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Also Durango ...

I assure you Long Island is nowhere near "10 minutes" from Manhattan. Maybe if you're Samantha Stevens and you can just wiggle your nose and zap yourself there. It takes 10 minutes to wait for the nearest subway train to arrive. Going out to Long Island -- if you don't have a car -- is at least a half-day endeavor (literally) that involves getting yourself to Penn Station (which, depending on where you are in Manhattan can take up to 30 minutes). 10 minutes to walk through the maze and chaos of Penn Station to the even more chaoitic LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) area. 10 minutes to look at the map just to figure out which of the eight or so lines you're taking. Another 10 minutes to buy a ticket. Upwards of 30 minutes to wait for the next departing train. It's now been an hour and a half and your train hasn't even left Penn Station yet! And Long Island really is that ... LONG. Depending on where you're going, it can take as little as 15 minutes on the LIRR (and that's not really to "Long Island" ... that's still Queens!), or, if you're going out to the Hamptons -- 110 miles from Midtown -- it can take 2 hours. Splitting the difference and going to a nearby town like Rockville Center or Hicksville, its about 35 minutes.

Now it gets really interesting. Your train arrives, say, at Hicksville (half hour to Penn, 40 minutes buying ticket and waiting for train, and 35 minutes to Hicksvile -- total time to make the trip out there is 1 hour, 45 minutes). It's a station in a suburban setting (they all pretty much are). Unless you're a commuter FROM Long Island (which I'm not -- I'm a Manhattanite VISITING Long Island), you now have two options to get to your final destination: jitney cab, or walk. Your round-trip LIRR ticket just cost you at least $22. The jitney will cost you at least another $20 round-trip.

Bottom line, as you can see, going to a store in Long Island, for a Manhattanite, is about as convenient as going to a store in Pittsburgh. Actually, Pittsburgh is at least theoretically quicker; hop a cab to LaGuardia (30 minutes or so), 45-minute flight to Pittsburgh, 15 minute cab to downtown.

And we don't do Bronx. We just don't.
 
NYC Writter

I am from Long Island, check out these places which are right in town...

Desco Vacuum Warehouse: 131 West 14th Street New York, NY... and if your looking for USA made, looking into Aerus. There are three stores in your area.

Aerus #10286

142 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 255-5535

Aerus #10285

1463 York Avenue
New York, NY 10075
Phone: (212) 831-2400

Aerus #10273

Long Island City, NY 11103
Phone: (718) 728-5021
 
GM 1982 ...

That store on 23rd Street is strange. Not a real showroom -- they have like three vacuums in the window, and that's it ... and the one time I went in the staff did everything they can to get me the hell out of there as fast as they could.

I just assumed it was one of those many, many New York City store "fronts" for money laundering.

Am I incorrect in that assumption?
 
I may end up with a Miele in the end. Price has to be right though. I guess I can try and buy it on the net as the service can be local. I'd rather get it locally, but the two close dealers won't move to where I want them to I don't think.
 
CTSooner

Vacuums aren't like cars. There's not a lot difference in model years. Sometimes new models appear but the general company selection remains the same. Hoover is supposedly releasing some new things in the Spring. Kirby probably won't release anything until 2014. Rainbow just brought out the E2, I wouldn't expect anything from them till 2015. Simplicity just brought out the Moxie and Gusto. Before that was the S36 and S38. I know they are looking to bring out something else but have no idea on a timeline. Probably not till April.

Get what you want and like. NYCWriter you might like the Perfect C101 that CTSooner didn't. Don't overlook Riccar and Simplicity just cause they're assembled in U.S.A. Here is a photo of some of their facility in St. James, Missouri. The entry page to their websites www.riccar.com or www.simplicityvacuum.com have videos that are years old and get into the Made in USA a little.

I looked online and most Mieles have 33' cleaning radius. Most Riccar canisters have 6-7' hose, and 28' cord, Perfect has 6' hose could not find cord length on site. Sebo cord is 40', hose is 6-7'. Royal website says 25' cord on Lexon SR20, hose is 6-7', I think 7. On many canister from front of power nozzle to rear of suction unit is about 12'.

 
CTsooner, You are shopping for and looking at high end brands, getting a blow out deal is going to be rare on a new machine that comes with warranty, throw in bags, etc.... perhaps if you cannot afford these units, look at something more mid range like Panasonic Canisters. Maybe you can get the BOL Miele Delphi for $400 or so.

