>The one I have my eye on now is a Hamilton-Beach Tango bar blender for $279.
>I'm appalled that I have to spend that much, but it seems like you need to
>get into commercial quality and prices. Although I'm trying to do it
>without going to the $4-500 VitaMix or BlendTec territory.
>

> I'm rather hooked on pina coladas but I'm burning up blenders in the
> process. I make them with Bacardi mix as per the directions on the can
> (mix, half a can of rum, ice in the blender) but I've burned out 2 blenders
> making a small number of these in the last year.
>
> The first was an admittedly cheapie blender, but the last one was a "Waring
> Bar Blender" that cost $130. The motor was smoking after 8-10 pitchers
> (over 2 months). The store took it back with shock and amazement that I
> managed to burn it out through such light use -- I never jammed the lid on
> or seized the motor, either.
>
> I upgraded ($200) to a VillaWare Infinity, but test-driving it with a 1/3 of
> a pitcher of ice and water, I was unimpressed with its mixing ability and
> the fact that the blade seized. I returned it.
>
> The one I have my eye on now is a Hamilton-Beach Tango bar blender for $279.
> I'm appalled that I have to spend that much, but it seems like you need to
> get into commercial quality and prices. Although I'm trying to do it
> without going to the $4-500 VitaMix or BlendTec territory. ...

> <http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0005934514160a&
> type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=blender+&N=
> 4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=blender+&noImage=0>
>
> Enjoy.

> "Howard Beale" gmail.com> wrote:
>

>>The one I have my eye on now is a Hamilton-Beach Tango bar blender for
>>$279.
>>I'm appalled that I have to spend that much, but it seems like you need to
>>get into commercial quality and prices. Although I'm trying to do it
>>without going to the $4-500 VitaMix or BlendTec territory.
>>

>
> Looks like you can get a VitaMix for under $400 (although not by much)
> by buying a reconditioned unit:
>
> http://www.vitamix.com/household/products/super5000/reconchoice.html
>
> I bought a new one about 7 years ago (much against my better
> judgement, but I was overruled :) ) and wouldn't part with it.
> ------------------------------------------------------
> David Eastwood - ...

> If you belong to Costco, they have a demonstration now and then on their
> models and they are for sale at the demonstration. I believe the prices
> and latest models are excellent. I can't recall what the prices are, but
> they certainly aren't near the price when buying them elsewhere -- but I
> could be wrong, and if so, some will set me straight ;-))
> Dee Dee

>
> "Dee Dee" shentel.net> wrote in message
> news:fai1hh$b3$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>

>> If you belong to Costco, they have a demonstration now and then on their
>> models and they are for sale at the demonstration. I believe the prices
>> and latest models are excellent. I can't recall what the prices are, but
>> they certainly aren't near the price when buying them elsewhere -- but I
>> could be wrong, and if so, some will set me straight ;-))
>> Dee Dee

>
> A friend belongs and I tag along from time to time. I can't comment on
> their bulk food pricing (I buy gum...), but I haven't been overwhelmed
> with the pricing on other stuff. I will check these out, though...

> I'm rather hooked on pina coladas but I'm burning up blenders in the
> process. I make them with Bacardi mix as per the directions on the can
> (mix, half a can of rum, ice in the blender) but I've burned out 2
> blenders making a small number of these in the last year.
>
> The first was an admittedly cheapie blender, but the last one was a
> "Waring Bar Blender" that cost $130. The motor was smoking after 8-10
> pitchers (over 2 months). The store took it back with shock and amazement
> that I managed to burn it out through such light use -- I never jammed the
> lid on or seized the motor, either.
>
> I upgraded ($200) to a VillaWare Infinity, but test-driving it with a 1/3
> of a pitcher of ice and water, I was unimpressed with its mixing ability
> and the fact that the blade seized. I returned it.
>
> The one I have my eye on now is a Hamilton-Beach Tango bar blender for
> $279. I'm appalled that I have to spend that much, but it seems like you
> need to get into commercial quality and prices. Although I'm trying to do ...

>"Howard Beale" gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:13cpud637uhdhe1@corp.supernews.com...

>> A friend belongs and I tag along from time to time. I can't comment on
>> their bulk food pricing (I buy gum...), but I haven't been overwhelmed
>> with the pricing on other stuff. I will check these out, though.

>Yeah, it's amazing the people that are so underwhelmed about Costco's
>pricing, but they like their prices when -- oh, well ....

>
> I wish we had Costco here, but I'm doing ok with BJ's (I refuse to
> shop at Sam's or Walmart), especially the meat and coffee and toilet
> paper, just to name a few staples I buy there. Plus I share the
> membership with a former colleague who lives nowhere near me. :)