I need vacuum cleaner advice

[punkin]

My vacuum cleaner, which I bought a little over a year ago stopped working (the motor still works, but there is no suction). I am torn between buying a cheap replacement and going for an expensive model that might not break in a year. The problem is that this vacuum was a replacement for a nice, expensive one which also broke in about 3 years of use. I could try to get this one fixed, but that would probably cost at a minimum $50 and I can get a new crappy one for $70 or so. I don't know what to do. Any advice?

 

[dclfun]

I would go for a Dyson- Overstock has refurbished ones at a nice discount. I got a refurbished Dyson pet vac there three years ago and it's still going strong. It's soooo much better than any other vacuum I've had, and I've had many! Overstock has an extra 10% discount right now with free shipping and they also sell new models if you want to go that route.---Kathy

 

[edk35]

I just purchased the Dyson D41 Animal. I love it. We were shocked at how much stuff was sucked out of our carpets and I vacuum a lot. We have an Oreck and have owned two Orecks. However, I wanted something that I could use on our laminate floors too and that had better maneuverability. Our carpets looked liked they had just been professionally cleaned after we used the Dyson for the first time. There is NO smell either like with most vacuums after a while. We have two dogs and usually when we turned on our Oreck, it had a wet dog smell. The dyson also has the hose/with attachments which is nice. Now I will say that the Dyson is much heavier than the Oreck, but even with that, I prefer it to the Oreck for many reasons. It was expensive but I am sure we will not be purchasing a vacuum for a very long time.

 

[miralys]

I have an Oreck. The price really made me pause, even for refurbished. But I was so tired of purchasing vacuums every other year (even cheap-o ones are $100) and dealing with mediocre results.

The Oreck is worth every penny. Sucks up everything, even difficult dog hair and bird feathers. It hasn't given me a lick of trouble either. It's going on almost ten years now and still going strong.

My vote: do the research and get something that will last

 

[mrsklamc]

We got a refurbished Dyson, it was guaranteed for I believe a year or something and over the course of the year we had to keep taking it back for the same repair. Repair guy said they had never quite gotten the clutch on that model to work right and that's why it was discontinued. We were very impressed with how well it worked, when it worked, but ended up replacing it with a cheapie from wal mart.

 

[punkin]

I can get a consumer reports recommended vacuum for $73. If it lasts me 2 years, I'll be happy for that price. Are the Dysons and Orecks really that much better that i should spend 5 times as much for one?

 

[kirrrby]

When we moved into our place, we bought an Electrolux. It's a canister vacuum. They run about 300$. My parents had the same one and it's lasted for a good 7 years and it has a 10 year warranty. Electrolux also has stick vacs for 100 or so but I wouldn't recommend those for large spaces or everyday vacuuming.

If you don't have a large space to vacuum we found this one very great in our apartment. It came with a 1 year warranty as long as you registered it through Hoover and it had a great price tag. I would definitely buy this model again. It sucked up pet hair, and dirt and even the mud that was tracked in by combat boots. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hoover-Nano-Cyclonic-Compact-Upright/15054492

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I have an Oreck. The price really made me pause, even for refurbished. But I was so tired of purchasing vacuums every other year (even cheap-o ones are $100) and dealing with mediocre results.

The Oreck is worth every penny. Sucks up everything, even difficult dog hair and bird feathers. It hasn't given me a lick of trouble either. It's going on almost ten years now and still going strong.

My vote: do the research and get something that will last

DH "surprised" me 2 years ago with the set of 3 Orecks--upright, cordless, and hand-held. I hate them! My old Hoover that I bought at an outlet store for $89 picks up a whole lot better and was at least 1/3 the cost.

 

[punkin]

DH "surprised" me 2 years ago with the set of 3 Orecks--upright, cordless, and hand-held. I hate them! My old Hoover that I bought at an outlet store for $89 picks up a whole lot better and was at least 1/3 the cost.

This is exactly what I am afraid of. If I make a $70 mistake, Oh Well! If I make a $500 mistake, I'll be kicking myself for a long time.

 

[dawson5]

The Oreck's at Sam's Club range (online at least) between $200-250. Dyson is $450 I believe. Still a gamble, but not as big of one. (I do not own an Oreck, just looked out of curiosity.)

Go to the library, research on Consumer's report and see what they say.

Personally, I think vacuums are like pc's and personal care items. What works for you, might not be a good fit for someone else. I can tell you what I like and don't like about my vacuum, how it works for me. My house might not be set up the same as yours, kids and animals, etc. It's all subjective.

Maybe research their return policies and see if you are completely unsatisfied, if you can return it. I remember someone on here ordering a vacuum and had to pay a restocking fee. There should be a test run policy, store try-outs don't always fit how a person would use it.

 

[punkin]

The Oreck's at Sam's Club range (online at least) between $200-250. Dyson is $450 I believe. Still a gamble, but not as big of one. (I do not own an Oreck, just looked out of curiosity.)

