Thread Number: 17495
'Plastivacs'? |
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Post# 188707 , Reply# 1   7/7/2012 at 00:51 (4,283 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 188721 , Reply# 2   7/7/2012 at 04:00 (4,283 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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Post# 188745 , Reply# 3   7/7/2012 at 10:05 (4,282 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 188752 , Reply# 4   7/7/2012 at 10:41 (4,282 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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Post# 188788 , Reply# 5   7/7/2012 at 13:46 (4,282 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Thing is though, a lot of plastic-vacs or whatever lightweight material vacuums are made out of these days, it's affecting every other kind of household appliance. It is now becoming increasingly difficult to find a brand or model that isn't made out injection mouldings these days. I know of people who still have their plastic-vac Electrolux Powerlite bagged uprights for as many as 7 years despite their lightweight feel. Really depends on what you throw at your vac in terms of its usability and robustness. Bang the upright off walls and treat it mean and it probably won't last as much as the old metal builds. |
Post# 188789 , Reply# 6   7/7/2012 at 13:51 (4,282 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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Post# 188792 , Reply# 7   7/7/2012 at 14:12 (4,282 days old) by ned_flanders ()   |   | |
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Sorry, not trying to stir up an argument here. So, it's basically a slur or slang bad name for any cheap vacuum available at a big-box store? Are there any studies on how long they last in the usual household? |
Post# 188796 , Reply# 8   7/7/2012 at 14:27 (4,282 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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"So, it's basically a slur or slang bad name for any cheap vacuum available at a big-box store?" Pretty much.
As for how long they last, I doubt there has been any studies to find out, but in my experience, they last a year if you're lucky. Two if you are super careful. Others may have gotten better results though, that's just me. |
Post# 188817 , Reply# 9   7/7/2012 at 15:37 (4,282 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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treat my plastic vacs the same as I do the dependable metal ones. I take care of my stuff, and, it lasts. Look at some of the older cleaners. They're banged up to bits. These people would ruin a tank! They're hard on everything. True, also about other household items. I've held new mixers in my hand, and, they're awful. Everything is like that now, sadly.
And, yes, we did hear SOMETHING about that unfortunate Dyson thing. I think Helen Keller heard that. But, that's over now, right? |
Post# 188819 , Reply# 10   7/7/2012 at 15:41 (4,282 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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Post# 188839 , Reply# 11   7/7/2012 at 16:06 (4,282 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Its like Kenwood - they had a Chef model on the market for many years where its exterior body was entirely made out plastic. I can recall being informed not to buy the model when I bought my own by the salespeople in John Lewis. Those models were cheaper to buy as a result but they didn't last well for wear. The metal & plastic mix bodies are far better, even though they weigh a little more when lifting the thing off the work surface when not in use.
Trouble is, because we all live in a throwaway society now, there wouldn't be much point in producing "evidence" that highlights how long on average a vacuum cleaner made out of cheap plastic would last for, or for that matter any other household appliance.
Not unless someone or a group of people were to go around all the recycling sites/dumps in your country and make a tally list of the machines that are being chucked out. My own experience of our own local dump sees a lot of bagless uprights being chucked out because of the main hinge that gives way or something ridiculous like a bagged vacuum being chucked away because it is blocked.
Sadly I don't think it is an issue of importance in terms of how long an appliance lasts because we've moved away from brand loyalty now, replaced by reputation, premium pricing and quality. |
Post# 188853 , Reply# 12   7/7/2012 at 16:29 (4,282 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)   |   | |
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Good Lord, I found myself nodding continuously while reading what you said there Ryan, there must be something the matter with me! :)
True though, a lot of people these days don't even let a Vacuum Cleaner break down anymore, they throw them away while still working fine just to get the "latest trend". It sickens me to the stomach, it really does. |
Post# 188871 , Reply# 13   7/7/2012 at 16:46 (4,282 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Post# 189175 , Reply# 15   7/9/2012 at 15:16 (4,280 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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But I think that's like everything you buy these days. Mate of mine commented on cars the other day - back in the 1980s we had a Malaysian company called Proton. Their cars were ex-designed re-fettled Mitsubishis and whilst they were okay, they came with lengthy warranties which appealed to a lot of buyers. Now, Proton has more or less died out, even managing to lose Lotus and the company have now gone bust. Buyers are now looking to Kia or Hyundai because of the longer warranties compared to the "halo" brand of value, Skoda who churn out cars based on VW floor pan and components.
SKODA cars were the equivalent to YUGO in the U.S Admittedly I recall the Americans went mad for the YUGO because it was so cheap but they soon found out how badly made the cars were, with ownership. SKODA was the butt of many jokes for many years before VW took them over.
Kia cars are okay but they're not as well built as VW products regardless of the badge - therefore buyers are going for value and longer term care assistance as opposed to the actually better car that has better quality and a shorter warranty.
Dependent on how you keep your vacuum, a "plastic-vac" can last a long time if you are prepared to maintain it properly. They may well be made of throwaway or flexible plastics, but they can last a long time.
Same with a lot of buyers who buy into SEBO or Bosch - they come with 5 years or 3 years guarantee compared to the 1 year guarantee Miele offer as standard - unless you are pushed to pay £30 to £50 for an extra 10 year warranty. Having spoken to a few buyers online who would love a Miele vacuum, they're put off having to buy bags, AND then on top of that another extra warranty. When it comes as standard, most buyers take the carrot dangled on a stick. |