ned_flanders
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 129
Okay, I'm dumb, what does 'plastivac' mean? Is any plastic vacuum considered one, or is this a negative term reserved for the low-end Bissells amd Eurekas sold at Wal-Mart?
'Plastivacs'?
- Thread starter ned_flanders
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
Some people might refer to it as
"plastic piece of crap". Mostlikely anything on the shelves at your local Walmart. But, do I bash? No.
"plastic piece of crap". Mostlikely anything on the shelves at your local Walmart. But, do I bash? No.
Perhaps
then, again, I know better than to come out and attack another collector's favorite appliance. Thank God. Trust me, I have opinions, as do others. But, I have self-control, as a rule, lol. I've been called a paradox, among other things. Some good, some, not so.
then, again, I know better than to come out and attack another collector's favorite appliance. Thank God. Trust me, I have opinions, as do others. But, I have self-control, as a rule, lol. I've been called a paradox, among other things. Some good, some, not so.
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Thing is though, a lot of plastic-vacs or whatever lightweight material vacuums are made out of these days, it's affecting every other kind of household appliance. It is now becoming increasingly difficult to find a brand or model that isn't made out injection mouldings these days. I know of people who still have their plastic-vac Electrolux Powerlite bagged uprights for as many as 7 years despite their lightweight feel. Really depends on what you throw at your vac in terms of its usability and robustness. Bang the upright off walls and treat it mean and it probably won't last as much as the old metal builds.
Very true Ryan, it isn't down to how well something is made, it is down to how you treat it. Of course it is better if something is made tougher than required rather than the other way around, but what can you do... Buy vintage, that is what!
ned_flanders
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 129
Sorry, not trying to stir up an argument here. So, it's basically a slur or slang bad name for any cheap vacuum available at a big-box store? Are there any studies on how long they last in the usual household?
"So, it's basically a slur or slang bad name for any cheap vacuum available at a big-box store?" Pretty much.
As for how long they last, I doubt there has been any studies to find out, but in my experience, they last a year if you're lucky.
Two if you are super careful.
Others may have gotten better results though, that's just me.
As for how long they last, I doubt there has been any studies to find out, but in my experience, they last a year if you're lucky.
Two if you are super careful.
Others may have gotten better results though, that's just me.
True. But, I
treat my plastic vacs the same as I do the dependable metal ones. I take care of my stuff, and, it lasts. Look at some of the older cleaners. They're banged up to bits. These people would ruin a tank! They're hard on everything. True, also about other household items. I've held new mixers in my hand, and, they're awful. Everything is like that now, sadly.
And, yes, we did hear SOMETHING about that unfortunate Dyson thing. I think Helen Keller heard that. But, that's over now, right?
treat my plastic vacs the same as I do the dependable metal ones. I take care of my stuff, and, it lasts. Look at some of the older cleaners. They're banged up to bits. These people would ruin a tank! They're hard on everything. True, also about other household items. I've held new mixers in my hand, and, they're awful. Everything is like that now, sadly.
And, yes, we did hear SOMETHING about that unfortunate Dyson thing. I think Helen Keller heard that. But, that's over now, right?
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Its like Kenwood - they had a Chef model on the market for many years where its exterior body was entirely made out plastic. I can recall being informed not to buy the model when I bought my own by the salespeople in John Lewis. Those models were cheaper to buy as a result but they didn't last well for wear. The metal & plastic mix bodies are far better, even though they weigh a little more when lifting the thing off the work surface when not in use.
Trouble is, because we all live in a throwaway society now, there wouldn't be much point in producing "evidence" that highlights how long on average a vacuum cleaner made out of cheap plastic would last for, or for that matter any other household appliance.
Not unless someone or a group of people were to go around all the recycling sites/dumps in your country and make a tally list of the machines that are being chucked out. My own experience of our own local dump sees a lot of bagless uprights being chucked out because of the main hinge that gives way or something ridiculous like a bagged vacuum being chucked away because it is blocked.
Sadly I don't think it is an issue of importance in terms of how long an appliance lasts because we've moved away from brand loyalty now, replaced by reputation, premium pricing and quality.
Trouble is, because we all live in a throwaway society now, there wouldn't be much point in producing "evidence" that highlights how long on average a vacuum cleaner made out of cheap plastic would last for, or for that matter any other household appliance.
