price is OK - got it at macys for $50 on the tag, but macys always has either 20%off with credit card, or 20%off GC it is not good for crushing icecubes - not powerful enough to make fine ice crystals if you like very thick smoothie, you will be disappointed - but if you only like very thin "juice" like smoothie, then it is ok doubt it will work for meat, since the consistency seems too "thick" for the machine, and you have to open and close the lid numerious times to stir it