Help! Shopping for New Vacuum and Overwhelmed

[GM1982]

If you have carpel tunnel and MS, the Moxie is going to be a lot heavier than the Miele. I think the Moxie with its parts are about 30 lbs--its a heavy machine. the Miele should be lighter about 8-10lbs, depending on the size power nozzle.

I am from Long Island and we hardly have any Simplicity or Riccar retailers. Its also hard to find Sebo, Aerus Lux and other mentionable brands here. Most of the population here seem to like Big Box or disposable junk brands like: Hoover, Bissell, Dyson, Shark and Kenmore. Wealthier households have housekeepers. Where you are in CT, I checked it out and you have many more Riccar dealers, Miele and Aerus. You cannot go wrong with whatever you decide. If something goes wrong or needs repair, at least you have 6 or 7 dealers that service within a 20 mile radius.

Maybe you want to wait and save a little extra money and get a brand new Miele Callisto, its one of the best machines available. or get the Moxie if you can get a better deal and weight/bulk is not an issue.

 

[ctsooner]

I'm in Berlin which is the epicenter of the state. The Riccar dealers don't seem to carry the canisters onsite, but the Simplicity seems to be the exact same other than color. I just need to figure out is the Silver Moon is my best option or if I need to go new. I think the lightweight of the Miele is very appealing to me as is the quiet sound so my three dogs don't get too scared, lol. I'm still open and have a bid on Ebay that still has three days left. He says it's a Moxie 2 and has a picture of the Moxie, but it's a demo and in his write up he keeps saying it's an RC 1400. I think that's a discontinued model they had hose problems with. If so, I'm going to probably pull out of the auction as the info isn't correct and I'd only want a Moxie at that price.

How should I deal with the guys locally when I figure out which unit I want to buy? I want a great price, but realize they need to make money too.

Does anyone know how much I should pay for a new
Capricorn with 236 head
Callipso
demo Simplex Moxie

 

[eurekaprince]

Hey friends - let's get back to helping out Matt in Manhattan....not that all the other posts have not been interesting! :-D

Matt - one of your last posts seems to indicate the kind of vacuumer you are: you want to be able to wheel out an upright, plug it in and go clean, shut it off and put it in the closet. You don't want to have to assemble, disassemble, open and empty and re-assemble. You don't want to make the process a "Broadway Production"!

I think your very first instinct is going to suit you fine: a shiny new Miele upright. With a 39 foot cord, you probably won't even have to change electrical outlets once you start cleaning. And the on-board tools are good enough for all extra cleaning needs like furniture and nooks and crannies. You can probably even buy one of those nifty parquet Twister floor brushes that will attach to the upright hose and wand to clean floors under sofas and stuff.

Therefore....after over 100 posts (nice thread here guys!), my final recommendation is the Miele Cat and Dog S7 White Upright. Don't bother with the fancier more expensive versions of the S7 - the less electronic circuitry you have on your vac, the less chance for problems and repairs later. The white S7260 just has a rotary suction control - very simple and uncomplicated.

For what it's worth - and I know many Vacuumlanders do not trust Consumer Reports test results - when tested in controlled testing situations along with more than 30 other uprights on the market, this Miele "Cat and Dog" White Upright did very well in all categories: either "excellent" or "very good" in carpet cleaning, bare floor cleaning, cleaning with the hose, emissions and noise control, and handling. So, there is a high likelihood that it is a worthwhile investment.

This Miele S7 Upright will be a major step-up for you from your Fantom wondervac!

Here is a nice videoclip which shows how easy it is to use -

 

[durango159]

NYCWriter, how we doing?

You started this thread. Haven't heard from you in a bit, so I imagine you're long work week is ending and you'll do more research over the weekend. CTSooner has it down to a few machines. I think a feud between Tacony's Riccar and Simplicity vs. Miele is common. Both are terrific machines and I think it comes down to user comfort, options and price. Miele are said to be better built but they're quality has dropped and they get their fair share of repairs. Riccar/ Simplicity units are excellent, strong builds that will last many many years. They had a hose problem on some canisters but have changed materials and that seems to be a non-issue at this point. They recently brought manufacturing back to the U.S. and quality of finished product is better. I like the newer style telescoping wands compared to older version!! Buying brand new especially with either of this works out well because you get manufacturer warranty which on a new Moxie canister would be 5 yr. all inclusive.

