Jack La Lanne blender warning

[Anastasia Alston]

For those of you who may be considering buying a JLL Healthmaster blender, save your money & get a Blendtech or Vitamixer. I bought one 5 months ago & was pretty happy with it until about a month & a half ago when there seemed to be large amounts of rust on the bottom & the blade started getting frozen. A few days ago a piece of the washer from inside the blender came off in my nut cream. This morning while making a banana smoothie, THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE BLENDER DROPPED OUT!!! I called customer service & was immediately assaulted with a 3 minute long sales pitch & no options to get the help I needed until the whole thing was done. My option at that point was "Please hold. Your estimated wait time is approximately 26 minutes..." No way was I waiting 26 minutes, so I called back later.

I called later & after the same irritating sales pitch & hold message, I got a customer service person who listened to my issue, then without telling me what was to happen next, she asked me to hold for a minute which stretched out into 2.5 minutes after which time someone finally picked up & proceeded to tell me that my warranty period was up. The "only thing they could do for me" was offer me a refurbished blender - for another $75! Hmmm.... Let me see: I buy a new blender for $180 that breaks in 5 months; when that happens you tell me you can't do anything for me except sell me another one that broke previously for $75. I'm really inclined to buy another product from you why??? Are you insane????

When I asked about the 100 year warranty on the motor that now won't work due to the huge amounts of banana smoothie that just got dumped into it by the exploding blender jar, the answer was "Well, it's not the motor that went so all we can offer you is blah, blah, blah." Um, the motor won't work due to a faulty part causing damage to it during normal use.

The customer service person proceeds to ask me how often I used the blender. I told her every day. She was like "Oh, well that's probably why the jar fell apart." WHAT THE ...!!!! I told her I have a regular blender that I paid less than $60 for that I used every days for months & I can still use the danged thing no problem; what do you mean using the blender every day within the bounds of normal use will cause the blender jar to malfunction? That was nowhere in the user guide or in the ads or anywhere else for that matter. She quickly denied that daily use was supposed to be a problem. Yeah, right. Whatever.

Now I have a blender that I bought 5 months ago that no longer works due to manufacturer's error & they keep trying to sell me another previously-broken-but-now-fixed blender to "help" me. Surely they are indeed CRAZY. I will never buy another product with Jack LaLanne's name on it ever again. This was a very good lesson learned. I will now be saving up for a Vitamixer. I hope my experience prevents someone else from having to go through the same kind of aggravation.

And just to reiterate, the 100 year warranty is on the motor ONLY; if some other part (warranted for 60 DAYS) causes damage to the motor after the parts warranty is up, they will not replace any part of your blender since "the motor didn't break". Yeah, right. Whatever.

- Stasi, Pea Pod (Morab), Rosie Cotton & Binnabik (the Pibble Posse)

[mousebandit]

wow -that's total crap! We should all blitz JLL with emails demonstrating our outrage at their horrible product and their horrible customer service, and make sure they know we are going to spread this message far and wide over every internet and email group we belong to, not to mention word of mouth through personal acquaintences. Maybe that will get a response!

Anyone game? I'll get the email addresses we need if anyone wants to do it.

Tracey Mouse

[lanettasmouse]

i don't want to sound like a real bi**h, but i know that anytime i have had trouble with crap like that all i have to do is say "well you'll be hearing form my lawyer" and let me tell you 9 outta 10 times you get what was rightfully yours in the first place. not saying it always works, but at least a little threat might get them to do something better than trying to get you to buy an already broken, yet fixed one. (total bs by the way) you might be able to get them to fix at for free at the very least. anyways i know you probably wouldn't want to have to go through all that crap again with being on hold forever just to be told basically oh well, not our fault, but it's just a suggestion. but yes i am in to write the company an email as well, so let me know.

[Anastasia Alston]

I will be writing the company as well as Consumer Reports to let them know how I really feel about their product & service. I had planned to post this to another raw board that I belong to. I want to get the word out about their crummy product & service, so feel free to tell others or even cross-post my post anywhere you feel it's appropriate.

I find it funny that they seem to be having a big "sale" on refurbished blenders. How many other blenders have malfunctioned after the parts warranty of 60 days? How many people are really NOT happy with these blenders no matter how slick the advertising, but are unable to get any kind of reasonable response from JLL? I think it's totally appropriate to spread the word about how lame they are; maybe it'll convince them they need to clean up their act.

