Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I'm looking for an upright bagged Hepa vacuum for around $300.  Consumer reports rated the kenmore #1 but I haven't always agreed with C.R.'s ratings before on other things.  Is there anything at that price point I should be looking into or should I just go with the kenmore?  Thanks

are riccar/simplicity made by the same company? and how much do their top of the lines radiance and synergy go for? i can't find any online prices.

Yes  Riccar and Simplicity are made by the same company, and their uprights are all made in a factory here in the USA in Missouri.  The top of the line models go for about $1400 full retail, lower prices depend on dealer tho.  The other series you may want to look into would be the Brilliance/Synchrony.  These models range in the $500-800 area and also use the Tandem Air system but cost a little less than the higher end models.  These can also use a HEPA filter too.  If you are willing to spend the extra money  the Tandem Air models are much better cleaners, but even if you can't, all of their machines are well made and clean very well.  Personally I have the Radiance Premium that I use and am very happy with it.

Both Simplicity and Riccar are made by Tacony. The Uprights are made in Missouri and the New Canisters are made in THEIR managed factory in China the older canisters were made in Korea but they had trouble making any changes/adaptions to models so they wanted more control.

Synergy-$750
Synchrony-$500-$650

Prices are going up in a few weeks

Here's another thought, if you are looking for a true sealed HEPA cleaner on a budget and don't mind replacing it after 3-5 years...I forgot about this machine until I happened upon one of my earlier CR issues.  Go to Wal-Mart and check out the Eureka SmartVac 4870, they are $150.  CR has consistently rated it as one of the best upright vacuum cleaners at cleaning and filtration. 

-MH

I think I'm going to go with either the riccar brilliance or the simplicity synchrony. I've got two local dealers. One told me that they'd take a trade in and knock off $200.  I didn't know Vacuum sales were like car sales.  What kind of prices are you guys seeing for these models?  Is $200 off retail pricing good?

Bubbleboy wrote:

Good choices.  Either one.  The Simplicity is probably less in price than the RICCAR. 

Depends on the original asking price.  Look at it this way, Kohl's is selling the dyson DC07 All Floors [dyson's oldest and the cheapest upright] for $399 on sale.  Plus a buyers' discount of 10-15-20-30 percent off depending on your mailer discount.  My dear Wife got the 30 percent off.  So theoretically she can purchase the $400 dyson for $280.  That's a discount of $120 from MSRP. 

Now compare that sale price to the MSRP on the RICCAR/Simplicity models that you are looking at.  The RICCAR/Simplicity models you are choosing are the top of the line in upright vacuums bar none.  You can't find better quality and performance in a vacuum than you will find in these brands and models regardless of what you may spend.  Is $200 alot off in relation to the China-ville made dysons at $120 off?  I don't think so.  I think it's a competitive discount with the vacuum brands, models, and discounts at all the big box retailers.  They are the primary competition for store brand top of the line vacuums. 

Like Einstein said:  It's all relative.

Carmine D. 

The RICCAR Brilliance and SIMPLICITY Synchrony rate a commendable 8 overall out of 36 models tested in the upright category by Consumer Reports in October 2008.   Shining with Excellent in carpet, barefloors and pet hair removal: the big 3 CR tests.

Carmine D.