Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Thought I would provide some impressions on some specific models of the above canister vacuum cleaner manufacturers/models.

I have been in the market for a new vacuum cleaner as my existing Kenmore was @ 10+ years old and really didn't suck anymore. I went online and tried to get as much info as possible about all the vacuum cleaners out there, reviews, etc. I found these to be extremely lacking, for the most part. I read a number of great reviews about Miele and decided to try them out. I found a couple of local Miele dealers and trudged out to the stores. The first dealer did not have a single Miele canister vac in the store. He carried Riccar, but only had the low end model (I wanted a vacuum with the power head and full size tools).

I drove to the second dealer who had a good selection of Mieles, Sebo's (which I only found out about through the internet), and Simplicitys, which again I only found out about through the internet. I honestly never considered a stand-alone vacuum dealer, having gone to Sears to look at their selections and not being impressed.

The dealer explained the various vacuums and offered to let me try each of the various models for as long as I liked to determine the one best for me.

I first took the Miele Calisto home (as an aside Miele's web site is incredibly slow). The vacuum did a pretty good job and I liked the fact the exhaust didn't blow dirt and dust around the house as it exhausts out the top.

However, I did have a number of issues with the Miele. The power head was pretty basic for an $800+ machine) and worse, vacuuming under the bed or other areas that required the vacuum hose to be lowered almost parallel to the floor raised the power head off the floor. The power head also tended to suck in area rugs, which was annoying, the on-board tools were the "mini" variety, and finally the vacuum itself was a little top heavy, causing it to tip over fairly frequently, resulting in "blemishes" to the too susceptible finish.

I took the Miele back and decided to try the Sebo AirBelt C3.1. To be honest, I wasn't that fond of the Sebo as it doesn't have the "flash" of the Mieles (basic white or just a little more pizzaz in the red model) and Simplicity/Riccars. However, the Sebo did a great job of vacuuming, the AirBelt exhausts through vents on the side of the canister, and the canister itself was designed with a lower center of gravity so it never once tipped over, and the power head was closer to what I would have expected in that price range. Best of all, you could lower the hose completely next to the floor and the power head remained in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The HEPA filter was great, the on-board tools were all full size, and I personally didn't perceive a difference in sound level between the Sebo and the Miele. All in all I definitely preferred the Sebo over the Miele. (Also, the Sebo never sucked up the area rugs as the Miele did.)

I took the Sebo back and decided to give the Simplicity Verve a try. The Riccars and Smiplicity's definitely have a lot more "flash" then either the Mieles or Sebos. The Simplicity had great suction and did a good job of cleaning. My perception was that it was a little lounder than either the Miele or Sebo, but it did look great. The power head was extremely powerful, unfortunately too much so as it inevitably sucked up any area rug and proceed to trip the breaker that protects it from burning out. The other issue I had with the SImplicity was the fact the power head was a lot taller than either the Miele or Sebo and "hung-up" in low areas. Finally I couldn't abide by the fact they are made in China (their uprights are made in St. James, MO, but the canisters are all made in China as of August 2009).

What to do. I did some more searching and eventually found a Lindhaus Aria Elite canister on closeout for a killer price. I tried to do some online searching for impressions and found a little on Abby's Guide but not enough to make a final determination. I decided to go for the Aria Elite - getting a new, $1,300 vacuum for $400 was too good an opportunity to pass up.

The Aria arrived last week. Everything was there, the power head, two extension wands instead of the single one that comes standard, a hard floor cleaner and the full size, on-board tools. The vacuum itself does a great job of cleaning. The hose can be lowered parallel to the floor and the power head doesn't lose contact with the surface to be cleaned plus it fits under those low hanging obstacles - kitchen cabinet kick plates, sofa, etc. The power head, like the Sebo, can be adjusted so that it doesn't suck up area rugs.

There are some issues with the Aria. First I was disappointed when I opened the box as the vacuum does not come close to looking like a $1,300 piece of equipment. The Elite has a drab, speckled white plastic finish that looks close to the quality of the plastic on those old model airplanes I used to put together. The vacuum hose itself is not as sturdy as it should be as it can kink up and completely cut off suction. It appears that Lindhaus has pulled the Arias off the market as very few Lindhaus dealers list them for sale.

Was the purchase of the Aria a good investment? All in all, I think it was. It has the HEPA filtration (the Lindhaus uprights are well regarded and fairly standard issue in hospitals based on their filtration and they have been purchased by the feds for use in fighting potential anthrax threats.)

However, I would hope that Lindhaus would come out with a refined version of the Arias. Improve the finish/paint quality to that of the Simnplicity/Riccars to improve the finish/perceived quality of the vacuums (these ARE $1,300, you know) and provide a sturdier hose.

Other than that I am extremely satisfied with the Aria Elite. (I did go out and buy some Krylon metallic paint so I can personlize the Elite to my liking - the existing finish IS THAT UNAPPEALING!)

One final comment, I ended up taking my Kenmore in to the dealer who was so kind as to let me try the various vacuums out and he cleaned and serviced the vacuum so that now it is almost as good as new. I didn't realize that it was in fact made by Panasonic for Sears. Given the raps that Panasonics have taken on this site, I have to say that after 10 years, I am impressed with the machine as it's still doing what it was intended to and though it doesn't have the HEPA filtration and exhausts out the back, swirling dust and dirt, it really does suck, now.

