Thread Number: 36583  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum Buying Question...
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Post# 391775   5/10/2018 at 09:08 (2,149 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

Hi guys,

I’m just wondering if anyone else has ever bought a vacuum cleaner simply because of the way it looks? I recently bought a Dirt Devil and the only reason I did was because of its appearance and color scheme. It was very cheap too, so I wouldn’t go buy a $500 vacuum only on appearance, but have any of you ever just bought an inexpensive vacuum just because you liked the way it looked?

I was moderately impressed by it’s performance, but I just love the metallic fleck gray, shiny black, silver and deep purple colors of this cheap vacuum.

Thanks and no need to comment on it’s lackluster performance or that it belongs in the dump.. LOL I really just want to know if people are influenced by the appearance of a vacuum... just a fun post with no real importance. It’s funny but the reason I’m asking the group this is I got home and was thinking.. why did I buy this? Haha. If anyone has any other questions about this or whatever.. feel free to comment as I love to discuss vacuum cleaners in a friendly, non judge mental post.

Thanks, Patrick


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Post# 391784 , Reply# 1   5/10/2018 at 12:17 (2,149 days old) by S31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)        
Buying on looks......

s31463221's profile picture
Absolutely! One of my last eBay purchases was based on the looks of the machine! At this moment, it’s physically IMPOSSIBLE to use this vacuum because I don’t have a power transformer for it, and it’s 220 volts...do I regret my purchase? No way! This thing is SUPER cool, even if I’ve never heard the motor run!!

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Post# 391785 , Reply# 2   5/10/2018 at 12:19 (2,149 days old) by Tseg (World Traveller)        

I've never bought a vacuum purely on looks, but certainly have shunned quality vacuums purely on looks.

Post# 391786 , Reply# 3   5/10/2018 at 12:31 (2,149 days old) by mariotron (Texas )        
Don't feel bad!

mariotron's profile picture
I got Dirt Devil Ultra for the very fact it was the only bagged and direct air (It's weird but I like seeing the bag puff up) hand vac still being made and it worked pretty well for the piece.
Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with buying a cheep vac for looks as long as like you said spending a lot in it.

As for that Dirt Devil you got... how does it perform compared to it rival the Bissel Powerforce?


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Post# 391790 , Reply# 4   5/10/2018 at 13:50 (2,149 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        

completenutt's profile picture

Yes, I certainly do.  I like having them around the house just to look at.  I have even bought vacuums that I will most likely never use, to keep them on display as models of interesting design.

 

I truly appreciate the quality craftsmanship and engineering of any excellent appliance, especially vacuums, but am also fascinated with how different company's ideas can morph the shape and usability around the vacuum air-flow itself. 

 

I've also just come upon the idea that even though few new high-end vacuums will ever last as long as vintage ones by any classic brand, they are still viable vacuum cleaners in that they are usually more powerful, with more evolved tools, and emit infinitely better air back into the room then was possible in the 20th century... and are, hopefully, more interestingly designed with ergonomics that have become somewhat standard in things like handle design, etc.  And those details in vacs like the Ultracaptic, for example, make them look as much like art pieces as capable performers (albeit during a moderately short lifespan).

 

I have started to create photography using my vacs as subjects and I think I'm on to something. laughing It's a fun side hobby.

 


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Post# 391800 , Reply# 5   5/10/2018 at 17:54 (2,149 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Yes, a lot of times I will leave a vacuum because it does not speak to me, it's just too plain or not interesting in terms of features. It's just bland and boring. A gray Eureka Boss Ultra? Left it. A white and grass-green Hoover Convertable? In the cart in less than 30 seconds! Same with a kind of bright turquoise Dirt Devil Featherlite which I think is a rare color.

Post# 391801 , Reply# 6   5/10/2018 at 18:24 (2,149 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

@S31463221
Hey Steve, that is a truly beautiful Electrolux vacuum! I don’t blame you as I’d buy that too just to have it around to look at, very nice! Thank you for sharing too, I appreciate it as I’m still kinda new here on vacuumland.

@Tseg.. sounds interesting, may I ask which vacuums you’ve shunned on appearance and why? That would be interesting to hear and talk about. Thank you for sharing.

