Aftermarket components and products are produced and sold to consumers in various different markets. It is very common in the consumer technology industry as well as in the automotive industry. Aftermarket products and components / replacement parts usually are an indicator that a certain product is very popular. It is also associated to money savings to the consumer. In the pharmaceutics industry, the term ‘generic’ is often used. Perhaps the latter is not really an aftermarket component in the sense this article is referring to.
Blendtec®, Waring™ MX series of blenders, as well as Vita Mix® blenders are just three blenders from among a few other high performance smoothie blenders, of which a whole ton of are presently in use globally. It is estimated some 100 million of these particular powerful blenders roam the Earth in peoples’ kitchens and restaurants. About 60% of them, according to a study, are not in use. Why they are not in use is not really known. It could be in part a reluctance of user-interest and/or that and being broken down and just never having gotten to it to make a ‘replacement’ attempt of a broken blender blade or jar.
Most people are not very technically inclined. When their jar breaks, or the blade bearing of blade assembly in the jar seizes up, they interpret it as a broken down blender. The blender gets put aside until time and effort is made to make the warranty call, or if the warranty is expired, a new jar is purchased. If the blender is misdiagnosed as dead and broken, not being sure what is bad, time may tell that these high percentage consumers have their ‘broken down’ blender collect dust in storage.
In the case of these blenders, aftermarket components, such as replacement blade assembly cutting
units (the knife, or in other words the blades) will be a money saver and a convenient solution, if only the consumer in possession of the broken down Blendtec or Vitamix blender (or Waring and others – non one brand in particular) would dig into finding out more about alternative replacement parts.
It is however not just about replacing a broken part, in the aftermarket industry. Additional jars offer opportunities to have spare parts for just in case, and an additional container for the purpose of alternating blender jars. The Kosher blending enthusiasts of course always use 2 jars. There are certain advantages to the number 2, two jars in possession rather than just one, especially when they are different. Blending is often better in one jar than in another depending on what one blends up.
The Alterna™ Jar, the aftermarket jar reported on in this article, brings several advantages to the table. Current users have reported an increase in finer blending, smoother concoctions, more thorough emulsification. The actual blending capacity is 80 ounces of ingredients. The jar is also, like the OEM factory containers, a BPA-Free copolyester material, with stainless steel removable blade assembly, and tamper stick accelerator tool available.
The advantages are certainly not always enticing to everyone, for example money savings. Some people may find a Blendtec Fourside replacement container for $60 plus shipping. Why would one purchase an aftermarket non-factory container for $80 including shipping? Those that do, are not buying it for immediate savings, or not for money savings reasons at all. The reason for that is that the old type Blendtec jar is always the same, no improvement with a blade that is just going to break again eventually and a new complete whole jar has to bought again, even if the price is only $60 instead of $80. If that same scenario happens with the Alterna Jar, one would have to simply just purchase a replacement jar for $35, instead of $60 for a new jar by Blendtec. Of course, Alterna has a package deal available for real blender enthusiasts, which is the jar with a blade already installed, plus an extra replacement blade for $99, including shipping.
Let’s assume the Alterna blade goes out at the same time the Blendtec blade would seize up, in the Blendtec jar. At that point the OEM factory enthusiast would have spent $120 while the aftermarket consumer fan spent only $99. But, again, not everybody may be interested in the cost factor issue. The Alterna jar blends better, blends bigger volumes, and is a heavier duty jar overall.
Waring MX series blenders, those that are truly 3.5 horsepower monsters, come with rather inferior blade and jar design. The OEM Waring container has a poor warranty, to one hand. On the other hand, the vertical jar wall goes into the bottom of the jar without curvature straight in a straight 90 degrees. There are numerous reports of poor performance and warranty issues and poor customer service. Plus a 2 Liter replacement jar from Waring costs anywhere from $120 to $160. The Alterna aftermarket container configured for the Waring MX series blenders performs better, hold up better and costs less as well.
Vitamix… ditto to Waring.
