Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

After much discussion and pondering and the infamous Oreck XL21 thread.  I finally bought a lightweight vacuum for my home.  I set out this weekend with all intentions of buying an Oreck.  On Saturday the man at the Oreck Clean Home Center was very plesant, he let me handle and try everything on display. He came off the price and re-arranged the packages for me as well as offered factory refurbished and reconditioned trades to help meet my budget.

I left the Oreck store positive I was coming back, but I wanted to take a look a the Simplicity Freedom before I made the final decision.  I went to the Sewing Center/Vacuum shop we have done business with all my life; and which my mother has done business with for over 60 years.  Unfortunately the salesman must have been short on commission and long on inventory this month as he was only interested in my wallet and not my needs.

I began by telling him what I was interested in, an Oreck, or Freedom lightweight vacuum for quick clean ups and low pile carpet in the basement and kitchen. I further explained that I had a good high power vacuum I was happy with for normal cleaning and this would be a complement not a replacement.

He immediately started to run down my main machine (BAD FIRST MOVE--we are attached to each other).  So with this move he began showing me the me the Simplicity Synergy Tandem Air (Weighing in at approximately 22 lbs and a cost of $1,479 plus trade). He poured sand on the floor, he pulled water up a column from a colored fish bowl, he hooked up hoses to hose with a shop vac.  He did everything but show me the Freedom.

When he finally got finished with dog and pony show he explained how unhappy I would be with the Freedom because I was used to power and for approximately the same amount of the Freedom he could sell me the Synergy's little brother which isn't tandem air but still is more powerful than a tornado in an outhouse.

I stood firm that I came in looking for the Freedom, but now he pretty much talked me out of anything.  This is when he shot me the wonderful low price for the Freedom of $579, which with my loyalty discount he would drop to $479 and take another $50 off with the coupon in the paper today so now it's $429 and would give me a years supply of bags to boot. Well with that wonderful deal how did I walk away you ask?  By slipping on my coat, zipping my daughter's coat and walking to the car.

I did think it over and decided that the Oreck was high priced, and he did offer me a factory refurb for $299 and still had a decent warranty.  My decision was an Oreck Ultra.  Monday I was off to the Oreck store, but before I went I decided to stop by the Vacuum shop one of the church members just opened on the west side.  I felt I owed it to him to stop in and even if I bought the Oreck from him I was supporting a fellow Catholic.  It just so happened when I walked in I found he sold higher end vacuums.  Melie, Sebo, Lindenhaus were all lined up in the window.  I found he also sold the Riccar line.  I told him what I wanted and what I wanted to do with it.  He listened to me and brought out a Riccar RSL4. There was no pressure, no comparing to other machines, no running anything down or trying to move me up in price. I took it home for $299, a year's worth of bags and he carried it to the car for me.  I will do a review of the vac itself in the review section.  

I will say that the buying experience at the Oreck Clean Home Center and the Independent vac shop was very pleasant.  If everyone could experience this kind of service, no one would buy at Wal-Mart again.  It is so refreshing to see this kind of service still exists. The experience at the Sewing Center/Vac Shop ws worse than a four hour home demo from the Filter Queen gestopo.  I doubt I will be doing business there in the future.

Congrats on the purchase.  Excellent choice.  Gorgeous color: Sapphire Blue, the same as the Oreck Classic I purchased in April 2007.  The latest in the RICCAR Supralite uprights.  Fantastic price.  [RICCAR The First Name in Vacuums That Last].  Should have a 2 year warranty too.  If what RICCAR says is true, cleans 40 percent better than an Oreck.  I believe it is made in St. James, Missouri.

The local RICCAR store in North Las Vegas is supposed to have the RSL4 very soon.  If I can buy it for the price you did, I will.

The latest Consumer Reports [March 2008] rates the RICCAR RSL3 number 3 overall for all the uprights tested.  Of course this is the earlier model than yours.  The RSL4 is brand spanking new.  The latest and the greatest.

Carmine D.

Congrats on your new purchase.  You picked a winner w/the Riccar.  They market very good machines.  Your Supralite is a very good upright, but when it comes to performance, it is not a lightweight by any means.  They do an excellent job on carpeting.  They even do a very good job on floors.  The cheaper models(w/o rubber squeezee) also do a fine job on floors.

