Forum Undecided Purchase - TM5 or TM31?

Hi Everyone

I have been sitting back watching, reading and waiting with regards to purchasing a Thermomix.  I have wanted one for 2 years now, but wasn't happy with the size of the bowl on the TM31, as I felt it was too small.  Now that the newer model has arrived with a bigger bowl, plus all of the bells and whistles on it, I am thinking of purchasing this model.  However, I have been alarmed to say the least with regards to all of the "errors" I have been reading about on this forum that the newer model has, and the customer service (or not) that some customers have received (or haven't).  I am fully aware of the errors in the recipe chip.  I would have thought that a correct replacement chip would have been sent out to all customers by now, or even a communication saying that this would be happening.  Have I missed this?

My question to you guys out there that have either have a TM5 or TM31 model, "Should I purchase a TM5 Thermomix?  Or purchase a 2nd hand TM31?"  Even though the TM31 has a smaller bowl, it doesn't have all of the electronic bells and whistles on it to have lots of errors that come with the TM5, at the moment.

I have also been researching my purchase by asking numerous friends about their TM5s and TM31s and have attended a cooking class with the TM5 model.  I attended a TM31 model demonstration over 2 years ago.

I plan to attend one more TM5 cooking class, wait for the delivery time of this model to die down, along with all of the "error" messages I am reading on this forum to die down a bit, before I finally decide.  I may be in for a long wait!

What is the current waiting time from placing your order nowadays?

Your feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Maureen

Hi,

I ordered the TM5 a couple of weeks after they came out. I too had been thinking about buying one for a couple of years but the purchase price put me off as I already have a decent food processor , kitchen aid etc. Decided that I would get one and just happened to be one of the new ones. I had to wait 5 weeks. I was told 8 but got a nice surprise. I was mortified when I read about all the problems, however, maybe I have been lucky but my TM5 is great. No problems. The chip was not replaced so you didn't miss anything. However us and my teenage boys (yep it's got them cooking!!) have had no issues. Personally I wouldn't go for the Tm 31, there seems to have been major problems recently from what I have read with sealing rings and burns. If buying second hand and you got one from that batch I think the warranty wouldn't become yours, so you could have a problem. Personally I wouldn't want a smaller bowl. So that's a definate advantage for me. I use mine every day, no regrets. However, at the end of the day owning either machine would be great so it's down to personal choice!

 I had problems with my TM 31 it was sent to Melbourne twice with the same problem for repairs, this did not make me happy as it an expensive machine to be sent away for the same problem.

I emailed and phoned the Perth office with my concerns, like many I have read Forums about bad customer service and became quite concerned that this is what I was to expect.

How wrong was I to think this, I have had the most excellent  and prompt service after waiting for the Festive  period was over it was delt with in a week and Thermomix have made me a happy customer again 

Maria 

It appears that currently most purchasers are waiting 8-9 weeks (from the 'Delivery time for TM5' thread)