I purchased this blender just over a year ago and it is already broken. The motor has malfunctioned in a severe way. If I hold the base upside-down, the motor will run but sparks fly out of it. Due to the inability to blend upside-down and the fear of sparks, this appliance is now useless junk. I contacted Hamilton Beach to try and get some satisfaction but they claimed it must have broke because I did not know how to use it. How hard would it have been to work with me instead of blaming me? Very disappointed in this product and I will now look for a new blender that is actually a quality product.