I finally gave in and ordered a Blendtec blender off Amazon, I get it Tuesday. I used to make a smoothie every morning and my little personal blender gave up the ghost several months ago, I still miss my morning smoothie. I was going back and forth between another cheap blender or a better one that would last longer and make the really smooth smoothies. Then I was going back and forth between a Vitamix and the Blendtec. Amazon had a good deal on a Blendtec with only two left so I finally gave in and pushed the little buy button.