In conclusion, aftermarket is not for everyone. OEM has its advantages especially when the blender is still under warranty. In Europe or in Asia, Australia and South America, Blendtec and Vitamix warranties are general between 2 to 4 years maximum. Waring already has a 2 in 1 year warranty in the USA which means 2 year parts and 1 year labor. Costs of replacement jars in non-USA markets are mostly prohibitively expensive. In Brazil a Blendtec Fourside jar is $150 USD and $200 has to be coughed up for a Wildside jar. The same in Europe, the UK, in Australia and all over the Asian Rim.
Those consumers that consider the advantage of aftermarket recognize that aftermarket means that the OEM brands are going to stick around more likely longer, aftermarket components will bring the prices down everywhere, and aftermarket blender containers offer a convenience, a choice, a versatility, especially when this one blender jar actually fits on all, Vitamix, Waring, JTC Omni, Klarstein, Optimum, Omega blenders, and the Blendtec blenders.
Note, how the Alterna Jar sits on the various blenders, straight on Blendtec, and diagonally by 45 degrees on Vita Mix, Waring, and JTC Omni blenders. This is a little different than with any other blender jars, but it works, and is actually mostly designed that way so the same container can be used namely on different blender bases, such as the Blendtec and the Waring kinds.
Pros and Cons, if a blender were still under warranty, and consumer wanted to use the aftermarket Alterna jar, it is most likely assumed that the given factory might tell the consumer that such application is not authorized and will likely void the warranty. If the Blender motor might break, such use opens up the question of whether the jar and the aftermarket blade bearing may have contributed to, or perhaps was the cause of premature motor failure. However, there are several issues to that.
If the blade seizes up on any blender jar, it is the consumer's responsibility to stop using it, replacing the whole jar or the blade assembly from the Alterna jar with removable replaceable blade assembly unit. Plus, who is to say that a given consumer has not already over exerted their blender motor when running the blender motor with a seized up blade unit in their jar for far too long of a time and have not noticed it. Sure, if it can be proven that there is a relationship between the Alterna jar aftermarket container and a broken motor, it would only be fair that warranty is assumed, if there is a warranty. However, in every possible scenario, it should be taken into account, that it just cannot be proven. There are too many variables from abuse to a defect from the blender factory to begin with or simply just heavy normal use and therefore wear and tear having lead to an early natural death of said blender motor. It is simple, anyway, it should be considered to always pay close attention to the condition of the blade assembly and bearing, no matter if the user operates an OEM factory brand blender container or an aftermarket blender jar.
In any case, OEM brand factories should be exited about aftermarket blender jar availability. It is a sign that the market has reached a certain saturation and the brand is here to stay. The consumer views more choices and availability as convenient and as a great advantage, actually and eventually bringing down prices and helping to improve quality.
Copyright 2015 (C) Alternajar.com LLC
From a consumer standpoint, a refurbished high performance blender, such as the Blendtec blender series, and other competitors in the $500 price club, appears at first to be a nice deal. There are however several points of views to look at as to why companies could have refurbished blenders in stock, why they are offering them, and who would return them - in what quantity - and why?
To the most part, these factories over-sell and under-deliver unfortunately to the dissatisfaction of the many customers who return their expensive blenders to the factory directly or through the retailer. The factory then goes over the blender and cleans it up and puts a new unused jar with a new recipe book into a new box and then offers the blender for sale as refurbished. This is one most plausible theory.
Why would a customer not be happy or satisfied with an expensive high performance blending machine? This is one possibility that has been found at Costco and at Sams Club. The consumer sees and tastes a fine magical smoothie during a demo show. The blender demonstrator, well experienced and highly trained, shows off fancy tricks and concoctions that leave the consumer at a jaw-dropping awe. Once at home with the new shiny toy, duplicating the smoothie is some other foreign story and the remorse sets in. And the cycle of return begins.
