Shark and Dyson Cleaners

[mvpdude]

I got hired on at a vac&sew shop a few months back, and I can say with all certainty that, while I was never very fond of Shark or Dyson before, I absolutely despise the brands now.

I'm aware that this sounds like your traditional "old man yelling at the sky" stuff that gets posted a lot, but I can confirm that these machines are just...they aren't worth the money. They'll perform well for a bit, and then they'll just start to break down. Worse yet, parts (more for Shark, Dyson DOES have slightly better parts availability) are incredibly difficult to come by. 


 


So...yeah. If you are in the market for a vacuum, try to avoid them. New, you can usually find a machine in the same price range that is much higher quality. Used, you're likely to spend money on a machine that is dying, or has failed irreplaceable parts. 


 


Also, I'm aware not everyone's experiences are the same. If you have one of these machines, and you love it, awesome. Personally, I just would recommend staying away from them. That's all. 

 

[bagintheback]

Are most of these warranty repairs? I know those brands can be a pain to repair. I don't dislike Dyson but the new prices are insane. With the Panasonic/Kenmore models gone it's tough to find a decent competitor at a Big Box Store.

 

[blackheart]

Yup...

Shark Part availability is crap through parts suppliers like ESSCO or Steel City. There was a few items available but like for example there were only 3 brushrolls available for the NV22 the original navigator and i can't recall the last one. It seems like only place to get most of them is directly from shark. We never offered to buy parts from shark though. We'd need to pay full price, shipping and then there was usually a markup rate on things which just wouldn't be sensible if you're already paying full price.
Unfortunately a few of the "old" names like lux and filter queen have pulled their parts away from those providers too. I'm assuming this was done to drive people to authorized service/sales providers.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Kenmore is mostly going online now, through Amazon and other online sales, with special offers on their new models.

I've never used a Dyson. I have used two Sharks, and like the machines overall, but lack of parts is annoying.

 

[eurekafansquid]

You can no longer "Try for Baby" with the grim reaper

 

[hooverman99]

Shark parts availability is atrocious and it doesn't help that shark makes it stressful or even impossible to fix as simple as a hose replacement that shark have been known to have their hose splitting. They really want the consumer to throw it out and get a new one over something that shouldn't even inquired you to do so for something as a brushroll replacement or a hose replacement. For Dyson as much they're complicated and badly designed aleast they supplied parts acually repairable unlike shark tho you can find something better then shark or dyson like Miele, Sebo, heck even Hoover with their Windtunnel Air, Power Drive and MaxLife machines. A better value then shark or dyson.

 

[vacuumdevil]

"Welcome to the rice fields"

Which brands does your shop sell?

 

[mvpdude]

I wish there were a better reply system...

I'm just going to reply in order, bare with me. 


 


@bagintheback


So, mostly non-warranty repairs, at least as far as Sharks are concerned. Of just my time there, both warranty claims resulted in Shark just sending the customer a new machine, both cases were power nozzle failures. Also, that's partly the problem. Big box stores just don't carry anything good (for the most part), and often people don't seem to know that vacuum shops even exist. 


 


@blackheart 


Yeah, Dyson is better-ish about parts availability, but still iffy at best. I honestly don't know where we get our Shark parts, but I'll be asking now.. Sometimes we get a trade-in machine that we'll pull parts from if it's in decent enough condition, but that's rare. (Again, only been there a few months so rare based on what I've observed).  Also don't know much about Lux or FQ parts yet. I know we get hoses for those machines occasionally, but not many come into our shop that I've seen yet. 


 


@fan-of-fans
Have you seen Kenmore's newest bagged lift off vacuum? It looks so much like a bagged Shark that it makes me wonder if they worked with Shark to make it. Also, what models do you have? I think that they have some good ideas and such, but their execution is (in my opinion) not great. I'm also not judging what you like. I mean, we're vacuum nerds, so I have no room to say anything at the end of the day. 


 


@hooverman99


I'm with you there. We actually still have a lot of the Hoover Self-Propelled machines come in for yearly maintenance, and I'm genuinely surprised at how well people have taken care of them. I just feel bad when one is beyond repair and we have to tell the customer that there just isn't anything like that machine made anymore. I mean heck, I'd even consider owning one, just because I like how they feel. Heavy as sin though. 


 


@vacuumdevil


Haha, thanks for the welcome. It feels weird to say it's almost like a dream job I didn't even know I wanted. 


We carry Miele, Sebo, Riccar, MD, and Beam. I've actually gotten to do come CV installs, and I'm really starting to appreciate the things, and I really like MD's bag set up. But you know all about those. 


 


 


 


 


 

 

[jo]

Personally

I’ve Been an Aerus/Electrolux fan for their ease of use and durability and repair ability. Glad it’s still around though they are pricey. Have had these machines in my family since before I was born and so I just ended up sticking with them after experiencing other brands. I don’t care much for uprights and with the canister market not having too many good choices the Electrolux ended up being the brand of choice and has proven its durability to me. Our local Aerus Electrolux dealers were always great about getting us what we needed for parts to keep the machine going instead of selling us a new one and weren’t pushy when we wanted to upgrade giving us suggestions to make the current machine. It’s been an overall great experience from the company and I only hope Aerus continues servicing the products and sell vacuum cleaners made in the USA. I know they are starting to outsource though on some things.

To me the Sharks and Dysons may have some nicer innovations than others but otherwise are just “throw away” plastic vacuums once they fail in some way so I do agree with you. The only decent way be able to repair them is get another and save what’s good from the old one for parts.

While a lot of people like Miele, it’s a German machine. Don’t feel good about supporting outside the US when we have a quality product made here in the US I already am happy with.

Jon