Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

First upright from Miele

29 February 2008 This summer, Miele will launch its first range of upright vacuum cleaners – the S7.  It will consist of about six models, all of which feature ultra large dust bags and  “a unique swivel body, which makes it easy to manoeuvre in even the trickiest  of room layouts”. According to the company,  the decision was made following  numerous requests from customers that wanted to buy Miele  but would only use  an upright model. Text: courtesy ERTweekly.com Picture: courtesy Miele.co.uk, 2009 Edited 21st March 2009; reason: loss of original image.

Hello Venson:

A year's supply free may be exaggerated.  At least enough to cover Catlady's usage until bags are readily available from the market sources knowing her household needs: 14 pets as I recall.  The S7 bags are still not on the MIELE USA site. 

The good vacuum store owner, if he's been around for awhile, got a liberal supply of bags with those 6 S7 MIELE's.  More than the 2 and/or 3 that come with each model.  No criticism of Catlady's buying persona, but I suspect her enthusiasm for the new MIELE and/or her reluctance to ask, squelched any chances for a reserve of bags from the store owner/operator.  He saved that trump card and deal maker for the more apprehensive, cost conscious and reluctant MIELE S7 buyers.

Carmine D.

When I first bought the Miele, my Vac Shop guy told me that he only had 1 box of bags per vacuum and they were not free with the vacuum (I thought they would be).  At that time I paid $15.35 for 5 bags in a plain white box.  I went through those bags in about 2 1/2 months.  When I returned to the Vac Shop he told me they were ordered but never came in and they were having problems getting the bags in.  I waited and waited and borrowed a vaccum from my MIL.  Finally I posted my frustration on here.  I called Miele directly and was connected with a Salesman.  He told me that they had plenty of bags on hand and that my Vac Shop should not have any problems getting them in.  I called the Vac Shop and told them what the Miele Salesman told me and asked them why they were having such a problem getting the bags in.  The guy sounded suprised by what I told him and said he was going to call his Salesperson right away.  A week later I got a call saying the bags were finally in.  That's when I was shocked that the bags were now $16.95 (checked my receipt last night) for just 4 bags.  I thought the bags were always going to be $15.35 for 5 bags and I was more accepting of that. 

I agree that a central vac would be a much better option for me, especially because I have severe asthma.  That is why I clean so often.  So I can continue to do rescue and keep myself somewhat healthy.  I did look into a central vac before the Sebo (that was the one I wanted to buy) and before I finally bought the Miele.  My husband feels that since we want to eventually move into a bigger house in a better neighborhood we should wait and put in a central vac when we get a new house.  He doesn't want to put any more money (such as a central vac) into our current home since it needs so much work already with more important items such as a new roof and ceiling repairs from water damage.

catlady wrote:

Hi again,

I tried Canadian Tire's toll-free number, 866-746-7287, thinking there might be a way to save you a few bucks on bags by ordering them onlne from across the border.  But I learned -- first -- Canadian Tire does not ship outside of Canada -- and second -- they offer a five-pack of high-filtration bags but they cost $19.99 in Canadian money which would add to about $17.40 in currency.  Still a no-win/no-win situation.

In any event being a lover of animals, or at least animals that don't talk back, I much admire your rescue effort despite the obstacles in your way.  It must mean a chunk of work all around.  Since you have asthma, despite the possible economic advantage I will not suggest trying to re-use the bags.  (Yes, I know I'm talking sin here -- but sometimes you've just got to do what you've got to do.)  Yet, to do that would technically void any warranty coverage you're due.

In any event, I hope opportunity for the new home you and your husband are planning for will come soon and that you'll be able to avail yourself of a larger capacity cleaning unit.

Keep up the good work.

Venson

Catlady;

With all the animals in your home, I would have never recommended the machine you have.  At this rate, the cost per year, for bags alone, is going to be approx. $100.00.  I would have recommended a bagless vacuum cleaner and just ask other family members to empty it , if emptying is a problem for you.

With Miele bags, as well as other bags using the polymer, clothlike material,  the amount of debris collected can be much more than   microlined bags before performance is compromised.  The Miele will have tremendous power until the bag can fill no more.  So keep filling.  With other bags I say to chance when 3/4 full, but these bags can hold much more.