What are your thoughts on something Matt? Are you liking the sound of Simplicity Synergy upright or Riccar Radiance, or Riccar Brilliance, all of which have their Tandem Air System? What the Tandem Air System does is eliminate the battle between uprights of whether a direct air system, (Also known as Dirty Air or Fan First), or Clean Air System ( Also known as Bypass) system is better because these machines use both. The Tandem air system uses 2 suction motors. This is why the vacuum can be demonstrated with the bag door removed because the machine has suction motor pushing dirt to the bag. If you put the bag door on, then you also gain the power of a motor pulling air to the bag. It's an upright so you would just have to switch hose to attachment use. The Miele S7 uprights are a similar technology to this but I believe the Tacony system is better.

On a canister you can have on/off power nozzle control at your fingertips, release suction hose from power head and grab whatever dirt in cracks and crevices that you want. I also use bare floor brush or electric power nozzle from canister to clean sofa cushions and stairs while I'm doing the main room. Can't really do that with a bulky upright.

Let us know where you're at. Remember everyone that this is a vacuum cleaner. It's an appliance just like refrigerator for cold beer and oven for baking brownies. A machine to help us with allergy removal etc. None of the machines listed above are junk and all will do a terrific job cleaning just about any environment. We on this forum know what junk is and we won't post those for recommendation!!! I've done a fair share of vacuum refurbishing and resale, I only resell machines that clean decent and avoid a few brands otherwise, which I will not state here in-order to maintain the status quo.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Those with snow and cold temperatures like me-- be careful and bundle up!! To everyone stay well and wash hands, this is cold and flu season!! It's a good time to boost Vitamin C and take some Echinacea.

 

[nycwriter]

Well thank you all very much! I have to admit, I thought I was pretty "up" on the latest vacuums (have always had a fascination with them anyway), but there are quite a few brands I've never heard of.

What I really WANT is an all-metal Royal Everlast; raw power, no frills. Basically a motor on wheels with a bag. Unfortunately, it's not what I NEED; it's as loud as a jet engine and about as complicated as you can get for using attachments.

After an honest appraisal of my home (size, furnishings, % of carpet vs hardwood -- which is about 50-50 ), I think I may have had a Come to Jesus moment regarding canister vacs. This is very difficult for me since I'm a third-generation upright guy. My mom has had nothing but uprights (and let's face it, MOM is always right); both grandmothers only used uprights. In fact, the only person in my entire family who had a canister was one of my aunts, but she was always "different", so no one said anything about her choice in vacuum.

This weekend I'm going to test out a Royal Lexon S20, as well as the Miele S8990 UniQ . While I'm at it, I'll also try the Miele upright, but truth to tell, now that I've at least brought canisters into the conversation, I've been fantasizing about having a vac that would allow me to NEVER AGAIN have to move my heavy-as-a-piano solid oak Stickley dressers ever again! Getting a power nozzle on the carpeting under those dressers, the bed, and the sofa has been such an unreachable dream that, like x-ray vision, I've always kept tucked firmly into the realm of fantasy.

Any thoughts on the Royal S20 vs the Miele UniQ? I know the Royal is half the price (practically) than this model of Miele, but I'm wondering if there's really that much of a difference in performance, or is it just the bells and whistles?

 

[GM1982]

Miele Capricorn new should be about $800-850 upon negotiating or for floor model.
Callisto should be about $700 which would come with the smaller electro power nozzle

A Simpl Moxie Id guess would be about $650

 

[eurekaprince]

Best thing about the Miele UniQ: you get a funky flashlight right on the hose handle! Which means you will always have a way of seeing what's lurking behind the sofa, under the bed and up on the tops of your framed artwork!

The new S8 series has not been laboratory tested anywhere in North America, so it's hard to say. But here is a neat little video by the British version of Consumer Reports - Which? Magazine....

 

[nycwriter]

OK, wait ... just seeing some videos about the Riccar. Might have to take a trip into Brooklyn to try one out (seriously -- not ONE Riccar dealer in MANHATTAN???).

 

[nycwriter]

INTERESTING price comparison ...

