Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

We bought this blender to replace our old Target-brand blender that was pushing 10 years old. It still worked, but had seen better days and we were looking to upgrade on power since we really enjoy smoothies. My Wife purchased this blender after checking some modest reviews, but mostly because it was powerful, KitchenAid is a quality name brand, and it matched other kitchen appliances. Unfortunately, t this blender cup (and all others like it) suffers from a major design flaw. I want to believe that it was simply a mistake, and that this flaw was not done under the shadow of a KitchenAid conspiracy that forces purchasers to return to KitchenAid for replacement parts or ultimately a new blender...but that's the way it feels to me. The blender cup (bowl...whatever) is different than other blenders and does not have a screw off bottom. Instead, they made the blender cup a one-piece that does not come apart. It seemed like a good idea, but the fact is that the manner in which they combined the blades to external sprocket (which sits on the blender motor for turn) is made with plastic and cannot stand up to the power of the blender motor. On mine (and others as you can see from neg reviews), the power from the motor combined with the weak plastic holding together the sprocket and blades (via a nut/bolt/gasket coupling) creates a weak seal. Eventually, the plastic collar cracks or breaks, and your smoothies start leaking onto the blender motor (at first). As the issue gets worse, it leaks worse and the problem becomes greater as the seal gets looser. Eventually, the blender is rendered useless. And obtaining a replacement blender cup (bowl...whatever) is both a hassel and not free. While KitchenAid has good Customer Service, I was informed that my 1 year warranty had expired and they proceeded to offer me a replacement part at retail cost. I informed them that the fault is in the blender cup's design and I should receive a free replacement part. No joy. Overall, not what I expected when I bought a quasi high-end blender. Next time, I'll go full bore and buy a VitaMix...