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I am looking at kitchenaid mixers on ebay and I had a couple of questions. Is there a certain mixer thats better than others? There was the KA mixer and then the KA mixer Pro 500.

Also, I want a brand new one and all the ones I looked at said New in Box-Not refurbished. Does that really mean Brand new or am I being too trusting? I am going with ebay cause I REALLY want one, but I can't afford to get one from the store.

any thoughts/suggestions? I really appreciate any help-you ladies (and some gents) on this site ROCK and are always sooo helpful. TIA.

There are several KA models. You can go to KA website and look at them. The only person that knows if they are really new is the person selling them. Have you contacted them to see if they are really new? What is their return policy and warranty?

Hi, SweetMelissa2007

I bought my professional KitchenAid mixer at KitchenAid.com. I didn't want to spend a fortune so I bought a refurbished one. I'm so happy with my purchase! My mixer was perfect, not a single scratch, and it works great too. All of that for half the price... I highly recommend buying a refurbished one from KitchenAid.com. At least you know who you're dealing with. Good luck!

I see there are quite a few good deals on E-Bay. I'd e-mail the seller and ask if the item is defective if it can be returned. Alot that I checked into had a no return policy, so I'd double check anyway. Or try www.shopzilla.com and that will give you a list of prices/stores you can check out.

Good Luck!

You know I was hesistant a first when I got a refurbished mixer, but it looked brand spanking new and works like a charm. But just depends on how much you want to spend too. I have a Wolfgang Puck that has a 6 Quart bowl and all attachments in black and got it off ebay for $160 free shipping. I love it and wouldn't change it for anything. So happy with it, it's actually stronger than the KA and has a larger bowl. You should look into one and compare for yourself.

Thank you guys so much! I will definitely look into the refurbished from KA.com. I'm a little wary of ebay-not knowing who it came from or what they have done with it gives me the willies! I'll also check out the Wolfgang Puck one too. Thank you so much!

I bought Refurb from KA too, and love it. But if you can hold out about 6 more months, or if you are looking for a 2nd one by then Dont forget Black Friday Deals!! I plan on getting biger and better then. Last Year they had a $550 professional for $200 online!! Just a thought.

Just a word of warning - I got mine off eBay and I do believe that it was new. However ... the beater hits the back of the bowl -- the only adjustment that I have found is to move the bowl up and down which doesn't solve my problem. I can't send it back and there is no warranty because I didn't purchase it from a retail vendor.

I highly recommend either getting it directly from KitchenAid - definitely look at the refurbished models - or from a vendor who will take it back (Amazon, Macy's, etc).

I am out $299 and I can't use my KA.

Does anyone know where to get the refurbished ones? I went on KA.com last night and searched for refurbished stand mixers but nothing came up. I was able to find a promotion section, but I had to download a coupon and 1. my computer won't download right now and 2. It was probably not much of a discount. Granted , it was late and I was REALLY tired, but I couldn't find it anywhere! Any help would be greatly appreciated! TIA. Melissa

BTW, mbt4955, that sucks!!

I think Amazon.com sells refurbished KA. I have also seen them on Ebay

there is a link ... let me find it .....

Here we go ... this is the KA Outlet Store. Click on the refurbished link. I think Amazon would be fine, but (as stated earlier) I would NOT buy one on eBay unless you don't mind throwing away your money.

http://www.shopkitchenaid.com/category.asp?CAT=OUTLET

mbt4955, Do you have the bowl lift type? Not sure if this is your problem but once you place the bowl on the 2 prongs you have to press quite firmly to snap the bowl in place. It must really snap into place or the paddle hits the bowl.

Hi denetteb ... mine is the lift model and I saw the hint about snapping the bowl down after I had adjusted and adjusted and adjusted. It is entirely possible that I just need to get it back to its starting point and snap the bowl down. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can do it. I'm going to turn it over to my hand BIL and see if he can get it working for me. Thanks for the tip!

I just got an early Mother's Day gift. He got it from Amazon and it is perfect. They have amazing deals. It was free shipping and I get a free ice cream maker attachment. It is a 6 quart silver mixer. I love it! I really like Kitchen Aid and already have a 5 quart mixer from years back. With the deals they have, I wouldn't risk Ebay. I love buying on Ebay, but not for something like this.

I would NOT buy off of EBay! I got mine as an engagement gift off of my registry. When I opened the box to take it out...3 months later, it was covered in black grease (my white KA!!), I tried to white it off and my KA was leaking black sludge. Luckily they know me by name at the registry and exchanged it no problem. I am sure it wouldn't be so easy on EBay...

"Live and learn" is my new motto!

Thank you guys so much for all your help. I know I can always rely on you all to help when I'm not too sure about something!

I just got a new (not refurbished) 6 qt from Amazon last week for only $343 with free shipping. The first time I used it the speed control got stuck and I couldn't turn it off. I called KA and they said they would put a brand new (not refurbished) one in the mail (UPS) that day. When I got it, take the new one out of the box, put the broken one in, slap on the included prepaid return label and either drop it off at UPS or call them to come pick it up. Easy peasy, no questions asked.

I have found you get what you pay for..........I got my KA from QVC......it was on as a "Today's Special Value" and it was like $249.........I LOVE IT!!! I've had it several years.....and it's a work horse!!!!! And sometimes they have them on like a 5 payment plan!!!!

check 'em out! www.qvc.com

There is a retail store just outside of Syracuse in New York in an outlet mall, that I saw refurbished KA's.

Viking I hear also has good mixers, (Alton Brown now uses a Viking I believe).

I too would like to get one, but my dilema is which one. There are so many different models that it is hard to determine which would actually mix the fondant or maybe have the motor burn up. Any insight as the best one? TIA

I have the 5 quart professional and it makes marshmallow fondant like a dream!!!!!

I have the 6 qt professional and it does the MMF with no problems. Just be sure when you're doing heavy duty stuff like MMF or heavy bread doughs (whole grain) that you use the lower speeds. I think the book tells you not to go above speed 2 when kneading but double check that when you get one. I stripped a gear in my old one (5 qt. 325 watt) and had to take it apart and fix it.

For the person who is having issues with the paddle hitting the bowl, did you try adjusting the screw? It may not be the issue but it would hurt to try.

I just checked my bowl height adjustment screw. I had turned it down to use my new beater blade. My screw to adjust the height only turns one half turn, 180 degrees. So if your screw turns a bunch something might be off. When I turned the screw its full turn I couldn't see a difference so it must be a pretty slight bowl height difference. Denette

Sams club has some good deals on the KA .. I think the Pro is $269

I don't have the money for that right now so I got a Cooks on sale at JCPenneys for $99. i am sure it wont last as long as a KA but it has a 1 year warranty and I got an extended warranty for $14. Maybe by the time it breaks down I can afford a new KA.

I used the Cooks to make 5 batches of MMF the first day I got it and it worked awesome!

This One VVVVV

DH got mine for Christmas on Amazon - got the 6 qt (ginormous one! and it was around $229 last year right after black friday, and it was free shipping! The first one that arrived the box was messed up, wasn't sure about the mixer inside, but they were great about exchanging it, and paid shipping and everything! I have loved it!! Good luck!