Need a model number for a new vacuum

[DesertTortoise]

I am trying to look up the Kenmore Extra Suction Canister Vacuum 24196 in Sears Parts Direct. If someone has one of these could they tell me the exact model number off the data plate on the underside of the vacuum so I can look it up. Sears Parts Direct keeps kicking back "24196" when I enter that as the model number, so it must be something else. Please include the three digit manufacturers code that comes before the model number. Example, on of my vacs is 116.2441081. Without that three digit prefix I can't find the vac in Sears Parts Direct. Thanks.

 

[singingrainbow]

I believe that the "extra suction" canister is one of kenmore's new line of "non-serviceable" vacuum cleaners. Along with the new low end uprights and similar small bagless canister. Parts are not available for these machines and they are designated as non repairable.


Gee, I wonder why Sears is going under?


Scott

 

[DesertTortoise]

I didn't realize there were machines that were not serviceable. Would anyone else like to comment on this? Still, if someone has the exact model number of one of these I would like to try and see if it is in Sears Parts Direct. At the very least they will have to show the hose, floor brush, tools, bags, filters and the like. Those parts have to be listed somewhere.

I'm just trying to collect a representative sample of Kenmore canister vacs since about 1970, so someday or the other I have to add their current line to the collection. Out of box stock is floating around for prices in the $30s, well within the range of what I pay for a decades old Kenmore. So what the hay? Buy one cheap like that and add it to the collection. Don't even have to take it apart and clean it. But I would like to see what is in Sears Parts Direct for this vacuum, even if it is very little.

Btw, does anyone know, not guess, but really know who makes the Extra Suction canister for Kenmore?

 

[singingrainbow]

By no parts, I mean that the new kenmore low end upright I have does not even has filters or belts available for it.


A huge rip off.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Well, if someone could provide the model number to one we can confirm whether this is true or not. Anyone?

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

According to my local Sears store, the model # is 116.24196 and no spares or parts other than bags are available and it has no replaceable filters. When I get home from the wild, wild west of northern Montana, I will pay the store a visit and see for myself.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Huh. Amazing. I'm dumbfounded. Thanks.

 

[super-sweeper]

D.T, run back to the Avocado Bomber! Even though they're decent for the money, run from the New stuff! 

 

[DesertTortoise]

I dunno dude. The A-B is a beyatch to work on. I can field strip one of those first gen 5055 bagged machines and have the motor and cord reel sitting on the table and the lower body in the sink in minutes. I'm about as fast with a Whimpertone, only the wiring to the relay and through the motor shroud slows me down compared to the earlier machines. Those vacs are straightforward. Taking the A-B apart and putting it back together is blue collar work.

 

[kirbylux77]

Scott

That's NOT the reason Sears is going under. And besides, why are you blaming Sears for responding to the growing market for consumers that want disposable vacuums, & don't want something well-made that will last a long time? If they didn't respond, their Kenmore vacuums would have eventually lost market share to brands like Bissell & Eureka, who are more than willing to supply Walmart junk to people for a low price.

Rob

 

[DesertTortoise]

Yep, Kirbylux77 is on target. We had some of the vacuum pages from the 1985 Sears Catalog posted here on another thread and their TOL canister with Powermate listed for $549.00. If you inflate 1985 dollars to 2014 dollars using historical inflation data those were $1000 vacuums in today's money. Middle of the road vacuums listing for $250 in 1985 are the equivalent of a $500 vacuum in today's money. The most expensive canister vacuum Sears sells under the Kenmore brand name today lists at $449.99. Very few are paying full pop for these. There are plenty of discounts out there.

Sears would be a niche player in vacuums like Aerus or Tacony if they continued making vacuums as expensive as they did three decades ago. You compete or die, and Kenmore chooses to compete. I'm glad they do but it does disappoint that there is nothing I can do to revive an ailing Extra Suction canister if I buy one some day. OTOH, they are out there for $30-ish dollars, new vacs at what would be thrift store prices for older Kenmores. There are two old Whispertone canisters on Craigslist in LA and the sellers are asking $150. Not $15 but $150. The word must be out that this hard shelled guy is buying old Kenmores, lol.

 

[singingrainbow]

That's not what I am referring to, I understand completely that parts are not available for numerous other brands and that they are just trying to compete. I just get angry when basic consumables for a machine I purchased are not available, not even enough to keep it going for it's short lifespan. What should I do when my belt snaps? I will have to rig something or find a suitable replacement. But what about the exhaust hepa filter? That will be more difficult.


Yet I can still buy filters, along with many other parts for the bissell powerforce I bought years ago for 40 bucks. I would at least like to perform the most basic levels of maintenance on my throw away vacuums, and that is where I draw the line on weather or not I think a manufacturer is wrong.


 


It's a shame too, it is lightweight, cleans well,  is fairly quiet,  and has a long cord.


 


That is certainly not why Sears is going downhill, that was simply a wisecrack and I apologize to anyone whom I may have offended or given the wrong idea. I really do wish they were doing better.


 


Scott

 

[DesertTortoise]

It offends on many levels that an appliance that suffers a minor failure that could be repaired and keep the appliance in service many years longer will be thrown out for a calculated lack of sparing. One failed part will condemn all the rest to the landfill or a shredder. I suppose you could collect a few of them and cannibalize as necessary to keep one good one operating, assuming it's not glued together so it cannot even be disassembled, which would not surprise me. The key to keeping cost down seems to be reducing parts count and assembly steps.