Hard decision

[momof5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through several threads and have learned a ton. I own a couple older Electrolux canisters (super j I think) and am looking to invest in a newer vacuum to last a good few decades. I have been mulling over this purchase for almost 2 years buying my time with a new hose purchase or 2. Anyway I am quite smitten with 2 machines the Aerus Platinum and Riccar Immaculate. We have a local dealer here whose asking $3000 for the Aerus. I made a call to a dealer further away (Denver) and got the same price quote. I was hoping to stay closer to $1500. Is there any way to get a better price on the aerus? If not I am quite happy with what I have seen of the Riccar. Granted I have not seen either machine in person but is there anything not to like about an American made machine such as the Riccar?

Christy

 

[marcusprit]

Yes the price!

 

[countryguy]

Yes you can most certainly get a much better price on the Aerus. There is a dealer in Florida from which myself and 1 or more other members have purchased the Guardian Platinum. Send me a note to the email in my profile and I can give you the details.

Gary

 

[suckolux]

there is the option of having them rebuild your Super J, a wonderful machine.couple hundred bucks.

 

[marcusprit]

$3000 for a vacuum cleaner? All I can say is some people must have more money than sense!

 

[miskini]

I guarantee

They will take $1400 for the aerus. You can't go wrong with either vac. I would imagine the distributors don't pay over $500 for the machines. Tell them what your willin to pay, show them the cash, they'll take it, not to risk losing a sale.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Either machine will do you well.

My experience with Simplicity/Riccar dealers is they have a retail price, and retail price and not willing to move. One here locally did offer other store items as incentives, claiming they have a price mandate or set pricing they have to follow. I do hear this is true, Miele has this same mandate.

An Aerus dealer will deal, just depends on how hungry he is. They used to have set pricing much like Rainbow, but the dealers are more independent now and are free to make the sale how they like.

My advice is wait til the last day or so of the month when the dealer is wanting to make his/her quota then hit them with a fair offer. They will usually take it.
I bought my Lux Guardian Platinum for WELL below retail and the end of the month, I have to pay the rent, move inventory sale.

 

[momof5]

Thanks for the tips. Like I mentioned I was hoping to stay around $1500 and not willing to pay $3000. I do have sense to not buy anything off the shelf at the local wallys. As far as rebuilding this old machine, which in fact my husband has suggested, I do then have some concerns. I am admittedly hard on my machines. But I am working on that. We have had to replace the hose/nozzle 3 times in the past 3 years. When I originally inherited this machine from my husbands mom 10 years ago I tried so hard to get rid of it. Too bulky and awkward to maneuver. Now I am sold as I have watched vacuums die by the handfulls all around me. Even borrowed someone elses while ours was in the shop and was begging for my machine back. I have grown to love my Electrolux, mostly the suction power! After 40 years. Back to my issue...My machine had the old fabric hose until it wore to a shred. Got it replaced 3 times and I have determined that the newer hose/nozzle is not durable enough to support the heavy old metal canister. I am hoping that a lighter machine will not cause so much wear on the hose/nozzle. $100 every time I yank the machine too hard is getting expensive.
Fyi I am a homeschooling mom of six, any cleaning that does get done needs to be quick and efficient or its not happening.

Any idea which machine might handle a little more abuse for a good cause.

 

[marcusprit]

I know of someone who paid $800 for a Riccar Radiance so they might be open to an offer on the Immaculate. I'd certainly give it a try!

 

[rugsucker]

If you like the Super J--

--features such as 4 ply filter bag(easiest ever to change),quality attachments,cordwinder,power nozzle with gear belt(not smooth),blower and more BUT not the weight you might want to find a newer,lighter plastic body Electrolux.These were called 2100,LE and other names.You would keep the good features of the Super J style and add after filter and less weight with plastic body.A low milage plastic body style with good vinyl hose might be a good solution at reasonable cost.

 

[luxman107]

Mom of 5

Sent u an email,with a contact of a dealer in Orlando for your Aerus platnum.. Just ordered a second one from him.

 

[momof5]

Thank You Gary and Mike. Now I have a new problem. I just watched a video showing a Riccar upright, the Brilliance premium and now I am trying to talk myself out of an upright. Anyone want to help me. When I first started my search I was stuck on having an upright for convenience sake. (8 people in a 1000 sq foot apartment, a day doesn't go by that someone doesn't get stepped on or ran into.) I later decided that quality and versatility were my top priorities as we are in the process of building a larger home and this vacuum will be my only vacuum. We are planning on a mix of carpet(mostly) with some hard flooring also but still, one vacuum. What do you all think. Maybe I should not watch any more lovely videos. I should add also that my husband already has plans for a central vacuum, so perhaps I will end up with more than one.

Christy

 

[miskini]

I love

My riccar radiance. I built my house 2 yrs. ago and installed a central vac. I rarely use the central vac.
The 35' hose is a pain in the ass to drag out and put away. It's easier for me to grab a ricccar or a Kirby

 

[kirbysthebest]

I promise

You would love the Riccar/Simplicity uprights.  The tandium air machines are some of the best.    There have been some lightly, seldom used and some abused machines show up on Ebay recently.  


 


One went for $199.99, one $499.  There is currently a simplicity with a starting bid of $499.  I think this seller is offering a warranty, but I could be wrong.  


 


I bought a "salvage" "for parts" Synergy last month for $35.  I put about $150 in repairs and it works perfectly.  My house is  a Kirby House, but the Simplicity is up there with abilities.  Then again I am very fond of the Lux Guardian Platinum.  That sucker is so quiet.


 


 

[this post was last edited: 2/17/2015-21:02]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Simplicity-...274?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418feb27ca

 

[momof5]

Ah. And see that was also what I was wondering. How noisy of a machine is the Riccar (Upright or canister) Compared to the Aerus?

 

[ctvacman]

The simplicity/ riccar tandem uprights are going to be very loud compared to the platinum but they clean carpets very well. The Sim/Ric canisters are pretty quiet. I have a platinum and wish the power nozzle was a little quieter, it is the the new "quieter " model but still find it to have a more annoying tone compared to what they used to be

 

[ctvacman]

I will say that the riccar vibrance ultra premium is very quiet and cleans well and with the optional 15' hose that plugs in the back it's pretty convenient to use for above the floor use

 

[countryguy]

The choice between upright and cannister depends a lot on how you do your vacuuming. Do you do all your above the floor cleaning and then the floors/carpets (or vice versa) or do you vacuum room by room where you would be constantly switching between floor/carpet and above the floor cleaning? Personally I prefer a cannister because I vacuum room by room. I like to be able to detach the wands while I'm vacuuming the floor to quickly pick up a piece of stubborn dirt or something that's in a corner, etc. I love how quiet the Guardian is. I also have uprights and have had homes with central vac...out of all 3 I prefer a cannister.

Gary

 

[suckolux]

Your replacement hose failures makes me wonder if they were copy hoses and not genuine Electrolux? Mine is 18 years old and looks new. One person, might have helped. Good luck!