Haha - I've never really listened to a VitaMix shill, but maybe next time I see them in CostCo. I have to admit that I ended up with a Blendtec because I was thinking seriously of getting one or the other, and on that particular day, I walked into CostCo and Blendtec was doing their demos, I was duly impressed and walked out with the machine (this was before they kept them stocked at the store). Impulse purchase yet, but I've never regretted it for a second. They're awesome and I believe they're based out of Utah, so almost local to me.