#1 If you want to buy directly from Vitamix, then make sure you get a free shipping code from a site like this. That will save you $25. #2 Buy from Amazon.com for under $400 You can buy these directly from Vitamax (make sure you get free shipping code) and at demonstrations at stores like Costco.  The 5200 has a plastic base and weighs 10 lbs. 9 oz.  The "CIA Professional" version by Vita-mix has a metal base and weights approximately 12 lbs. Through Amazon.com, the Vitamix CIA Professional Countertop Blender is roughly the same price as the Vita-Mix 5200 that is sold for home use.  It looks like it shares the same motor, capacity and quality but you can get a heavier metal base for about the same price, perhaps less given Amazon.com doesn't charge sales taxes.  Hopefully, Consumer Reports will review this blender in the future but we suspect it is equal to, if not better, than the 5200 sold for home use at Costco.

The Vita-mix 5200 is the top rated blender based on points in the 2010 Consumer Reports rankings of blenders. Next on their list is the Hamilton Beach HBH650 Commercial Tempest Bar Blender at about the same price.   Both are good blenders.  We bought the Vita-mix 5200 blender some time ago and use it every day but we would buy the Vitamix CIA Professional Countertop Blender today if we were to do it again. 

Two Top Rated Professional/Commercial Blenders for same price as Vitamix 5200
Vitamix CIA Professional	Hamilton Beach HBH650 Commercial

Vita-Mix does not offer coupons. What they do have is a special promotion code that people use to save $25 on their standard shipping which makes standard shipping free.