Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Today I took my Bissell deep cleaner (the commercial grade "BigGreen" Rug Doctor killer) to my parents house to do some carpet cleaning as a favor. I get there, use their Dyson DC14 to vacuum everything first, then went about carpet cleaning. Throughout the process, I noticed clumps of cat hair and carpet fibers trailing behind the Bissell on the forward passes. This led me to believe that the huge brushbar on the Bissell big green was picking up stuff the Dyson was leaving behind. Since the Dyson is seven years old at this point, do you think that it is in dire need of a brush roll replacement, belt replacement, or both? In the case of having the belt replaced along with the brushroll, I'm assuming that my parents would have to take it to a repair center since they do not have the special tools for taking the clutch apart and slipping the belt in and out. How much would such a replacement job with parts and labor generally run for? Thanks, Keith

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello DC18 & Vacmanuk:

Thanks for the message exchange and clarification on DC17 in UK. 

WRT dyson warranty in USA, all models sold from April 2002 through August 15, 2006 came with 2 year limited warranty, including the handhelds.  All dyson models sold in the USA after August 15, 2006 come with 5 year limited warranty except handhelds and DC35 Slim.  Latter have 2 year limited warranty.  Remanufactured dysons sold in the USA from dyson regardless of model have 6 month limited warranty.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Thanks for that info, Carmine. So what happens if you get a seller or repairer who reconditions the vacuum, i.e. cleans it up, maybe fits a new motor and sells it at reduced prices? In the UK this comes under two types known as: manufacturer refurbishment and reconditioned - both types get a 6 month guarantee.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello vacmanuk:

In the USA vacuum store owners and operators have discretion on setting prices and warranty periods on "used," "rebuilt," "reconditioned," and "overhauled" re-sold models.  I typically use the term "remanufacture" exclusively for brands and models rebuilt by the original brand maker.  These latter re-sellers have prices and warranty periods established by the makers.  Vacuum store owners can "extend" and/or "embellish" the makers' warranty period but do so at their own risk. 

When I was in business, I typically sold MY rebuilts, refurbs, and reconditioned brands and models with the same warranty that the makers' gave new.  In my day, that was usually one year for the most part.  Deciding whether to resell and/or part out brands and models is an individual and/or store policy.  I never sold "used" Rexair/Rainbows.  If I got them in on trade, I parted them out: Used them to perform repairs and sell parts.  Naturally as used and discounted from new parts' prices. 

I sold new brands and models and was a factory authorized warranty dealer for the several brands I sold concurrently.  I always kept the product registration cards for these brands and models, with the customers' approval, so IF a vacuum failed out of warranty by a short and reasonable period, I could warranty for customers without their additional costs.

Carmine D.

vacmanuk wrote:

Thats ok vacmanuk, I'm not sure about the warranty in the US, but CarmineD has answered that one. I know the warranties are all the same I believe now 5 years and 2 years on handhelds. The 5 year has not been around as long as the original 2 years warranty. DC18

CarmineD wrote:

Hello CarmineD No problem, thanks for the warranty info in the USA on Dyson Vacuums. DC18

DC18 wrote:

Thank you.

Carmine D.

Well, it would cost $100 to get the Dyson in proper working order. My dad was appalled by that, saying that it changing out the brush roll should not cost that much, and that he'd rather get some $50 bargain bin special once that Dyson breaks. Indeed. What I wanted to do is get the brush-roll and belt replaced, because I have never in my life heard of a flat belt that never had to be replaced, especially one with seven years of use. In the UK, those who service vacuums say that you should replace the belt and filters once every 5 years (or so I've read) despite the claim that these are life time components. The shop says that I'd basically have to replace the entire clutch assembly because the belt that goes from the clutch to the brush is a non-servicable item. I'm not sure if I believe the guy, since I have seen videos of the clutch being disassembled and reassembled for the sole purpose of replacing the belt (which looks like a time consuming pain in the ass by the way). So my dad doesn't want to pay that money to get the brush replaced, and I do not have the time (or the special tools) to do the job with school in full swing. So I just gave them my Electrolux Oxygen canister, and I'm just going to see what I can do to the Dyson to get it in decent condition and sell it. I'm sure I can just sell it through the local 'for-sale' listings after all, because it's a Dyson after all.

iMacDaddy wrote:

Your Dad is absolutely right.  $35 to replace brush roll and belt and it should be a do-it-yourself job.  No special tools required.  Why on God's green earth Consumer Reports didn't [hasn't] taken dyson to task for this on DC07 and DC14 models is beyond me.  Not really I know the reason.  Both are discontinued now so it's a moot issue.

Carmine D.

iMacDaddy wrote:
I have a friend who is bringing her 6 year SEBO X1.1 to me on Wednesday for repair. She says the brush roll isn't moving which can mean a couple of things, but most of all due to her cleaner personnel abusing the SEBO with rugs, it may well be the drive belt which is supposed to be a lifetime part. Mine lasted for 14 years before needing to be replaced - so it very much depends on the kinds of abuse the Dyson has been put through before the drive belt shears off. You can't put a duration of time on a drive belt even on a "lifetime" machine and regardless of whether its flat or otherwise. Vacuum cleaners these days have a relatively short shelf life and from the amount I've seen turfed away in our local recycling site, most vacuums only seem to last three to five years before owners chuck them out. PLUS Dyson parts are made of cheap plastic and don't tend to last very long.

I'd pay the $100 to get the Dyson repaired. At least it has served its use and will probably continue to do so after the repair. How much are Dysons in the U.S brand new? Compare and contrast. If nothing else getting the Dyson repaired will give you a machine you can use and maybe swap it back with your parents.

I'd be reluctant to shell out the hundred bucks on on repairs for a seven-year-old vacuum, especially one that's basically all plastic anyway.  My reasoning being that the seven year mark may well be the beginning of the machine's downhill slide.  However if at this point in time you feel assured the $100 will get you at least five more years freedom from problems -- maybe.  If you don't, the best thing to do is save the hundred and put it toward the price of a newer, better machine.

Venson