Latest news with #Vitamix
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Costco adds famous name brands (and those brands aren't happy)
Going to Costco is never the same experience twice. Of course, you'll always find the same staples like detergent and dog food, eggs and meat, but I've yet to walk out of a Costco without at least one item that wasn't on my list. I have never set out with a plan to buy sheets, towels, or a Vitamix at Costco, yet somehow all of these items have found their way into my cart. The treasure hunt element of a Costco visit is one of the things that makes it so much fun. I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter So you've been warned: if the price is right, that patio pergola you didn't know you needed just might find its way into the back of your SUV. While Costco always has most of the groceries and household goods shoppers expect, the company also strives to keep things interesting with seasonal products like that pergola or camping essentials. Costco doesn't just throw caution to the wind when it adds special products, however. The company's stated priority makes it clear: "Our mission and our business is to continually provide members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible price," said Costco CEO Ron Vachris at a talk he gave at Seattle University in March. Costco's return policy is legendary, so you can bet the company isn't going to gamble by selling garbage that customers end up returning for refunds. Image source: Shutterstock Cost is key, but quality comes in a close second at Costco, even in the clothing department. In every Costco, there is a huge section of clothing that sometimes includes legacy brand names like Frye or Levi's. And there is also always plenty of Kirkland-branded clothing. But sometimes Costco management decides it's better to let the brands speak for themselves. That's the case with the new Saks Fifth Avenue collaboration. Related: Costco puts famous New York City brand on shelves Costco will soon carry a line of men's apparel made by Centric Brands in collaboration with Saks Fifth Avenue; a women's line is also expected, according to a report in WWD, Centric Brands has a deep roster of well-known upscale brands, including Joe's Jeans, Buffalo, and Izod. Last year Saks formed a joint venture with Authentic Brands Group, which licenses dozens of well-known brands, ranging from Barneys New York, Judith Leiber Couture, Hervé Léger, and Vince. The Saks/Costco collab is thought to be part of this new venture. Related: Costco vs. Sam's Club: Memberships & product prices compared The presence of the Saks Fifth Avenue name at Costco is causing concern among some of Saks' current vendors. Several brands that sell through Saks say the partnership could damage the upscale image the department store has long cultivated. "You can't take a prestigious name like Saks and put it into Costco," said one vendor who regularly does business with Saks, according to the WWD report. He believes this move could further erode the retailer's high-end reputation. "They're trying to monetize the trademark," he added, expressing frustration that the Saks brand might lose its exclusive appeal. The vendor also questioned whether shoppers would still associate Saks with luxury if they begin seeing its name on display at a value-focused warehouse club. Related: Costco members need to know these shopping secrets "Where is luxury going?" he asked, highlighting the growing tension between prestige branding and mass-market exposure. Meanwhile, Saks has been expanding its e-commerce footprint through a new partnership with Amazon. Earlier this year, it launched Saks on Amazon, a dedicated storefront on Amazon's Luxury Stores platform. More retail: Aldi releases viral Trader Joe's item that is always out of stock Home Depot, Lowe's rivals strategic growth planTrader Joe's making huge mistake not copying Walmart, Target The online boutique debuted with a curated selection of designer labels, including Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Etro, Stella McCartney, Giambattista Valli, Erdem, Fear of God, Jason Wu Collection, Rosetta Getty, and Johanna Ortiz. High-end beauty brands such as Chantecaille and La Prairie also joined the online boutique. Saks is likely just looking for a way to survive. Like every other retailer on the planet, Saks has been closing stores, and earlier this year Saks Global shut down a fulfillment center in Tennessee resulting in 450 people losing their jobs. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Memorial Day kitchen deals are heating up: Score deep discounts on Yeti, Vitamix, Keurig and more