@Mariotron
Hi Tyler, Love your Dirt Devil and I have the original hand held they made too and also like the way the bag puffs up when you turn it on. In fact it’s the only hand vacuum that everytime I see one at Goodwill or garage sales I buy it and refurb it then donate it back, as they are nice vacuums. Now as far as the Dirt Devil vs. the Bissell Powerforce.. I can’t answer that as the only Bissell vacuums in my collection are the Pet Hair Eraser Upright and the Handheld model, The Bissell Anna Upright Hybrid Cordless, the Powerglide Upright Cordless, Bolt Ion Cordless, the Bissell Air Ram Cordless, the Lift Off Cordless Hard Floor, the Zing Canister and the Bissell 3 in 1 Vac Cordless. So I can’t really compare as I have no idea how the Powerforce performs. I will say I am impressed and the Dirt Devil performed better than I was expecting. I would rate it along with Hoover vacuums that cost $100 or less. The only thing I didn’t realize and don’t really like is for a “Pet” version of a vacuum it has poor filtration (No HEPA), so I probably won’t use it much as I sneeze with dust and dander in the air. But on a scale of 1 to 10 with Sebo, Kirby and Miele at 10... I’d rate this Dirt Devil a solid 6. Thanks for your comment.

@Completenutt
Hello Bill, WOW.. Love your idea and your pictures are VERY Cool!! In fact I would love to have some of them hanging on my walls, especially in the huge guest room which is wall to wall Vacuums from my collection. That would look really nice! I too love that Electrolux canister.. cool colors and funky style and design. I also agree with you regarding the airflow path being part of the design, that is one of the things that always fascinated me about Dyson. I am very happy that ergonomics has been considered too as there is nothing more aggravating for me than a poorly designed handle or worse yet, poorly designed dirt bin, which typically increases the maintenance time and clean up of the bagless vacuums. I also Love things like the vacuums like the Hoover Dual V Windtunnel Upright Vacuum, that can be used a bagged or bagless machine. I prefer Bagged vacuums hands down, but a lot of my collection is bagless because my collection consists of mainly new and still available vacuums. With about 250 total vacuums, I think the Bissell Anna is the only one I couldn’t replace easily. Thank you for sharing and I’d love to see more of your pictures too. Also, If I promise to not share or post them anywhere else, may I use your pictures as wallpaper on my iPhone and iPads, etc?? I really do like your pictures.

Ok, thank you so very much everyone for answering my question and contributing. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has made purchases on visual appeal only. But again, this Dirt Devil was a Walmart falling price of $49 bucks too. Although now that I think about it, I did buy my Simplicity Fetch Pet S30PET Upright Vacuum because it is Metallic Grass Green and I fell in love with the color! But in my defense I was already in the market to add a Dual Tandem Air Simplicity to my collection.

Much thanks, Patrick



Post# 391802 , Reply# 7   5/10/2018 at 18:29 (2,149 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 391803 , Reply# 8   5/10/2018 at 18:32 (2,149 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

@HuskyVacs

Sorry, I posted before I saw your comment. Wow, the same colors I like too. I would love to own a turquoise color vacuum and I love my grass green Simplicity. I so agree and am very tired of Black, Grey and Red vacuum cleaners. Red, only as I don’t like that color but Black and Grey makes them look so boring and basic. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it.

Patrick


Post# 391808 , Reply# 9   5/10/2018 at 22:04 (2,149 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        

completenutt's profile picture
Absolutely! 😀 I'm not sure how they'd look full size though. The pics are from a good camera on a smartphone and edited on a fun editing app, but I'm not sure if they'll look pixelated or as rich in color if blown up in size.

I was wondering if there was such a thing as a bagged/bagless machine. I'll look it up. Sounds intriguing!

Yeah, ease of emptying out the dirt cup really depends on the placement of the filter inside the cup. For example, a vac I had in the late 90s was a purple Dirt Devil bagless upright. It had a post motor hepa, but the filter inside the dirt cup was conical in shape and waffled and stuck in the middle of the dirt cup and emptying was a mess.. You poured out the larger pieces and then when you pulled out the conical filter, you had to bang it on the side of a trash container to release the tons of dirt still in the valleys on the filter. The dust plume was gross, and it was hard to contain it all! Thank goodness even cheap machines don't have that configuration anymore! That's why I was so impressed with the Electrolux UltraFlex and UltraCaptic... the first I'd seen with a filter free removable dirt cup on a cyclonic bagless.




This post was last edited 05/11/2018 at 01:32
Post# 391825 , Reply# 10   5/11/2018 at 07:09 (2,148 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)        
Nice

compactc9guy's profile picture
I think its great to add vacuum to the collection no matter the reason .I got an Electrolux discovery 2 because it was in a garage sale the lady said if no one buys it its going in the dumpster,so i grabbed it brought it home .That was 2 years ago il never get rid of it , because i was able to save it and it works very well so thats the reason i got it for ahah any reason is good to add another vacuum enjoy.

Post# 391837 , Reply# 11   5/11/2018 at 11:55 (2,148 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
Oh definitely for sure

panasonicvac's profile picture
Everytime I see a vacuum that I really like from the looks of it, I would be like "Man I've got to have one of those in my collection."

Post# 391838 , Reply# 12   5/11/2018 at 12:06 (2,148 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
Since I own more than one post-G3 Kirby, I guess I too have acquired a vacuum simply for its looks. Lol

Glad you are enjoying the new Dirt Devil! I like the models similar to that one which have the sideways cyclone at the top of the bin.