Just saw a vintage Hoover ad for a Convertible. The ad was from 1968 (the same year my parents were married and received a wedding gift of -- a brand-new Hoover Convertible -- milk chocolate brown with yellow hood). $79.99 with accessories.

Now, I think we can all agree that the Hoover Convertible in the '60s and '70s was pretty much the Everywoman's sweeper -- not a cheapie, but not top of the line, either. It was the Chevrolet of its day; a solid workhorse, but not quite a Buick, Lincoln, or even a Cadillac.

I crunched the numbers and adjusted for inflation, today that vacuum would cost $568. That's what EVERYBODY paid, back then (in today's dollars) for a solid middle-of-the-road vacuum, without even thinking about it.

And yet today, people have become so spoiled with cheap imports that they balk at anything over $200.

Interesting.

 

[nycwriter]

Another way to look at it:

$568 (in constant 2013 dollars) back in 1968 bought you a solid, yet middle-of-the-road Hoover Convertible.

Today it positions you (at least at the entry level) into the high-end realm.

If anything, this means vacuum cleaners have become much *cheaper* over the past 40-odd years.

 

[sanitaire]

go too a local janitor supply store and check out there vacs. I have one vac made by advance in my collection and it's very quiet...all your hear is the air sucking...then shop online and you will get a commerical duty vac for cheap. you can get bags and belts in bulk.

 

[THEMIELEMAN]

NYCWriter

I am amazed by the number of comments regarding your original post. I hooked up with this site completely by accident while browsing for something. I posted a comment regarding your original post and cannot believe the website hits coming from vacuumland! I want to thank all the readers and acknowledge their visits. I am entertained by your personal comments and interest.

I have run my own performance comparison tests using most of the vacuums discussed in this string. No vacuum cleaner will perform the best on all floor coverings, soft and hard. Before you buy another vacuum, sorting out the applications is paramount. Some of the best uprights are impossible to push on deep plush pile carpeting or rugs. Softer textures are more difficult. For hard surfaces, canisters are probably best and provide convenient tool applications, but not completely necessary. In general, my tests have confirmed the Miele S7 upright is the most effective upright I've seen. It performs the best on most carpets, is excellent on hard floor coverings and has convenient tool application. The new Miele S8 canister cleans effectively on all surfaces. Equipped with adjustable powerbrush, SEB228 or SEB236, the Miele canister conforms to most carpets and will provide quality, performance and durability that will justify the price. The S8 Kona is a basic upscale model that meets these criteria. The S8 Homecare can be customized with a powerbrush that suits your needs. These offer quiet performing quality unrivaled by others. This "quiet" performance feature is indicative of Miele's attention to production design and performance detail. Amortizing the cost over Miele's lifetime will produce a very economical purchase. Performance tests and customer's satisfaction have made us believers. The S8 Uniq does have "bells and whistles" but also comes with a 7 year part and labor warranty. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee and free trials. We want what works for you. Try your local Miele dealer and perhaps he will provide a free home trial!

http://www.napasewandvac.com

 

[eurekaprince]

Hey Matt!

If one of your criteria is a power nozzle that can clean carpet underneath beds and other furniture, you should test to see that the canister vac's wand can be put flat to the floor without causing the front of the nozzle to lift up and lose contact with the carpet. This, and the ability to rotate the handle sideways ninety degrees will determine how far the canister vac's nozzle can get under a bed. Some set-ups don't allow you to go very far before the front end tilts up.

It's also important to remember that carpets hiding under furniture do not get stepped on, and therefore most dirt in these places is not ground into the fibres - it's sitting on the surface. This kind of dirt and dust does not really require a power nozzle and you can easily remove it with an attachment on the end of a Miele upright's hose. Even a basic suction only carpet nozzle that can lie flat on the carpet will do.

The head of many uprights is "thin" enough to get about 10 inches under a piece of furniture which is enough to reach any ground-in dirt. Just something to think about...

 

[kirbyultimateg]

NYCWriter and CTSooner,
If you really want a Royal All Metal upright, Look for one with the 6-7 amp motor and 9 blade fan and 4 row brushroll with stiffeners.
If you really want a Royal PN canister, Look for one that is all metal. Preferably the daschund dog shaped model.
I hope this helps.

