My first acquisition was a piece of blue bubblegum from a candy machine when I was three. I still remember the joy of putting in my penny and getting a great big ball of shiny hard gum that was almost as big as my mouth. From that point on, I understood the power of shopping. I became a consumer and I haven't stopped since although I've moved well beyond my gumball youth.
I'd love to make this blog a dialog with other "professional" shoppers and by that I mean others who shop a lot or think a lot about shopping.
Right now, I'm struggling with a major shopping decision. I need to get a new vacuum. I've been blogging about it in my company's blog (www.become.com/pocketchange) but wanted to reach beyond our borders. BTW, can you believe that I get paid to write about shopping! (I do).
http://www.become.com/pocketchange/2006/08/i_need_a_vacuum_that_sucks.html
I need a vacuum that sucks (Part 1)
I hate vacuuming so let’s start with that. My Fantom vacuum lasted four years and now it barely laps at the dog hair, the handle is busted and the electric cord just disappeared inside the canister casing. So, it’s time to buy a new vacuum and I’m ready for a change. Of course, the yellow and purple Dyson’s caught my eye in the local Bed, Bath and Beyond as I’m a sucker for bright, shiny stuff. But that’s no reason to buy a vacuum—it needs to suck. The more powerful the suction, the better! So, I decided to research vacuum cleaners on Become (blatant plug!) and figure out what to do.
Boy, there are a lot of things to think about. Bagless or replaceable bags? Bagless is more expensive but-- to me-- replacing bags is like the razor and razor blades analogy or cheap printers and exorbitant ink cartridges. Then there’s the upright vs. canister issue. Is one easier to push, clean stairs, or get under furniture? However, on the issue of hepa filters, for this asthma girl, there’s only one choice—a heap of hepa to keep all those nasty little dust particles out of the old respiratory tract.
One of the best articles I found was called Yakko's guide to choosing a vacuum cleaner. This man knows about vacuuming and, while being pretty objective, he seemed to like the Dyson a lot (and not a word about the pretty colors!). Other good sources I found were Consumer Reports for a basic overview (although for details you need to actually subscribe) and Appliance.com.
So, what vacuum am I going to buy? I’ll tell you next week. I’ve got to buy one this week or my house will be buried under dog hair. (Is my dog the only one that sheds year round?). If you have any recommendations, please leave a comment!
Mimi
http://www.become.com/pocketchange/2006/08/i_need_a_vacuum_that_sucks_par.html
I need a vacuum that sucks (part 2)
Okay, so I cheated. I couldn’t figure out which vacuum to buy just by reading Become.com’s research (See part 1). So I brought home two to test drive. And yes, I did fall for the shiny purple Dyson DC 14 for animal hair. I also bought the Sears Kenmore Progressive Canister model that got “Best Buy” ratings from Consumer Reports.
Last night, we took them for a test drive. Since the Kenmore was about half the price of the Dyson, we opened that box first. It took a while to figure out how to assemble it as the instructions looked like hieroglyphics. When we finally took it for a ride on the carpet, it didn’t seem to suck up all that much stuff. It just grazed. And it took expensive HEPA bags (2 for $8) that I’d need to buy on an ongoing basis.
My significant other (S.O.) then got into the act and opened the Dyson DC 14. This bagless purple machine is outfitted like a Harley and as powerful to drive. It sucked unbelievably well. We re-vacuumed the same rug and it picked up stuff that’s probably been lurking since the Paleolithic age. We ended up cleaning the whole house. The place felt so clean you could eat off our floors. However, we were so exhausted and sweaty from pushing that big palooka that we just sprawled there ourselves.
Not going to work! While S.O. enjoyed the trial run, I know he’s not planning to push that incredible hulk on a regular basis. So, I’m back to square one. I feel like Goldilocks at the Three Bears house. The first vacuum was “too soft” on dirt. The second was “too hard” on my back. I need to find one that’s just right!
We’re returning both today and I’ll resume the hunt shortly. We bought ourselves some time by vacuuming the whole place last night!
