Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Lordy, lord ol' Jimmy D's cryin' again. He has instigated the banning of Miele S7 adverts . . .

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2009/10/miele-ads-banned-for-vacuum-cleaner-claims-186889.jsp

Venson

Venson wrote:
The Miele's lowest subscore was for handling.  There were 3 user ratings (2 by same person).  The one who posted twice said that the brush roll stalled out on her carpeting.  Presumably she had the suction on high rather than auto.  She is requesting a refund. 

Severus wrote:
Hi Severus,

Can't speak for the rest of the world but my S7 does and has been doing what I need without problem. As I've mentioned, I'm a rural clod come from a background where you had what you had. We had an electric pump to deliver well water but also a hand pump that we used if it failed and we also knew how to prime it during cold winters if and when things froze up. Life went on.

Thus when it comes to vacuums, the steering feature is a "nicety" not a necessity as far as I'm concerned. Lots of things influence my reason for purchase but, bottom line, what I care about is whether what I buy cleans well. I have used standard uprights for years, meaning the Kirbys, heavy old Hoovers and Eurekas -- you name it. Changing direction with a standard upright has never been a problem for me and making acute turns only meant a push down on the handle to bring up the front end and pivot the cleaner on its back wheels. If that's all tragedy was I'd be very glad.

Although it's not a canister vac, using the wand and hose, I can work my way up or down steps with it with relative ease. Also, it has yet to present a problem regarding stalling. Any gripes I have are related to price and that the cleaner's internal parts are not easily accessible to or serviceable by the average owner. The nozzle plate does not clip on but requires a special screwdriver to undo it. If I ever experience belt failure it means a trip to the shop as far as I can see.

I am not dismissive of the overall issue of vacuum weight and maneuverability but considering the times and our economic situation I am often given to wondering over what people are going to do if things really get difficult and/or -- less convenient.

Best,

Venson

Venson, I really liked the S7 when I trialled it but in the UK I found it a bit too big. However I do stand by and say it is a better upright than most on the market.

Venson wrote:
As a Royal Powercast user, I too don't mind a hefty vacuum. It's the price to pay for superior performance.

Severus wrote:
Believe it or not I've got one of those tucked away too.

Venson

Severus wrote:

Excellent vacuum.  Died an ignominious death due the weight.  I used one for a week around the house in Virginia.  Built like a tank.  Provide years of service with little TLC.  But heavy.  My dear Wife loathed it.  But jumped for the ORECK instead.

Carmine D.

mole wrote:
Mole,
It’s your position…the prototype Dyson DC07 running hard for 10 years is unimpressive.  But is it not also your position and obligation to bad-mouth the competition at every step and at every corner?  Lets see…when James Dyson launched the DC07 and backed it by a two year warranty – the competition said the Dyson ain’t no good.  When James Dyson answered the price-to-warranty value criticism and padded the warranty by three more years (and other mfgs. followed), bringing the warranty to 5 years – the competition said the Dyson ain’t no good.  Now when it’s learned Tom had a looks-like, works-like DC07 prototype two years prior to the U.S. launch and ran this “No bags to buy-No Loss of Suction” vacuum for 10 years and ran it hard – the competition rhetoric continues to be…the Dyson ain’t no good.  Is that about right?

DIB

dyson DiB:

Dyson offered a 2 year warranty, not 3, on full size vacuums up to Aug 15, 2006 when it extended to 5 years.  Which? magazine rated dysons worse in reliability for 8 consecutive years until dyson extended its warranty to 5 years.  Which? did an about face and began recommending dysons, in large part according to its own account, because of the 5 year warranty. 

BTW, dyson handhelds were/are still 2 years on warranty, tho battery packs, I believe, are excluded.

The Royal powercast mentioned above came with a 6 year motor [free parts and labor] warranty.  Actually had the start date for the warranty stamped on the serial number plate. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Carmine,

The fact is...  Dyson’s made in the UK have proven less reliable than the Dyson’s manufactured in Malaysia.  If my memory is correct, Which Magazine did not make this distinction.  Which Magazine like CR will continue to control information and posture so to save face and keep subscribers subscribing.

TTI, Bissell and Hoover UK responded to Dyson’s 5 year warranty.  In addition to the warranty, they take their marketing and innovation que’s from Dyson.

DIB

DysonInventsBig wrote:

I'm at a loss dyson IB where you got the 3 years in your post and I posted in part to set the record straight on the dyson warranties.  Your take, I believe, on Which? is wrong.  Which? specifically said in its publication in 2006 that dyson product reliability was better as witnessed by dyson itself with the extended 5 year warranty for product sales after Aug 15, 2006.  Tho, some here would argue that the dyson product reliability, despite the longer warranty, is no better. 

Not uncommon for one vacuum maker to follow another, especially when the products are sold side by side in the same venues.   WRT innovation, as I keep posting to you, technique and performance trump innovation every time.

Carmine D.