Knowing what is right for you, and getting what you paid for.
Jan 23 '01
The Bottom Line Know what you need. A good deal doesn't always produce results. Know what you have to do with this unit and find one that matches you, not your wallet.
For several years I was in the business of going into someones home and convincing them to buy a home cleaning system. Along the way I found out what people liked and disliked about most any unit on the market at the time. What I found to be most common among them all is that the problem wasnt with the vacuum, but more with the expectation of the user.
Knowing what you need
The first and foremost question you must ask before you head out to buy is what do I need to fulfill my needs. A person who has a 3 bedroom 2 bath home will not need the same equipment as a small business or office, or even a small mobile home.
It is very beneficial to know approximates on how much area you have in your home, and even things such as, "do I have to carry this upstairs".
With that in mind you can then become a bit more specific to what you prefer. Determine how much of an investment you can afford to place into such a unit. Do you have allergy sufferers in the home that could benefit from HEPA technology and things of that nature. Would you rather have a canister unit following behind you or would you sacrifice a bit of preformance to have a much easier ride in an upright cleaner.
Know the differences and be an informed buyer
Right here would be my next visit. Take the time to understand what the options are. At this time there are hundreds of various makes models and types of cleaning systems on sale today. The only way you will ever narrow down the search is to understand what each different one will offer you. Epinions has a great database of information on a lot of "high end" and lower cost cleaners. Start there and see if any of those match the description you have in your head, and if not move your search somewhere else.
Don't ever jump the gun, as the first offer isn't always the best
Take your time in this endeavor, and make the right choice. I don't know how many sales I made to people who just wasted money on their old system. I would always smile inside when I would go into a home and the first thing I would hear is, "I hate to push this thing around all the time". Not saying you have to love cleaning, but it really shouldn't be something you would have to hate!
Also there is always more than one place to buy something. Once you find something you like, look around, and find the better deal. Price things online, and then price them in the stores, and get the real picture on what the price should be as opposed to just trusting that the big colorful sign in front of one really is a sale price.
Things I picked up on that might help you out
1: Because it is expensive don't rule it out. Some of these units will last forever, as in the case of a Kirby. On the other hand something at the same price, such as a rainbow, can be a bigger hassle and not last as long.
2: Water machines are right for some of us. Their cleaning ability can't be beat on the most part. But can you keep up the maintainence on them and can you move them around at their heavier weights?
3: Warranty! If someone will warranty for 3 years, and is established in name, odds are you are safe there. A one year limited warranty shows no true trust from the company in their product.
4: Beware of cheaper units that have expensive parts. ALWAYS price the bags and belts before buying, and make sure that these accessories are available somewhere on your side of the continent.
5: Simple science! Dont always believe the hype about the bags. Some lead you to believe that nothing escapes them. Well let me ask you this. If you blow into a balloon for too long....BANG. So why doesn't a vacuum bag explode, exactly, the air comes out and there is always something in it.
6: Airflow is 100 times more important than suction. Some love to show how they can hold a bowling ball with suction. Big deal! If you put something such as say salt for example on a counter top and place your mouth over it, you can suck all day, but unless some air can come in at some point nothing is going to move. So don't get scammed by the "big power" that some claim to have.
There is a cleaner out there with your name on it!
I hope this gets you started in the right direction. Remember this is a purchase that you will live with each and every week, so treat it with that importance. Know what you want, and be an informed buyer and you can win in all regards.
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Epinions.com ID:
Babycarrots
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Robin Walker
Reviews written: 108
Trusted by: 107 members
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