Congrats on you new purchase. Like I said in an earlier post, "You have listed some very good choices, for your future investment, in the Riccar/Simplicity and Miele. I will have to disagree w/you re:comparing the Riccar to a Kenmore. I would ask you to lift each and get a feel for them. Take the two power nozzles and compare them. Take the deluxe Riccar/Simplicity power nozzles and compare them to the Kenmore power nozzle. feel the bristles. I have to wonder if you are looking at the Riccar Pizzaz, because I cannot believe that this woman would sell the Midsize Riccar for less than the Pizzaz. The Pizzaz is not like the Charisma.
Remember what I always say, "Take care of your vacuum, then your vacuum will take care of you"
I am sorry Mike it was the Riccar Pristine for $499 and the Charisma for $399 (No Pizazz in the mix). I will tell you that the Miele is in a different class than both and that actually the Electrolux Ultra Silencer Deluxe 7066A was better buy than any Riccar with similar goodies as the Miele Capricorn and better plastic tnan the Riccars.