Hello, it's Yahoo's resident pro baker turned deals hunter reporting for duty. When Memorial Day Weekend rolls around, I can never decide what I'm more excited about — the food or the sales. On one hand, few things are as enjoyable as scarfing down a burger loaded with toppings (and a side of watermelon, please!). On the other, saving money gives me a serotonin boost that's hard to beat. Good thing I don't really have to choose. By tracking down the best Memorial Day kitchen deals, I can have my metaphorical cake and eat it that, my friends, is exactly what I've done. Memorial Day sales on brands from Vitamix to Yeti have already started, and to save you the trouble of sifting through the mediocre ones, I've handpicked my favorites. These are either products I use myself, or they're just really solid deals that I've bookmarked for my own shopping cart. Not all deals are created equal, but by enlisting the help of price trackers and comparing sales across retailers, I've vetted each item on this list — non-legit discounts need not course, sales don't last forever, so if you see something that catches your eye, I'd advise snagging it while you can. Oh, and I'll be updating this list with more finds throughout the holiday, so be sure to check back often. And with that, happy saving (and savoring)! If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
New York Times
08-05-2025
- New York Times
The Best Blender
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter This high-performance machine is worth the investment if you use a blender regularly to make things like thick smoothies, pureed soups, or motor-taxing nut butters. The Vitamix 5200 offers the best performance you can get in a home blender. This model has been one of our favorite blenders since 2014, and it's the classic Vitamix that has remained the standard for pro chefs and blender enthusiasts. It produced the most consistently good results across all of the tests, and this blender was the most delightful to use. The Vitamix 5200 consistently blended more gracefully than any other blender. The combination of the jar's shape and the motor strength created a vortex that pulled ingredients down into the blades with ease. It also made some of the smoothest smoothies in our tests. Though the prize for the absolute smoothest drinks went to the Cleanblend Blender, the difference between drinks made in the Cleanblend and the Vitamix was marginal. The smoothie made in the Vitamix had just a few more whole raspberry seeds. The Vitamix 5200 excelled at nut butters and mayo. This blender was the only model we tested that smoothly blended peanuts and almonds into butter. Other picks spit bits of mayo up the sides of the jar and out the lid's center hole. But the Vitamix kept the mixture moving smoothly and evenly around the base of the blade. It had the best range of speeds. The Vitamix 5200's low is really low, and this blender produces a noticeable shift as you advance through each number. This range of speeds made the Vitamix the best blender we tested for hot liquids: You can start at a lazy swirl and gradually increase the speed so that hot liquid is less likely to shoot up toward the lid. By comparison, on its lowest setting, the Cleanblend has a forceful start, which increases the chances of a painful eruption of hot soup. We pitted a Blendtec blender against a Vitamix model in a series of head-to-head tests, and the winner was clear: Vitamix beat Blendtec every time. The Vitamix 5200's tamper helps it blend really fast. A tamper is essential for breaking up air pockets and pushing ingredients down toward the blade while the machine is running. By keeping the ingredients moving with the tamper, we were able to whip up a smoothie in less than 60 seconds. When we used models that didn't have a tamper, we often needed to stop the blender to burst air pockets or scrape ingredients down the sides of the jar with a spatula. In some cases, we also had to add more water to the smoothie to get all of the ingredients to move around the blades. So it took longer to blend a smoothie in those machines—often with more-watery results. The Vitamix 5200 lacks preset speeds, but its variable speed control was the smoothest and most pleasant to use among all the blenders we tried. Photo: Michael Murtaugh Its Tritan-plastic jar is sturdy and comfortable to hold. And in the five years we used ours in Wirecutter's test kitchen, it also remained clear and free of cracks. It's easy to clean. Just blend 8 ounces of hot tap water with a couple drops of dish soap for about 30 seconds, and then rinse out the jar. And it's quieter than others we tested. No high-powered blender could be described as quiet, but we found the Vitamix's noise to be quieter than other models we tested. The Vitamix 5200 is equipped with an automatic-shutoff feature. Should its motor overheat, this keeps it from burning out. In our experience, this blender should be able to handle a lot before it gets to that point. But if yours does shut off, it's best to let the machine rest for an hour before you try to use it again. It's backed by a seven-year warranty. This softens the blow of spending $400 on a blender. According to Vitamix's customer service, the approximate time between filing a claim and receiving your blender back in working order (or a certified refurb) is six to 10 days. For an additional fee, you can buy a three-year extended warranty for the 5200. Attachments for the Vitamix 5200 Pictured with the Vitamix 5200 base, from left to right: stainless steel blending pitcher, personal blender attachment with cup, personal blending cup with to-go lid. Photo: Michael Murtaugh In 2022, we tested some attachments that are available (as separate purchases) for the Vitamix 5200: the Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter and a 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher. We tested the