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Vacuum Cleaners

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Ludmilla
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Vacuum Cleaners

Post by Ludmilla » Fri September 3rd, 2010, 5:42 pm

I know, it's a book forum, but everyone has to use one, so surely people have opinions.

Our vacuum broke yet again. It's the power cord, which my husband has fixed/replaced/fixed yet again numerous times. He said he's not fixing it anymore, go get a new one. So... what kind of vacuum do you own? What do you like/don't like about it? I need to buy one this weekend.

BTW -- I have always hated this vacuum. I have fantasies about throwing it off a cliff!

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SarahWoodbury
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Post by SarahWoodbury » Fri September 3rd, 2010, 5:57 pm

I had a Hoover, long ago, that died because the waste was sucked through the motor (which was plastic) before it got to the bag. Okay, two Hoovers in succession. My long hair was part of the problem and when I called one vacuum cleaner salesman, his comment was 'go get a haircut'. I think not!

I have a Simplicity with a metal beater bar (which won't be hurt by hair getting wrapped around it) and the waste is sucked to the side and around to the bag, rather than through the motor. Those were the things I was told to look for in a machine that will last. It's been 9 years for the one I have.

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Madeleine
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Post by Madeleine » Fri September 3rd, 2010, 7:19 pm

[quote=""SarahWoodbury""]I had a Hoover, long ago, that died because the waste was sucked through the motor (which was plastic) before it got to the bag. Okay, two Hoovers in succession. My long hair was part of the problem and when I called one vacuum cleaner salesman, his comment was 'go get a haircut'. I think not![/quote]

Cheek! :eek: Bet he wouldn't have said that to a man. :mad:
Currently reading "Mania" by L J Ross

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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Fri September 3rd, 2010, 7:38 pm

Actually it is a good question and one I should have asked. My old Kirby finally bit the dust in the last couple of months and I really anguished over what to get. I didn't want to spend a pile of $$$, but I didn't want a piece of crap either. I was all over the mixed reviews for several models trying to make up my mind. I knew I didn't want bagless. I finally settled on a $79 Bissel Powerglide. For the most part it picks up well, and can be used on the floor as well as carpet. It *sucks* well (but doesn't do well with Tater's hair, he's a Chartreux and its very fine, have to use the attachment). I like the attachments (especially as they stay with the machine and handy), but they are a bit cheapish plastic.

My one big complaint is the housing for the HEPA filter. It doesn't clamp shut tightly enough and I have to duct tape it to keep it closed (and it still will pop open). :mad: :mad: :mad:

I was told later by an online friend (she used to sell vacuums) who saw my product review that one should never go under $100 because of the issues I had.
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LoveHistory
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Post by LoveHistory » Fri September 3rd, 2010, 8:42 pm

Let me run and check...

...we have a Bissell PowerForce Bagless upright. We like it. Have had it for two or three years and no major problems.

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Margaret
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Post by Margaret » Sat September 4th, 2010, 4:38 am

We have a couple of Hoover Windtunnels, which I like because they are hard-sided and have good air filters. One of them stopped working a few years ago and we bought a new one. Then the second one stopped working after we used to to vacuum up after some home improvement work - started producing a burning smell when we used it. This time, we went down to the local Hoover shop to see if we could get it repaired. Both machines just needed new what-do-you-call-thems, those large, black rubber bands that make the brushes turn. Extremely cheap repairs (under $5 each), and now we have 2 working vacuum cleaners. However, the newer one has a rather short hose, which I don't like, because I use the machines for vacuuming spider webs off the ceilings, and it doesn't reach very far.
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Michy
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Post by Michy » Sat September 4th, 2010, 11:53 pm

Kirbys are supposed to be about the best. I only know that by heresay, as I've never owned one. I'm kind of a cheapskate when it comes to vacuums. :D

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LoveHistory
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Post by LoveHistory » Sun September 5th, 2010, 2:31 am

I thought Dysons or Orecks were supposed to be the best, or maybe that was just the most expensive. ;)

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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Sun September 5th, 2010, 12:00 pm

[quote=""Michy""]Kirbys are supposed to be about the best. I only know that by heresay, as I've never owned one. I'm kind of a cheapskate when it comes to vacuums. :D [/quote]

Mine was bought a long long time ago, and there's no way I'd pop that kind of money on a vac ever again.
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SarahWoodbury
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Post by SarahWoodbury » Sun September 5th, 2010, 5:11 pm

We had a Kirby salesman try to sell us one 17 years ago. Even then it was $1500. I had two small children, we were living in a mobile home because we were poor students, and were about to embark on a year and a half odyssey in Belize--and he wants to sell us a vacuum cleaner?

My Simplicity cost around $200. From my understanding, to get something that will last you have to pay more than $150, but I would look in Consumer Reports magazine (although they don't know about the metal beater bar or the side waste disposal thing) and see what they say.

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