- Stasi, Pea Pod (Morab), Rosie Cotton & Binnabik (the Pibble Posse)

[deberaw]

I am so sorry for your experience.....we've been considering either a Vitamix or the JLL........and you just convinced me.....we'll be getting a Vitamix...probably with those tax rebate things that will be coming out!!!! YES, spread the word....I'm not one for that kind of thing...but that makes me so frustrated...all the false advertising and etc.....this is not the first time I've heard that about the JLL.....but have never heard anything bad about the Vitamix.....so sorry and best of luck...!:o

[raweater]

If anyone's looking for a mid range high quality blender I got the Breville BBL600XL (approx $200 US) a few months ago and it's really great, and customer support is awesome. I really love that blender, and really see no need for a vitamix (not saying it's as powerful, it's not, but I don't need any more power than it has).

Here's the product page, they also have a video:
http://www.brevilleusa.com/products/bbl600xl/index.jsp?sku=bbl600xl&cID=103&pID=21&pvID=21

[iluvcacao]

That certainly would not happen with a Vitamix! My mother-in-law has used hers daily for 15 years...no problems! Sorry this happened to you. :(

[subbacultcha]

I'm so glad I waited to get my Vitamix! I love it.

[blaqberry]

Gawds, how absolutely horrid. Glad you are putting it in writing, to the company etc.

[pan.droid]

Should have got the VitaMix:)

Better luck... well... as soon as you get a VitaMix.

Seriously though, sorry about what you're going through.

Peace,

Pan.Droid


----

Like VeggieMel said - put up an email address.

[VeggieMel]

I'm glad you're spreading the word about this. That'll hit them in the pocket book where it counts. They'll lose business. If an email address is provided, I'll email them to let them know I will never buy from them if this is the way they treat their customers.

[seaweed]

My Health Master 100 also failed a couple weeks ago. After only four months of daily use the container started leaking. Yeah, I was aware of the 100 year motor/60 days other parts warranty but I didn't expect it to crap out so soon!

It's sad that Jack LaLanne, one of the og gurus in health and fitness is associated with such a poor product. Since he's 93+ years old, the manufacturers might be taking advantage of his name. I would definitely steer clear of this blender.

[buffalogal]

I'm really sorry to hear this!!! I guess I have been pretty lucky. I have had my JLL Healthmaster for over a year and use it almost every day and, so far, have not had any problems with it. Now I'll be worrying about a problem developing. I wonder if there is some way that you could contact Jack himself. He really seems like such an honest, down-to-earth guy. I'm sure he would not want alot of bad reviews about his product. Maybe someday I'll get a Vitamix too, but for now, I'll keep hoping that my JLL keeps on ticking!!! It was what I could afford, I had been previously satisfied with my JLL juicer (again it was what I could afford), and so far, so good with the Healthmaster. I hope that this can be resolved for you. Good luck with it. I know that this must be very frustrating to you, as I know it sure would be to me!!:(

[raweyes]

The Jack Lalanne advertisements really are convincing aren't they? However, I am convinced that the machines they use on the advertisements are not the ones they send to customers. I purchased his first juicer marketed over the television. It would juice soft fruits alright, but the motor was so weak it nearly fell apart when I tried to juice a carrot!

[unbent]

I would suggest going to ripoffreport.com and vent on their site. It is great for spreading the word on things like this. There may already be a bunch on there for the same thing. Your could be yet another nail in the coffin. This site is very popular. Hope this helps.

Andy

[spiralgirl]

Yikes what a frustrating ordeal. Awhile back I saw one of these blenders at Wal-Mart and thought about buying one but read mixed reviews online and didn't. So glad now, instead I'm saving for a Vitamix. Thanks for the post.

Here is something you could try that I read on a forum and it's worked for this person everytime (This is about an Apple product but they have used it before):

This is the way to deal with apple:

1. Call and complain.
2. Establish a problem/issue you are having with them
3. Establish the fact that said issue is causing you monetary damage (i.e. costing you money/job/work/etc.)
4. Tie in the fact that Apple might be liable for those damages
5. Write down names *and* ask for peoples Corporate Employee Identification Number (lets them know you mean business)
6. Climb up the latter of command as you see necessary.

I've used this system with many companies (from verizon, to best buy, to Apple) and it always works. You just have to *know* that you are right, and you have to make sure they understand it. Just be a concerned customer.

Just for an example... a few months ago my mac book pro was messing up a bit (it had basically no wireless). Apple gave me a hard time about it and claimed it was the software (when it clearly wasn't). So I used the system, and long story short, they gave me a new mac.

Squeaky wheel gets the customer support.

[Anastasia Alston]

Hi all! Thanks for the support. As for an email addy, I'll have to look one up. Thanks for the ripoff.com site, too! It really makes no sense for them to have such crappy service & such an unreliable product, especially in this day & age when one wrong move can have you hit so hard in the pocket due to the internet & competitors who are more than happy to please the customers you're too busy to bother with - unless of course you aren't in business to stay. In that case it hardly matters what you do since you aren't planning to keep a loyal customer base to begin with. Lesson learned! :) I'm sure I'll be far happier with a Vita-Mix. Just perusing their site they have PARTS to replace worn out ones & you can even upgrade your blender jars on some models. Sure it costs, but they back up the costs with serious customer service & years worth of experience. I'm willing to pay the extra $$ for that little bit of mental peace. I'll post the email addy when I get it!

