Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hello,

I'll be honest, I know nothing about vacuum cleaners except that I need one. I have 4 criteria for selection:
1) Works well
2) built well/will last me a long long time (serviceable)
3) Made in US, Japan, or Western Europe
4) Hopefully no more than $350

I think Oreck may end up being my choice since it's made in the US and I haven't found any others that aren't manufactured in south east Asia. But that's why I'm here! To tap into your brains :)

Christine

A couple of items to note when comparing the Lower priced Oreck's with the Simplicity Freedom.

1 The aluminum neck on the Oreck tends to wear differently than the metal screws holding it. After a while the neck starts to wobble. They almost always come into the shop needing to be tightened or worse case need to be replaced. The Freedom has a round neck that stays in place.

2 The Freedom has a bigger Fan than the Oreck

3 The roller on the Oreck has long SOFT bristles. Some people find it hard to push on thick carpeting. The Freedom has a short STIFF bristle roller. When comparing the two you MUST try them on the same style carpet you will be vacuuming.

4 The Oreck has four wheels on the underside. The Freedom has six.

5 I like the Hepa CLOTH bags that are available for the Freedom. I know Oreck has a paper hepa bag but I don't know if Oreck has cloth.


Another poster mentioned a Metal roller & auto shut off. I am not aware of these features on the Freedom but I don't know alot of things! Those features are available on the Synchrony and Synergy lines. They are WAY TOO HEAVY for your requirements.

Lucky

HARDSELL wrote:

HS:

I apologize for the off vacuum subject but this is somewaht related.  McDonald's is the only FAST FOOD chain that advertises during the Saturday morning kids' shows and cartoons.  It spends about $2 Million a DAY in advertising.  Appealing to the kids who in turn influence their parents where to eat.  I'm a fan of both: Mac's and cartoons.

Carmine D.

Lucky1 wrote:

Lucky 1:

All excellent points for comparison.  IMHO.  Oreck has a HEPA Celoc hypo-allergenic paper.  This may be comparable to the HEPA cloth like bags.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

No apology is necessary.    Your vacuum choices ars so amusing that it is no wonder that you like cartoons.

CarmineD wrote:

I am cedrtain that every home owner would prefer 4 or 5 vacuums cluttering their home as opposed to only one that does the same duty----better.

HARDSELL wrote:

HS:

I read the comics daily too.  I just enjoy a good laugh and finding humor in all things.  Like you and your posts.

Carmine D.

HARDSELL wrote:

HS:

Not I, with only 2, unlike you.  I have an Oreck upright and a HOOVER cann.  Both lightweights and compact and use less electricty [4 amps/8 amps respectively].  I also have a 2 pound HOOVER Slider for quick pick me ups.  And of course, the HOOVER Floorwasher [which resides in the garage]. 

Now, if my memory serves me: You currently have a Royal Eminence and a Kirby Sentria and a Rainbow and [before you sold it after using 2 years] a dyson DC07.  Four super heavyweights in price and pounds and power usage.  And you made some inquiries here about a Swivel vac.  Sound familiar?  Your post fits you perfectly.

Which do you use for quick cleans and attachments?

Carmine D.

Gosh so much more info, mind is starting to boggle...!<BR><BR>Thanks for the notes on Riccar/Simplicity-- I see that this was well-rated by Consumer reports in their latest survey. <BR><BR>(I wish they had rated the new light-weight Dyson. And they don't seem to mention Oreck at all, unless i missed it as have only glanced quickly so far...i expect reasons for this have been already discussed in these pages at length. Anyway, you guys, with all your detailed info, are more than making up for any oversights by CR! ).<BR><BR>MH, thanks for your suggestions--I'm not &quot; dead-set&quot; on an Oreck, but it appeals because of the lightweight factor; however I'd certainly try other lightweight brands before deciding. The rebuilt route is an idea.<BR><BR> Lucky, I do appreciate your comparison of Freedom and Oreck--most informative.<BR><BR>I should add that I will not be making this purchase alone but with my husband. I didn't mention any price restrictions when I originally put out my question, because I wanted to see what you guys came up with....but, sigh, price restrictions may well come into the final decision!<BR><BR>Christine<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Edited to add, I know I have already had a very good review of the lightweight Dysons from MH, not ignoring that, or any of the other suggestions here. Consumer Reports is always useful though as a (supposedly) objective and unbiased authority.

March 2008 is the first time in recent and past years Oreck was not rated by Consumer Reports.  Until then, Oreck always made CR's top 10-15 in ranks with good ratings for carpet cleaning and excellent ratings for floors. 

I opined recently that I thought Oreck was excluded in March 2008 because it tried to get one of its newer/less expensive models [$399] rated/ranked but was preempted by time.  Just my opinion.

Carmine D.

Sorry about gobbeldy-gook above, I tried to edit and that's what happened.

Christine