Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi,

I had some mad money around so I decided to do a little shopping.  To add to my store of  "oldie but goodies" I bought a Kenmore 116.7070, the last and most glorious of the Kenmore "cart" canisters and an also equally glorious G.E. AVF-807 upright.  But you know my motto -- shop 'til you drop.

Though little publicized, I've been very curious about the Black & Decker VN1400P for some time now as I have decided on researching some worthwhile cleaning machinery in the $200 range. B&D claims it can take on pet hair, etc.  However, please note this vacuum has no electric power nozzle.  Oddly, vendors selling this B&D have largely been offering it for sale online only.  I called Black & Decker and learned that Linen n' Things might have the intem on stock in its stores.  I found just one on the shelf and none on display. 

Admittedly, this is merely a bagless machine with a pleated filter enclosed within a plastic shroud but my resolve was so strong to give one a once over that I took on the Newport Mall in Jersey City.  When I disembarked the Path Train there I was thinking New York where you merely come up out of a hole in the ground anywhere in midtown and there's three of everything you want or don't no further than ten paces away.  Well I won't play Jersey cheap.  There's plenty of to be had -- just don't be fool enough to go after it without a car.  But that's another story . . .

The VN1400P was acquired for $199.  Here's what I discovered once I got it home and out of the box.  First, the machine's body and dust container are both made of plastic that's much thicker any than I've seen on any canister vac in recent times.  I find this very encouraging.  The cleaner's suction is quite strong and sound during operation though not exceptionally low is comfortably bearable.

The marketing hook as far as this machine is concerned is the special filter cleaning cycle.  With the motor switched off, you push a button and the pleated filter is set spinning by a separate motor for ten seconds.  As the filter spins two plastic blades cause the pleats to shake off adhering dirt and dust.  How well this works and how well the filter wears has yet to be seen.  This filter may alos be "washed" -- outside portion only -- and replaced once dry.  There is also a very small coarse filter, about 1.5" x 1.5" to deter dirt or debris from entering the airway to the fan chamber when removing or replacing the dust container.  The HEPA filter is claimed usable for life requires a screwdriver for removal.

I am always skeptical of air-powered tools but this is the first vacuum that seems to actually supply enough pulling power to make your effort at least look worth it.  By that I mean, it handles surface cleaning well but I have yet no assessment regarding deep cleaning.  That should not mean points off for this machine as deep cleaning necessity varies household to household thus it may be just perfect for some and not for others.  The bristles on both the brush rolls of its powered rug nozzle and upholstery tool are of no remarkable density or firmness but once set spinning by the VN1400P's slow-start 12 amp motor the action is very firm to the touch.  The 11" turbo nozzle for rugs also has a long velcro strip for dislodging lint and fur plus a plastic blade for use on bare floors. The additional 10" straight suction rug and floor tool has only one row of retaractable bristles up front followed by a stationery plastic lint picker and a plastic blade at the back of the nozzle.  The very simply dusting brush led me to doubt but it, due to the vacuum's strong suction, performs well too. The VN1400P also has a three-section telescopic wand reminiscent of the wand used on the Dyson canister that can also be locked onto the up-ended machine for storage.  I will post a formal review as soon as I've had a while to learn how well the suction output endures after a couple weeks of use.

Best,

Venson

Venson,

You asked a loaded question,Should the consumer be warned in advance about parts availability,refunds,exchanges under warranty,or if the manufactures requires repair before replacing a defective unit,
I know of no such mandates that requires the sales rep to tell the customers before a purchase.I personally tell my customers before they plunk down the money all the good and bad points associated with our products,Being very service oriontated ,i feel it is just telling customers before hand because if something happens to it down the road at least i can face them and not pawn them off to a service rep in another country that barely speaks english,

To put it bluntly there is no integrity in this business anymore[the fish rots from the head down] or the old line is i dont care you cant see it from my house.

The old adage is [BUYER BEWARE],

Did you ever notice when you ask out of the norm questions,most people get defensive and start to scatter...............or go on break..........

regards

MOLE

Hi Venson:

You mentioned the long trek in your post and I thought that might be the reason but I wanted to confirm.  I agree with Mole the product seller doesn't have any legal obligation to advise you of the shortcomings UNLESS you specifically ask.  And then as Mole points out, the product sales people will decide its break time.  It's caveat emptor [buyer beware]. 

For $200 plus the best stores to shop for vacuums are the independent vacuum stores.  Black and Decker has taken its place on that long list of US household appliance makers that have gone the buy/dispose route. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

It doesn't feel worth the time -- or effort -- as at least three weeks have passed since I brought the VN1400P home.  Cabbing it back means extra money and as for walking it back, a little exercise never hurts but I think I'll pass.  It's really no big deal in that my fortunes will not suffer much if I don't take it back.  Besides which it runs well otherwise and, as I said, I can always use it for nasty stuff.

But regarding the "disposable" appliance issue what about the greening of America?  Do you think our recycling efforts are strong enough to make disposal and/or  re-use efficient enough to offset the waste produced when short-term electrics get dumped.

Venson

Hi Venson:

Excellent question and point.  My heart wants to say the going green momentum will preempt the disposable world of appliances we live in.  But my head says wishful thinking.

Look at GE.  One of the original USA iconic appliance makers with a  century old history.  The only original member of the 30 dow industrials from 1896.  Selling its famed appliance division.  Probably to a Korean/Chinese bidder.  For $5-7 Billion.  Maybe.  Could be less.

Disposable is ingrained into American consumers.  Obsolescence is built into most large household products with a 7 year useful life.   Vacuum repairs are still possible and practical and cost effective on the better and best vacuum store brands.  You know them.  Kirby, Miele, RICCAR, Oreck, Electrolux and others.  But not for the big box store brands that breed profits year after year by selling new household appliances, not repairable ones.

Carmine D.