Post# 393047 , Reply# 13   6/9/2018 at 17:32 (2,119 days old) by Diabeticdoode (Tulsa, Ok)        

diabeticdoode's profile picture
lol I wanted to buy this exact Dirt Devil based off the colors. Love that I'm not alone!

Post# 393064 , Reply# 14   6/9/2018 at 23:29 (2,119 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Bought for its looks

How shallow.

Of course I have, my most recent a Eureka FloorRover. Bought it for its unusual looks, actually like it very much as a good vacuum.


Post# 393066 , Reply# 15   6/10/2018 at 04:41 (2,118 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)        

I bought this based purely on looks and it has to be the worst vacuum I have ever unboxed.

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Post# 393067 , Reply# 16   6/10/2018 at 05:44 (2,118 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        
@sensotronic

Thanks “Betty” for sharing! I would have done the same thing if this round ball vacuum had been offered in the USA.. I love oddly shaped vacuums. One of my deepest regrets is not buying the Hoover Z700 as it was so fun and quirky.. like a transformer. I’ve heard they had lackluster performance as well.. but it just looked fun! I still search from time to time but cannot find one in really good, almost new condition or if I find a spotless newer Z700 it’s outrageously priced! :-(

I also regret getting rid of my Dirt Devil Ultra MVP and the RoomMate and Broom Vac.. just because they were unusual in design.

I’ve learned my lesson as far as keeping my favorites and not having to re-Buy them or regret.. that’s why I’ll NEVER get rid of my Bissell Anna Hybrid Vacuum!

I think that’s why I enjoy my Shark Rocket Powerhead as it’s reminds me of the Dirt Devil RoomMate but on steroids! Lol. Then of course there is my Sebo Felix (thanks again for sharing how well you and your Mum like the Felix) as it’s got a unique look. I also have a Kenmore Crossover Ultra Bagless Upright that is unique and I love it’s dark red/purple color scheme that is reminiscent of how 80’s vacuums were trimmed and decorated! Thanks again Betty lol keep up the excellent work on your YouTube videos and I hope AO.com sends you a bunch more cool things! Thank you for sharing your pre-Dyson Ball Vacuum haha did you keep it by chance?

Thanks, Patrick (and Robbie and Kermit). Air Hugs!


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Post# 393068 , Reply# 17   6/10/2018 at 07:07 (2,118 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)        

The Z400 and Z700 cleaners are absolute monstrosities and make the Miele S7/U1 uprights look like compact lightweight cleaners by comparison. I can say this with authority as currently I have a Z400 next to my Miele Dynamic U1.

I think you are confusing me with someone else as I don’t have a YouTube channel but I may put up a video of my 11 kitty cats riding on my roomba one day.


Post# 393070 , Reply# 18   6/10/2018 at 08:40 (2,118 days old) by Tseg (World Traveller)        

"@Tseg.. sounds interesting, may I ask which vacuums you’ve shunned on appearance and why? That would be interesting to hear and talk about. Thank you for sharing."

I prefer vacuums with some semblance of style, so the X series Sebos (and all 'commercial' looking vacs) don't do anything for me, even though I know they perform well. Likewise, too 'spacey' looking vacs, with multiple tubes like a roller coaster ride or hard angled bits making it look like it is from a transformer movie don't do anything for me either. A Dyson Ball multi-floor may be an example of this. An optimal vacuum style has sleek lines, like a Miele or Kirby... although Kirby continues to have a huge opportunity to reign its bag system that continues to look like a cow flop on a sports car (thus, I don't have one).


Post# 393076 , Reply# 19   6/10/2018 at 15:10 (2,118 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        

completenutt's profile picture

@Betty,

That round vac you bought is so interesting.  Similar to a Hoover Celebrity of course, but I also would have bought it just as an example of outside the box type design!  What brand is it?

 

@Patrick

I have gone through several Hoover Zs.  I still have one in-box, factory sealed, unused (ever! by anyone!) Z700, which I might sell someday (it's under all the attachments in the pics).  Let's keep in touch over that if you like.  It'll be a fair price, but shipping will cost almost $100 to Ohio from California, I'm sure.  It weighs over 30 pounds.  The best thing about using the Z is when it's in canister mode, the stretch hose is so damn long, you can easily use dusting attachments at well over shoulder height.  It makes dusting and hard floor cleaning a breeze.  The suction is not constant and is easily affected by the amount of dust and debris in the dust bin that starts to block the small screen filter leading to the Hepa filter chamber.  So that needs to be checked at least once per use, even while using the machine to clean only 1000 sq. ft. apt.

