it has said “watchdog timeout” I called blendtec and was told it was $180 or more to fix it. I am devastated, to the point that I have been crying. I have no idea what I am going to do without my blender. I’m a new mom (with a 2 month old, well, I have 6 kids) I need my smoothies. I can’t believe that I paid that much for something to have it break. I am considering a vitamix because I am so nervous now about a blendtec. I really don’t know when I will be in a financial position again to buy another blender, I’m devastated and totally dissapointed. My smoothie was one good thing I did everyday. I barely have money to buy food for my family, but I always tried to make sure I had some cheap spinach to get my smoothie in, and now I have no blender, cry, cry, cry….
Watchdog timeout: My machine won’t work and I was told it would cost me $185 for a basic repair. What can I do?????
PAM
Pam, which one, BT or VM? If it’s out of warranty, not sure what else you can do.