What is wrong with that picture? Yep. We like to educate our customers about gimmick purchases. No, a blender does not heat soup with an electric heating element (it heats soup with the blade unit that turns into a heating element because of friction). No you don't need a dedicated button to crush ice, make peanut butter or almond butter. A yes, you are paying at $ 400 to $500 already way too much for a 3 horsepower high performance blender when you can get the same thing in brand new for half the price. Look at the OMNI Blender for example. Half the price?
Still be aware of the many crappy not so well built and under-performing blending machines. Some totally copy the Vitamix, Blendtec blenders, and the OMNI blender straight out. Ninja, Nutri Bullet, the Health Master, all are inferior to the big and powerful blenders, the name of the game. We have sold many different blenders and have gone away from it and now are just focusing on the OMNI Blender. The JTC OMNIBLEND blender is the best blender bang for the buck because of its quality, power, warranty, and low competitive price.
We have been in business selling blenders since 2007. Ever since, having carried many different high quality high powered blending machines, we have wondered why we can't sell refurbished blenders? The simple answer is: Hardly ever anyone returns the blender. Why do you think that is? We leave it by that because that fact and question is already a good enough answer in itself. And why do you want a refurbished blender when you can get a brand new OMNI Blender for the same price as other used ones? Do you want the chance to have someone else' hair in your smoothie?
If we had refurbished blenders available, they would cost $225 including shipping and would be cleaned up, coming with a new jar and blade, tamper, and new recipe book, all in a new box and full 7 year standard warranty; that is if enough customers would return theirs. But they don't. Customers have the opportunity to purchase the OMNI 3 hp smoothie blender and review it for 30 days and take advantage of our return policy should they wish to return it within that time frame.
I order to reduce the likelihood of a consumer to return a blender we focus on education of our blender, what it does, how it performs, and how to make smoothies, in the front-end before they are buying their high powered blender. A refurbished blender could theoretically also be returned, it just has never happened.
(C) 2014 OmniBlender.COM LLC
Do you have a paunchy pooch? It seems the obesity epidemic has spread from humans to our dogs. It is estimated that 45% of American dogs are overweight (that’s over 35 million) and it’s not just puppy fat. Obesity tops the list of nutrition related health problems in canines. It is as unhealthy for dogs to be overweight as it is for humans.
How Being Obese Could Harm Your Dog
Obesity isn’t just an aesthetic issue. Being overweight can be life-threatening and significantly shorten your dog’s lifespan. Dogs that are too fat usually die two years sooner than they would if they remained fit. That’s two more years you could spend with your best friend if you help him maintain a healthy weight.
Not only that, obesity lowers your dog’s quality of life. Dogs that are obese have a much higher risk of developing dangerous medical conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Lung disorders
- Cancerous tumors
- Immune dysfunctions
How to tell if Your Dog is Obese
Veterinarians report that 50% of the dogs they see are overweight but only 17% of owners realize it.
When you look at your dog do you see a waistline? If you run your hands down her side can you easily feel the ribs? You should be able to do both those things if your dog is fit.
Find out how much your dog weighs by putting him on the scales at home or at the vet’s. How does that compare to standard weight charts for his breed? The smaller the dog, the less excess weight it takes to make your dog obese. For example, a 12-pound Yorkie is comparable to a woman weighting 214 pounds.
What to do if Your Dog is Overweight
A consultation with your vet should always be the first step in creating a weight loss plan for your dog. The veterinarian can rule out any medical causes for weight gain and help you determine how many calories your dog should consume a day.
Dogs that need to lose weight do best on a quality dog food that is higher in protein than average and lower in fat than average. That combination helps protect your dog from muscle loss when losing pounds. Feed your dog the amount recommended for his ideal weight, not his current weight and split that into small meals throughout the day. Be sure you use a real measuring cup (not a coffee cup or scoop) to serve a precise amount.
Exercise is Important
Couch potato canines are more likely to be overweight than active dogs. Encourage your dog to walk or play vigorously at least 30 minutes a day. This will stimulate his metabolism and burn calories. Exercise may also help suppress his appetite.