 

It's motor is exceptional and can run for over an hour while cleaning without overheating and should last for 20 years.  Solid, for real.  The plastic parts are the weak part.  The handle release in upright mode broke on one of the Z700s that I used over the years, and the smell of the Hepa became annoying after a few years on another.  It's difficult to change and keep the "tapper" in place or it becomes unusable and clogged.

 

However, it is collectable as a stunning example of a completely revolutionary design.  

 

I still have my Z400 on display tucked under a coffee end table in my living room.  Even collapsed, it's interesting!  I use it occasionally for those bookshelf dusting jobs and window blinds, and ceiling fans blades, and hardwood floors (it has a great horsehair brush) etc.

 

Bill

 



CLICK HERE TO GO TO completenutt's LINK

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Post# 393089 , Reply# 20   6/10/2018 at 23:50 (2,118 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Sensortrronic

I would have bought the little sphere vacuum for its looks. In fact, what's it called? Brand name? Is it bagless? Tell more about it.

Post# 393090 , Reply# 21   6/11/2018 at 00:11 (2,118 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)        
Round vacuum

The round vacuum is by a brand called One Concept. I bought it from ebay from a German seller and it came with a two pin European plug with a three pin UK adaptor on it. It is bagless but has a tiny bin and a filter that clogged within seconds of picking up some dirt. The energy label stated 75db but it seems far noisier than that.

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Post# 393097 , Reply# 22   6/11/2018 at 09:27 (2,117 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
sensotronic.

Thank you.


Post# 393104 , Reply# 23   6/11/2018 at 14:17 (2,117 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        

completenutt's profile picture

OMG, that's the worst energy and emissions rating sheet that I've ever seen.  Sill, I might buy it (if it were available and under $75US) for older children and tweens who want to have a vacuum of their own.  


Post# 393573 , Reply# 24   6/20/2018 at 08:08 (2,108 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
I bought a Dyson DC-26 just because it’s so tiny and cute. I’m hanging onto my Filter Queen just because of how it looks, even though I prefer my Princess III for its functionality.

Post# 393721 , Reply# 25   6/22/2018 at 22:51 (2,106 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
I totally, can see why someone would buy based on looks alone....much more so with all you fellow vacuum nuts! I'm buying this Classic III tomorrow just for the chrome look and especially the red accessories. I get real bored with all the plain greys and blacks on vacuums. I appreciate all you guy's devotion to other makes, but Kirby is really, my main attention, especially older ones...b/c they look like styling from the 1940's and 1950's ....like those big bumpers on cars from then, and I love everything old anyway.

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Post# 393757 , Reply# 26   6/23/2018 at 23:07 (2,105 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

Thanks Kelton,

I really like the look of your Red Kirby, I also love the royal blue Kirby’s too. I also love that the vacuum attachments and other parts are some other color besides gray or black! That is another reason I bought my Kirby Sentria 2, as I love the Taupe/Tan color of the attachments and tools. Yes, it’s a subtle change from the others in gray, but enough and the beautiful Teal pattern on the bag had me fall in love with my Sentria 2.

Thanks Myles, I too have a Dyson DC26 as I love the tiny little size and I also have the Dyson DC24 in the special limited edition Target Store Red color.. it’s adorable. I even made some my Dyson V6 and V8 purchases from QVC as they have special limited color choices too. (Boy I have WAY too many Dyson Vacuums.. but I Love them all too much to thin them out!) I also bought a few of my Shark vacuums from QVC so I could pick the color I like as well. It’s funny but two different colors of the exact same vacuum and one sometimes is much less visibly appealing to me than the other.

Bill @completenutt .. WOW thank you so much for that consideration and YES I would definitely like to be kept in consideration if you decide to sell your NIB Hoover Z700! I don’t know what it is about that vacuum that fascinates me and gives me that desire to own one. I too would keep it as a rarely used vacuum just so I could look at it and know it’s part of my collection. Thank you and even from California to Ohio, I’d be tempted to pay shipping for a NIB, but I think I will start searching again to see if I can find one closer to Ohio, just for fun. But thanks for that thought and please keep me in mind.

Shawn @DiabeticDoode.. Hey I recommend instead of the one I bought, get the very similar Dirt Devil with the Retractable cord! The rewind version is exactly the same as far as I could tell and has the added convenience of the cord rewind. It’s the exact same beautiful Purple color scheme too! Also, my Walmart had it priced the same as the one I’d bought just a few weeks earlier. If you’re still considering buying it.. I’d say go for it and I recommend it. For what it is, it’s a nice vacuum and does a decent job cleaning and is relatively easy to empty and maintain. Thanks for sharing your feelings too, I feel less weird too LOL

Ok everyone, thank you again for being a part of this thread and keep adding pictures and comments. I’d love to see everyone that’s interested post a picture of their Favorite vacuum purchase made solely on appearance alone. Thanks again everybody!

Patrick



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