Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

ORECK - The business, the history, the machine, the man and related.

(Below: Oreck 1979 to 2008)

  < yr. 1979  < yr. 5/2008

Jun 6, 2008 12:29 pm

Hello DIB:

Within the past year Consumer Reports added real pet hair [cats] to its vacuum tests as well as measuring the amount of hair at start and in the bag and/or dirt bin at finish.  Both are recent tests added by CR within the last year.  As suspected, dyson fared the same with real pet hair as kapoc. 

Kapoc is a good substitute for pet hair and around the industry for years and years.  Not everyone in the vacuum industry [read indy-s] have access to real pet hair.  Kapoc is readily available.  CR made arrangements to obtain real pet hair from an animal facility close by the CU testing place.  It is continuing the practice.  Excellent thinking on CR's part.

Carmine D.

------------------------------------------------------

Hardsell,

Consumer Reports uses a 9 to 1 mix of silica sand to talc for testing.  I see Baking Soda close in nature to talc (and dust) and certainly legitimate.  I do not have a Kapok producing tree in my front yard, do you?  I bet the great majority of the world’s population does not either.  Kapok is a trick of the trade and I have lots to say of its use/abuse by dealers, later.        DIB

 

CarmineD wrote:

They could also be matched equally using baking soda.  Of coures all but Dyson are afraid of the baking soda test.

I recently read a consumer review saying that Oreck would not honor the warranty on their vacuum because Capture (or similar product) clogged it.

Really HS.  That remind me of a post here posted by one of our regulars about a brand new dyson that burned out during the customer return period.  The retailer refused to accept it for a customer credit because the user didn't clean the filters.  Said it voided the warranty and the return policy.  A rep here from dyson called it a lemon!!

I have never heard of an ORECK motor burning out during the 30 day free home trial period.  Or an ORECK motor going bad under the 3-5-8-10 year warranty periods.  Never.  If you do, post it here.  It will be a first.  I heard of one case where an ORECK motor went bad after 20 years but came with a 21 year warranty.  ORECK replaced it free: Parts and labor.

See unlike a big box retailer who doesn't stand behind the vacuum products it sells, ALL ORECK buyers/users praise ORECK for honoring its warranties.  My theory is because ORECK sells its vacuums from ORECK owned and operated stores nationwide.  Has for over 45 years. 

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:
You need to read more and talk less.

CarmineD wrote:
While I don't doubt you love your Oreck I think to say that ALL Oreck customers praise Oreck for honoring warranties is a bit of a stretch.  A quick search on the net finds not everyone quite as pleased as yourself.

http://www.rateitall.com/i-6320-oreck-xl-series-upright.aspx

I am curious to know your thoughts on the Oreck Air Cleaner, something that many consider one of the worst products on the market yet it is still pushed heavily by Oreck and its stores.

Dusty

CarmineD wrote:

#1

Good Points

Uh, it came with an iron? And, yeah it really is light weight.

Bad Points

Not enough power, awkard cord management on canister, poor service (so far by retailer).

We had the Oreck XL for a few months when it started becoming more difficult to pick up with it. We finally took it to the retailer for an inspection (after making sure it was not the belt or bag) and they told us Resolve Carpet Cleaner (or "that white stuff" as they called it) was ruining the motor. Uh, we used "that white stuff" on our previous vacuum for serveral years with no problem. You just sprinkle the granuals on the carpet, brush them in with the brush, and vaccum thorougly as the Resolve directions state. Same as I have always done. Well apparently the Resolve "was ruining the motor." Seems to me a vacuum that cannot overcome Resolve Carpet Cleaner is poorly made. I never thought this thing had much power when we bought it, but after owing an Electrolux previously, I figured that was the way the rest of the vacuums performed, knowing Electrolux was the high end of vacuums. So anyway, this thing does not have much power or durability. The retailer is blaming us for the condition of this vaccum, even though the truth is it is cheaply made and that is why it performs as it does. We will now try to get Orek to replace the motor, but I suspect we will have no success. Also, on the canister, which has performed well, the cord has to be manually wrapped around the machine which is awkward and time consuming. Now that I have read the reviews, I see that this vacuum is commonly thought of as overpriced, underpowered, and with too narrow of a hose (easily clogs). Bottom line is there are better vacuums for about the same amount of money. Here's a wake up call to myself and everyone reading this, when you have to give away an iron with a product to sell it, it probably isn't that good of a product. Live and learn.

# 2

Bad Points

Pet hair wraps around the roller brush. The belts wear out quickly.

General Comments

I bought an Oreck XL vacuum cleaner. I have two dogs, so I vacuum almost every day. I have to stop every 10-15 minutes to clean all the dog hair off of the roller brush. The problem is even worse when the belt is worn. I have to change the belt every 1-1/2 to 2 months (not every 6 months as the manual states). I sent an email to Oreck about my problem. They suggested that I pick up the dog hair first before I vacuum? I thought that is why I bought the vacuum in the first place! Read the online reviews before you buy. Orecks are not rated very high.

