Dyson: ? on Consumer Rating Magazines

[samotronic]

I've never owned a Dyson and am not a fan. But I am curious as to why the leading consumer rating magazine generally rates them as mediocre, but in actual user reviews (in that magazine's web site) the owners love them - more so than I've seen with other brands. I'm a Kirby fan tried and true and this magazine has never endorsed the Kirby (I believe due to the price and sales approach), though they do begrudgingly give it high ratings for performance. I see more glowing reviews for Dyson coming directly from customers in most sites than any other brand, yet am curious about the less then glowing reviews (carpet performance, tool suction) that I read in official ratings. Who is right, the testers or users? Not questioning either, just wondering about the discrepancy.

 

[vintagehoover]

In my experience...

...owners know very little about the machines they own. They adore them when they're working ok. Then, when the filters they haven't bothered to change clog, and the machine burns out, suddenly the cleaner's junk. People are fickle.

If there was a site where people could continually update their opinions on their purchases, it might read something like this:


After it's first week:

'We just bought a new Dyson, and I LOVE it! It looks so cool! The first time we used it, we had to empty it five times, it was full of all the dirt our old Hoover/Electrolux/Kirby/whatever missed! I'd never go back to Hoover/Electrolux/Kirby/whatever now! The Dyson's the greated cleaner ever invented!'


3 months later:

'The novelty value of our Dyson's appearance has worn off now, it's a bit scuffed and scraped, but it still does it's job. The cord hook's snapped off the handle and handle won't lock upright, but it keeps picking up the dirt.'


1 year later:

'The Dyson's now making a really wierd noise and a burning smell. The hose has torn, we've lost some of the tools, and the suction's not as strong as it used to be. I paid £250 for it just a year ago, so I'm not keen to replace it just yet.'


18 months later:

'We've given up with the Dyson now, it keeps cutting out. We called the Service Department and they said something about filters. I had a look but it was all covered in dirt and I didn't want to touch it. Anyway, our neighbour lent us a Miele/Sebo/whatever which is much better! What a piece of junk the Dyson is. What a waste of money. Don't make the same mistake we did!'


Of course, these users will come flocking back to Dyson as soon as a new ad campaign comes out. And end up regretting it all over again!

 

[vacvacvac]

Wonderful chronology of fantasy Dyson owners.

I agree that most of the time, people buy vacuums on style, color, appearance, how "cool" it looks, and all of the promotional media that the vacuums produce. Dyson marketed a very good idea...that most vacuums clog and that they lose airflow and that brilliant James Dyson set out to save the (vacuum cleaning) world. The concept is particularly approachable because using a vacuum is, for most people, a chore and they can identify with the idea of the perfect stylish vacuum to save their daily lives. Of course vacuums lose suction when they fill up with dirt. Of course toilets overflow when they are jammed full of debris...this is a fact of physics. Ironically enough, many people are proud to show you their cutting edge clog-proof toilets, too. However, the devices haven't really changed the overall idea of how and why we use vacuums as functional and utilitarian devices. Most people bemoan doing housework, dusting, washing up, etc. and we always see a new appliance developed to make solve the problems that are inherent in the "work" of it all. However, wasn't the prior model supposed to solve all of our problems? And the model prior to that, and so on.

I haven't used a Dyson except for one that was loaned to me for a couple of weeks. The vacuum was not for me...I have large husky dogs and a bagless vacuum simply cannot keep up with the hair the way a bagged vacuum can. I thought that the Dyson was somewhat attractive, I was using one of the "ball" versions, but it seemed to be made of cheaper grade materials than I am used to. As far as the manoeuvrability of the Dyson goes, I felt that a Sebo Felix was just as agile and so much better at getting underneath objects--The Dyson couldn't go more than a few inches under my sofa.

But, it is often fashion that sells and there is a customer for almost everything. Some people love their Dysons and that's great. I'm happy for them. A Dyson, however, is not for me and I can't understand why people are so devoted to them when there are so many vacuums out there that have more flexible and utility-friendly designs. Mass-merchants have really done well to promote the Dyson line, as there appear to be several "exclusive" variations of the vacuums available from different outlets. I guess that this is clever, but I would rather purchase something from a dealer that can provide service, after-sales support, and who can make certain that the customer is taken care of long after a mass-merchant vacuum has gone belly up.

 

[williamr1248]

Dysons; on consumer rating magazines

There are really only 2 vacuums that I really don't get and one is the Dyson and the other is the Oreck. I do understand that different homes have different needs hence different types of vacuums. I thought the Dyson was difficult to use,too tall to get under furniture and I hated the mess of emptying the bin. Don't you think a lot of people buy a Dyson as a fashion statement the same way people bought vans with designs painted on the sides and now people buy giant SUV's and have no use for them.
The Dyson I had was too aggressive on the carpets and it was heavy. The Oreck had to be lifted from one surface to the next and was very noisy and you were forced to mess with that useless hand vac.

 

[vacvacvac]

I forgot to mention about Oreck, too. My aunt bought me one because she heard that all hotels use it. I never had a more disappointing experience with a vacuum. The head of the vacuum was the size of a cinder block and it was loud and crackly whenever you sucked anything up. Needless to say, I returned it. That boxy hand vacuum portable thing that came with it was such a weird idea--I had to hold onto it by the handle all the time while I was using it. Convenient? No.