Personal Cup Adapter package (which includes two 20-ounce double-walled blending cups with lids and an adapter fitted with blades) against our personal blender picks. The Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter works just as well as the personal blenders we recommend. In our tests, it performed on a par with both models at pureeing vibrant kale pesto, silky date shakes, and thick smoothies. The trade-off is that the tapered cup is small, with a capacity that's 12 ounces less than the Nutribullet's. And the bottom is quite narrow, so if you want to maximize the Personal Cup Adapter's blending capacity, you need to be strategic about filling the cup (tiny fruit first, chunkier fruit later). By comparison, the Nutribullet has wide cylindrical blending containers that can accommodate large chunks of fruit and ice, no matter how you load them. If you already own a 5200, it's convenient to get the adapter instead of another standalone personal blender. But you have to weigh that convenience against the cost: Compared with our recommendations in our standalone personal blender guide, the Vitamix adapter is more expensive than our top pick. If you're looking for an alternative to a plastic jar, consider the Vitamix 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher. The advantages to stainless steel are that it doesn't stain or retain smells. But the 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher has less capacity than the full-size, 64-ounce plastic container that comes with the 5200. And like other low-profile blending containers, the stainless steel jar also works best when it's at least one-quarter full. That said, in our tests it easily blended a thick, 24-ounce berry-kale smoothie, with few seeds left whole. How the Vitamix 5200 has held up This Vitamix 5200 continues to work (and look) great after being in regular use since 2019. Photo: Marguerite Preston Editorial director Marguerite Preston has used her Vitamix 5200 on a weekly basis since 2019, and she says it's held up great. Her family uses it mainly to make smoothies, herb-based sauces, and the occasional batch of oatmeal-banana pancakes. We also used a Vitamix 5200 in our test kitchen for five years and had nothing but excellent results. It finally did burn out, but only after we put it through strenuous use over the course of many tests for this guide and others. Still, it easily outlasted other blenders, and it made many more (and better) batches of nut butter and extra-thick smoothies before we pushed it to its limit. Since our Vitamix was still under warranty when it burned out, we contacted customer service, and the representatives promptly replaced it. Christine Cyr Clisset, deputy editor and author of a previous version of this guide, said she finally bought herself a refurbished Vitamix 5200 after years of long-term testing various Wirecutter blender picks. Christine said the first five (or so) times she used her 5200, she noticed a slight burning smell while making her morning smoothies. During a call with customer service, she learned that when you're blending a thick smoothie, Vitamix recommends that you start the blender at the lowest variable speed setting, and then immediately turn the dial to 10—while vigorously tamping at the same time. Christine had been starting on low and then very gradually increasing the speed, likely stressing the motor. She reports that the burning smell has subsided since she's followed the advice from Vitamix. Flaws but not dealbreakers For many people, the biggest issue with the Vitamix 5200 is its steep price. This blender is normally at least twice the price of our runner-up, the Oster Versa. But after years of testing and using the Vitamix 5200, we find that it's more durable and overall more effective than any other blender we've tried. You can save some money on a Vitamix if you opt for a certified-refurbished model. A certified reconditioned Vitamix comes with a five-year warranty (with an option to extend coverage three more years, for an additional $75). At more than 20 inches tall, the Vitamix 5200 is a big appliance. It's too tall to fit under some kitchen cabinets. If size is an issue, and you're willing to give up some of the functionality you get from a tall, tapered jar, Vitamix makes other blenders (as mentioned below) that have a shorter profile. The Vitamix 5200 doesn't come with any presets, just a variable-speed dial. However, even though it's nice to be able to press a button and have your blender run through a smoothie-making program, this is not really essential. You'll probably stick close to your blender anyway, in order to use the tamper to get things moving, and it's not hard to adjust the dial if you feel the need to. With this blender, it's also easy to get good results without any presets.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing "Expensive" Adult Purchases That They'd Actually Recommend, Despite The Price Tag