Go to the library, research on Consumer's report and see what they say.

Personally, I think vacuums are like pc's and personal care items. What works for you, might not be a good fit for someone else. I can tell you what I like and don't like about my vacuum, how it works for me. My house might not be set up the same as yours, kids and animals, etc. It's all subjective.

Maybe research their return policies and see if you are completely unsatisfied, if you can return it. I remember someone on here ordering a vacuum and had to pay a restocking fee. There should be a test run policy, store try-outs don't always fit how a person would use it.

That was the first thing I did. BTW, they are available on line for a fee (totally worth it IMO). They have a recommended Hoover for about $74 fro Amazon. That's what I'm looking at right now. The have Dysons recommended, but they are rated lover than some much cheaper models.

 

[dawson5]

That was the first thing I did. BTW, they are available on line for a fee (totally worth it IMO). They have a recommended Hoover for about $74 fro Amazon. That's what I'm looking at right now. The have Dysons recommended, but they are rated lover than some much cheaper models.

I know about the online access, we just don't use it enough to justify the expense. I like going to the library anyways--and it's the budget thing to do.

For what it's worth, I have a Hoover Windtunnel. I bought it back around April I believe. I want to say I got it at Kohl's on sale and if I used my credit card, they took additional percentage off. I think it was in the $65-75 range. This looks like it, mine seems more grey though. The pic looks more blue-grey.

http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-WindTunnel-Bagless-Upright-UH70105/dp/B002OQB4JE

 

[kirrrby]

Let me just add, my grandmother swears on Hoovers. She wouldn't and hasn't bought anything different since they began making them. She still has one that is 100 pounds and no hoses and attachments and it still works. Granted no one makes bags for them anymore, but that has to say something about Hoover if it's lasted since 1940's.

 

[dis-happy]

I saw the Oreck listed for sale in the Big Lots flyer a couple of days ago, only $99.

 

[cari12]

Got a Dyson 2 years ago -love it!

 

[ameraumi]

The older model Dyson's are much better than the newer ones. I clean a couple of houses that have the newer Dyson's and their sucking power is nothing like the older ones.

I bought a Dyson 4 yrs ago and the floor part lost it's suction but the wand still worked. I replaced it with a LG Kompressor and I hate it. It is starting to short out on me now and I am also in the market for a new vac.

I am looking at a Bissell. I need to pull it back up, but there is one model that was rated the best by Consumer Reports and it is in the $100 range.

 

[kirrrby]

I am looking at a Bissell. I need to pull it back up, but there is one model that was rated the best by Consumer Reports and it is in the $100 range.

You have to take in account that Consumer Reports buys and tests products themselves. So they might not have the thrifty mindset where they go buy the cheapest vac out there versus the most expensive. They might not have models that would be worth looking into. I personally go by numerous reviews online not from just one site. I would not recommend a Dirt Devil (they're worthless) but if you're not looking to spend an arm and a leg for a vacuum then a Dyson isn't for you. If you're comfortable spending 70 or so dollars on a vacuum I would recommend buying from a place that has a 90 day Policy. (Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls or buying online at a place that has a physical store location near you) because they can take back a defective product if it doesn't work. So if you're not satisfied with the product and it doesn't work as expected pack it back up and return it. Make sure you keep your receipt. But if you buy online you might be able to return it. But buying from Amazon, Overstock..etc you'll be charged a restocking fee (usually a percentage of the products worth or a set amount for a category)

 

[luv2mickey]

Don't buy a dirt devil, their terrible. I have a dyson and love it have had it about 5 years.

 

[Judique]

That was the first thing I did. BTW, they are available on line for a fee (totally worth it IMO). They have a recommended Hoover for about $74 fro Amazon. That's what I'm looking at right now. The have Dysons recommended, but they are rated lover than some much cheaper models.

I've had 3 Hoovers in about 35 years - a $69 one, a $79 one and the latest is a $199 one, all uprights with attached hoses and motor driven belted brushes. Replace the belts quite often but they did better than the Dysons, which my neighbor had. She had to borrow my Hoover and than went and bought a Hoover.

 

[phred52]

No one has mentioned the Rainbow vacuum. They are waaaay more expensive but got our first in about 1995. It is still going STRONG with no repairs needed! And when I say strong I mean there is suction like you wouldn't believe!

I bought a second one probably 5 years ago at a garage sale. Looked new, so I asked the owner ...why?? ... why are you selling?? She explained she was divorcing and downsizing. The judge gave her the vacuums. Since she had one for downstairs and one for upstairs, she was selling one. I paid $200 for that one. DD#1 took it when she moved into her own place.

Two summers ago when dd #2 was buying a house I found a third Rainbow vacuum at a garage sale. Paid $40 for that one. It's a much older model, but you know what?? It too has unbelievable suction and works great.

All 3 are going strong with regular use. I'm keeping my eye out if any more that turn up at garage sales .... Got friends who want one at a bargain price