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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that there can’t actually be people out there who justify paying £400 plus for a kitchenaid food mixer?

168 replies

wannaBe · 08/07/2013 12:02

just received a load of special offers from qvc for kitchenaid products. there are items such as

toasters for £295. coffee makers for £615. Food mixers upwards of £400 up to as much as £700! Shock

Surely nobody in their right mind actually pays those kinds of obscene prices? Grin

OP posts:
Popsandpip · 08/07/2013 12:06

People pay what they want to pay. Why do you care? Everyone's different. Who are you to judge them - and who are they to judge you?

LeaveTheBastid · 08/07/2013 12:08

I would love a Kitchenaid, but I honestly can't justify it. I spent £230 on my stand mixer and that nearly brought tears to my eyes as I was keying in my PIN. I could buy a cheap runaround car for the price of a Kitchenaid. They are bloody lovely though.

squeakytoy · 08/07/2013 12:08

If I had the money I would buy kitchenaid appliances. They are beautiful to look at, as well as being high quality to use.

LRDLearningKnigaBook · 08/07/2013 12:09

My mum bought me a Kenwood a year or so ago, I think it was about half that, but her big one would probably be more.

She's used it for, ooh, 20 years? Whereas the mixers I've had from Sainsbury's previous have broken within two or so.

If you have a magic cheapie option that lasts, that's brilliant, but I assume people pay silly prices because they're hoping it'll last a lifetime and mean they don't buy umpteen dozen different mixers.

I'm sure there's a big element of fashion here too, especially with those red mixers that look all 'retro'.

Trills · 08/07/2013 12:09

YABU

Of course there can.

If they have £400 to spare, and the kitchenaid would give them more happiness than any other thing they could spend the £400 on then it is "worth it".

LRDLearningKnigaBook · 08/07/2013 12:10

(I have to admit, though, whoever paid a bomb for the fancy toaster in our rented house was totally had. It's rubbish!)

StuntGirl · 08/07/2013 12:10

I would have one in a heartbeat if I could. No space in our kitchen with all my other gadgets Grin

Trills · 08/07/2013 12:10

LRD - there's definitely a fashion element. It's a bit like an expensive handbag. It doesn't carry your stuff around any better than a cheap one, but looking at it makes you happy.

stargirl1701 · 08/07/2013 12:11

YABU. We were given one as wedding gift. People are allowed to spend their money as they please.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 08/07/2013 12:12

YABU

For some reason I would draw the line at a really expensive toaster, but good equipment costs money.

BombayBadonkadonks · 08/07/2013 12:13

I have a Kenwood Chef Titanium - birthday pressie from my Mum and Dad. It rocks and hopefully will still be working in 40 years (like my Mum's).

Expensive but totally worth it!

Pennyacrossthehall · 08/07/2013 12:14

My mum has a Kenwood chef (which I think is similar to the Kitchenaid mixer you're referring to).

I have no idea what she paid for it, because she's had it since before I can remember.

I'm ^^ 45.

I think that's why people buy them.

Allegrogirl · 08/07/2013 12:15

My MIL. They blew their inheritance on all types of shiny stuff. She is a crap cook but likes the retro styling. She also has the Kitchenaid juicer. They look pretty on the worktop. It will last forever and therefore we will get to inherit it apparently. It's a shame they can't afford the petrol to visit their grandchildren but each to their own.

Val007 · 08/07/2013 12:15

If I had the money, I would pay. Why not? You pay for what you can afford. When you have some money, your mentality changes - wait and see Wink

Curioustiger · 08/07/2013 12:16

Can't comment on KA as the retro look is not for me. But my kenwood chef titanium was a similar price and to me, it was worth every penny. I love it!

Poledra · 08/07/2013 12:16

I bought a Kenwood Chef Titanium a few months ago, Bombay. 'Tis the knees of the bees, and I hope that, like my mum's and my MIL's Chefs, it'll still be mixing away in 20 years time (more like 40 years for MIL's!).

I chose to spend that amount of money because I believe that it will last me for many years, rather than have a cheaper one that breaks in a couple of years. I did spend a lot of time researching the different makes, though, to try and ensure that my money was well spent.

newestbridearound · 08/07/2013 12:18

I would absolutely love one to go in our kitchen which is being redone- but sadly cupboard doors are a more important use of our money right now! If I had the cash spare though I'd buy one immediately, I think they look beautiful and apparently they work brilliantly too.

impecuniousmarmoset · 08/07/2013 12:18

I have a magimix that probably cost the equivalent of 400 quid when I bought it. Over 15 years of near-daily use later, it's still going strong. I still have my granny's kenwood that she bought, at great expense and great sacrifice (one cleaner's salary) in 1951. It's still going strong too.

With kitchen equipment like that, you pay for something that will last you effectively for ever, rather than plastic crapola at 50 or 100 quid that you'll have to replace after a few years. If you can afford the initial outlay, and I appreciate that many can't, then it's absolutely good value for money.

PickleSarnie · 08/07/2013 12:18

I have one. I love it.

I don't smoke. I don't have a shoe habit. I can spend my money on whatever I want.

Pagwatch · 08/07/2013 12:18

I have one. It's lovely.
I don't justify though because it's no ones business. People spend more than that on shoes and they can't even make cakes

ZacharyQuack · 08/07/2013 12:18

I have a Kitchenaid, it's gorgeous.

My handbag is crap and our car is ancient. Priorities.

ScarletLady02 · 08/07/2013 12:19

My Mum and Dad have one and if I had the money I'd get one too. They've had theirs for years and it still works as if it's brand new. It's awesome.

HawthornLantern · 08/07/2013 12:19

We got our Kitchen Aid with Airmiles that we couldn't use so ours has always felt like a bargain. If you pay cash they are indeed eye-wateringly expensive...but...they are incredibly well made. If the mixer doesn't see me to my grave I'll be astounded and if you are a regular baker it could well be worth it. If you are an infrequent baker and have the luxury of the spare cash it will still be a joy I think...

Original poster
wannaBe · 08/07/2013 12:20

wow it's not about being judgemental it just seems like an obscene amount of money to pay (and to charge) for a food mixer. And no-one will ever convince me that a £200 toaster is any better than a £40 one.

But yes agree that it's a fassion statement more than anything.

And from the Grin at the end this was meant to be lighthearted rather than judgemental so no need to be quite so snippy... if you have money to burn then go for it...

OP posts:
ChunkyPickle · 08/07/2013 12:22

I would get a Kenwood myself - my mum's is still going strong 35 years after she bought it.

I know that kitchenaids come in different colours which is nice, but I have a sneaky suspicion they've got a reputation for being good only because in my experience other US kitchen equipment is so awful (I couldn't believe how noisy, shaky, and poorly made the medium-high price big brand named food processor I bought was in comparison to the cheap number I could get from Argos in the UK)