 

[kirbyultimateg]

I am sorry if I came across the wrong way in this thread and in other threads. I am truly sorry.

 

[ctsooner]

Why do you think you came off the wrong way? I'm feeling that way by hijacking and I didn't mean to. I just saw a thread that was the same I came here to start. I've learned a ton by reading all of Matt's stuff too. Thanks to all.

The Royal dealer is trying to talk me out of even looking at it. I bet he doesn't have one in stock, lol.

Thanks for the prices to look for. I think I can negotiate pretty good. Hope I can, lol.

I too have a full house of Stickey or similar that I've built myself and most are not getting moved by me, lol. That's why this purchase is so important. I have two more days left on the ebay bid and I'm still winning, but I'm not going more than 225 plus the 50 shipping for the demo Moxie. That won't have warrantee will it? I just realized that. Rutro. I bet I won't get out bid either, lol. Hmmm My riccar dealer doesn't' seem to have the canisters or at least he wouldn't show them to me. The owner was gone and the kid wanted to only push me to the Sebo which didn't impress me too much other than getting into the walls adn the easily removable brush head.

Played with Lux today. Seems great, but heavy. The guy was not good and a jerk. Only talked and tried to tell me what I wanted (what he wanted me to have). I literally walked out on him when he got pompous. It was in West Hartford, CT if anyone wants to stop going there, lol.

 

[nycwriter]

Thank you, KirbyUltimateG.

I didn't see anything wrong in any of your posts.

 

[durango159]

CTSooner, The seller lists himself as a vacuum shop owner. It's a floor demo, I would email and ask eBay seller about it coming with warranty and what all attachments he is throwing in. At minimum it should have a warranty through his store, but don't mention that. Inquire of manufacturer warranty since the machine is essentially brand new!!

NYCWriter Matt, Riccar and Simplicity are the same thing, different hood styles, different color. Any Simplicity dealers in your area? The Royal canister is a great unit with lots of power. You'll probably appreciate the stronger build of a Riccar/ Simplicity though, is my opinion. But definitely give it a try, you'll like it!!

Matt, I would also highly recommend for you the TOL model of Riccar or Simplicity canisters. This would be Riccar 1800, Riccar Immaculate or Simplicity S38, Simplicity Gusto. These 3 models have a three row, auger style agitator, it will out clean the 2 brush agitator of the other Simplicity and Riccar canisters!!! It will outclean most other if not all vacs on market. I just thought of this now. Should've posted this sooner. Just because a power nozzle hood cover looks the same, doesn't mean the guts are the same, and in this case the agitator wins!!!

http://www.simplicityvacuum.com/products/canisters/premier-power-team/gusto/

 

[ctsooner]

Funny as I just sent an email to him about the warranty JUST before reading your post and it's a good one. If it's a manuf warranty then I guess I could bid higher than 225 or so (plus the 50 shipping), but I think I can still get the local demo with everything thrown in for around 500 or so.

Let's say I go for the local Moxie demo, how much should I offer him (he's throwing in the kitchen sink, which costs him very little)

How about a NEW Moxie if I need to go that route?

Now, what about a new Gusto? or a demo Gusto? If it's that much better, how much extra will it cost me? I may or may not be worth it in the end.

It's funny but as I read, speak with some of you etc....the common theme is that you all love Simplicity/Riccar and not JUST for cost. Most really like things about the Miele an it's a sexy unit that drives regular customers their way, but if I get one, I won't be sorry either. Since I'm not a pro by any means, I won't worry about extra's on any of the machines too much, so if it's universal, it will be handy, but it may never matter either.

Bags are very expensive for the German units and they seem to be almost cheap for the Simplicity. I will probably throw the bag away before the unit tells me to anyways. That's just how I'm wired for some reason. That extra cost does add up and maybe that's why they want to push the Miele. That and they can charge Miele back on the costly repairs since their warranty is pretty long on the higher end units. I realize you pay for each extra year regardless of who's unit you purchase.

I'm simply amazed at this thread. Matt, I hope that you get what you want and love it. I think that some get upset over the length of this thing, but it must be fascinating to anyone who's posting on it or they wouldn't be reading.

 

[IL-Kirby-Fan]

Hmmm

Sounds like you need a Kirby demo.