A central vacuum system has its advantages like filtering the dirt away from the living area and larger dirt capacity.  There is something I do not know if you have considered in your situation.  You will be vacuuming everyday.  This means that you will have to get the 30ft hose out, plus the other attachments.  You will have to figure out if you want to do this everyday.  There are those who use a regular vacuum cleaner and add a lighter one, because they do not want to even pull out the full-sized vacuum cleaner.

CarmineD wrote:

Hello Catlady:

I'm sorry to hear that the good vacuum store owner/operator did not offer the bags to you with the sale but instead nickel and dimed you for $15 more. 

If you an/or your husband signaled any unwillingness to spend $600 on the new MIELE S7, I would guarantee you that the store owner/operator would have sweetened the deal with a free box of bags.  Why?  To make the sale.  He would not have lost a $600 vacuum sale and a future customer for $15 worth of bags.  If he did, he would not be in the high end [read expensive] vacuum sales market for very long.

Mike's point is well made and taken.  $100 per year for bags [at $4 per bag] is a deal breaker for the MIELE S7 unless you like throwing money away.  What if the price goes up to $5 per bag.  That's $125 per year for the bags.  That's 20 percent of the cost of the vacuum for one year's worth of bags.  You should be very upset with your present/future predicament.  Unless you did not specifically tell the seller you had 14 pets, and/or specifically told him you did not want a bagless, he sold you a bill of goods with the MIELE and the bags.  If the MIELE lasts 20 years, and it will, at $100 plus per year for bags, you're facing a $2000 plus future bill for bags.  Something to consider seriously if you decide to keep the Miele.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

$2600 for 5 years of vacuuming.  Dyson is loking better all the time.

At this point in time, would you guys recommend I sell the Miele and get a Dyson?   I had researched vacuums for almost a year before finally purchasing my Miele.  I read a lot of reviews that the Dyson had frequent repair issues so I decided to look into other options.  My Vac Shop guy is very aware of my situation with the rescue I run and the amount of animals I keep in my home.  I spent a couple of months running to the Vac Shop testing vacuums after I knew how much my stimulus check was going to be.  If you guys remember from my review, the vacuum I was going to buy was the Sebo X4.  I had thoroughly tested it, but the Miele outperfomed it except in the edging test with the cat litter.  I was tired of buying vacuum cleaners that couldn't hold up to my use and felt I was wasting my money on buying a new vacuum every year.  I wanted one that was going to last.  The biggest reason I went with the Miele is because of the low emissions and how its really well built.  It's solid.  With my last vacuum I would often sneeze and cough the entire time I was vacuuming.  I do not have that problem with this Miele.  Also I don't mind hauling the vacuum around the house.  My home is small and the 40 foot cord allows me to do an entire floor at a time without having to switch the plug.  The Miele is actually pretty convenient for me and easy to use.  But now that I see how much those bags will cost me over time, it doesn't seem to make sense for me to keep the Miele.  A lot of spays/neuters could be done with that money.

HARDSELL wrote:
I always get a kick out of your posts. 

Hello Catlady:

You have a dilemma.  There is no perfect solution except the central vacuum system because of your sensitivity to dust and dander. 

A bagless like dyson, as Mike pointed out, is an option if you have a person in the household who can dump the dirt bin.  The job will have you sneezing and coughing and dreading the chore.  If you ask any doctor about using a bagless vacuum, he/she will advise you against it!  And rightly so.  Read the dyson User Guide for dirt bin dumping.  It illustrates/explains an elaborate process for allergy and asthma sufferers requiring the use of plastic garbage bags to contain the dirt and dust cloud every time you dump.  In your case, dumping will be daily if you vacuum daily.  More time, effort and trouble to use a dyson vice your MIELE!  And money spent for garbage bags!

You should familiarize yourself with these dyson dirt bin dumping instructions.  Only you can determine if the extra work, time and effort for dirt bin dumping are worth it to you to offset the $100 plus per year for MIELE bags.  The bag cost is really a need for your own personal health and well being to continue your professional animal rescue mission.  

Visit your MIELE vacuum shop owner/operator and ask what is the best deal he can give you on a year's supply of bags.  Then take his price proposal and shop around. 

Carmine D.

Lets see pets,kids, vacuum everyday bagged, bagless upright tank,canister, you think that bags are expensive, I'm just glad your NOT one of my customers.There is no right way out of this for you, If we sat down and dicussed your situation prior to buying ,i would have sent you somewhere else,because i dont want to marry you for whatever the warranty period is,I see you as a malcontent........

sincerly

MOLE