# 3

Good Points

The noise helps to block out the husband/children/neighbours!!!

Bad Points

Loose handle. Drive belts pops off at every opportunity. Its styling looks old, its moveablity is out dated - stiff and basic.

General Comments

The Oreck XL will not pick up a bowling ball and the handle needs tightening after every use, the motor belts is always popping off and is so hard to get back on I have to wait for my husband to get home before I can finish cleaning. If you want back ache this is the appliance for you - its quality is truly non existent. We are looking for a better vacuum.

# 4

Good Points

light

Bad Points

doesn't work.

General Comments

The ORECK vacuum "cleaner" is advertised all the time on American radio. The ad campaign is very slick. This spokesman is a nice older soundiing guy who claims to be the gentle stately gentleman who has designed and engineered the Oreck vacuum cleaner just for you and is only interested in selliing this reliable economical machine for your benifit. DON"T BELIVE IT! They sell for about $300.00 and are about $300.00 over priced. It is such a piece of absolute garbage. The only reason it's "light" is because there's nothing to this "toy" of a machine but cheap platic. It's advertised as "hypoallergenic". WHOO EEE ! talk about a lie! The 'hypo-allergenic" filter in this thing consists of a retangular object that looks like 1/3rd of a used kitchen cleaning sponge. It's literally about 2 inches long, an inch wide and a 1/8 of an inch thick (that's about 2 millimeters for you Euros). This thing is so cheaply made that the motor doesn't even line up with the brush, so it's constently going through belts. We had it a year, went through 4 belts and an expensive brush and many smelly "cleaning sessions" before we said "screw it" and put it in the garbage pile. This is the most over priced, over advertised product I have ever seen. And don't believe the whole "30 days or your money back..." routine. They count the 30 days beginning when you order it, and must have it shipped back in the greedy little hands before the 30 days are up, so you realistically have about 4 days to try it out. If you like being kicked in the face, than buy this piece of worthless junk; otherwise buy a goat to chew on you carpet; it'll do a better job!

# 5

Good Points

Light weight.

Bad Points

I can't find anyone who does warranty work. Doesn't pick up surface or deep dirt, hair, etc. Have to order bags online.

General Comments

The Oreck XL is a very expensive vacuum that doesn't work. It throws out dust and won't pick up even surface lint. I am very disappointed. I called the company and asked for a part and they assured they would mail, but never heard from them again. Can't find anyone to do warranty work. Bags are not available except through the internet. Would not recommend. Bought top of the line, but it is not worth plugging in.

Another site showing only top rated vacuums.  Oreck failed to earn a top rating.  They had to buy an ad to be on the page.

http://www.smart-review.com/vacuumcleaners.html

Notice that the none listed tops Dyson.

FROM AN ORECK DEALER

Sorry to tell you the Oreck vacuum is the weakest vacuum I sell. Hard to put a 8 pound motor in a 8 pound vacuum. The Oreck has around 17 inches in water lift, which is how much water it can lift in a one inch tube at sea level. Most vacuums have 60 to 120+. A push carpet sweeper can take things off the top of the carpet and it has no power. The Oreck has just enough air flow to put things in the bag. The bag is dust free. To bad the swivel elbow at the fan leeks dust back into the room. I do not care what people buy as long as they know what they get. Who do you think pays for millions of dollar advertising. Yes you. Remember the original derivation of HEPA represented "High Efficiency Particulate Arresting" filter. The term "Particulate Air" conveys no meaning. So your window screens can be a hepa type filter it can stop any thing the size of your finger 100%. Look for the microns of filtrations of the bags. Suction is a made up word. Suction is the creation of a partial vacuumor

FROM  CONSUMERS

# 1

I have both an Oreck XL and a Dyson DC14 Animal. The Oreck has a bag and bags leak out when the vacuum is on. A lot of dust and fine particles can be released from the Oreck while you are using it.

Although it can lift a bowling ball due to the pressure/area trick it is not a strong vacuum. The Oreck leaves a lot of dirt behind and the roller brush is a liability. The Dyson wins the suction contest hands down particularly on bare floors because it travels low and forms a seal with the floor.

The first time I used the Dyson, I had a grinding sound coming from the vacuum in the carpet setting. I called Dyson on a Sunday morning and the service people walked me through the problem that I could fix myself. About 10 minutes after I called Dyson my problem was fixed over the phone.

There is one big drawback to a Dyson. When you first get it and use it you will be dumping the canister several times during the course of your cleaning because the Dyson is picking up so much dirt.

We have a dog and keep his hair cut short because he has a tendency to shed. We had a hair problem in the house and bag vacuums could not handle it. The Dyson not only removes the dog hair but everything else around the vacuum. It makes a suction circle which picks up everything in the vicinity of the vacuum, allowing for a better cleaning job.

The Dyson DC14 is the best vacuum cleaner we ever bought. Despite its price it is well worth every cent.