There's nothing quite like finding a good bargain, but some purchases in life are well worth splurging on. Well, someone on Reddit asked, "What's a stupidly expensive adult purchase that you now swear by that you would buy again in a heartbeat?" 1."Definitely my electric bike. I never thought I would spend nearly three thousand bucks on a bike, but it's the best investment I've made while living in a city with horrendous public transit." —Free_spirit1022 2."A smart toilet with a built-in bidet, blow dryer, and seat warmer. It's incredible." —CaniacGoji 3."Not sure if it counts as a purchase, per sé, but I got laser eye surgery almost 20 years ago and it was definitely the best money I ever spent on myself!" —damjamdes 4."A Zojirushi rice cooker. We bought one as our Christmas present to ourselves. I'm Never. Going. Back. I thought the $15 rice cooker from Walgreens was hot shit when we moved in together. Zojirushi is in a whole different ball game." —Ascholay 5."Professional movers. It's the greatest luxury I've ever spent money on." —Ruockingrocks 6."Hearing aids. My mom refused to use them. We finally got her to use NHS ones, but she hated them and hardly ever wore them. My sister and I took her to a private appointment and got her new ones that, while expensive, have completely changed her life. She went from not taking part in conversations or going out, to back being the life of the party. If and when I need them, I will be getting them." —ubiquitous_uk 7."As a parent, a minivan. The space difference between a minivan and an SUV is real. Any stroller fits. Grocery always fit, even if I forgot the stroller in. Car seats have enough space for adults to sit comfortably between them (long car rides are much easier). Sliding doors mean the kids aren't banging into other cars. And great perks like folding into the floor third row means I always have seating or storage space when needed. That row also turns toward the back, a great seat for parades." —Wizardry_Inspector 8."A tankless water heater. Unlimited hot water is a game changer." —hippos_rool 9.I paid $80 for three pairs of socks because I didn't look at the price (big, thick merino wool ones I wear with my work boots). I just comfortably assumed I could happily afford it. That was about 6 years ago, and I've just had to get rid of the first pair. Worth every penny." —andy11123 10."I have a $700 blender. It is incredible. I can make peanut butter, smoothies, and even soup and sauces. It's a Vitamix and it is worth every cent." —Justalittleoutside9 11."A monthly cleaning service!!!! Best non-required use of my money to date." —PetuniasSmellNice 12."An expensive pillow. Get one that's on the firm side and can support your neck and head much better than your cheap, average pillow. Waking up without a stiff neck or slight pain is much better than feeling uncomfortable first thing in the morning." —yakusokuN8 13."A good quality set of stainless steel pots and pans. They make a world of difference in cook quality, and they have been the best investment I've ever made in the kitchen. I make it a point to care for them so I know I'll have them for 10-20 years." —Sarahnovaaa 14."As a woman, decent bras. The outlay is painful up front, but the whole point is that nothing afterwards is. You'll experience no wires digging into your skin, no weird cup spills, no loosening throughout the day, no exposed wires after a week, and no torn hooks after a couple of washes. Buy a good bra. You deserve it. Your girls deserve it. Your back deserves it." —Whollie 15."A hotel room right next to or in the airport for the night before the flight home, especially if it's a relatively long flight. I did this before a nine-hour flight where I checked out of the hotel and walked less than one minute through a tunnel that led me directly into the airport. Eliminating the hassle of getting transportation to the airport is a luxury I will always try to budget for." —Charming-Ad-2381 16."Good shoes and coats for my children. I've made myself a promise that no matter how old they are, anytime they want good shoes and a coat, I'll buy it for them. No questions asked." —JezusHairdo 17."A high-end mattress, like, borderline do-I-need-to-finance this? Expensive. I used to think any mattress would do, but once I got one that actually supported my back and kept me cool at night? Life changing. I sleep like a pampered cat now. No regrets." —velvetfairydust 18."A Dyson vacuum, the cordless kind. I had to think twice before they were two to three times the price of other brands. I used to hate vacuuming because I hated managing the power cord, but now it's just soooo convenient, I have no excuse not to grab it off the wall for even random spot cleaning." —kingtz 19."A breast reduction. It was worth EVERY penny. In fact, I'm getting a second one as soon as I'm done having kids (I got my first before kids). Can't wait!" —TeaspoonRiot 20."A snowblower. Why spend two hours shovelling when I can spend 20 minutes and $10 in gas?" —ShadowCatDLL 21."Wife and I recently flew to Europe for a holiday cruise, and we splurged on the highest level of first class with sleeping pods. It was ridiculously expensive, but it was100% worth it." —ObjectReport 22."A Kitchen Aid mixer. These things are built like absolute tanks. All you have to do is pick one up, and you know it would have the power to rip your arm off. My grandmother had one from the 1950s, and it still works and looks like brand new." —DrTenochtitlan Do you have one to add? What is an expensive adult purchase that was entirely worth it? Tell us in the comments on in this anonymous form.