NYCWriter, Hey anything in NYC is possible, maybe that location was sketchy, however, its unusual as Aerus is a legitimate company based out of Dallas, TX that produces canister and upright vacuums, water and air filtration products. Aerushome.com. Check the Long Island City or Woodside locations or even request a free in home demonstration. Call ahead I guess. they are worth a look at.
 
Most canisters from front of power nozzle to rear of suction unit measures about 11'. Most Riccar/ Simplicity's have 28' cord, Perfect C101 doesn't state cord length on site. Most Mieles on their website claim 33' cleaning radius. Sebo D4 is 40' cord, Royal Lexon SR20 is 40' cord.

CTSooner. Vacuum manufacturers don't change vacuums each year the way automotive manufacturers do. It would be neat if they did!! Kirby won't release anything until 2014 most likely which will be their 100th Anniversary. Rainbow just came out with E2 model, so I wouldn't expect anything from them until about 2015. Miele just released the S8 canister series not sure if they have something else under their belt. Hoover is said to come out with a few things in spring, not sure what though. Royal may come out with something else at that time as well. Simplicity's Moxie and Gusto have not been out long, they replaced the S38 and S36 canisters. They are debuting something else but not sure what.

Try a bunch and get what you like. Aerus, Riccar, Simplicity, Miele, Lindhaus, Perfect, Royal or remanufactured from local vacuum shop are my suggestions.

Don't overlook Riccar and Simplicity because maybe only assembly is in U.S. Is that better than Sebo and Miele which are strictly Germany? Does it matter more where the machine is made or the features, cleaning power, durability, ease of use? It's your vacuum cleaner!!

Kind of makes me wonder if all of this research, trial and criticism goes into a vacuum cleaner. What guidelines are we using for selecting washing machine, refrigerator, lawn mower, car, pair of khakis, pizza, etc.

http://simplicityvacuum.com/
 
I think it's become overload to an extent. Over thinking on my part maybe. I think that I'm getting carried away with cost possibly as I read everyone's threads etc... Everytime I think my mind is made up, someone else comes up with reason's I should go elsewhere. I think all will be top machines. Maybe I will look at the mid sized units if I need to go there to get what I want in my range. I will go out and see. Part of the problem is that most of the shops around me only carry a few of the units and none seem to be the ones I want to try. I got to try a D4 and got excited, but then I read the thread above and it made me think and maybe a bit too much.
 
They stock what sells and moves, its impossible and does not make sense to stock every model and have it sit in the stock room and collect dust. To try out a dozen different vacuums and go store to store over a fifty mile radius is crazy! Unless you are the field of vacuum cleaner product development, and are combing for ideas, then just pick one that's in your budget.

Go to amazon or Govacuum.com and order something if its not in the local store.

Your going to pay $6-7-800 or even $900 for a fully loaded Miele, Sebo, Riccar or Aerus Lux...unless you score a used one on ebay without warranty.
 
Dont forget if you try top of the line and then get to sample a lower model which may be to your liking, you don't necessarily have to buy there and then. I tend to do that if Im looking for a machine and know a seller online or elsewhere you can sell to me at a lower price.
 
Guys, I understand all of that. I can get a Moxie,new, locally for 550 or so as he's going to drop selling the canisters since Miele moves better for him. He sells Sebo, but hasn't had the D4 in since Miele will sell over it. He'll give me a GREAT deal on the disco floor cleaner is i get the D4, lol as he can't get rid of them.

He has the S5 Mieles' left (earth, terrain, callisto and capricorn). He also just got one of the new Marin's in. Said they have been difficult to get in. He'll give me a nice deal on any of th S5's new with th e236 power nozzle. I have to see if I can stretch out to 800/850 and if so I may pull that trigger as they are comfortable and good machines. If not, I may to the Moxie for around 550 with everything including turbo head, bags etc... The owner didn't like the wand on it that much and said he's had problems with the cords on the outside of the unit etc..but nothing too major. I'm having fun learning so it's not a big deal and I try not to waste the time of the store owners. None have had any customers in while I've been there and today was the first time I tried a bunch of Mieles or the Moxie out. Both are nice machines and I'll be happy with either. I still like the look of the D4 and it's not more cumbersome than the Moxie.
 
***UPDATE***

Briefly checked out one of the Miele canisters yesterday at Macy's (don't remember the model number).

Was a bit disappointed with how *plasticky* it felt.
 