Not unless someone or a group of people were to go around all the recycling sites/dumps in your country and make a tally list of the machines that are being chucked out. My own experience of our own local dump sees a lot of bagless uprights being chucked out because of the main hinge that gives way or something ridiculous like a bagged vacuum being chucked away because it is blocked.
Sadly I don't think it is an issue of importance in terms of how long an appliance lasts because we've moved away from brand loyalty now, replaced by reputation, premium pricing and quality.
Good Lord, I found myself nodding continuously while reading what you said there Ryan, there must be something the matter with me! 
True though, a lot of people these days don't even let a Vacuum Cleaner break down anymore, they throw them away while still working fine just to get the "latest trend".
It sickens me to the stomach, it really does.
True though, a lot of people these days don't even let a Vacuum Cleaner break down anymore, they throw them away while still working fine just to get the "latest trend".
It sickens me to the stomach, it really does.
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Personally JM, I blame it on the only thing I can think about that became disposable - the disposable plastic shaver. Horrible things that aren't as good as the better built manual wet shavers where you just replace the blade. Since then, too many things have become disposable through time.
ned_flanders
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 129
I always have to laugh at the number of youtube videos there are of people showing their pride for their brand new Bissell they just bought at wal-mart. I've seen a few videos from various vac shops attacking dyson and promoting miele, oreck, panasonic, simplicity, etc. But shouldn't they be attacking the typical cheap plastic Bissell/Eureka/Dirt Devil that most people have in their homes? One of my friends commented about how her vac died (it was a plastivac) and I suggested a metal vacuum, but she can't afford the bags.
sebo_fan
Well-known member
But I think that's like everything you buy these days. Mate of mine commented on cars the other day - back in the 1980s we had a Malaysian company called Proton. Their cars were ex-designed re-fettled Mitsubishis and whilst they were okay, they came with lengthy warranties which appealed to a lot of buyers. Now, Proton has more or less died out, even managing to lose Lotus and the company have now gone bust. Buyers are now looking to Kia or Hyundai because of the longer warranties compared to the "halo" brand of value, Skoda who churn out cars based on VW floor pan and components.
SKODA cars were the equivalent to YUGO in the U.S Admittedly I recall the Americans went mad for the YUGO because it was so cheap but they soon found out how badly made the cars were, with ownership. SKODA was the butt of many jokes for many years before VW took them over.
Kia cars are okay but they're not as well built as VW products regardless of the badge - therefore buyers are going for value and longer term care assistance as opposed to the actually better car that has better quality and a shorter warranty.
Dependent on how you keep your vacuum, a "plastic-vac" can last a long time if you are prepared to maintain it properly. They may well be made of throwaway or flexible plastics, but they can last a long time.
Same with a lot of buyers who buy into SEBO or Bosch - they come with 5 years or 3 years guarantee compared to the 1 year guarantee Miele offer as standard - unless you are pushed to pay £30 to £50 for an extra 10 year warranty. Having spoken to a few buyers online who would love a Miele vacuum, they're put off having to buy bags, AND then on top of that another extra warranty. When it comes as standard, most buyers take the carrot dangled on a stick.
SKODA cars were the equivalent to YUGO in the U.S Admittedly I recall the Americans went mad for the YUGO because it was so cheap but they soon found out how badly made the cars were, with ownership. SKODA was the butt of many jokes for many years before VW took them over.
Kia cars are okay but they're not as well built as VW products regardless of the badge - therefore buyers are going for value and longer term care assistance as opposed to the actually better car that has better quality and a shorter warranty.
Dependent on how you keep your vacuum, a "plastic-vac" can last a long time if you are prepared to maintain it properly. They may well be made of throwaway or flexible plastics, but they can last a long time.
Same with a lot of buyers who buy into SEBO or Bosch - they come with 5 years or 3 years guarantee compared to the 1 year guarantee Miele offer as standard - unless you are pushed to pay £30 to £50 for an extra 10 year warranty. Having spoken to a few buyers online who would love a Miele vacuum, they're put off having to buy bags, AND then on top of that another extra warranty. When it comes as standard, most buyers take the carrot dangled on a stick.
