Sebo Softcase CE12 in USA!

[kirbylux77]

ManchesterVacs, good video. The product is good, but to me it still needs a LOT of refining! Way too loud, and I don't like the placement of the power switch. I also don't like how the bag is the only filtration system the vacuum has - what's Sebo's excuse for not putting any type of filter on the motor to catch carbon dust emissions?! VERY SERIOUS FLAW THERE!

And, although I don't consider it a "problem", I don't like the fact that there won't be generic branded bags for a long time to come - Sebo's bags are ridiculously expensive compared to Miele bags, particularly when you consider how much better built and how many more filtration layers the Miele bags have.

I definitely won't be buying one. I consider this product outright inferior to the Riccar/Simplicity lightweight uprights, and the Germans should be ashamed of themselves to foist this product on the world considering they are thought of to be superior in manufacturing and designing quality products.

 

[evolutionclean1]

Do you ever

Have one positive thing to say about anything? Unless it's your favorite brand all you do is bash. If you don't like the Soft case don't buy one there's a market for them and you're clearly not the target consumer so... Leave it alone?

 

[manchestervacs]

Reply to kirbylux77

You make some valid points, and I'm going to feed back a synopsis of opinion from all platforms back to Sebo.

I agree it doesn't feel as refined as other Sebos, I see that as a consequence of them wanting it to be light. Compromises have to be made. I am not keen on the power switch location either. I don't think it would take much to redesign the top bracket I mentioned to make it wider and have it incorporate a switch. About the filtration, the bag is well-engineered stuff more reminiscent of Miele, so that negated the need for extra filters they thought. As that motor is so small, I can't see there being any carbon dust to speak of emitted there.

It is loud, like an old Oreck is, and I do feel that could be improved with some sound deadening on the underside of the hood. I imagine they are looking at this now.

On bag pricing. The aftermarket will only make bags when there is sufficient demand (and quality might be poor) and potential margin. There aren't enough BP/CE machines out there yet for demand to warrant the investment to do that. Our bags currently cost £16.25 (US$20.34) for 10 genuine. Delivery is extra unless you spend £120+.

Sebo generally is more expensive over the pond due to shipping costs from Europe, and retailers there liking a bigger margin. However, don't forget that if buying on sites like Amazon or eBay, sellers are also paying 20%+ selling fees there. When you choose those platforms, that has to be wrapped into the price. If I sold those bags on UK Amazon, I'd have to price them at £25.99 (US$32.50). More if Amazon fulfilled them. But I have seen them at over $50 a pack in the US.

The Riccar/Simplicity, Maytag and other broadly similar machines you have in the US aren't sold in the UK/EU. They also fell foul of the 2017 EU vacuum ban.

Sebo vacuums do tend to evolve over time, and these are the first generation of an all-new model and format for them. Until a product has real-world usage and feedback, evolution cannot happen. No manufacturer can please everyone the first time.