Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

After some advice here, I bought a BOSCH Formula Electro Duo. it was 499 minus 20% at linens and things. It came with the turbo nossel as well.
Although my wife likes it because it's light, I have my doubts. I am a product designer, and know more than the average person about design and manufacturing. My main complaint are the quality of the plastic parts--especially the attachments. I would like something that would last at least ten years, and i know the bosch won't. It's not well built, although it does have some nice design touches.
I visited the five closest independent dealers, and wasn't impressed with them. Perhaps it's because I'm in an area where most people don't have much money. No one had the verve in stock, and the hoover dealer didn't have their most recent model. So, while i still have time to return the bosch, I wondered if you had any recommendations. someone on craigslist is selling a miele redstar for 200 bucks. is that a good vacuum? One dealer had a riccar 1500 for $550, which seemed nice, but it's more than I'd like to pay.
If anyone can tell me what and where to get something good, i'd appreciate it. I'd like to keep it less than 500 bucks.
-Ben

thanks venson, for your reply. Linen's and things has a 60 day returrn policy, and i have no qualms about returning something there. I would prefer to shop at a small shop, and would not treat then the same way. Based on my visits to the local shops, I couldn't figure out how things were priced. They just gave me "approximate" prices. That is why I assumed they were negotiable, and wanted to know what was fair.
If I were shopping for myself, i'd buy a rebuilt one, but my wife wouldn't go for it.
Ben

ElvisPresley wrote:

May I ask why your Wife would not?  And without sounding naive [happy Wife happy life], ask why her decision on this matter preempts yours.

Carmine D.

she is worried about bringing in allergens, and she has had bad luck with refurbished items.
Say she would go for it--where would we get one?
Also, of the other options i am considering--simplicity/riccar, hoover, miele, which are lightest in weight? This is an important criteria for her.
Ben

ElvisPresley wrote:

Hello Elvis:

Saw you yesterday at the Casino and wanted to catch you but you were too fast for me.

Plenty of places for rebuilts.  All vacuum stores worth their salt have rebuilts.  Just have to ask.  And be prepared to pay.  But, sounds like your Wife would never use one, in part, due to the weight and allergens.  The fomer is real, the latter is perceived.  But she trumps you on this buy.   

I enjoyed your analogy of room air conditioners.  Perfect comparison to vacuums.  Today's vacuums are better and more efficient than those of yesteryear.  Just like window air conditioners.  Less expensive too.  But quality and durability?  Today's room air conditioners are lighter but more flimsy than those of yesteryear.  Like vacuums, A/C's were repairable at one time [if they ever needed anything other than a filter cleaning].  No more.  They are disposable too like the vacuums you buy at the big box retail stores.

Makes no difference what vacuum you buy for $500 and more, if you use the tools [attachments] and especially one/two in particular, the tools won't last 10 years.  Be prepared to buy new tools every few years, especially if you and/she are regular and frequent tool users.

Carmine D.

Right you are Carmine,the only function of a vacuum cleaner is to suck air in and blow air out,it's the attachments that do the work. Not too many vacuum companies have figured this out yet.

As long as the machine has the pull to collect the dirt,the rest is just for fancy advertising and hype..........

MOLE

I'm looking for a new Lamborgini for around $38,000....

All kidding aside there aren't any Quality vacuums (with the requirements you are describing) available at $500. Simple fact. You MIGHT get lucky with a lesser machine and get the longevity you seek but I don't think any vac shop can HONESTLY back up that claim. That said let's move forward and you can decide from there. Besides price, your requirements are: New....Small/Lightweight.... Can handle a large Household... adjustable height powerhead... and will have longevity. My first suggestion would be the SEBO K series with the ET1 powerhead. You will have to spend about $750-$800 dollars. Next would be the Miele Callisto for $830. It would be heavier than the SEBO and it would not have the adjustable powerhead but it wold have a larger bag. Both are German made. The Chinese made Simplicity Verve gives you a lot for your money and will be around $550 -$800 depending where you by it. The retro Perfect Powerteam Canister is about $650+. We haven't sold any yet and other shops I talk with have had a few issues with them, including not starting right out of the box.


The amount of carpeting you have will kill the petit powerhead of the Riccar you mentioned. However, you might find a leftover Simplicity S24 (the Korean made predesessor to the Verve) for less than $550 though.

The Hoover is a bigger and heavier machine than you are looking for. Plus, if you are disappointed in the plastic of the Bosch....the Hoover AND the Eureka/Electrolux Oxygen might not be your choice.

I guess the kenmore i had was a bargain, then. Too bad the quality has gone down.
How about the meile redstar? Any good for my needs?
You can get them used for 150 on ebay.
Ben

ElvisPresley wrote:

Hi Ben,

A pre-owned Red Star with Miele's better adjustable power nozzles would be a good choice IF you can find one in tip-top condition.  (Try higher pile height settings for thick carpeting and if stalling occurs, try reducing motor speed slightly or opening the suction bleed valve slightly).

Being a frequent shopper on eBay I strongly advise that you not only carefully review sellers' posts but their feed back as well.  The more they've sold, the easier it is to get a good picture of whether or not those who have bought from them came out happy campers.  You can easily communicate with sellers of any item you have in mind through eBay.  If a particular seller is not very communicative -- look elsewhere.

If pictures in the post are not adequate, ask if more image files can be sent to you.  Though it wont tell the whole tale, its best that images of the bag chamber are available.

Do not deal with anyone who offers only a "flat" rate for shipping as opposed to an actual rate.  Some sellers try to cover all fronts to get the price they really want by marking up the actual cost of shipping and handling.  Ask for the shipping weight of the item and go to UPS website to learn the proper rate.  All you have to do is enter your zip code and the seller's zip code plus the weight and approximate size of the package.  Many eBay sellers have an automatic link up just for this purpose.

As for you your wife's possible worry over allergens, search for and order new filters for the used machine of your choosing unless the seller has already replaced used ones with new.  Genuine Miele bags and replacement filters can be found for nice prices on eBay.  High filtration bags for my S5980 can be found for around $15 or $16 for a package of five not including shipping.  Repllacement HEPAs are of course higher.

Venson

Lucky1 wrote:

Hello Lucky1:

Think I saw one on eBay.  Not sure yet if I'm allowed to post about it. 

Carmine D.

Lucky1 wrote:

Forget it.  I bought it already.

Venson