Yes, vitamix is double the price in Australia, search online!

I was told by Vitamix if you don't buy through an authorised dealer the warranty is invalid. Your home depot was about $195 cheaper than other places who are asking the recommended $1995, twice the price in the U.S! No wonder everybody is buying online and avoiding Australian retailers. I just don't want to void my warranty. Still procrastinating???

looked at the site for the Froothie Optimum 9200, it looks good, but I'm a bit wary as I haven't heard of them before, and it is still a lot of money. How does the noise compare to the Vitamix, would your friend please write a review?

I was all set to buy a Froothie till a lady on the forum I was on said it shorted out her power socket and was expensive to send for a service, despite having a good warranty.

Wow, a lot of info about the Optimum. Just got one a few months ago... very happy :) Been using Vitamix recipes from Youtube and getting the same results...which is great :) The brand is relatively new,,, but seems like a very good quality product. Will be getting 1 for my mum for Christmas. This thread is becoming more about the Optimum instead of the Vitamix, lol

In regards to the question about the noise, I was told it is much quieter than a Vitamix, but I haven't compare the 2 side-by-side. Someone should definitely film both blenders and compare them on Youtube

Would have loved the Vitamix but could not justify the $ currently. Went with the omniblend after reading a very favourable review compared to the Vitamix and Blendtec (on a website which actually sold the Vitamix) Sitting here waiting for the courier now. Will report back after testing

Wow, this blog has really gotten a lot of attention. As requested by tryingtobehelpful, I tried the Optimum 9200 at my friend's place Gin, comparing to the Vitamix, and to be honest I was very surprised. We made a chicken potato spinach soup and almond butter (used the Vitamix recipes online)… We both had a 2L jug, which was perfect for soups. we blended both at the same time for the same period of time… The difference was negligible; I tried to point out why mine is better and vice versa, but when her kids tried both they couldn't tell the difference, and we then agreed they were pretty much the same . She boasted her Optimum was higher speed, but that didn't make the soup any hotter so I don't think this will make a big difference. We tried the Almond butter, and again not much different. The only advantage she had was the automatic blending options, good for smoothies, her blender was also quieter, but still noisy. She also mane me ice cream (only had enough ingredients for 1), and again, very nice… I prefer the colour of my Vitmix (Red, she had a white Optimum), but regarding performance, I must say I am very impressed. Must do more testing, but the Optimum brand seems to have done a good job. Would love to see more reviews about the Optimum, might get it as a Christmas gift for my sister now..hope this helps everyone :)

Thank-you people for all the information, it has all been really helpful. realmc26, I will be very interested in your views on the Omniblend. Would the representative from Froothie, please give their honest opinion between the Optimum and the Omniblend, given the price differential?

Got the omniblend. very happy so far. And saved over $400 on the Vitamix!

Hi everyone, like most people I was impressed by Thermamix and Vitamix but could not justify paying thousands of dollars. I came across Optimum from Froothie and decided to purchase one for Christmas for my husband who is following a diet of no dairy, meat and a few other things. I made lots of milks - soy, cashew (sensational) and almond. It is so quick and a handful of nuts will give you 500ml of milk. I can't wait to try other recipes. I am most impressed with the excellent service and ongoing advice from Mirna and her team at Froothie. There will always be new and good products out there but for me, the support and prompt and friendly service tops it off! Thanks Froothie!!

Shirley (WA)

I'm tempted by the Omniblend, but was concerned about the jugs not being BPA free; (paranoid, I know, but these are from China.) The Omniblend Australia site says that BPA free jugs are coming.

external link 

I think I will buy one of these machines when the BPA free jugs are available with the machines.

BTW, do people blend up whole tomatoes, and do the machines pulverise the seeds and liquidize the skin. I make Neapolitana sauce and removing the skin and seeds is a pain.

Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Can you tell me about the ETA on the 2l jugs as standard with the purchase? Given the price differential I will probably go for the Pro Manual control version.

