This morning I noticed that the little black base on the beloved Osterizer blender is cracked through.
I use this appliance every single day to whip up my favorite ice-cold breakfast drink, frozen strawberries whipped into orange juice.
{moan!} So now on top of all the other budget-busters I’ve gotta buy a new blender? Not that they’re so expensive: recently Costco had them for around $20 or $25. But after the AC repair, the new thermostat, the dog agility training fee, the pool equipment repair, and the expected astronomical power and water bills, I don’t happen to have $20 or $25 laying around.
You can buy blender parts separately. Lo, you can even find them on Amazon! Yea, verily, here’s the gadget itself
It is eligible for free shipping, but that would require one to spend a total of $25. Setting aside the fact that I can’t afford $25 right this minute, there’s really nothing that I want that would rack up a $25 bill at Amazon. Don’t need anything. Don’t want anything.
Amazon is trying to get $44 for a new Osterizer
So, absent a shopping trip through 110-degree heat, even $11 would be lots cheaper than ordering a new unit.
It frosts my cookies, though. How can I count the ways I resent having to spend eleven bucks for a four-dollar piece of plastic?
Well, I’ve got to buy gas anyway. While I’m out I’ll trudge through the Target and the Costco in search of a cheaper model. Even if one surfaces, though, we’re looking at spending $30 or so (by the time the 10% tax is tacked on) because a $4 part crapped out.
What think you, dear reader?
Better to pay $11 to replace an inexpensive piece of plastic?
Or…better to pony up $25 or $30 for a brand-new unit with a shiny new motor and advertised ice-crushing capacity?
Or…or…better to break out the mortar and pestle?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Why don’t you look at your local thrift shop? You ought to be able to find one there for way less than $11.
@ Tracy: Good thought! Probably could find the WHOLE BLENDER for less than $11.
Get RiCh Slowly just had an article that suggests this as an item to buy used.
Yeah, you’ve got a point here. $6 isn’t bad, but $5 for shipping is ridiculous. Did you try eBay? I love having things shipped, but I always look for free shipping, coupon codes, or a price that is so low when you include shipping, it’s still fair. And you’re right about the quandary of whether to buy a new one or not. Good suggestion about checking the thrift stores. I can feel your frustration.
check at your local hardware stores, or haha tractor/farm supply stores, they often carry just the parts
Costco has the Oster 8 speed on sale until July 18 for $24.99 No coupon needed. Includes a Blend n go cup. Check the latest Costco Connection magazine.
That sucks. I’d buy a new blender but look for a great used one first. I refuse to pay as much for shipping as for the item itself usually…there have been a few exceptions for things that are still cheaper with shipping than I can get them around here. Good luck!
assorted little stuff like this is why i finally went ahead with an amazon prime subscription. i no longer have to meet that $25 threshold for shipping
Best to defrost everything sufficiently so that you can use your immersion blender. The BEST blender is a vintage one–these show up now and again at thrifts, but never when you are actively looking for one, So, I’d say, use the immersion till you find a better blender or till you have $25 of stuff you want from Amazon.
I’d vote for garage sales or thrifts. I see them all the time. I would always ask to plug them in though. I love church garage sales the best. Prices are cheap and no one is so attached to the stuff that they won’t dicker a bit. Thrifts stores here have 25% off days too. I would not pay the price for either a new one or get ripped off for a hunk of plastic. Just my 2 cents. But with my method you have to have some patience. Unless you get really lucky, usually you don’t find things immediatly (sp?).
Try superglue on the part, or check with the local hardware store about a good epoxy. Might get you by until blenders are on sale or you find one at a thrift store!