Given the assumption that the Lindhaus are no longer being sold, I would personally rank the Sebo first and the Mieles just a tad above the Simplicity/Riccars. The Sebo provides better value for the money - the power head is much better than that of either the Miele or Simplicity/Riccars. The major drawback of the Simplicity/Riccars in my mind versus the Mieles is the fact they are currently manufactured in China. However, their power head is better than the comparably priced Miele power head.

CarmineD wrote:
Do you suppose they dropped the warranty because it was costing them too much?

HARDSELL wrote:

No not at all HS.  Because the warranty is a selling meaningless feature that is not needed by MIELE/dealers who sell and repair MIELE-s.

My own opinion.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
It is however an advantage to those of us that compete with Miele dealers.  Many a Sebo and Riccar sale have been made due to the fact that Mieles warranty is less.

I was once told by a sales rep that many brands were trying to cut warranty down,  the reason being that most "defects in workmanship" show up within months of purchase. People see a long warranty and expect everything to be covered for the full term, when they find out wear and tear isn't part of the warranty it looks bad on the company. As an independent, we make sure to point out how the warranty works and what is covered.  When the customer is buying from a box store they have no idea as the majority don't give the warranty or the instruction manual a second look.

Dusty

dusty wrote:
Hi Dusty,

Doesn't that have a lot to do with price? I don't see big-box shoppers for vacuums as being overly worried over warranties as they are only expecting so much for the $250 to $300 tops that they're looking to spend. Not a lot machines pricing beyond $350, save for Dyson are found in big box stores.

Thinking on the price range mentioned, I have seen few if any vacuum makers that offer more than a year's warranty coverage and generally take it as a given that I won't find better unless the vendor tries to entice me to buy with an extended coverage plan of some sort. Just a few years, it appeared stock and trade for big boxers like Best Buy was selling extended coverage on just about everything. You gave them 30 or 40 bucks on top of the purchase price and they'd replace your vacuum with few questions asked.

On the other hand, a vacuum sold by indies at $600 or above would quite normally draw scrutiny in regard to warranty since the more the consumer spends, the more he expects. (From he who is given much, much is expected.)

Best,

Venson

BEST BUY bought into the dyson launch in 2002 in part because with the initial dyson 2 year warranty, BB was selling extended warranties for $40 a pop.  Fools, I mean dyson buyers, bit.  [Didn't HS go for the ESP!]  When dyson upped the warranty to 5 years in August 2006, BB lost the dyson ESP revenue.  Consumer Reports has it right: ESP is a money maker for the retailers.  Most people buying a vacuum from the big box retailers are not looking for an ESP.  Dyson changed that, at least for a few years.  Other vacuum makers followed suit.  They just like the heck out of dyson.  BISSELL and Healthy Home for 6 years.  HOOVER with Platinum Collection for 6 years.  Like Dusty says: What good is it if it doesn't cover wear and tear items that need replacing.

My daughter and son-in-law bought one of those new and better Japanese models for top dollar that HS always raves about here.  In less than 2 years the rear brakes went.  $250 out of pocket.  At least the German brands cover brakes in the warranty [as well as wiper blades and more].  Sure you may pay more and that's the reason.  Like HS always says you get what you pay for.

Carmine D.

Venson wrote:
I would agree to a certain extent.  Consider though that one persons $600 vacuum is another persons $200 vacuum.  Customers still want value for dollar and $200 is a lot of money for many people.  As a warranty center for many department store brands we are always seeing people that are shocked that belts aren't covered under warranty.  I think when a customer reads 1 year warranty, the majority expect everything to be covered no matter what the problem.  That said, we've also had many a customer that have issues with high end brands and don't bat an eye when they have to pay for repairs.  They have money, they don't worry about it.

Dusty

Dusty, Venson:

The difference in buying a $600 vacuum from an indy versus a big box retailer:  Indies tell their customers about the warranty and what's covered.  Big box stores don't.  Or if they do, they don't know and wing it.  When the customer has a problem with their $600 big box brand under warranty, I won't mention the name, it's back to the retailer.  When they get a snow job on the warranty/repair, its let's return for refund/credit if we can.  Or into an indy for trade in.  Oops there goes another dyson refurb!

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Why not tell us which brand they bought.  I thought they owned a Mercedes.  Why did they trade.  Because of problems I am sure.

BTW, it should be no problem for you to direct us to the site that shows brake bads being under warranty (without an extended warranty). 

I can also guarantee that if they are covered under warranty you are paying more than $250 in advance for something that may not need replacing during the warranty. 

As an auto forum said.  Mercedes will charge you if they even THINK they can.

HS:
 You know already.  BMW's.  They added the brakes and wipers and others as part of the 4 year 40K maintenence free.  You mentioned it yesterday in your post!  Keep up fellow.  I know you're getting old, but try harder.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Not too old to know that BMW has a very high maintenance record.  BMW = BUST MY WALLET.

    

It sounds like the dealer added the extras to seal the deal. Wipers $10 and brakes $250 ( if you do not know better).  Give away less than $300 for a vehicle that is worth about 2/3 its sticker.   If you are honest I look forward to follow ups on the maintenance costs before they get rid of the BMW.