Buzz Feed
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Buzz Feed
People Are Sharing "Expensive" Adult Purchases That They'd Actually Recommend, Despite The Price Tag
There's nothing quite like finding a good bargain, but some purchases in life are well worth splurging on. Well, someone on Reddit asked, "What's a stupidly expensive adult purchase that you now swear by that you would buy again in a heartbeat?" 1. "Definitely my electric bike. I never thought I would spend nearly three thousand bucks on a bike, but it's the best investment I've made while living in a city with horrendous public transit." 2. "A smart toilet with a built-in bidet, blow dryer, and seat warmer. It's incredible." 4. "A Zojirushi rice cooker. We bought one as our Christmas present to ourselves. I'm Never. Going. Back. I thought the $15 rice cooker from Walgreens was hot shit when we moved in together. Zojirushi is in a whole different ball game." 5. "Professional movers. It's the greatest luxury I've ever spent money on." 6. "Hearing aids. My mom refused to use them. We finally got her to use NHS ones, but she hated them and hardly ever wore them. My sister and I took her to a private appointment and got her new ones that, while expensive, have completely changed her life. She went from not taking part in conversations or going out, to back being the life of the party. If and when I need them, I will be getting them." 7. "As a parent, a minivan. The space difference between a minivan and an SUV is real. Any stroller fits. Grocery always fit, even if I forgot the stroller in. Car seats have enough space for adults to sit comfortably between them (long car rides are much easier). Sliding doors mean the kids aren't banging into other cars. And great perks like folding into the floor third row means I always have seating or storage space when needed. That row also turns toward the back, a great seat for parades." 9. I paid $80 for three pairs of socks because I didn't look at the price (big, thick merino wool ones I wear with my work boots). I just comfortably assumed I could happily afford it. That was about 6 years ago, and I've just had to get rid of the first pair. Worth every penny." — andy11123 10. "I have a $700 blender. It is incredible. I can make peanut butter, smoothies, and even soup and sauces. It's a Vitamix and it is worth every cent." 11. "A monthly cleaning service!!!! Best non-required use of my money to date." 12. "An expensive pillow. Get one that's on the firm side and can support your neck and head much better than your cheap, average pillow. Waking up without a stiff neck or slight pain is much better than feeling uncomfortable first thing in the morning." 13. "A good quality set of stainless steel pots and pans. They make a world of difference in cook quality, and they have been the best investment I've ever made in the kitchen. I make it a point to care for them so I know I'll have them for 10-20 years." 14. "As a woman, decent bras. The outlay is painful up front, but the whole point is that nothing afterwards is. You'll experience no wires digging into your skin, no weird cup spills, no loosening throughout the day, no exposed wires after a week, and no torn hooks after a couple of washes. Buy a good bra. You deserve it. Your girls deserve it. Your back deserves it." 15. "A hotel room right next to or in the airport for the night before the flight home, especially if it's a relatively long flight. I did this before a nine-hour flight where I checked out of the hotel and walked less than one minute through a tunnel that led me directly into the airport. Eliminating the hassle of getting transportation to the airport is a luxury I will always try to budget for." — Charming-Ad-2381 16. "Good shoes and coats for my children. I've made myself a promise that no matter how old they are, anytime they want good shoes and a coat, I'll buy it for them. No questions asked." 17. "A high-end mattress, like, borderline do-I-need-to-finance this? Expensive. I used to think any mattress would do, but once I got one that actually supported my back and kept me cool at night? Life changing. I sleep like a pampered cat now. No regrets." 18. "A Dyson vacuum, the cordless kind. I had to think twice before they were two to three times the price of other brands. I used to hate vacuuming because I hated managing the power cord, but now it's just soooo convenient, I have no excuse not to grab it off the wall for even random spot cleaning." 20. "A snowblower. Why spend two hours shovelling when I can spend 20 minutes and $10 in gas?" — ShadowCatDLL 21. "Wife and I recently flew to Europe for a holiday cruise, and we splurged on the highest level of first class with sleeping pods. It was ridiculously expensive, but it was100% worth it." 22. "A Kitchen Aid mixer. These things are built like absolute tanks. All you have to do is pick one up, and you know it would have the power to rip your arm off. My grandmother had one from the 1950s, and it still works and looks like brand new."
