Vintage Vitamix - - How much $$$ did you pay ?

14 years ago

I am trying to find out how much a Vita mix cost when they originally came out. Do you have a vintage Vita-mix ... like the Sidewinder, 3600, 3600 plus, or 4000 ? Or maybe your parents have one they have owned since 1970 ? I want to know ... how much did it cost originally, what model was it, and what year (approx) was it purchased ?

Those who have different models or who bought theirs used, feel free to chime in as well.

Thanks for your help.

Featured Answer

aliris19

14 years ago

Seems the prices are going down! For reference, I just bought one for $400 at Costco and another $100 for the dry grind carafe. Not that I'd call that cheap still, but I've been "prorating" the cost for each time I use it and it's pretty darn cheap already. While expensive that's one desirable appliance, IMO; I wish I had bought it 30 years ago. Strong, easy to operate and clean. As a function of utility, it's not all that expensive.

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Comments (13)

darbuka
14 years ago
We have the 3600. Solid steel throughout. Works as good today
as it did then.

DH thinks we paid around $250/$300. Can't be sure though, as
the receipt is long gone.
darbuka
14 years ago
Oh, you wanted to know when it was purchased. 1976, or thereabouts.
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cooksnsews
14 years ago
I bought a 3600+ in around 1985. It set me back a whopping CDN$600. But it's still working like new. I make a smoothie almost every morning.
angela12345
Original Author
14 years ago
Holy mackerel, and I thought they were expensive now. If you count for inflation, they have actually come down in price ! The price of something at $250 in 1976 calculated for inflation would be about $1000 now. The Canadian one is a little harder to figure ... the exchange rate in 1985 ranged between 1.3-1.4, so CDN600 was about $430-460 US, which would be about $920-980 US now. I cannot imagine paying the equivalent of $1000 for a blender in 1976 !!!

A little over a year ago, I got 2 great deals on used Vitamixes ... The first was a 5000 model for $100 off of Craigslist. The second was a 3600 model for $10 from a yard sale. Neither of them came with owner manuals. The 3600 we keep at the beach and many people have told me they want one since they tried ours (we have perfected our pina colada recipe and mango daiquiri recipe at the beach : ). I have been on the lookout, but have been having a hard time matching those deals.

Anyone else remember what they originally paid for their Vitamix back in the 60s 70s 80s ? Year, model, and price ?
aliris19
14 years ago
Just call the company: 800-848-2649. They're very nice and still same-family owned; I'm sure they can tell you. The website might have the information as well. I thought they'd been around for far longer than 1970... yeah, 1937.
jakkom
14 years ago
My mother bought one in the early '70's, I think. $500. She used to give Vitamix demonstrations. One day she forgot to cover it and the ceiling got covered in Mexican avocado soup!
aliris19
14 years ago
I'm not sure whether the OP is even interested in acquiring one of these now or maybe just wondering about the "fidelity" of their long-term investment ;) But if you're in the market and wanting it cheaper, try the website for reconditioned ones. They're waranteed and as these things are such work horses I wouldn't hesitate getting one from the manufacturer, refurbished. YMMV.
Michelle Meacham
11 years ago
I just found this post and know it's kind of old so you may not get this comment -- but, I also just found a 1930's Vitamix with printed info, and it sold for $39.95 :)
S.
5 years ago
I have the 3600 plus that I paid only $3.00 from a thrift store two years ago. I absolutely love it!!
Patricia Bell
last year
Wow $3! What a steal. I've been looking all over the web because I distinctly remember that the Vitamix could go easily for over $1,000 in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's what I remember.
sushipup2
last year
Following "Patricia Bell"
Angela12345
9 months ago
OP here, thanks for the "new" comments haha !

Still have those 2 vitamixes and later found a 3600 Plus but don't remember how much it was, it was sometime around 10-13 years ago. We ended up getting a small ski condo (back when the real estate market took a dive) and have the 3600 plus there. Mom & stepfather have a 5200 that I guess I will inherit one day. All of them are still going like gang busters. Amazingly long-lasting appliance.