Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hello all!

As you can tell I am new to the forum.. I came across the site while doing a search for an Oreck XL to a Simplicity freedom comparison (oddly it took me to the Oreck/Dyson flame posts from January). I have worked in the hotel industry for a while, and have been around the Orecks and other light-weight hoovers/sanitaires. I have always been a gadget guy, and vacuums are gadgets for the home. Right now, I have a Simplicity 6 series, a Filter Queen princess with power head and a Kirby G3. I plan on getting another Simplicity or Riccar for my self, and am trying to figure out something for my mother.

The other day she told me that she was having a hard time lifting the Simplicty. She has been having back problems for a while now, but this year they managed to get worse. She also uses the Kirby, but after I brought her the Simplicity, she doesn't haul it up a flight of stairs any more. The simplicity was the upstairs vacuum and the Kirby remains the high traffic cleaner for the lower level. I got to thinking, and I realized that the hotel I am at was wanting to get rid of their Oreck XL2000RHB. The housekeepers don't like it because it is loud, and I agree, it is a very noisy machine. I disassembled it, and found that someone decided to clean up the plaster/paint when the lobby was remodeled... I cleaned everything out and brought it home to my mom. I got to looking, and was hoping I can get some pointers to steer her in the right direction. As of right now, We are going to get an Oreck, either the commercial one from the hotel or a _NEW_ one from a home center if I can indeed find one for 150 bucks.

What I am wanting to know is are the non commercial ones quieter? Also, do they make a stiffer brush roll for the Oreck? I called one of the Oreck Showrooms and they said they have a basic XL2000 stick handle for 199... I am wondering if that would be a better choice than my commercial one. The only issue is the 'D' or helping hand handle is something I am _not_ willing to compromise on. Does anyone have any idea how Oreck deadens the sound? I am wondering if I could stick a sheet of dynomat in the housing to quite this thing down. My 6 series sounds like a whisper compared to this Red Monster.

Now, down the road (before the end of the year) I am going to buy a Simplicity freedom. I am thinking the 3500, non commercial version. I have always liked commercial vacs because of the longer cords, but I take a hit in the warranty. I also know that the commercial has more aluminum and the consumer has more steel.. Is the commercial really that much lighter? What do you guys think? I know the Simplicity has a stronger motor and stiffer bristles, but does it do any better on carpets, and how does it handle throw rugs? The simplicity will be mom's house warming gift when she moves again. The Oreck will stay with me, I have a few places I can use it...

Oh, and the other simplicity that I am thinking of buying my self is the Synergy. I fell in love with it when I first saw it on the internet, and the dealer I dealt with ordered one just for me to demo in the store, but I decided to go with the cheaper 6 series at that time. He said he was glad he ordered it because he hadn't had any and wanted to play with it. He sold that one and had three ordered for a few other customers before we left the store that day.

CarmineD wrote:
If you haven't already, check out the new Oreck website.  New look and new models.  It looks like the Titanium and it's 25 year warranty have been removed from the line (at least as far as I can see). While the 10 year warranty still exists it's not just belts that are not covered.  Brushrolls are only one year and the usual wear items like carbon brushes, bulbs, edge brushes etc are not covered at all.  Just because the warranty is long does not mean you won't be paying for repairs during the "free" service.

Dusty

dusty wrote:

$735 for a vacuum that should sell for $60.  10 free tune ups ( bag and belt) no need for 10 bulbs.  That is approximately $67.50 per year foe maintenance.  Factor in the gas for two trips to Oreck (take and return vacuum).  My bet is that if used regularly you will need a half dozen belts annually.  Also consider that they have inferior cleaning ability.  What is to like except light weight?

Don't forget you also have to have the accessory vac which requires bags.

dusty wrote:

Hello Dusty:

I saw the ads with Dave and the new ORECK-s recently.  Will look at the new Web Site.  Thanks for the info. 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Titanium is no longer offered.  I suspect US economics is at work.  With one thing after another tanking day after day and a crisis of confidence by Americans in the government and its leaders, $735 vacuums are A HARDSELL!

However, I have to think, until I know for sure otherwise, that the new more powerful and energy efficient ORECK motor is still part of the line up in one or more of the products.

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:

There is also a lack of confidence by Americans who learn the hard way that $735 for an Oreck is a RIP OFF by an AMERICAN vacuum manufacturer.

Hi,

The new top-of-the-line is the Platinum which is being advertised in my area for the last few weeks. 

http://www.tryoreck.com/

http://www.oreck.com/oreck-xl-upright/index.cfm

Venson

Hello Venson:

I suspect the Platinum has the same motor as the Titanium did.  But I will verify.  I noticed the price has increased to $799 for the MSRP.  On a comforting note, with the ORECK warranty now set at 10 years [still the highest in the industry for vacuums] I won't need to come back here in 20 years to report on the result of the Titanium's motor longevity!  

Carmine D.

HARDSELL wrote:

I have to disagree.  While I would not recommend the ORECK Titanium and now Platinum to everyone, with the 21 year warranty, the vacuum averages out to be a $35 per year vacuum cleaner.  With 10 years for a warranty, it comes to $79.  Both IMHO are better financial investments for a vacuum cleaner than any of the toxic bank assets and NYSE deflated stocks right now! 

I suspect with all the asset values of the USA buinesses tanking over the last week, it's only natural for ORECK to reevaluate its position too and adjust to the changing times.  Reducing the warranty period [asset] from 21 to 10 years is on par for the current economic course!   As Albert S. Einstein would say:  It's the theory of relativity at work in the market place.  DIB for your benefit, so you don't need to ask, that's science not hyperbole.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Thanks Carmine.  From the gist of the video, plus the addition of the two-speed switch, I assumed a step up in power had made.   By the way, ten years may not tell the whole story.  Stick around and check out Oreck in another twenty years -- just ot be sure.

Best,

Venson

CarmineD wrote:

Other than the housing what elwe is covered for 10 years.  Seems as if the warranty is no better than any other.  Try to convince a warranty center that a motor fails after 19 years due to a defect. 

Only 1 year on roller brush.  That is fummy, unless they screw you after 1 year.

CarmineD wrote:

Stocks bounce back.  The value of a used Oreck will always decline.