2 stars because it did crush ice, and because the store where I bought it let me bring it back, so I'm not bitter.however:-after the first use, the motor smelled like burned rubber-the glass jar doesn't lock or snugly "fit" in the casing when you use the blender - it just sort of sits there flimsily-all those buttons - does anyone know what all of these subjective sounding functions mean, or how many of them - "mix" vs. "blend," "liquefy" vs. "purefy," - even differ from one another?Keep your 12 buttons and give me an old-fashioned, 1 or 2 speed, solid kitchen appliance.