Reply #5: Until I got mine. I would have agreed with you

[The empressof all]

Honestly, there really is nothing near comparable except maybe the blend tech which is just as pricey. The vita mix goes well beyond your average smoothie making blender. For those like me with medical needs it has been a life saver. I do whole foods juicing and am able to make "raw" soups and my daily green smoothie. This machine will liquify apples and other hard fruits and veggies as well as make a fresh pina colada from raw fruit.

They are expensive. But there us really nothing else like them. I know that some lucky folks can find them at goodwill but it's like finding a needle in a hay stack. Even the old ones on e bay are spendy. They last forever though.