Some interesting points made Geer: just wanted to add a few:
I have used both Dyson and Sebo machines mnumerous times in the past, and I own a Dyson DC07 currently among other machines. This being said, I can testify to the reliability of Sebo Machines here in the US.
First off, their hoses are as tough as nails! They had Sebo Machines for the students to use at the dorm where I went to college, and one time somebody jammed the hose into the wand incorrectly, and got it stuck so badly that the only way to pull it out was to use brute strength, and the hose didn’t tear or rip at all. If someone had done that to a Dyson or Shark, I have no doubt that there would’ve been a rip or tear in the hose. In fact, the hose on my DC07 has a tear in it, and has had since before I got it nine years back.
Also something to note, the Sebo Machines at the college outlasted any of the bagless machines they had previously. Before they got the Sebos, they had three bagless machines: a Shark, a Hoover, and a Bissell Powerforce. I used all three interchangeably when they had them, and from what I remember, the Bissell had brush roll issues from the very beginning, and half the time the shark would come to me with clogged filters and I would have to clean them and or pull hair out of the brush roll which was always badly tangled before I even got to use it. They had these bagless machines for 1 1/2 years with the exception of the Hoover, which they got shortly before they replaced them with the Sebo machines, and as far as I know they’re still using the Sebos. I only once saw one of the Sebos get clogged, and that was because somebody sucked up a large object that had no business being in the machine; even then, a quick reversal of the hose fixed it. Other than that and the hose jamming incident mentioned above, I had no problems with them in the two years that I lived there and would check them out from the front desk; of course, every now and then I would have to remind the desk staff to change the bag. Chuckle
Also, one of you mentioned that on their uprights, the hoses are too short for stair cleaning. With this, I would have to agree, but they did do something to remedy this. If you look on the Sebo website, there is an optional extension hose available to add some length to the existing hose. I think it said it was 9 feet long, last I checked.
One other thing: someone also mentioned a noticeable loss of suction as the bag fills. Are you using paper bags, or HEPA bags? The HEPA bags should help remedy that issue.
Also something to note, Dyson’s are extremely difficult to work on, especially some of their cleaner heads. Sebo machines are meant to be serviced, and some operations, like replacing a brush roll don’t require tools and are easy to do. Therefore, if you do run into problems with a bearing block, or something of that nature, you should be able to replace it fairly easily, as they make parts available online and through dealers.
Bottom line? If I had to choose one vacuum cleaner, I would rather have a Sebo than a Dyson, as they are more reliable, easier to maintain, and easier to service. Someday, I hope to get either a Sebo Félix, or one of their canisters.