KitchenAid Stand Mixer Question

[DMickey28]

I just got a white Artisan Stand Mixer for Christmas. I have a question though for those of you who have one. Do you remember how it was packaged in the box?

I am beginning to question if this one was opened and returned before. The box did not look it but I didn't look for secondary tape until after I opened it. I just cut the tape along the seam when I opened it.

Here is why I think it was opened and returned, let me know what you think.

1. The electrical cord was tied and wrapped around itself. Usually they have a twist tie around them in general.

2. There where two tags in the bottom of the bowl that looked like they should have been attached to something, one of them being the electrical cord but it was ont.

3. The plastic clear cover that goes over the bowl was wrapped in paper but it was ripped.

4. There are grey "smoke" spots around various areas on the top, like the smoke smudges you get from your candles sometimes. Very light and around the screw in the top but it was there.

5. There was a random green marker line on the bottom in the front, I wiped that off though.

6. Nothing was wrapped individually ... I thought that the dough hook or paddle would be wrapped on it's own or something. The wire whisk was attached to it already.

7. I tried to make bread this afternoon with it. The recipe called for 1.25 C of water and 2.5C of flour so not an incredibly dense recipe but the mixer "froze" up on me once while mixing. I was right there and shut it off and it went back on just fine but still ... it was on the 2 speed which they recommend for the dough hook.

I am going to bring it back and ask for an exchange for a new one. I just want to make sure that I am not losing my mind. It just doesn't feel right. I made a TON of bread this summer with my mom's Artisan mixer and it never did these things.

Thanks ....

 

[clh2]

Of the items you listed below, the one that would have sealed the deal for me was:

4. There are grey "smoke" spots around various areas on the top, like the smoke smudges you get from your candles sometimes. Very light and around the screw in the top but it was there.

I know from personal experience that KitchenAid's customer service is EXCELLENT. I purchased a K/A mixer a couple of years ago when Lowes had their ad messed up, but they honored the price. A couple of months later, the motor got way messed up. K/A sent me a new one, and then paid for return shipping for the original one. They were GREAT about this. Absolutely great!

The link from their website is: http://www.shopkitchenaid.com/cc_contactus.asp
You can either contact them via their website, by mail, or they have a phone number. I would ask them the exact questions you've got listed on your post.

Good Luck...This is really a great mixer...make sure that yours is new.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks clh. I am going to call them and ask. I'd rather return it to the store than go through KitchenAid but maybe they can tell me if this is normal packaging and stuff.

 

[puffkin]

I got mine in November (DH let me get it early so I had it for all the Christmas baking) and I don't recall mine being packaged like that. It sounds like it was returned OR was a floor model.

 

[MineMail]

Could the buyer have purchased a "refurbished" mixer intentionally?

I agree that, this one sounds like it was opened and returned, then resold.

I inherited my KitchenAid mixer from my mother. It must be close to 30 years old and still works perfectly. DH gave me a new KitchenAid food processor for Christmas - can't wait to try it out.

 

[dawson5]

my hubby bought one for me for xmas about 8 yrs ago. I thought that all of the paddles were inside the styrofoam packaging and there was the cookbook and informational material. I think there were slits where they fit, all of it, cookbooks and paddles. I don't know which one it is, there is a lever on the side and the bowl goes up & down. I have had it replaced 3 times with the kitchenaid warranty. So far this one has not given me any problems in 5+ yrs.

I would take it back to the store though. I think if you call for service (it is great) they will send you a box to package it up and send it back. I think they send you a refurbished one though. If you've only had it for a short time, I would make sure that it is replaced with a new one. I have no issues with refurbs but if you bought a new one and have never used it, you should have a new one.

We have friends that received a pasta maker for their wedding. He is the cook in the family and was quite excited by it. He opened it up and there was dough dried and caked on to the inside. He was so disgusted, he just returned it and didn't bother with a new. Seems that people want to try something out or just need it for one thing and have no problem doing this. I think people do this for the Superbowl also, buy a tv for the big game and return it afterwards.

 

[kacaju]

I just opened mine yesterday. It was well packed in styrofoam. The whisk was attached and the paddle and dough hook were in the styrofoam. I just looked at it and the cord is wrapped around it. I cant remember if I did that or it came out of the box like that.

 

[DMickey28]

I called KitchenAid Customer Service and she described how most of the are packaged and it sounded like mine. She also said that they get very well oiled up for packaging and the smudging on it could be from that. She said it was not a refurbished model, looking up the model number, and that if the box was not obviously opened then it was probably new.

I think I might just keep it ... since KitchenAid will replace it under warranty anyway.

 

[sbell111]

I don't know if your mixer is used, or not, but the fact that it froze on you is troubling.