The bonus is that to get your dog exercising you will need to participate by walking him or playing an energetic game of fetch or another activity. You’ll both reap the healthy benefits.
The Secret to Weight Loss in Dogs
Actually, it’s not a secret. It’s the same formula humans use to lose weight: eat less calories than you burn. That means sticking to the daily calorie budget and adhering to an exercise schedule. Commercial treats are a no-no for your dieting doggie but you can prepare him a smoothie treat that will help boost metabolism and energy levels so dieting comes easier. Just use a powerful blender to emulsify the ingredients. This is a low calorie, high protein smoothie so it should fit right into your dog’s diet plan.
Metabolism-Boosting Smoothie to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
1 cup cooked, unseasoned boiled or baked chicken breast, no skin
1 cucumber
1 apple, cored, no seeds
½ cup cantaloupe, chopped
4 or 5 broccoli florets
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
Enough water to create desired thickness
Put all ingredients in your Omniblend or other high-speed blender. Puree until smooth. May be frozen in ice cube trays for individual servings or you may add a spoonful or two to your dog’s food.
(C) 2014 OmniBlender.COM LLC
Those of us who are dog lovers and have taken one or more furry friends into our family know how deep the love between canine and human can run. Many people think of their dogs as precious family members and make their health a top priority. We want them happy, healthy, and with us as long as possible. Like humans, good nutrition is vital to a pet’s health and can add years to your dog’s life.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BLENDERS THAT MAKE THE BEST DOG SMOOTHIES
There has been a lot of talk recently about the best way to feed dogs. Should we use purchased kibble or feed raw? Grains or no grains? Do raw meats put your dog at risk of ingesting dangerous bacteria or parasites? There are many questions and no one really knows the exact formula for the perfect dog food.
A combination of the possibilities can be an excellent option. Many pet parents have chosen to follow the raw food diets but many others simply don’t have the time or desire to make their own dog food. Another factor is that manufactured kibble offers consistency which is often hard to duplicate in raw diets you make yourself. If you choose a manufactured kibble carefully, you can offer your dog a wholesome diet. Whichever diet you choose, however, delicious, nutritious smoothies help ensure that your dog is getting the best nutrition possible and your dog thinks of them as a yummy treat and a sign of your affection.
Why Smoothies for Dogs?
Smoothies are an excellent way to add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet and are just as nutritious for your pets as they are for you. They are also a great source of phytonutrients, special nutrients found only in plants that, when broken down, help build strong immune systems and play a vital part in long term fitness. The best way to release phytonutrients? By using a powerful 3 horsepower blender that is capable of fracturing the cellulose that traps the phytonutrients inside the plants. If that is not broken down enough the beneficial phytonutrients are never released and the body fails to ingest those hidden healthy resources.
It’s easy to make smoothies for yourself or your pets. When making smoothies for your dog, choose a base of plain, unsweetened low-fat or fat-free yogurt, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, low sodium chicken or beef stock, or water. Smoothies may be served to your pet just as they are, mixed in with their regular food, or you can freeze individual servings in ice cube trays for a frosty treat. Here is a recipe for one of my dog’s favorite smoothies.
Before we further discuss smoothies for dogs, though, let’s take a look at how to choose a commercial kibble that will be the most beneficial for your dog. There are so many choices on the market it can be difficult to figure out which food is best. The secret to selecting the healthiest dog food is learning to read the labels
How to Select a Manufactured Dog Food
Like human food, the ingredients are listed on dog food labels in the order of amount of content, highest to lowest, so the first five ingredients are what make up the majority of the food. Dogs are carnivores so it is important that a meat protein is the first ingredient. It can either be listed as meat or meat meal. The difference is meat meal has had most of the liquid removed from it so it can be weighed more accurately.
There is an ongoing controversy over whether dog food should include grains or not. Healthy grains like brown rice or oatmeal are good sources of carbohydrates and easily digested, however, it is often advised that grains like corn, soy, and wheat be avoided because they offer little in the way of nutritional value, are hard to digest, and many dogs have developed allergies to those particular grains. Grain free foods often substitute potatoes or peas as an alternative source of carbohydrates.
