Has anyone ever used a Bosch Kitchen Center?

[jmarie]

I saw a Bosch Kitchen Center in a magazine recently...but I can buy off the internet for about 60.00 less. The pricetag of 349.00 seems a little pricey, but the features, like beaters that connect at the bottom of a bowl for ease in adding the ingredients seemed nice. Consumers Report didn't list it when they tested mixers. Any ideas out there on a good mixer? I am in the market and would appreciate any ideas on this!
Thanks in advance!

[funnybone]

Kitchen Aid 6 qt Epicurian! I just bought one in Dec. and cannot rave enough about it. I was worried that it was too large for smaller batches, but it is not. It retails for about $349 to $369, but I got mine with a 20% off coupon for about $280. THAT was a bargain. I don't bake as much as I used to only because we don't need to eat a lot of sweets. When I first bought it, I was in a baking mode 24 hours of the day - it was comical. I could not wait to use it. After the Kitchen Aid, I realized that my old Sunbeam mixer was just a toy.

I don't know anything about the Bosch one, so I cannot help you there.

[Sara Emily]

The Kitchen Aid and the Bosch both come up consistantly as the two most preferred brands in all the reading that I've done and, from experience, I can say that my Kitchen Aid is a pure pleasure! I have really put it through its paces, and it never fails to do a nice job.

I have used other Bosch products with great success also, and the price you have found of $60 off seems like a good one. Since they are both reliable, well established companies, both will allow you to easily add accessories as you go or to replace parts should that ever become necessary. They are good about standing behind their products.
I hope this helps in your decision making.

[jmarie]

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES! I AM STILL UNDECIDED...IT IS A HUGE INVESTMENT FOR ME AND I WANT TO BE SURE I WANT WHAT I GET...BUT BOTH OF YOUR RESPONSES HAVE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT I DO NEED A BIGGER...MORE PROFESSIONAL MIXER! I'LL LET YOU KNOW!

[Beth]

One question about the Bosch: would you have any problem getting parts, accessories or service? Good luck with your decision and have fun trying out your new mixer when you get it.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 04-07-2001).]

[funnybone]

Kitchen Aid is "Made (assembled) in the USA" so parts are not a problem (although I have not needed any). Their customer service # is 800-541-6390. I am sure you can ask them some specific questions. They have a 1 year full warranty that if the mixer fails, they will send you a replacement one out. That's what they say in my manual.

[Beth]

Most appliance service places will repair Kitchen Aid, and I think they have factory authorized centers in major cities, but in warranty, they ship a new one out. I bought a refurbished one and had a new (refurbished) one shipped out even with that. I called them about the dishwasher several times before I actually got it, and I was very impressed with the customer service reps.

[jmarie]

I really do not know about service, parts or any of that...That is a good question! What about kitchen-aid? Is all that readily available...Are there authorized service centers that you would have to send mixer to? Thanks for any additional information!
Eyes wide with excitememt!
Joyce