Macys would have very low level. It sort of like checking out Toro at The Home Depot. They have their BOL models there with 2 year warranty. But if you want real quality Toro then you go to a dealer and see the 5 year warranty lines with much smoother transmissions on self propelled mowers along with other quality fixes.

If you look at Miele in a dealer you see S8 models, better builds and the full line of product that you can purchase.
 
Durango ...

There's a weird distinction of sorts between the "corporate" Macy's (the local chains across the country and the online store) and the flagship store in Manhattan. There's much more selection at the Big Store than you'll ever find anywhere else, even though it's all "Macy's".
 
Hey Gottahaveahoove ...

That Convertible in your shot is nearly identical to what my mom had when I was growing up ... except the hood, instead of aqua, was that same shade of yellow as that other Convertible in the background.

Quite amazing, really, that Hoover put out so many versions of essentially the same model vacuum during those years. These days, everything is the same.
 
NYCWriter...

If I'm not mistaken on my models and John will be able to correct me if I'm wrong, your mothers Convertible would have been model 1060.
 
FantomLightning ...

You're right! I googled "Hoover Convertible 1060" and saw tons of pics of what was the precise model!

Mom's bag, however, was a shade lighter than most (just like in gottahave's) -- more of a "chocolate milk" color. My grandma had the same model, but with more of a dark chocolate bag.
 
Durango ...

I didn't have time to look at anything else. Frankly, I was very disappointed with what they had there. Or maybe I was in the wrong place. I was in the "cellar", with all the other housewares. Maybe they have another department for vacs elsewhere in that gigantic building?
 
NYCwriter

Either one are very good... if you want lighter go with Uniq. S7 will be heavier, but not anything too unbearable, unless your housekeeper is a 90lb lady.
 
NYCWriter...

I'm not exactly sure where I saw this information, but what I saw was that there were two different outer bags just as you describe. One apparently was apart of an earlier run of machines.
 
NYCwriter,

I know I mentioned in my earlier post that I'm a Long Island native but I do go into the city quite often and my dad worked just off of Park Ave for nearly 25 years. I don't know how this slipped my mind in my earlier post, but my favorite department store in the world, Bloomingdale’s, now sells Miele vacuums. The one location that is 5 minutes away from me located in Huntington has the Miele Callisto as well as two other canisters and an upright. When I was in the Roosevelt Field location about two weeks ago they seemed to have about 5 different models on display. I'm sure that the flagship store at 59th & Lexington will have a nice selection too. I've only been to the Bloomingdale's in SoHo a handful of times and if I remember correctly they don't really have much of a house wares section. Not sure where you are in the city but the Lexington Ave location is certainly much more accessible then schlepping out to Long Island or Brooklyn. I know that Bloomingdale's isn't exactly the most ideal place to try out a vacuum but I've always found the staff in their house wares department to be much more knowledgeable then any others in the store and if you open a Bloomingdale's credit card (living in NYC though, you may already have one) you usually get 15% off your purchase.

~Steven
 
S8 Uniq Versus S7 upright

Well, again the old adage - if you need more cable and dust capacity verses compactability and lighter weight, then the S7 should be considered. The S7 is quite a bulky machine but if your flat is large enough with open spaces, large floor space the S7 will be enough for you - however on the mention previously of awkward areas, the S8 would probably be a better bet. Any upright with a large floor head these days can't hope to compensate with the much more nimbler canister floor heads and the thin suction tubes - dont just consider the floor but also the work tops and wall cupboards - they need cleaning too and a canister vac is just so much easier IMHO for getting to those areas.
 
NYC Writer

Good luck with your choice. I was torn every time I read this thread, lol. I realized that it really comes down to personal preference on any purchase. That's why all companies make consumables and they all have price ranges and different models. In the end it's tougher when you have an unlimited budget as it gives you every option.

Most expensive really isn't always the best. I can show you in audio/video and knives how that works. I got a ton of help from funeral director from this board and I thank you. He helped me narrow it down and then made me drill down to what I DIDN'T want. I alway used that when dating. My wife laughed at me when I told her that I knew what I didn't want in a wife, but I didn't know what I really wanted. That's a simplistic view, but think about it.

I knew that as much as I loved the Miele top end units, I didn't want to pay for the name. I didn't want a short hose or cord as it's more difficult for me to unplug and replug. I didn't want a unit that was difficult to use as my wife needs to be able to pull it out when I'm gone and use it if she wants to. I didn't want to overpay for a unit. I didn't want a unit that didn't have a warranty so I took myself out of the running for all ebay and craig's list units.