 

[vinvac]

I would agree, people commenting on the Dyson are doing exactly what the company wants them to do. They use the vacuum, see the dirt in the clear container and are WOWED..

As many of you know, I work for a credit union that is located inside a Walmart. Walmart carries the Dyson, Eureka, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Bissel and a GE. Very rarely do I see anyone purchase the Dyson and when they do, I watch...within two or three days it is back at the return counter. Repairs for the Dyson are very expensive, they don't clean pet hair well at all and clog very easily. This comes from a man who runs a vac shop here in town. He has sold many new good quality machines rather than do the repair work on the Dyson.

I was very surprised at the last consumer reports testing of the Kirby. They actually had it in their top ten and were not over critical of the machine. What they are critical about, and rightfully so, is the door to door sales tactics and the variance in the price of the machine. However, they did note that Kirby is the most reliable machine with the fewest repairs. One of the best ratings I have seen for the Kirby product from Consumers Reports.

The Oreck was also rated very well and I would have to agree. My partner purchased one for me for my Birthday, pictured in the cleaning contest. That machine cleans extremely well, handles well, easily repairable and very durable. My only complaint with the machine is the price. It filters well, does exactly what the claim it will do, straight from carpet to hardwood and is great at lifting the knapp of the carpet. As far as the Buster B canister, for what I use the machine and the way I use the machine, it is perfect. They could come up with a better bag but other than that I have no complaints.

Morgan

 

[thunderhexed]

Dyson

Dad bought mom a Dyson for Christmas a couple of years ago cuz it's what she wanted... they had a Kirby Heritage they bought BRAND NEW from an in-home sales demo back in 81. Last week, dad asked me if I had another Kirby they can have to use. He HATES the Dyson. Especially the attachment feature. He says he has never messed with anything so akward and it frustrates him. So I have a nice Heritage II I am going to part with for them. The Dyson has already had to be disassembled twice to clear clogs and clean it out. They check the filters regularly and keep them clean, but I guess when it comes down to it, a Kirby is just an all-around "man's machine". Rugged, sturdy, simple in design..mom loves her Dyson though - mainly just cuz it's bagless - BLAH! Give me ANY model of a Kirby ANY DAY.. especially a Classic.. talk about a masculine sounding beast!

 

[srswirl]

Dyson

Among my many canisters, I have an original Dyson canister marketed to the States...the Telescope. I will preface my opinion by saying that I know nothing at all of their uprights. However, as far as canisters go, I could not disagree more with the idea that they are junk. Even though made of plastic, the thing is virtually indestructible. It has tons of suction...and does not lose suction (and I'm happy to prove that to anyone who wants to come over). I've vacuumed up a ton of drywall dust...and then cleaned the house with it. I have yet to come across ANY cleaner that could vacuum up even a little bit of drywall dust and keep on going. They all choke on the fine stuff. The Dyson does not miss a beat. Nothing gets out of it...and you can always tell...all you have to do is vacuum in the sunlight...and see everything floating around in the rays. With the Dyson, this does not happen. It was one of the first things I noticed about it. The way it stores is a fantastic work of genius. I've had it for about 5 years now...and it works just like the day I got it. Now...the caveat to that is that I do take care of it. I clean the filter every three months (they recommend 6) and I keep it clean internally (I never put it away dirty). They recommend not to clean the cyclone chamber...but that's rubbish. I have cleaned it often...but, I do let it dry for a week before it's next use. None of my maintenance takes longer than a few minutes at a time. They will have to pry this machine out of my cold, dead hands. Is it on a par with any of my vintage machines? Perhaps not in terms of nostalgia...but in terms of suction, ease of use, and storage, it is superior to most, on par with the best Hoover canisters in terms of suction and only bested in suction/airflow, perhaps, by a Tri-Star. Sadly, it does not have any of the wonderful qualities of any of the beautifully designed canister cleaners of yesteryear...but, when judged on the pure vacuuming function itself, it is an excellent machine. One of the best canisters I've ever used. It's main functional faults are that the hose and the cord are not long enough.
Michael

 

[kirbysthebest]

I do not have, nor have I used a Dyson

But I want to comment on the Oreck. I am a Kirby man, born and bred. There has never been anything cleaning our carpets but a Kirby since I have been alive. But, last year I went looking for an Oreck. I eventually came home with a Riccar Supralite, which is more powerful than the Oreck; but still on the same principal. It's also a screamer like the Oreck, but does a good job for what it was designed to do.

The reason: I wanted something that I could grab and do quick cleaning. Surface litter, dog hair, crumbs without dragging the Kirby up or down stairs. I still use the Kirby for the main cleaning, but I have the Supralite for the quick cleaning. I am very happy with it and can fully justify the purchase.

I think the appeal of the Oreck is with many of our Adults (boomers) reaching retirement age, they have ailments that they didn't have before. Arthritis, overweight, heart problems, yet they still want to remain in their own homes and do their own housework. The new TechDrive on the Kirby is wonderful for ease of use on one floor, but when you have to schlep it up and down stairs it gets old fast. A light weight machine is the answer, at least for me. The Kirby lives on the main floor where most of the tracked in deep down dirt is anyway, an the supralite travels.