I have the opportunity to buy a 350 watt Sunbeam mixer for $100.00 or should I wait and purchase the Kitchen Aid 250 4.5 quart mixer for $200.00. This is for my business so it will be a tax write off....But I don't have a lot of funds right now...I can also buy a refurbished Kitchen Aid for $170.00.....WHAT DO YOU ALL SUGGEST I DO?!?!?!? I called the 800 numbers for both companies and got no where ..I tried looking up consumer reports and found out I had to pay for them....I'm counting on what you all suggest I should do..but I really need a new mixer badly!!!! I don't really need all the fancy attachments that Kitchen Aid has....so????? TIA
I would do the new Kitchen Aid for $200. My experience is it is the best and if you can get new one with the warranty for $30 more than refurbished I would go new. I started out with the 4 1/2 quart and ended up getting the 6 quart less than 1 year later. I sold the smaller on E-bay and got the 6qt. with the 20% coupon from Linens and Things and a mail in rebate, I ended up only paying about $50 out of pocket. If you look around you can get a great deal on a wonderful new Kitchen Aid!
Tracy
I know it's more expensive, but Kitchen Aid is by far a better brand. Sunbeam is great for the time being, and I've had many wonderful cake and icing moments with mine, but after awhile, it's starting to give out from all the stuff I ask of it. The Kitchen Aid rocks. That motor is made for the heavier usage of a serious baker, and the longevity of the mixers is a testament to that.
Also, on America's Test Kitchen this past weekend, they tested all kinds of mixers, and Kitchen Aid won for all around durability. It handled the toughest doughs they could throw at it, as well as the lightest meringues. (the kicker? The model they tested (the six quart professional) was the one I put in my wedding registry, and Mom had just been telling me that I didn't need that expensive a mixer, and how did I know it was that great? LOL After hearing exactly how tough that mixer was, and knowing that I want to take my cakes to a business level, she's now saving up for my wedding present! -grin-)
I'm a Kitchen Aid girl, though, so I might be biased. 
If money is tight, and you can get a KA later down the line, then get the Sunbeam. It will last long enough for you to get the higher end KA, or even a different 'heavy duty' mixer. I still use my Sunbeam all the time-you can never have too many mixers when making tiered cakes, IMHO-, and it's still kicking.
Hope this helps!
Doni in NC
Get the refurbished mixer from KA... Sunbeam is not a good maker and cheap makes equals wasted $100. I suppose if you just plan to mix batter and whip eggs, then most anything will work, but... if you plan to make buttercream and heavier things, get as strong as you can. Refurbished ones still ahve the warranty, so don't worry about that aspect.
melissa
I have a kitchen aide 325 watt artistan mixer and I just love it. I have never had a sunbeam so I can't comment on thier product.
you can get a white artistan 325 watt mixer on Amazon.com for 199.99 no tax free shipping. It also comes with a rebate for a free attachment.
Get a stand mixer attachment free, either a food grinder, a slicer/shredder, or a citrus juicer (up to a $64.99 value), via mail-in rebate when you purchase select KitchenAid 5-quart stand mixers. Offer valid through May 31, 2007.See Details.
hope this helps
sherri
I do not bake as a profession, just for the pure joy of it, so please think about that while reading this. I have a KA professional series (I got an awesome deal on it) and I love it. If you will be mixing large batches I would suggest getting a high watt motor with a high cup capacity. I have heard only good things about the KA refurbished models. I don't know anything about Sunbeam brand though. So, I would suggest a refurbished KA. I hope this helps.
I say go for the KA. I purchased mine with 20% off coupon from Linen and Things it's a 6Quart and it's the best tool I have ever spend that kind of money on for my kitchen.
Unless you already have a unit and this will be your second one, like "tbittner" mentioned you might be upgrading within a short time. You will need the power to get the Buttercream and other heavy batters going.
Good luck!
