Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

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

(Below: Oreck 1979 to 2008)

  < yr. 1979  < yr. 5/2008

DIB:

What's an error/mistake of less than 1 percent between friends? 5127, 5174: That's a diff of 47, less than one percent.  Close enough.  Maybe Mr. D should have worked a little bit longer to get the brush roll right?

The kapoc test was obsolete in the vacuum industry for many years.  Why?  After 100 years of vacuum industry experience most uprights and canns with power heads, including the disposables sold in the big box stores, adopted industry standard brush rolls that performed well on all rugs and carpets.  Didn't need the test anymore.  It was a moot test.

Then along comes dyson with its glitzy colors, clear bin, and no clog filters that never lose suction.  And what about the suction: Mega suction called airwatts: 270.  One slight problem that all the dyson people missed: A puny brush roll.  Savvy vacuum pros, like MOLE, recognized it right away.  Laughed at the $500 price tag.  You can tell people until you are blue in the face that the dyson brush bar is so puny that it will take more time to do the same rug cleaning job as all the others can do.   They won't understand.  But show them.  And see their reaction.

Out comes the old kapoc that was sitting on the shelves collecting dust for almost 50 years.  And back to the kapoc test.  Any vacuum currently sold today K-O's a dyson DC07 and a DC14 on rugs and carpets.  Even the $50 uprights in the big box stores.  Most especially an ORECK, any model you choose.  The XL 21 Titanium with the more aggressive brush rolls than the XL, DeLuxe and Ultra,  puts a dyson DC07 and 14 to shame on rugs and carpets.

Shame on James Dyson.  Shame on his 450 engineers and his vacuum company.  Should have known better.

Now please tell me what dyson model is the signature model?  The greater dyson?  Second time I asked you.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Ant the loud mouth cowards are afraid to take the baking soda test with their Oreck.  I know you claim this to be bogus.  Once again, how many homes have baking soda vs. kapock?  Give us tghe chicken poop answer again.

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.