Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

  < yr. 1979  < yr. 5/2008

Hello Mole:

ORECK store staff recommend every 6 months on the belt changes.  I do too.  Why?  Firstly, better pick up.  Secondly, assists in propelling the Oreck more easily.  Thirdly, the belts are inexpensive and easy for the user to replace.

Dave started his career as an RCA employee after the end of WW11 where he served as a fighter pilot.

Carmine D.

Hello DIB:

Actually more like 40 years of the same design.  The XL 21 Titanium is really the first major redesign in 40 years.  I'll address that later.

Why no changes?  Consider this:  There are 30 components to the ORECK upright.  Less than any other vacuum on the market.  Considerably less.  Result:  Easy and simple to repair and maintain.  Fewer parts to break and replace.  Hence the reason in part ORECK-s last for years.

Consider the Coca Cola brand that revamped its age old secret formula in the 80's after as many years as the classic.  What happened?  It reversed course after it was inundated with complaints by the public.

If you have a good thing, make it better.  Don't change it!  Making it better is better served by marginal changes, as in the case of ORECK.  Not completely new and outright revampings.  The HOOVER Convertible, as Mole pointed out, had a 40 plus year life span in production and sales.  From the mid 50-s to the mid-90-s.  Probably the best rug cleaning vacuum on the market, ever. 

Carmine D.

DC18

Carmine,

I own 2 American made automobiles and love them.  I bought them on the basis on their form, function and cost.  Buy buying American I am supporting American auto manufacturers.  The difference between a given auto manufacturer and Oreck is the auto manufacturers do invest in future technologies and designs and bring better and more variety of products.  Oreck does not.        DIB

Hello DC18:

Your welcome.  And now on to the other questions. 

I have not viewed the youtube video.  My sense is the model tested is the Classic, which is the least expensive of the ORECKS, and the one most discussed here by me.  I own and use the XL Classic.   My sense too is due to the paper bags that come standard in this model: The CC.  The other models: The Deluxe, Ultra, and XL 21 all filter better than the XL.  Tho with my dog and my dear Wife's allergy and sinus conditions, the XL with the CC bags bode well for her here in Las Vegas.

Price?  Here in the US, where the ORECKS are made, there are 4 models: The XL Classic for $299 with the giveaways.  This is the model that was recently on sale for Memorial Day for $199 without the giveaways.  The Deluxe for $399.  The Ultra for $549 and the XL 21 for $749.  ORECK added some new models recently in the $499.  More on those later.  The first 3 models all share the same motor and brushroll.  Only the XL has a more powerful motor.  And the XL has a brush roll more suited for easy pet hair removal.  Of course there are other features that account for the price differentials.  2 speeds on the Ulta and XL 21.  Warranty periods are different.  Free tune ups, etc.  The Deluxe and Ultra are 10 years for warranty.  The XL 21 has 21 years.  The latter comes to $35 a year for a vacuum that lasts for 21 years with free parts and labor replacement all during the period.  This is the most expensive.  Is it worth the $740.  Not if that's beyond your vacuum budget.  Then the Deluxe is probably the better buy.  If it isn't beyond your budget it's probably a good deal for you. 

I can't make the pound conversion, but I suspect the high prices overseas is due to shipping costs and the higher costs of oil to get the ORECK vacuums to market there.  Last year this time oil was $60 a barrel.  Now its $130 a barrel. 

Carmine D.

Hello DIB:

I couldn't disagree with you more.  ORECK improved filtration, brush roll, uses microban on all vacuum products, improved energy efficiency and increased power of the motor in its XL 21.  Plus, ORECK invests in other home floorcare products, including a fairly decent canister, floor waxer/polisher, rug cleaner, stick vacuum, and carpet sweeper.  In other words a full array of household cleaning appliances.  Plus ORECK sells excellent air purifiers.  There is a connection too with air purifiers and vacuums.  ORECK is not a vacuum maker that invests in unrelated technologies.  Like one you and I both know.

More importantly ORECK invests in its employees.  They're not contractors.  They are company employees with full employee benefits.  Talk to ORECK employees about working for the company.  Even former employees.  See and hear what they have to say about the company, its founder, and the products.  They're proud.  That counts as much if not more than investing new technologies.  It's called social capital.  It's priceless.

ORECK is a quality product and company.  Has been for over 45 years.  Why mess with it.  Keep it good and make it better.  Not by wholesale rebuilding from the ground up [like some].  And investing R&D in unrelated ventures.  ORECK makes marginal incremental changes. That's what Oreck did and does.  The uprights are 8-9 pounds.  Simple rug cleaners and groomers.  Nothing complicated. 30 parts.  No other vacuum maker even your fave can match up. 

Carmine D.

Hello HARDSELL:

I did and do but you are not reading/listening.  I said my ORECK XL Classic cleans and grooms my rugs well but not as good as the HOOVER WT!  ORECK is a lightweight not a heavy weight.  ORECK is the best in its class.  HOOVER the best in its class. 

Carmine D.

HARDSELL:

Best is a subjective description that depends largely on the user[s].  From my personal and professional experience, knowledge and skill, I would objectively rank these two brands as good to excellent performers for all barefloor and rug cleaning requirements in the USA.

Carmine D.