It is most beneficial for your dog to eat as natural a diet as possible. Artificial dyes and preservatives are best avoided. If you choose to feed commercial kibble, select one that is holistic or organic. Look for a food that is rated four or five stars on a reputable dog food rating site.
Berry Banana Smoothie for Dogs Recipe
1 container plain yogurt (8 ounces)
1 cup blueberries
1 ripe banana
5 hulled strawberries
1 tablespoon organic honey
1 cup ice water
Place all the ingredients in your high performance blender and puree until smooth. My dog loves frozen treats so I like to freeze this in ice cube trays to make individual servings. It will keep in the freezer for up to six months or can be stored in the fridge in its liquid state for one week.
Remember, whenever you offer you dog new foods start with small amounts and be alert for allergic reactions. Most dogs can eat fruits without any issues and enjoy healthy benefits when it is added to their diets.
(C) 2014 OmniBlender.COM LLC
Comparing blenders in this competitive smoothie making industry is an important task; also difficult. Many competitors focus on gimmicks that consumers easily fall for. Others are focusing just on price by faking a high quality blender however at a dear cost at the consumer's expense.
Horsepower
The horsepower (hp) strength of a motor is not necessarily the final output. A motor can have the capacity of a 5 horsepower blender, but only 1 or 2 hp strength or equivalence to watt output are used, measurable in watts. For example, the Omni Blender has a 3 horsepower motor output capacity. It is really inefficient and also puts a big potential overload strain on a motor if used to its fullest capacity. That is how motors blow out and burn out.
The OMNI Blender motor is a 3 horsepower motor which has been optimized to run as efficient as possible, as powerful as possible, while at the same time being as quiet as possible and because it is running cooler than others it also lasts longer. And then, the bottom line is that it still blends as good and powerful with same texture results in smoothies, hot soups, ice cubes into snow, sauces, purees etc... blended. Price, quality, performance and customer service should be carefully be the considering purchase factors only.
A more efficient motor that does not over-exert itself (not pushed to its limit) will last longer, thus our durability guarantee.
Watt consumption
The watt declarations of various blender manufacturers are simply incorrect and deceiving. For example some smoothie blender companies suggest on their label a 1200 or a 1500 watt output consumption. But just like it is with all labeling, factories for marketing sakes push the envelope to its outer possible legal gray areas. Theoretically correct, a lie can be presented with lots of sugar coating. And unfortunately, many consumers fall for it because they will never find out the truth anyway because they are not going to use their blender often enough to experience a breakdown. If a 3 hp smoothie blender actually would measure or consume 2275 watts, it would blow the motor, maybe not right away, but it would rather sooner than later burn out quickly.
Just like with a car. If you know what fuel efficiency means, if you have a bigger robuster motor with a low fuel efficiency that does not mean that the same 8 cylinder motor with high fuel efficiency is not as strong. Gas mileage does not determine the final strength of a motor these days anymore. Which motor is going to get the job done better? A 4 cylinder motor with 160 hp or a 6 cylinder motor with 220 hp? Which motor will last longer? Therefore, as our competitors are claiming a 2 hp peak motor, probably just a 1 hp motor turbo charged, the 3 horsepower blender motor will last longer, especially when optimized to run slightly slower for better cooling and lower noise output, and still blending the smoothies and soups equally we..
Brand name recognition
Some companies that manufacture high performance blenders have been in business for 90 years, 60, and 30, or in our case 25 years. Yes, the OMNI Blender has been made for more than 25 years, and it is settling in the USA smoothie market only just now since about 2008/2009. The OMNI JTC Blender, aka TM 800 A blender has been imported as one of the finest and high performing power blending machines for about 5 years. Competitors' brands boast market domination using age. But as you know, age is not everything. The OMNI Blender is built and engineered with modern day technological advancements such as motor efficiency, that you can have a high powered 3 hp blender motor without the boasted 1500 watts or 2275 watts actual consumption. The blender lasts longer and costs less.