KA all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL I have a 4 1/2 qt KA that has been worked to death for 17 years!!! Still going strong and my mom has one that is about 30 yrs old--avacado green--eewwww.lol I bought myself a Delongi 7 quart and I love the size, but I can definately see the KA is made for endurance... Good luck!
without a doubt go with the KA.I bought my first one (4qt) about 30 yrs ago and it is still going strong!! I also have the heavy duty 5 qt and about 4ys ago I bought the professional 6 qt. I also have the KA hand mixer. I would not trade them for any thing.The last one I bought was reburbished and I have had no problems so far. The KA out lasts and out works anything elso on the market!
I have a KA 6qt and bought it refurbished (on Ebay), it came with a 6 month warranty. I absolutely love it! I cant tell the difference (works just like a brand new one) but I saved quite a bit of money....and that is always a good thing! 
All right....if KitchenAid is the way to go....can anyone point me in the right diretion of finding a cheaper one at a reputable place????????? TIA
Check out Amazon for them, they have free shipping for the mixers and good prices.
Some people have found them on sale at other places with coupons too.
I had a Sunbeam once for about 6 months, it wasn't their best model. After that my husband bought me a 4.5 quart KA that I made bread in for about 7 years before it gave me problems. I got an upgrade about a month ago, the 600, and I love it.
My Husband bought me a Sunbeam for Christmas. I tried it out 3 different times and it didn't work right. It would run and then shut itself off. Also the beater didn't touch the side or bottom of the bowl. Don't know hou you would mix anything up in it. Needless to say. He boxed it back up and returned it because I didn't like it at all. I am saving my money for a KA. I did buy a KA hand mixer for now and I just love it. Good luck on your decision !!! I'm holding out for the BIG KA.
look on ebay, I bought mine (the Professional 6qt) for $280, the color is mint green... wouldnt have been my first choice for color but the black and silver ones aution out at about $320; I need it to mix not look pretty anyway Its gorwing on me, ok ok I love it... DH loves it too.. thinks it looks retro 
(which made it easier to tell him what I spent on it!), there is an ebay appliance store who is always auctioning them; they also have attachments and extra bowls for much less than retail!
wow just noticed the spelling errors... oops! 
Im trying to type while holding our 9wk old, doesnt work so well!
Go with the KA. My wife and I have been using her grandmother's for at least 8 years, and her grandmother used it heavily for probably 20+ years before that. We don't bake 'professionally' but are very frequently using it for cakes, icing, cookies, etc. We love it!!
go with the Kitchen Aid, i didn't want to spend the money until my husband said... cheap tools break, spend the money now and you will not regret it. That was 4 years and several hundred cakes ago... I do not regret it for a minute. (5qt Professional).
Okay.....I bought the refurbished 4.5 quart KitchenAid Ultra Power Plus!!!!!!!!!! There isn't a scratch dent or ding on it!!!.....The real question is .....now what do I make???? I'M SO FREAKIN' EXCITED!!!!!!! My husband after working 50 hours this week.....felt like sleeping at 8pm last night...but he said okay and drove the half hour to get it before they closed at 9pm, carried it through the mall out to the car in the parking lot, and even let me do a little wahoo dance in public without saying a word...brought me back home and even got me a happy meal on the way home.....The only thing he has said about it..."Does this mean I don't have to hear you complain about a mixer and that you don't have a Kitchen Aid anymore?" "This is going to be the first time I drive past that mall without hearing you say...I want a KitchenAid" "Now that you have one....can I have my boob cake now?" ....so I'm thinking I'm sadly going to have to make a boob cake as my first thing in my brand new sparklin' friend.....maybe he'll settle for double fudge cream puffs that look like boobs???? ha ha ha
ASupergirl--start making them boobs--LOL!
You are gonna be so happy with your KA--I've had the 4.5qt for 17 years and love it and I just got the Professional 600 for Mother's Day--used it for the fist time last night, that baby ROCKS!
Go with the KA I was given a Sunbeam. I burned out the moter after six years. This amount to only about 60 cakes!
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