Riccar vs. Miele
Danswifey:
I had dealers who had both Riccar and Mieles steer me toward Mieles, also--although this was before the Prima was introduced. They told me the Riccars were bulky and wouldn't recommend them. They wouldn't even let me try them. They were only willing to demonstrate the Miele, and price out the components! I felt there was more behind it than they were telling me (like maybe the profit margin or something), but maybe I'm being unfair or just naturally cynical. Because I'd used a Miele in a real-life situation and knowing what I thought were shortcomings, I kept looking.
I do like the Sebos. But I really liked the Riccar fullsized power nozzles--with headlights on the pn, not the handle. And to the extent I could, I wanted something made in the USA.
If you are sold on the Sebo because you have tried it out, and like it--then, great. The ones I've tried are certainly good machines. But be careful buying anything sight unseen or tested as your main vac. I nearly bought an upright Miele because I could get a great price--then happened on one at a dealer, and tried it out. It turned out to be too tall and weighted in such a way that I could hardly use it. That's an upright, but canisters have their issues, too. This forum is full of threads where someone keeps going back to their cheap vac because the expensive model doesn't have conveniently located controls, long enough cord or big enough bag.