Hi Daniella! Glad you love your Vitamix! We are a small family business, have been selling Vitamix for over 17 years in Australia and are definitely not in the business of ripping customers off.

Yes Vitamix costs twice the price as in the USA however, they are different machines (different motors 240 volt and 120 volt- it's more involved than a simple adaptor plug) and can't be compared as the same machine. It costs Vitamix Corp. more to manufacture the 240v version which they produce in lower quantities. Then shipping and customs duties are added and our small mark up is added to make our business viable (honestly the mark up is much lower then other appliances on the market- especially products made in Asia).

There's an old saying... you pay for what you get...

Yes there are many Vitamix copycats out there (most likely made in China or Korea) but none that can compare to the quality and durability of Vitamix. Vitamix is made in the USA for over 90 years (a 4th generation family business) and is a leader in its class. That's why big businesses worldwide: McDonalds, Starbucks Coffee (just to name a few) choose to rely on Vitamix Products.

It's funny... most people don't flinch at spending $2-3000 on a big screen TV however to spend $800-1000 on a Vitamix seems expensive? I have owned a Vitamix for 17 years, I use it every single day, I've never had a problem with it and it's the greatest contributor to my healthy eating and living lifestyle- I couldn't live with out it.

I have a vitamix here in the USA but am relocating to Australia in a few months, after researching online to see how much it was going to cost to replace all my current electrical appliances, hair dryers, etc etc. I was shocked to find out that my vitamix costs $1000 in Australia, not only shocked but makes me angry.... NONE of my other electrical items are going to cost me much more then what I paid for my current USA friendly voltage items...give or take $100 which is understandable...but the fact that my $400 vitamix will cost $1000 in AU is a joke.

I hear you Raw Blend about the suposetly high cost of 240v but it doesnt make sense when other electrical items seem to have no problem converting at a non- ridiculous high cost to Australian consumers. Ex. Omni blend does not seem to have such a huge price difference...

I have a sneaky suspicion that someone is "making bank" on Vitamix Australian consumers...

I will be purchasing the omni blend or other blender once I relocate to AU, I refuse to be a ripped off Vitamix Australian resident consumer.

Raw Blend, if you want to people to pay that much for a blender then you need to offer something better than you are now. Magimix has just gone to a 30 year warranty for their motors. You talk about your blender working with no problems for 17 years, then how about giving a 20 year warranty. I would consider paying a premium for a device I can guarantee will work for 20 years.

Just to clarify, Magimix's 30 years is on their food processors, rather than their blenders, but my point is that if people talk about the longevity of their products then they should back it with a commensurate warranty.

@tyringtobehelpful I couldn't agree more! If they say they have had no trouble using a product for 17 years then why not back it up with a 20 year warrenty? Or at least 15 years. Other wise it just seems you have no faith in everyone elses blenders lasting as long as yours has.

Hi Caligirl, with all due respect- Vitamix is made in the USA (not in Australia)- of course its going to be much cheaper in the States. Unfortunately, we pay more wholesale than you can buy a Vitamix on the shelf in the States. As mentioned previously, they are different models (different motors and produced in smaller quantities for the Australian market) - they CAN'T be compared as the same product. As far as I know, most Vitamix copycats are made in China or Korea and yes will therefore be cheaper and have less price difference internationally.

Hi tryingtobehelpful and supercatz, Vitamix Corporation USA set the Vitamix warranty guidelines.

Of course we'd love to offer a 20-30 year warranty on a Vitamix motor but in all seriousness Vitamix is a leader in its class and offers an exceptional 7 year warranty. Vitamix cant be compared to a food processor- I cant imagine using a food processor everyday however, I use my Vitamix 1-3 times a day (Vitamix is much more than a blender and can replace multiple appliances). When you use a Vitamix everyday you soon forget about the price and wonder how you ever afforded to live without it.

