Numerous Repairs!!
I'm one of those consumers that in many cases prior to buying I search for consumer reviews. Some sites that I visit are Amazon, Epinions, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart and manufacturer. Some of the reviews sound completely legitimate and others are so baffling it's disgusting. The customers claim a unit is shutting off every room and not sure why. Well it's shutting off because the Thermal Protection device is working properly because you're vacuum has overheated from an actual clog obstruction in hose, clogged filter or both. But no the people just empty the dirt cup and can't understand the problem!!! Read the manual.
My neighbor is an awesome family. Such very nice people, chatty, hospitable, we talk all the time, and we've had made numerous dinner exchanges, I could or they cook and we all get together, etc. Well I shampooed their family room carpet one time and used their Simplicity Symmetry upright. Suction was great when I turned it on and it picked well but I sensed it wasn't up to the par it should be and my vacuum curiosity so I checked machine over a little. The bag was completely over stuffed and just about into the fill tube. I even tried reinstalling the bag door with it still on their and couldn't do it all with numerous tries. The bag was QUITE HEAVY too. They were not home at the time, but I'm reasonably familiar with their house and they have absolute trust, I didn't see any replacement bags anywhere. I drove to the local vacuum store and picked up new bags for them. Cleaned the filter and got my job done. I informed them of the full bag and they were astonished, had no clue, hadn't thought about it at all.
I guess my point is that there are varied levels of knowledged and yet also "lackadaisically challenged" consumers on the market. Some buy the most expensive lawn mower and can't understand why it won't work the next season. Well they didn't winterize it properly and the Ethanol ruined system, or they didn't change oil. It's the same of vacuums some unknowledged consumers are actually purchasing more expensive products but abusing them the same way they would a $60 Wolly World Eureka. I saw a very young lackadaisical almost careless to the world couple come into local vacuum dealer while I was in there buying some parts. They had a Kirby Sentria with them!! Not sure how they acquired it, perhaps bought on their own, a Craigslist find, whatever but they had a Kirby Sentria. I was stunned. It needed a belt change because of they sucked up things they shouldn't have.
My point is that with hundreds of millions of homes, and businesses having at least one if not more on premises, then more vacuums sold means more to break down. I always notice people on this forum saying that Hoovers are always in the repair shop. Well what if the most popular vacuum manufacturer in an area and for generations was Hoover, eventually those Hoovers would need something. Some people bring in repair machines for belt changes and clogs. Perhaps I'm over evaluating but I don't believe its a bad thing to see a certain company coming in for repair. Who knows how many of a certain one are in a certain area. I think it comes down to what repair is needed such as the circuit board for a Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary canister or melted electrical on Kenmore/ Panasonic hose and wands.
This is just my opinion and another a different direction of looking at repairs.
