How is it possible that my mother still uses this:
yet I go through one of these every 3 to 4 years?
How can this be?
Has product quality deteriorated drastically over the past 35 years, or do I buy crappy products?
Clearly, my vacuum cleaner breakdowns are not the result of overuse.
Oh, but I dream of one of these:
Which then begs the question: is a vacuum cleaner worth $499?
sshhhhhh....come a little closer. Yeah, that's it, now put your ear right up next to your computer screen. I don't want the other adult in the house to hear me when I whisper a soft, but longing, 'yes'.
Yes, I would sacrifice a few college fund contributions Starbucks skinny lattes for the rest of my life to get me a Dyson.
Someone else I know may disagree with me.
So I turn to you, dear readers, to enlighten me on the virtues (or non virtues) of the almighty Dyson.
Lay it on me.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
To Dyson Or Not To Dyson?
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26 comments:
I have a Dyson and it's really not as great as you may think it is. However, what the heck are you doing to your vacuums that you have to constantly replace them?
Oh and I do have to say that the customer service people at Dyson are pretty good.
I have 2 dysons. I bought my first one several years ago when they were all the rage and loved it. When the purple animal came out I relegated my original to the upstairs and keep the new one down. I too used to have to buy a new vacuum every 3-4 years. The Dyson's are worth every penny. I got my mother the red and gray version (target exclusive!) 2 years ago and she loves it as well. I know at least 10 people that have upgraded from all sorts of other brands including the best hoovers, orecks, kerby's and others to a dyson and not one person regrets the expense. If you can afford it go for it. Make sure you do the experiment where you vacuum your whole house with your old vac and then with the Dyson - you will be horrified and amazed!
We got one about four years ago and have loved it ever since. It picked up all the crap that the others never seemed to be able to pull out of the carpet.
It has no bag and I cannot abide by a vacuum cleaner with which I can SEE the dust and dirt and old dead skin cells as they exit said vacuum and into my trash, with a little mushroom cloud of blowback. uh-ugh.
But you're right about the quality. I've been through like, FIVE vacuums in as many years.
It has no bag and that is why it is SO worth the $499. Or $399 or whatever we paid for it, all I remember is that I bought mine at Target on sale and with a coupon, so while yes, it was expensive, if you keep your eyes open you may be able to score a bit of a deal. The customer service people are fantastic and we have deep-pile persian/oriental rugs that I was never able to fully get clean and I easily can with the Dyson.
We've been through a lot of vacuum cleaners also. I don't know why. Go cheap and consider them disposable. I've noticed that the people with the messiest houses (unscientific study) have the fanciest cleaning equipment. You know, those robot vacuums that go under things and Swiffer WetJets and ten different types of cleaning fluids. I clean our house using Lysol Wipes, Windex, a Swiffer (we have hardwood floors), a broom, and a vacuum for our one carpet. Also, a can of Ajax and a toilet brush for the bathrooms. That's it.
Although, now that I'm reading what Erin says, I'm wanting a Dyson myself.
I've had difficulty finding good, reliable appliances, too. Not just vacuums, but all kinds of appliances. Do you think they make them cheaply on purpose, so that the consumer has to buy a new one every 2-3 years? It wouldn't surprise me at all.
I don't know anything about the Dyson, but it sounds good. We just bought a vacuum cleaner a few years ago, and it already is having issues - parts falling off, not cleaning properly, etc. But our old, monster of a vacuum that my mother gave us, which is about 100 years old, weighs about 100 pounds, and is about 100 feet long, works like a dream. Go figure.
Lots of people love them, so you are not crazy.
hey, you should never admit that your vacuum isn't broken because of overuse! I bet you use it so often it just can't help but stop working - it's just like mine!
I don't have a Dyson, but I do have a good, bagless vacuum that was worth the money.
When did we start coveting appliances the way we used to covet shoes?
Give up the skinny lattes? OKAY...LET'S NOT TALK CRAZY, HERE.
I know that the Dysons are sexy, "ahnd they nevah looose SUCTION", but Consumer Reports did a big Dyson analysis last year, and the Dyson was actually outperformed by several, much more affordable vacuums.
If memory serves, they really recommended the Hoover Windtunnel, which is about $250 but can be purchased with one of the Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons.
I can't remember the other ones on the list, but I'd be happy to use my CR log-in and mail you the report. Because I'm a giver. And I love lattes.
Also, thank you for stopping by my blog! I owe you a latte.
Ha, I wish I could tell you.
I too long for a Dyson...but alas can't justify the expense.
Oh me TOO! I kill a vacuum every couple of years.