- Stasi, Pea Pod (Morab), Rosie Cotton & Binnabik (the Pibble Posse)

[Kath]

My Health Master 100 also failed a couple months ago, I been calling the customer swervices for more the 4 months, just thinking about it, make me angry I probably talk with 10 people, wait for 30 min and no a single respond for this company maybe because I bought it in the state and I am for Canada, but I never seen so bad customer services. I want to send a complain and do some posting in other website.
Please e-mail me if you want to add your name or any other complains to the letter, I want a least to get my angry out, lol

[jorjeni]

I have a healthmaster and I love it!! The bottom nut with the blade on it has come off 2 times on me got smoothies all over the place LOL!!! but all in all I love it I have had it for over a year now.

As for a comment about that not happening with a vitamix there is a video on youtube of a man making cacao almond butter cups and his vitamix breaks in the middle of him making it. So it can too happen with one.

[GoingtoRAW]

I WAS in love with my Healthmaster 100 until the little screw in the bottom of the pitcher went out and then caused the blade to stop working recently. I called the company and they sent me a brand new one. About two days ago I was making a smoothie and I noticed that the blender was slowing down and hesitating. Then I noticed a smell like the motor was overheating or something. Luckily I had finished making my smoothie so I just turned it off. I thought maybe I had just let it run for too long. Then yesterday I started making a smoothie and things seemed fine - until the base started smoking! Well - I had enough and I called the company and they are refunding my money. I will not buy another Jack Lalanne blender. I do have his juicer and it works fine so far. If it goes out - that's it!:(

[ambermum]

Thank you for sharing your bad experience w/JLL and I will happily join an email campaign. I think with some companies the only way to deal with things is to hit them where it hurts - in their wallet, by letting them know that word will be most certainly be spread within the raw community that their product is substandard, customer service is atrocious and that we will encourage any potential blender customer to look elsewhere. To throw my two cents' worth in, I HIGHLY recommend VitaMix. Yes, it is an investment price-wise, but it will be the only blender you ever need and their aftercare is fantastic. It does soooo much more than blend and, as mentioned earlier, you can make AND heat your raw soup in minutes - the temp won't get above raw level unless you want it to, and you can have heat without destroying enzymes. I also agree with Seaweed about Jack Lalanne himself perhaps not realizing how poor his product and customer care is. Maybe you/we can write to him directly in some way?

[Soldier Girl]

I agree with Andy (unbent). Go to ripoffreport.com and post your complaint. Then email or call the JLL company and let them know what you did. If they want to save their reputation, someone will respond and possibly make it right.

I have seen many rebuttals bringing attention to the tricky wording in their warranty programs. Even if they don't make it right, people will read the complaint and think twice about ordering their products.

~Debbie

[buffalogal]

I just saw today that they have been discontinued! I was wondering about them because I saw a new infomercial over the weekend for a Living Well Healthmaster by Montel Williams. It's the same name (Healthmaster - although Jack's was a Healthmaster 100), made by the same company, Tristar. Montel even includes a "Super slim me" book, which I got one by the same name when I got my JLL Healthmaster 100. So I wonder if they're still being made, but now being sold by Montel instead of Jack (they don't look exactly the same though). Just thought you might be interested in this new information!

[glamazon]

I know you are having rust problems...could it be your water or something? My JUICER has not rusted per se but I'm a bit bummed with the results produced lately. I was all jazzed with my JLL juicer in the beginning as well. But as I have tried to transition to RAW I'm all aggravated that it doesn't juice my lovely greens. It shoots them right out the back without extracting much or any juice from them!! Jack's infomercial is Wack. I love that old fart [no offense to older people I am older so :p] and truly think he an awesome force to the health world but I'm very disappointed with my juicer. I feel like I purchased a bootleg juicer LOL My saving grace is I purchased mine at bed bath & beyond and I still have my box...the receipt is MIA-->BUT the store manager said he would take it back for a store credit with no problem. So that made me a little less frazzled LOL.

I am debating a blender purchase. I can't make up my mind between Vitamix and BlendTec...funds are restricted so not like I'm running out the door with money in hand. People whoi have either swear by them but dang thats alotta munnnny hunny. At the moment I am using my friend's Breville ikon that she never even took out of the box!! The blade is wicked looking but the motor is only 750 watts basically barely over the 1hp mark, but it seems to be doing what I need it to do ((sighs)) someday as I progress I'm sure I will invest in a more efficient one. Do you have any recommendations for me??