For each unit I said I like, there was always someone who said they didn't like it, but that's because of things important to them. I realized that all vacuums that I looked at were going to do a good job technically, so I just said go with what feels good and then what looks good. Even though I could get a Capricorn and 236 head for under 900, I realized that I didn't want the short hose/cord, plus the PN on the Miele's didn't move like the Riccar/Simplicity or the Sebo D4. I put all three units side by side and lifted them (I also put the S8 Marin in the mix thinking if I like everything else about the Miele's that I'd deal with the hose length, but in the end, I realized I wanted the longer range of the two others.

That meant I was down to the D4 and the Moxie as that unit was being closed out locally for 599 list with everything from turbo head, to blinds head to tons of bags to....... I also knew he would probably take 525 for the new unit and the one on ebay with no warranty went for over 500 if I recall. I couldn't go wrong and was leaning heavily to that unit. On Sunday I spoke with a D4 store and the owner said that he was more than willing to talk turkey as he wanted to move his demo. I told him on the phone I didn't want to waste his time as I wasn't sure I wanted that machine and I wasn't going to pay too much more than what his cost was. He said he didn't care and that I should come in and try it and make an offer. I missed him on Sunday by 5 minutes, but I liked the machine. I knew I didn't love the handle/hose on the Moxie as much. I wanted the swivel on the hose/handle hook up plus it was comfortable. I didn't care that the case seem where the handle on the unit was located. Maybe it was Rob who said he got a blister moving the machine. I will only use that handle a little as I will store it in the closet and pull it out when needed. A simple strip of moleskin will cover that seem anyways. Handle comfort was more important. I found the D4 much easier to use and I like the large area for the bag and I felt the wand was easy to connect and disconnect. I also liked the idea that another SEbo dealer told me that if I get the D4 (he doesn't stock them and told me to get it elsewhere if I wanted it) he will sell me the disco floor unit for his original cost as he wants to get rid of the ones he has. I will probably get one eventually. I liked the look, feel and ease of use of the D4 best. It's built like a tank and the weight is similar to the Moxie, as least when I picked them up. I like the ET1 head design where you can take the roller out and clean it easily. I get a TON of long blonde hair from my wife and dogs and I always have a lot of string, so that was a nice feature for me.

Long story, I called the store yesterday morning and the owner wasnt there again, but the woman who helped me told me to call back in the afternoon. She had my contact info from the day before and I told her to have Mark call me when he got back as I was willing to make an offer, but didn't want to piss him off as I liked his store and they were nice people. I also will be buying a Hunter Douglas window treatment from them I think and I want to have a good relationship with the story I do business with, but I'm also cheap. She called me back a few minutes later and asked me my absolute bottom line. I told her 699 for the demo and she said she'd call me back to let me know yea or nea so that I would have to drive all the way out there if he wasn't able to do that. I didn't hear from her until 4 or so and she said it wasn't a problem and that he accepted my 'bid'. They were great. He wasnt' there when I got there, but the women helped me out and gave me a box of bags too (8 pack). That was really sweet of them. They have not only earned my business, but the business of my friends. I'm always the COI who folks ask about where to get things. I've already referred two people to them for vacuums and window treatments. I'm happy, Mark is happy (even though I haven't met him yet) and the women in the store are happy. My wife even likes the machine. It's black and has no scratches. It was on the floor for less than a month. I'm happy as is was the best buy for me at that price. It was worth 100 more for me than the Moxie would have been.

It's not the unit for most of you and I realize that, but it's for me and I will want to pull it out daily and vacuum and that's what matters. I want to thank everyone for their sincere input. Hopefully this thread was helpful for NYWriter as it was HIS thread. I never meant to hijack your thread, but I thought it was the perfect one to use rather than start a similar thread. On sports/audio boards I hate it when folks start the same thread when we could have merged them to keep the board easier to read. I hope I haven't offended anyone in any of my posts and I read every word on this thread a bunch of times and I went to every link that was shared. I was a serious buyer and you all helped me make what I hope will be a good choice for me.

Thanks
 
CTsooner

You can now see, it comes down to what YOU like and what works best for YOU and your home. Everyone will have their opinions and feedback. Advice..... and I think you got it already. You take the facts and reviews of a product into consideration, a few opinions, try the products out for yourself, make your own judgment and then decide what's the best option for you.

Sebo is a solid growing brand in the U.S. It was only introduced here two decades ago. Its also a 30 or so year old company.
 

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