RE: Funnynet1231

[fantomtechguy]

Well, here is my take on the "New Vacuum" trend.

Over the years, manufacturing pieces has become cheaper and cheaper. With the advantages of technology, we have been able to make parts out of many materials such as plastic, metal, steel, ABS plastic, HDPE plastic and many more.
And with that, it has been way cheaper to make molds for plastic and press them into cases, shells and other parts.

Back when Hoover was good, they used very good materials. The same thing can be said with other older vacuum brands as well, the older the better. That's why we have people refurbishing Kirbys, Hoovers, Sanitaires, Eurekas and many older machines. Let's face it, Vacuum cleaners today are not meant for serious use. Older vacuums were built to be used regularly by being built out of steel and metal. Now vacuums are built to last not even a full year.

The economy has really messed up production for all appliances. This same argument can be made with bigger appliances such as Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, kitchen appliances and even cars. Stuff made today is cheaply made and is built with Planned obsolescence. It has been proven that things made today are made to break. Big companies that sell useful products do this so if someones dryer breaks, they will be forced into buying a new one.

And another point is over saturation. If you go to any "big box" type store, how many different vacuum, TV and appliance brands are their? Too many to count on one hand. Back then, you had a few options when it came to purchasing new appliances, but now there are too many too choose from. Then all the companies compete with each other and make new models not even a few months later.

In my opinion, I think vacuum cleaners made today are not worth your money. unless the vacuum is made very well and has a good reputation, then nothing is good. My only exception is the Fantom Thunder. After years of tinkering with all the Fantom models, I find the Thunder/domestic model is the best one they made. If you are looking into getting a new vacuum cleaner, I would suggest to look online and try to find a refurbished Kirby or Sanitare. Some may be expensive, but some can cost about the same as a new Dyson.

 

[funnynet1231]

That's Very Interesting!

Hello. Thank you for your input! I do know that for most people they don't care if they wreck a new vacuum. If the belt breaks or if it clogs up they either throw it away or donate it to a thrift store, but we're collectors who actually care and take care of our vacuums. I saw a great comment that said 'If you take good care of things, they'll last.' From gottahaveahoover and I think that's a big part of the argument. But like I said it's all based off of expirence. I just got fed up of people saying that a vacuum was trash even though they had no expirences with them. It's like saying every adam sandler movie will suck. But for every pixels there's a wedding singer.
- Cam

 

[fantomtechguy]

yes I agree

That is a true statement. If you take care of something it will last.

Out of curiosity, I looked up suction fans for Sanitaires, and my results were shocking! I have an old Sanitaire and the fan on it is very big and made of metal. But looking at the new fans, they are clear cheap plastic and are WAY smaller than the originals! it's crazy!

 

[unconscious]

This is so true and I think very much relatable to all consumer goods.

It's definitely changing and we will reach a point one day when it all collapses cause how long can we go on for?

It is all greed and consumerism. After all, the first lightbulbs sold had no intended obsolesce time. I think there's still one of the first original lightbulbs somewhere, in a fire plant in the USA, I believe you can watch a live feed of it turned on (probs one of the most boring feeds ever haha!). But just shows you that you can make things to last, even after all these years. I think it wasn't until someone realised if you make them expensive to earn money no-one will buy them, and if people buy them, they'll have no reason to come back.

There is a definite difference in materials used too, so I wouldn't even blame lack of caring that much. We have a few original furniture pieces from the sixties at work, all plastic - all thrown around and disrespected by bloody customers - and they never break. You drive with a vacuum tool a bit too fast into a wall and it falls apart with some of them currently. It's all about money, money, money, to quote abba.

A part of the good state of old vacuums comes from them being very easily repairable obviously. You can access or open a lot of things. And quite frankly, I bet you, I can't wait until we see a vacuum cleaner where you can't change the brush, the brush belt, or even change the bag/container altogether (!). That will be a joke.

 

[crazykirbydude]

On most Shark Vacuums, including the Navigator, Rotator and Rocket, you can't change the brush or brush belt. If something goes wrong with that damn powerhead, you have to pay at least $50 or a new damn nozzle. I feel like these companies prey on the laziness and ignorance of many people. Everyone bitches about how their vacuums don't last, but they're too lazy to clean a damn filter or change a belt.

 

[huskyvacs]

It has a lot to do with society too. In the 1950's people were handy with things and fathers taught their kids how to fix things when they broke. Nowadays everyone just sits on their phone all day and has absentee parenting skills, and kids are taught nothing, and grow up knowing nothing.

I'm 25 and I was probably the last of my generation to know this, as my father was a money scrooge and never spent money when it wasn't necessary. So I grew up on those teachings and I have the same thought process.

When I do have to get parts to fix something, I will search for hours on end online to make sure I have combed the entire internet and got the parts as cheap as I can.

All the vacuums I used to find in the trash dump at the campground I stayed at, they all were thrown out because of a snapped belt or some kind of obstruction to the suction path.

I just got a Dyson on eBay for $30 back in October that was sold as parts. I opened it up and found out it was sold just because the small suction tube was clogged and it wouldn't change over from hose to brushroll. I removed that clog and it works good as new, the filters were not even dirty.

 

[tazcatsdad]

What Huskyvacs said about society is so true.

<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I'll give you two perfect examples: both of them are SEBO machines.  The first one that I have, a Windsor Sensor SR12 made by SEBO, was purchased by me for $6 from a thrift store in North Tonawanda that was going out of business: they were having a 50% off sale the day that I bought the Windsor.  All that was wrong with the machine was that it needed a new filter and a little bit of electrical tape on the cord -- that and a good cleaning.  Other than that, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">nothing</span> was wrong with the machine!</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">My other example is a SEBO Felix, which I purchased at a Salvation Army store in Kenmore for $7.99.  It needed new bags, its exhaust filter was hanging off of it, it needed a good cleaning, and it was clogged with a children's knitted, zippered coin purse!  I removed and tossed the purse (after making sure it was empty first, of course!), reattached (and later replaced) the exhaust filter, and bought some bags for it from my local SEBO dealer and good friend, Tom Rosiek.  Again, other than the aforementioned items, that Felix was in perfect condition!</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">But both of these machines -- really expensive ones, I might add -- were relegated to thrift stores because their owners didn't care enough to use the machines properly or otherwise care for them.  (Crikey ... I wish that I had money to throw away like that!)</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Right now, the Windsor is my daily driver machine, and the Felix sees occasional use just like the rest of my machines.  They're wonderful machines that I honestly expect to outlive me.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Bill W.</span>

 

[fantomtechguy]

tazcatsdad and huskyvacs

Wow! Those are great machines! What a deal!

And to add, yes I do believe people now a days don't feel like repairing their machines for daily maintenance. I've repaired countless vacuum cleaners for people who abuse the living heck out of their machines. I've had people come in with socks, rings, earrings and other objects stuck inside the vacuum. Sometimes if I find a vacuum cleaner in the garbage, the only thing that's wrong with it is either the belt, bag or is very dirty.

If only people would take care of their machines.

 

[compactc9guy]

Same thing happen to my lux

Same thing to me when i got My Electrolux Discovery 2 it needed new bag and filter now it work like new got it in a yard sale for 20$!!!!! I cleaned it up was filthy use whit out a bag poor thing .Now its in my collection works like new .There not built like they used to be in the 40 to the 90 things were made to last people took pride in there job now its all about $ and profit .