My mom swears by Rainbows. They are so expensive...a couple thousand, I believe, but her last one was a reconditioned model and she's had it for twenty years at least. It's a beast, because the dirt goes into a receptacle filled with water. But it really does clean like no other.
And yes, I do think appliances are much more cheaply made than they used to be.
FTR, my next home will have no carpet AT ALL. It's never really clean no matter what kind of vacuum you have.
If you ever get a Dyson, you will NEVER go back. What they say about it not losing suction is true. It may be my favorite household appliance ever. I have a lot of carpet.
How on earth is everyone going through vacuums so quickly?! I don't remember mine breaking down like that. Oh, perhaps it's obvious that I dont' vacuum enough...
We have a Dyson, and my husband (the real domestic diva in our household) loves it. I can't really tell the difference. But I do think it's cool to see the dirt getting sucked up into that plastic column, and my husband utterly loves the machine.
Oh Gosh, I hesitate to comment for fear it will kill my 15 year old Electrolux. Possibly one of the last good ones, looks remarkably like your moms. I love it. I change the filters often,but don't vacuum nearly as often as I should.
I have heard WONDERFUL things about the Dyson's, and I am sure when the time comes we'll get a Dyson too.
I hope you get one soon!
I am impressed by the passion evoked by vacuumes. What does this say abot us all...look at those comments! I personally believe they are making things to break these days, so they can sell more of them.. I have a Kirby circa 1973...it will suck the chrome off a bumper and the drapes off the wall. It is heavy, but it just keeps on a tickin.
I have a cheap vacuum that I rarely use because I'm a slovenly housekeeper. I secretly want a Dyson. But my husband wants a Miele. So we're paralyzed and stick to the cheapie.
I think carpet vacuum's all suck (sorry, couldn't resist) so we ripped up our carpet and replaced them all with hard surface. Love it. We don't miss carpets (or vacuuming them) a bit.
I am now a Dyson addict. Seriously. If I had a dime for every vacuum, well you know. A couple years ago made the hubby promise no other gifts for each other except the vacuum, all year as it was rather pricey. Shopped on sale and used the good ol coupon at Linens N Things. Have very old ratty carpet, too many pets, and kids. This things handles it all like a charm. Even sucked up carpet strands, wrapped it around the brush so tight it took me days to cut it loose, but again worked like a charm. No frantically running to the store for a new belt. You can disassemle the whole darn thing if needed to clean it out and it works like a dream. It was so worth the extra cash. What I really want to know is how does so much dirt get in my house? Can be frightening emptying the canister sometimes....
I've written about my vacuum cleaner hatred before:
http://sarahviz.blogspot.com/2007/03/whole-lotta-nuthin.html
Yep, still have the damn thing. I covet all the uprights.
I really want one, too. We bought a bagless a couple years ago for the new house. I think it was cleaning weekend that the floss got wrapped around inside and burned out the motor. I was good for small shots. I'd vacuum a bit, then do something else while it cooled down. Then I'd vacuum a little more. Then, one day, the handle snapped right off. That was also the hose. Now it's covered with super tape and saran wrap. But, I really feel like they do sell us cheap stuff so we consider them disposable, but I feel like a monster when I think about all the vacuums we've thrown away over the years. I know they're all still sitting in the landfill. (Earth Day is coming up again...can you tell???)
Anyway. Agreed. I usually agree that if you can afford it, it's always better to chose quality (but not necessarily name) over price.
I have hardwood floors, so I don't need a Dyson (although I want one - they are like the iMac of vacuums).
I have an Electrolux that is from the 1940s - it belonged to my grandmother. It runs like a top. And it's wicked heavy, so it also doubles as a weapon, should the need arise.
I love my Dyson like a fourth child. A fourth child who cleans up after himself and then sits quietly in the corner until I need him again. I was HORRIFIED at how much stuff I pick up---to think that a bag in my old vacuum would last at least a couple of months! I have to empty the Dyson every week.
I have some squabbles with it----it doesn't get under beds or low furniture without using the nozzle---but, oh how I love how it does stairs (the hose is soooooooo long). I have the original yellow one and have had it for a few years.
I do not have a Dyson. I have the same okay Hoover that my mom bought me when I moved into my first apartment. . .16 years ago. Maybe crappy ones last longer? Probably because they don't clean as well.
Hey I just plopped down $490 today for the Dyson DC-17 animal to be picked up on Tuesday when it arrives at the store. And I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to ge tit home and test it out even though vaccuming is one of my least favorite chores. Hopefully it will live up to it's hype and I won't have mounds of dog hair hiding in corners.
We have mostly hardwood (but some carpet) so we choose one that works well on both surfaces.
Between the three kids, New England winters (and soon muddy springs) and a dog, we need it!
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