I'd love to make this blog a dialog with other "professional" shoppers and by that I mean others who shop a lot or think a lot about shopping.
Right now, I'm struggling with a major shopping decision. I need to get a new vacuum. I've been blogging about it in my company's blog (www.become.com/pocketchange) but wanted to reach beyond our borders. BTW, can you believe that I get paid to write about shopping! (I do).
http://www.become.com/pocketchange/2006/08/i_need_a_vacuum_that_sucks.html
I need a vacuum that sucks (Part 1)
I hate vacuuming so let’s start with that. My Fantom vacuum lasted four years and now it barely laps at the dog hair, the handle is busted and the electric cord just disappeared inside the canister casing. So, it’s time to buy a new vacuum and I’m ready for a change. Of course, the yellow and purple Dyson’s caught my eye in the local Bed, Bath and Beyond as I’m a sucker for bright, shiny stuff. But that’s no reason to buy a vacuum—it needs to suck. The more powerful the suction, the better! So, I decided to research vacuum cleaners on Become (blatant plug!) and figure out what to do.
Boy, there are a lot of things to think about. Bagless or replaceable bags? Bagless is more expensive but-- to me-- replacing bags is like the razor and razor blades analogy or cheap printers and exorbitant ink cartridges. Then there’s the upright vs. canister issue. Is one easier to push, clean stairs, or get under furniture? However, on the issue of hepa filters, for this asthma girl, there’s only one choice—a heap of hepa to keep all those nasty little dust particles out of the old respiratory tract.
One of the best articles I found was called Yakko's guide to choosing a vacuum cleaner. This man knows about vacuuming and, while being pretty objective, he seemed to like the Dyson a lot (and not a word about the pretty colors!). Other good sources I found were Consumer Reports for a basic overview (although for details you need to actually subscribe) and Appliance.com.
So, what vacuum am I going to buy? I’ll tell you next week. I’ve got to buy one this week or my house will be buried under dog hair. (Is my dog the only one that sheds year round?). If you have any recommendations, please leave a comment!
Mimi
http://www.become.com/pocketchange/2006/08/i_need_a_vacuum_that_sucks_par.html
I need a vacuum that sucks (part 2)
Okay, so I cheated. I couldn’t figure out which vacuum to buy just by reading Become.com’s research (See part 1). So I brought home two to test drive. And yes, I did fall for the shiny purple Dyson DC 14 for animal hair. I also bought the Sears Kenmore Progressive Canister model that got “Best Buy” ratings from Consumer Reports.
Last night, we took them for a test drive. Since the Kenmore was about half the price of the Dyson, we opened that box first. It took a while to figure out how to assemble it as the instructions looked like hieroglyphics. When we finally took it for a ride on the carpet, it didn’t seem to suck up all that much stuff. It just grazed. And it took expensive HEPA bags (2 for $8) that I’d need to buy on an ongoing basis.
My significant other (S.O.) then got into the act and opened the Dyson DC 14. This bagless purple machine is outfitted like a Harley and as powerful to drive. It sucked unbelievably well. We re-vacuumed the same rug and it picked up stuff that’s probably been lurking since the Paleolithic age. We ended up cleaning the whole house. The place felt so clean you could eat off our floors. However, we were so exhausted and sweaty from pushing that big palooka that we just sprawled there ourselves.
Not going to work! While S.O. enjoyed the trial run, I know he’s not planning to push that incredible hulk on a regular basis. So, I’m back to square one. I feel like Goldilocks at the Three Bears house. The first vacuum was “too soft” on dirt. The second was “too hard” on my back. I need to find one that’s just right!
We’re returning both today and I’ll resume the hunt shortly. We bought ourselves some time by vacuuming the whole place last night!
posted by No Blue Hair at 10:52 AM
1 Comments:
I don't have a recommendation since I have wood floors, besides I am having too much fun reading your adventures to tell you what to buy even if I had a clue.
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