ANYONE have brand they prefer? I want a glass carafe so that's an issue too. Blender drama who would have thunK

[shooter902]

I just saw today that they have been discontinued! I was wondering about them because I saw a new infomercial over the weekend for a Living Well Healthmaster by Montel Williams. It's the same name (Healthmaster - although Jack's was a Healthmaster 100), made by the same company, Tristar. Montel even includes a "Super slim me" book, which I got one by the same name when I got my JLL Healthmaster 100. So I wonder if they're still being made, but now being sold by Montel instead of Jack (they don't look exactly the same though). Just thought you might be interested in this new information!

Hey Buffalogal,

I was wondering the same thing about the Montel HealthMaster..I too saw the infomercial and called their helpline trying to get a little more info about warranty. Needless to say, I knew more about the unit then the person answering the phone, which is always disappointing to me. however, I was able to find out that it comes with the 60 days money back, 10 year on the motor, 90 days on the rest of the unit (don't like that) but you can purchase a three year for $15 or a 6 year for $30. S&H is $24.95 making it a total of $175 shipped (less any warranty)

Now the bummer..It is made by Tristar, so It is most likely an upgrade to JL's model. Maybe they fixed the issues with the bearings or maybe they didn't. I am going to talk to Tristar and see what I can find out and post back if anyone is interested. I wish I could afford the Vitamix..I just stand and drool every time that come to my local Costco..lol..

Here is the link to Tristar showing the Montel Healthmaster:

http://www.tristarproductsinc.com/products/health-master.html

TTFN
Phil

[glamazon]

That's why I usually purchase new products, especially online or infomercials products with my Amex card because if you are not happy and the company you purchase from is being a PITA Amex will just reverse charges and be done with it. I like that POWER :cool:

[Marin Mom]

I had a Jack LaLanne juicer a few years back and remember it spraying plastic at one point. Luckily I returned it to the store I bought it at (I think it was Macy's) no problem. If a product has mixed reviews a dept. store is simple to make a return at.

On the other hand, I got the Vitamix through this site and couldn't be happier!

[appifanie]

also you can report them to the better business bureau and write a letter to the highest person in the co. you can get a name and address for and tell them you're reporting them.

http://newjersey.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=89&bbb=0221&firm=16006654

oh you can try state attorney general too

[shooter902]

On the other hand, I got the Vitamix through this site and couldn't be happier!

Yeah..I think I am going to pop for a Vitamix myself...its just the best!! I am just starting raw and might as well start right :)

[pixie_333]

u-haul... i will never give them my business again. and let me tell you.. they will give you the shaft over and over and over... i have never in my life faced anything like it. it took months and it wasn't until i told them i'm going to go to every forum immagineable to announce to people not to use them did i get a phone call back and it took a week after that. i think i threatened to sue them too. they also gave me false numbers to reach supervisors.

people... never use u-haul! they will screw you even when they admit they've done wrong and employees to back them up they did wrong. but when it comes to a refund or some money back... they vanish.

and the odd thing about it... i wanted ryder but when i clcked on their link it took me to uhaul. i guess it's the same owners?

[buffalogal]

Right now I have the JLL Healthmaster 100. So far I've been pretty lucky, I guess!:) I've had it for well over a year, use it regularly, and so far, so good! It was what I could afford at the time, and so far, I have been happy with it. Although I haven't had any problems with it thus far, all these posts are making me think that it's just a matter of time before it bites the dust! When that happens, I do believe I will splurge for a Vita Mix or a Blend tec. It's funny though - so far the smoothies I have made (many!) with my Healthmaster 100 have been as smooth and as good as those I've had made on a Blend tec or Vita Mix! I work at a gym where we also sell smoothies. We have a Blend tec commercial one and the smoothies I make at home with my Healthmaster 100 are just as smooth and tasty as those I make at work with the Blend tec! I travel alot and usually buy a fruit smoothie at the airport. They are almost always made with a Vita Mix Commercial blender, and again, they are no better than the ones I make at home with my Healthmaster 100! I just think that when my Healthmaster 100 goes, I'll probably get a Vita Mix or a Blend tec, simply because it seems like it will probably last alot longer!!:D

[sydswan]

I wish I had read these reports b4 I bought this blender . I would not have done so , I only hope it doesn't s--t itself in a few months.

[steveoregon]

I had a problem with my Vitamix that was posted here:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=62448

When I spoke with Vitamix on the phone, they told me to include the container when sending back the Vitamix. When I told them I had three containers, they said to send back the one I used most. Don't know why they needed the container but I included it (the plastic was pretty much clouded from two years of use).

When my Vitamix was returned (fixed), they had replaced my used container with a brand new 64 oz container. Now that was unexpected service above and beyond.

Also, before I sent my Vitamix back, they mailed me a prepaid mailing sticker (no shipping charge for me).
.