I speak for myself when shopping for a vacuum, I always thought that a higher price equaled a higher perfromance.  Definitely not the case, my main complaint is with Aerus Electrolux, I was extremely dissapointed with the Lux 7000, it blew out dirty air, and the reset button did not function after just a couple of months use.  I was tired of it and its lackluster performance, and the reason why the bags take so long to fill up is because it wasn't picking up all the deep down dirt, I have learned my lesson, no vacuum is worth over a thousand dollars, trust me.  I switched to the Miele and was just amazed at how much more dirt it picked up, plus the fact that the powerhead is very very sturdy and has more weight than most other brush heads.  My model (Mercury) came with the HEPA and all, and it was a steal compared to the Lux 7000 canister.  The only con with the Miele is the bags, because you have to insert the bag just right to get the most suction.

On the subject of overpriced vacuums I pulled this off the side WTBV trailer and thought I'd share with the Forum:
 
http://www.abcvacuumwarehouse.com/vacdetails.asp?DBID=1376&ID=Dyson+DC14+Animal+Upright+Factory+Serviced
 
$399 "refurb" DC14 Animal and 6 mos dyson warranty plus a one year seller warranty.  This is as bad as the Wal*Mart DC07 Original for $378 with a 2 year warranty.  
 
The MSRP on the new DC07 Animal is $499 and the DC14 Animal is $549 both with a 5 year warranty from dyson.  The Ball DC15 Animal is $599, also 5 year warranty.  All prices are BEFORE 20 percent off from big box retailers like Linens-n-Things and Bed Bath and Beyond.  
 
The newest DC17, Absolute Animal is $549, the same price as the DC14 Animal and less than the DC15 Ball.  
 
The DC07 is first generation, DC14 is second generation dyson.  The DC15 Ball is second generation.  The DC17 is third generation dyson and the latest and greatest: The greater dyson.  
 
Buy the new DC07, DC14 and DC15 Animals with the 20 percent discount for the SAME and/or LESS than the DC14 Animal refurbs AND get a 5 year warranty vice 18 months. Buy the DC17 at MSRP of $549 the same price and/or less than the earlier dyson Animals and have the latest and greatest dyson upright.  What?  This is crazy.
 
This is crazy.  Price confusion?   How do the small independent dyson dealers sell new dysons?  How do they keep the new prices straight in all this price confusion let alone compete with the big box stores giving 20 percent off on new dyson prices and models.  
 
Carmine D.

Is it overpriced if it does what it says and goes past your expecations

Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 01/11/07 at 12:28pm:

 
This is true of all vacuums.  You can always find someone who thinks that a particular vac is the best.  

Dyson vacuums in the USA and elsewhere in the world are still vacuums that are "works-in-process."   Witness the DC11 canister with a short lived production and sales venue in the US (9 months).  Witness both the DC15 (with a $100 price drop from retail after just 5 months on the US market) and DC17 (third generation) which feature brush rolls rather than brush bars which are vastly different from the earlier dyson DC07 and DC14.  And are more suited to US carpets and rugs.  And finally the sudden dyson warranty extension from 2 to 5 years in August 2006 including retroactively several models sold already with 2 year warranty periods.  
 
It's impossible to reach a reasonable consensus on the dyson vacuum line based on the above "tentative" facts and circumstances.  Combine these unwieldy facts and circumstances with the Which? rating results citing dyson vacuums (uprights and canns) for 7 consecutive years as the worse for reliability AND mediocre/tepid Consumer Reports' ratings.  Certainly not voted the best or one of the best.  In fact, dyson's recent CR ratings have declined based on new CR test criteria.  
 
I attempted to convey in my previous posts, obviously without success, that a 25 discount from MSRP for a "refurbed" second generation dyson DC14 with an 18 month warranty is not as a good a buy when the same exact "new" models are discounted 20 percent and carry a 5 year warranty.  IMHO
 
Carmine D.