Learn from my mistakes...
Jun 28 '00
I'd like to share with you some of the mistakes I've made, and the things I've learned during my years of shopping for vacuum cleaners.
During the last 12 years of marriage, I've owned about 8 different vacuum cleaners ranging in price from $20.00 to over $1200.00!!! The biggest mistake I can say I made looking back over my purchases, was that I didn't do any research before I bought. Since you're reading this editorial, you are way ahead of me already!
When my husband and I first got married, we moved into a small apartment. I had never lived on my own before, and never had to think about buying a vacuum before. My husband came into the marriage with an old ratty Hoover that had seen better days. Since our entire apartment was carpeted, and we hat cats, we knew we needed a better model. It just so happened a vacuum salesman came knocking on our door one night (I thought that only happened on "I Love Lucy"!...but he didn't throw a ball of dirt on our floor, I guess he didn't have to!). After some fast talking and fancy financing, we were the proud owners of a very expensive (over $1200.00)canister vacuum, that was supposed to last us 25 or more years!
About three years later, we were looking for an upright vacuum to use for daily clean up. We went from small cordless vacs to stick vacs to machines without bags to wet/dry vacs.
As I mentioned above, the main mistake I made when purchasing my vacuums was I never went to others for opinions on the vacuums they used. I never checked out a site like Epinions or other reference source online. I didn't shop around and do my homework on different brands and models and what features were offered. I basically impulse bought based on the appearance of the machine, a T.V. commercial or infomercial, a sale flyer from a department store etc.
I recently purchased a new vacuum cleaner. I am completely happy with my purchase this time, and here's why. Before making my purchase I made a mental list (you could write it down if you prefer)of the features that were important to me in a vacuum. I also made a mental list of the things I disliked about old machines I've had. Then the research began. I of course came to Epinions first and checked out the vacuum reviews of brands I was considering. Then I hit the department stores and read the boxes and instructions booklets and checked out the display models. I lifted and pushed as much as I could. I even had an in home demo of a more expensive model.
I finally narrowed my choice down to a model I really liked. But before making my final purchase I called around to several vacuum specialty stores and checked price and got their feedback on the model. I was surprised at the price ranges I got on the identical machine! I was also very thankful I made these calls, because I may have made another poor decision otherwise. One of my last calls was to a local vacuum dealer. He was very straight forward with me and told me he could sell me that vacuum I had liked, but thought based on what my needs were that I'd be much happier with a light weight commercial use vacuum he carried. I had never even thought to check into that market before.
He volunteered to drop me a unit off to try out overnight with no pressure or obligation. Other than the very expensive, high end home demos with the high pressure sales, this was the first time I actually got to try my new vacuum out before buying it! I liked this idea and told him to bring it over.
He dropped it off, showed me how to use it briefly and left with no pressure at all. I liked that too! I then decided to do something I'd never thought of doing before. I ran to the store and purchased the other vacuum I had decided on and did a side by side comparison. (I wasn't sure this was acceptable to do...but I didn't want to make the same mistake I had before so many times).
Well, the commercial vacuum won hands down! And for less money! But, I'm not trying to push commercial vacuums here, just trying to make the point that if I hadn't done my homework, and checked around, I might be right back to where I was with a vacuum I bought on impulse.
Here are some of the things you may want to consider when shopping for your new vacuum:
1. Will this vacuum be easy to pull out and use for quick clean ups as well as full cleanings?
2. Will the vacuum lay down flat to go under beds etc.?
3. Do you need or want an air filtration system (very important if people in your house have allergies). Does the machine you're looking at offer a Certified HEPA filter?
4. Is the base of the vacuum low enough to fit easily under furniture and cabinet bases?
5. Is the base of the unit shaped to fit nicely in tight spots?
6. Does the vacuum have duel edge cleaning? (Will it suck well when used up against either edge...like along walls).
7. Does the unit have a bumper of some kind to protect from damaging furniture if banged against?
8. Is the unit easy to empty and clean? Are replacement bags needed, and if so are they reasonably priced?
9. Does the unit come with additional attachments? Do you really need or use them? If yes, do they fit conveniently on the unit for easy use?
10. Does the vacuum fit your price range? If not, do you really want to go into debt for this vacuum? Will it really last long enough to make the interest you're paying worth it?
11. Is the cord long enough to reach a large area in your home?
12. Do you want a canister or upright? Do you have stairs to carry the unit up? If so, do you want to consider a light weight unit?
Well, you get the idea. There are many more questions you can ask yourself, but I think I've got you on the right track.
So do your homework, ask friends, family, co-workers. Try to see the vacuums and handle them if they are on display at the department stores you shop. Read on the internet on sites like this one to see what others using the machine think. Then finally call people who specialize in vacuums for their opinion. They may have a suggestion you wouldn't have thought of, like in my case.
I hope you find the vacuum of you dreams! (At least not of your nightmares!)
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Epinions.com ID:
Truthfully
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Member: Barbara, C.N.H.P.
Reviews written: 115
Trusted by: 45 members
About Me:
UPDATE ON ME...2009
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