Yeap in Australia everything cost double, we even pay for the air we breath and it's not a joke, the government and the retailers excuse is that the wages and quality of life are higher than in any other part in the world..... what a load of [censored word removed]....... In Germany wages and quality of life are like here in Australia yet their expenses are less than a quarter than here........

Hey guys, don't go getting so knotted up with Raw Blend, they are just giving an opinion !!!! Isn't that what you want ??? But yourself in there shoes they are just trying to provide some information to you and I. Oh and no I have nothing to do with them.... Happy choosing and if you want a shop around Mrs Flannerys have vitamix for $775 the 5200. :):)

Can't an adaptor be used on a US model in Australia??? I do this with my juicer... got it from o/s for a quarter of the price it would be here... adaptor was included for FREE :)

Be careful what you mean by "adapter". Some devices can do a spectrum from 110V to 240V, e.g. a lot of PC laptops so you only need to change the shape of the plug. Other devices have a motor that can only do 110V or 240V, in which case you need to get a 240V to 110V step down transformer. I would be careful about how your warranty would be viewed if you had something like that.

Hi Vegemum, a normal adapter won't work with the Vitamix. You have to purchase an expensive transformer which can be around $250 - $500. Once you use an American machine here in Australia you lose all warranty and it is actually illegal for an Australia Electrician to service an American product. You have to send it back to where you purchased it from. I hope this helps

vitamix is so overpriced in Australia,I seen the 5200 vitamix in San Francisco for $420. US last month and they are charging something like $950 AUS for it at Myer. I am waiting for my Optimum 9400 to be delivered. will write a review when I get it.

Well, I've decided Vitamix can go jump in the lake, I am going to give the rivals a go :)

my 9400 arrived today(at last) and it looks really good quality,but time will tell and will report back after I have given it a complete workout.So far I am really happy with it .

Thanks blendman... I am now saving for a thermomix ;) might need an ominblend for the interim!

I am comparing Vitamix vs Optimum 9900 and as far as I can see they are very very similar but have found the following differnces(besides the price!!!) 1/ Vitamix have BPA pvc free Jugs vs Optimum 9900 is glass. I had a glass and felt it was too heavy. 2/ Also the Optimum does not have a dry jug like the Vitamix has. 3/ Vitamix looks like it doesn't have a pulse button like the Optimum does? Am I correct in those observations? Thanks in advance advance !

Hey Kate, both blenders have a PBA Free jug, and are both plastic, copolyster. High-speed blenders can break glass jugs which is why they are not used by Optimum or Vitamix. Optimum have the one jug with 6 blades for both wet and dry blending. Vitamix also has a pulse switch same as the Optimum blender. I have the Optimum 9400, but have seen many videos of the 9900 by Froothie and they both have the same functionality. Hope this is of help :)

After reading the reviews I am leaning towards the Optimum 9400. I have one question that I would appreciate some feedback on though. Will these high end blenders blitz the smaller seeds when making a juice ie flaxseeds? Thanks

My 9200 does - I always throw whole flax seeds in. It doesn't completely crush them but breaks them up (35 secs). If you blended longer would be perfectly smooth.

You do realise that the US minimum wage is 7.25 while in Australia it is 16.88 hr. People in the US would find the Vitamix just as expensive as us as a purchase. Whether we are being ripped off, it is still a quality product, no affiliation just an owner.

If Vitamix offer me a 20 year warranty I will buy the blender. I would much prefer to buy quality, and usually do, but if they say their product is so good then they should back themselves.

Well!!!! Now I'm really confused. Seems their all good- which leaves the price??? Hmmm

I use a Optimum 9400, and it's practically the same as the 9900 blender which has a higher speed and durability because it's designed for commercial use, usually you would see in juice bars. The Optimum 9400 blenders has a six point blade not 4 like most, so you only need one jug for wet and dry ingredients, there's no need to use separate jugs.