Design
The designs of blenders, at least of the mainstream power blenders, those that matter in the high performance blender industry, including the OMNI Blender, have a very similar design in blade performance, jar or container shape, and the operating system. Some blenders, like Nutri Bullet or the Ninja blenders are poorly designed. The Ninja especially has a blade design, well, how shall we put it???? - Is not very smart. Well it blends well like a food processor. But you can get a Black and Decker food processor for $ 50 bucks, why paying $200 for a Ninja? The Ninja blade does not make any sense when it comes to most efficient power blending in the smoothie and soup industry. It just does not perform well.
Features
Blender features are important to consumers, not necessarily for functionality - make-sense purposes, but mostly because they are shiny objects. Humans are attracted to gimmicks, especially when not practical or not needed. They more shiny gadgets, as useless as they may be, the bigger the jaw-dropper effect on many people.
Consider this education: Any high performance smoothie blender between 2 hp and 3 hp motor performance can make a hot soup. Although the factory puts a label and a button on the blender housing that says "hot soup", "ice cream"... etc., that does not mean that the blender has actually a refrigeration system built in or a heating element. 
Yet people fall for it all the time. It should actually be conceived as an insult that factories actually do think we consumers fall for every gimmick. And yet, the sad thing is that many consumers do fall for it. The saddest part of that is that many blenders are purchased based on the gimmick factors and not for practicality quality or price factor, and at the end, these consumers often times don't even use their blender beyond 2 days of ownership. Thus the high blender return rates - just see how many refurbished blenders are offered.
The only practical features that a powerful high performance smoothie blender should have is a powerful durable blender motor, high quality parts, good blade design, and simple blend features like low - medium - high - pulse and if timer settings then a choice of 3 suffices. The more options the more difficult to use. Simplicity is the name of the game in all things.
Conclusion
Not that these few matters are the only ones that should matter with a good high performance blender choice, but in the case of the OMNI Blender, it has been found that it performs equally well if not better than its higher priced competitors. The retail price is much lower and the warranty is 7 years on the motor. The bottom line is the performance, smoothie texture, how long the motor lasts, the final cost, and the customer service.
(C) 2014 123Vita LLC - for questions contact (801) 623-3225
Aftermarket components and products are produced and sold to consumers in various different markets. It is very common in the consumer technology industry as well as in the automotive industry. Aftermarket products and components / replacement parts usually are an indicator that a certain product is very popular. It is also associated to money savings to the consumer. In the pharmaceutics industry, the term ‘generic’ is often used. Perhaps the latter is not really an aftermarket component in the sense this article is referring to.
units (the knife, or in other words the blades) will be a money saver and a convenient solution, if only the consumer in possession of the broken down Blendtec or Vitamix blender (or Waring and others – non one brand in particular) would dig into finding out more about alternative replacement parts.
Do you have a paunchy pooch? It seems the obesity epidemic has spread from humans to our dogs. It is estimated that 45% of American dogs are overweight (that’s over 35 million) and it’s not just puppy fat. Obesity tops the list of nutrition related health problems in canines. It is as unhealthy for dogs to be overweight as it is for humans.
Some companies that manufacture high performance blenders have been in business for 90 years, 60, and 30, or in our case 25 years. Yes, the 
Blender features are important to consumers, not necessarily for functionality - make-sense purposes, but mostly because they are shiny objects. Humans are attracted to gimmicks, especially when not practical or not needed. They more shiny gadgets, as useless as they may be, the bigger the jaw-dropper effect on many people.
Yet people fall for it all the time. It should actually be conceived as an insult that factories actually do think we consumers fall for every gimmick. And yet, the sad thing is that many consumers do fall for it. The saddest part of that is that many blenders are purchased based on the gimmick factors and not for practicality quality or price factor, and at the end, these consumers often times don't even use their blender beyond 2 days of ownership. Thus the high blender return rates - just see how many refurbished blenders are offered.