Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

My wife and I have owned about 10 vacuums in 20 years.  The first 5 were yardsale, then a Dirt Devil, then a Hoover, then an older Electrolux which worked awesome untill it caught on fire, then a Kenmore, then another Kenmore, then I got fed up and installed central vac.  NOW WE'RE TALKIN!

Well, she made me move and central vac would ba a real pita to install and it aint gonna happen. A friend of ours gave us a Kriby G5 (yeah, she hated it so much she gave it away) but its too much of a pain because we're 50/50 hardwood+tile and rug.  We currently own another $200 Kenmore, which I don't understand why they stink so bad now because my mom had the same one for about 20 years.  Now my mom has owned a Miele for about 10 and its still good as new.  I just can get past the $1200.

Is there a huge difference between the $1200 Miele Capricorn and the $700 Miele Pisces?  What about electrolux? Our house is 3 floors and about 4000+sqft.  I want a fast vacuum.

Let's bring this thread back to "Please pick my vacuum for me"

Buying the Miele.  Either the Capricorn or the Callisto.  I really want both the 217 and the 236 head, but I'll probably go with the 228 and just split the difference. 

Venson wrote:
Yes Venson I think I was confused - here in the UK the Miele S7's just go by model number and body colour change.

I wouldn't suggest a Sebo upright though - despite the fact that it can be dismantled - the buyer here needs something for tiles and rugs. The Sebo X range has an inherent problem of sensing grout in tiling - fair enough if it is level tiling, but generally the sensor wheel can get confused and change down too early for the brushes to hit the floor. Then IF the upright is put onto carpet the red brush roll light comes on as a problem. Sebo do warn about using their X vacuums on tiling with grout lines (here in the UK) as it can damage the electronics and ultimately the hydrallic arm that holds the sensor wheel in.. Sebo's Felix is a better bet but they are expensive in the U.S unless the buyer can find a second hand Dart commercial upright or a similar one  - the Dart/felix does without the sensor auto adjusting head and could in theory cope with multi flooring styles and substances. However like the Sebo K cylinders, the Felix/Dart uses a smaller dust bag.

Mike_W wrote:

It never strayed.  We have here a vacuum buyer who went from the Poor Richard approach of Ben Franklin [with yard sale purchases for 10 plus years] to the extravagance of Thomas Jefferson with a slave owner and buyer's approach:  $1000 MIELE made in China.  I suggest now a middle of the road approach of both extremes:  A rebuilt from a indy with a good rep/warranty.  Very appropropriate thread for President's Day, wouldn't you say Mike W! 

How's that toyota vehicle working out for you?

Carmine D.

nhmatt;

As Moderator, I want to tell you that I appreciate you bringing this thread back on topic.  No argument, discussion, etc.-Perfect!

Ended up with a Miele Jubilee, color silver passion. Free 3' crevice tool, which is long enough for even the most remote cobwebs in our house.   I went for the 236 powerhead, because is has lights, mostly.  Its also easier to push.  After trying the Capricorn, I really wanted the cool buttons but controlled myself.  I went with a local distributor.  Not much difference between the online and the locals.  Miele seems to keep a pretty tight grip on their channel partners, and probably doesn't offer too much in the way of volume discounting.  I also like the haggling!  I saved  $50 and got a free box of bags.

As far as buying an American vs Foreign:  Bigger faster stronger lighter cheaper is the American Way. 

nhmatt wrote:

Hi nhmatt,

Enjoy the new vacuum.

Best,

Venson

nhnutt;

You did well by purchasing the 236 deluxe power nozzle, because it will do a more thorough job of cleaning carpeting.  This is especially true if you have thicker carpeting and/or have animal hair to contend with.

You said that, "We currently own another $200 Kenmore, which I don't understand why they stink so bad now because my mom had the same one for about 20 years."  I'm not sure if you mean literally or figuratively.  If it is literal, it all depends on each household.  Your house/living situation can be different from your mother's.  If you are talking about performance, quality, reliability, then that has to do w/Sears trying to stay competitive w/the likes of Dirt Devil, HOOVER, Euro Pro, etc.  I am talking vacuum cleaner price tags.

You say you saved $50 and got free bags:  The question [not really a question but THE ISSUE] is what you paid for it.

I'll be the first to sing German MIELE vacuum praises.  But produce them in China and charge $1000 US and MIELE can put them where the sun never shines.  It would be a major insult to buyers and a huge mistake if MIELE, after 75 years of top quality and pristine reputation, moves production of any/all of its vacuums to China.  I would advise vacuum buyers to tell MIELE: Auf Wiedersehen.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi,

It's water under the bridge at this point but the Jubilee is on the Miele "retired" models list.  http://miele.com/products/models.asp?nav=30&snav=24&tnav=26&oT=27&cat=1&subcat=1&menu_id=5

The current match to Jubilee would be the Calisto with the SEB228 PN.  Miele is offering that online for $929. Being the Jubilee is discontinued model, it with an SEB236 would be a nice buy for $750 tops.

Venson