In my stores I expect a vacuum to cost about $70-80 a year to keep running. On the one hand I can buy a new $70-80 vacuum annually, or I can buy a more expensive vacuum, and pay for periodic repairs, but it lasts longer, and the cost comes out the same.

Venson, remember that I'm talking about vacuums used in commercial stores, and used by employees who don't necessarily take care of their vacuum. Surprisingly, my costs at home haven't been that much different.  For example, I had a Hoover Dimension canister for about 12 years. It cost about $450 new, plus I had 2 repairs of the motor, both about $150. We probably used about $15 in bags a year. Thus my 12 year cost was $930, which comes to about $77 a year. My current home vacuum is an Air-way. I paid $650 for it 5 years ago, plus I use about $15 a year in bags, plus another $15 a year in filters (2 carbon and one HEPA). If it runs 15 years without a repair, my cost will be $650+14*30, or $71 a year. Note that I am including the purchase price as part of the cost.
 
As for my Dysons, I paid an average of about $350 each for 4, and have spent about $200 on repairs so far between the four. Thus my total cost now is about $1600. If they reach an average age of 5 years before dying, my cost will be about $80 a year. Another example was a Simplicity that I bought for $500. It needed one repair of about $200, plus probably $15 a year in bags, and lasted 8 years. The cost per year was $102.50. We have used cheap Hoovers and Eurekas that cost $59, but they have lasted probably 9 months on average for an annual cost of about $80 a year.
 
As for your Iridium, if you pay $20 a year in misc costs, and paid $400 for it, if it lasts 7 years, your average cost per year will end up about $75 a year. If you have one $200 repair, and it lasts 11 years, your cost will be $73 a year.  All vacuums seem to come out in this same range, if you include the purchase cost.
 

Back to vacuum sales and bigbox retailers.  Once again HOOVER and the WindTunnel 2 get the coveted PARADE space thanks to SEARS this week.  THe Extra Reach for $299 and 2 more of HOOVER's murderer's row floorcare products: The traditional WT self-propelled bagged with 3m filtrete and an extra bonus stretch hose all for $229.  SEARS is advertising this same model in its own weekend sales supplement for the same price.  Lastly the HOOVER SteamVac for $199.
 
But wait, not to be outdone by HOOVER, David Oreck in all his glory is advertising in the PARADE for his Oreck XL 21 with the usual giveaways AND of course 8 free lifetime tuneups and an 8 year warranty.  
 
Once again HOME DEPOT has its HOOVER Legacy series on sale for the usual prices.  
 
And HOOVER gets the nod too from BEST BUY with the HOOVER Elite Rewind for $99 and the SteamVac for $149.  The mighty dyson DC14 Animal is for sale for $$549.  No bargains here.  Nor free some some either.  Check out the DC14 Drive at Target for $459, it may be a better deal for you if you are dyson inclined.
 
Speaking of SEARS and KMart, as some posters were, this weekend KMART has the bagless HOOVER WT for $159.  
 
Now having the week's skinny on the big box retailers' sales, keep in mind the sage advice of the vacuum professionals.  For $300 plus on a home vacuum at the big box retailers, it behooves the astute shopper to visit one or two of the local independent vacuum cleaner stores.  The quality made and performing vacuums are usually found here with the businesses' backing during the life of the vacuum.  You can't go wrong.  
 
As a poster much smarter than me said: It's your home and a clean home is a healthy home.
 
Carmine D.

Big winner this week is dyson thanks to Target.  With a dirth of vacuum cleaner advertised sales probably due to the new school year, Target and dyson pulled out all the vacuum stops.
 
On the front page of the Target Sunday supplement Target has the full dyson upright line and models, save the DC15 Ball.  (I believe Target is phasing the DC15 out of the inventory.)  Even the new pink DC07 dyson (Very appealing to the female eye and buyer. And real men vacuum with pink vacuums).  Of course, all are advertised at MSRP.  No mention of the new 5 year warranty.  Notta.  
 
But....................if you buy this week, you receive a free $100 Target gift card (creative marketing at work) AND if you use the Target REDcard a bonus 500 Target Bonus Reward points.  (Remember when you reach 1000 points you get a full 10 percent off a full shopping day at Target.
 
As Target claims: Dyson never loses suction...ever.  (Wow, now that's a claim subject to some caveats).
 
As Target says: You deserve Dyson!
 
But don't delayt: This week only.  Quantities limited.  No rain checks.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from tiger21 on 09/04/06 at 1:29pm:

 
Hi El tigre21, please give us your expert opinion on what dyson is and where there heading.
 
We know you have seen a lot in your plus 50 years.
 
   O.T.