A note, you can either use the white HEPA Filtration bags or the cheaper Microlined bags.  They both do well, but use the HEPA "clothlike" bags if heavy allergies are an issue for you.  The bags will take forever to fill before having to empty.  This, by no means, means that the vacuum is not picking up.  What it does mean is that the bags are very large and you will be using the Riccar as one of a few vacuum cleaners.

All vac shops are going to be different, because they are independently owned and operated.  You, as a consumer, have the right and choice to go to whichever place of business you choose.

CarmineD wrote:

The label on the hood proudly says in a large font "MADE IN AMERICA"  and then in very tiny,  I would say maybe a size 6 font , it says "with globally sourced parts".

I do love the color Sapphire blue, and the black bag really sets it off.  I liked the black bag because you can tell if any dust is leaking.  I haven't seen any, of course, I do vacuum regularly.  My white fluffy dog makes vacuuming, at least spot areas necessary several times a day.

One thing I will say that helped sway me towards the Riccar is the price of the bags.  The Hepa cloth bags are $14 for six, and the Enviropure bags are $12 for six.  Compared to the Oreck which are $24 for eight of the regulare bags and $39 for the Hepa cloth bags.  I leaned towards the Oreck for the 10 year warranty with 10 annual tune ups, however, for the price difference $200; I can buy my own belts.

I can't cut and paste on this board, but if you want to see this machine you can go to www.riccar.com

Just wrote:
The Hepa cloth bags are $14 for six, and the Enviropure bags are $12 for six. Compared to the Oreck which are $24 for eight of the regular bags and $39 for the Hepa cloth bags.


WOW!!!! I've got to raise my PRICES!!!

Lucky1 wrote:

Not so fast., you need to keep the prices down for us little guys.  BTW--the RSL1 which is one speed and no ergo handle can be had for $169.

 My next want.  Notice I said want, not need.   I want a Hoover Constellation.  I wanted one of those way back when.  Nothing about my want is practical I just want it.  Our neighbor had one when I was a kid in the 70's,  and I was just fasinated with it. 

I just came back to add,  I have a new want.  I was just on the Riccar site and now I want the Sunburst canister.  

If anyone sees Santa, tell him to add that to my list.  Remind him I'm still waiting for my Mercedes.

As a vacuum salesman myself, I HATE it when salespeople try and sell a customer something they don't need or want.  I also hate bashing the competing product, I prefer to concentrate on the advantages of the product I want to sell first, then point out politely (key word there) the reasons I think the other products are not as good.  It sounds like you experianced both a good and bad salesperson that day, and I am glad you found a product that you enjoy.

I rec'd an email from Oreck with a limited time offer [March 9] to buy an Oreck XL Classic for $199 with a 3 year warranty and no shipping costs.  No quantity limit.  I don't think the offer is for the public.  I presume it's made to me because I purchased 3 in the last year.  Now, probably 4.

Carmine D.

See a new "8lb." model coming from Tacony.

Lightweights are finally having their day in the sun.  Consequently, more vacuum makers are entering the market and/or introducing new and updated models.  Why?  The graying of America.  Now one of the largest buying groups in the USA with over 134 million.

Consumer Reports listed 4 Quick Recommendations for Lightweights in its March 2008 ratings.  Ranging in price from $60 to $330.  HOOVER snags 3 of the 4 with the Tempo for $60 and 16 pounds; the EmPower for $100 at 17 pounds and the WT Supreme for $130 at 17 pounds.  Of course the top rated is the RICCAR/Simplicity for $330.  BUT, the latter doesn't come with attachments on board like the HOOVER models accounting for some of the additional weight.

Carmine D.  

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

But there are now a few midget canisters around, like the Hoover S1361 that you like, to take up the slack above the floor for attachmentless lightweights.  Matter of fact the S1361 was down to $45 in Best Buy over the weekend.  Kenmore also puts out something similar.  Of course, Orek essentially started the idea having two lightweight machines -- one for floors and one for above the floor use.

My only question would be whether keeping track of two vacuums in limited space might prove a problem.  A lot of middle-agers and seniors do take smaller living spaces these days for practical and financial reasons.

Regards,

Venson