I just spent $1,600 on a vacuum....

lizziejune2015

Ok, not my most financially savvy decision…and I really am good at finances, like seriously. This is probably the 8th biggest purchase of my life after our home, wedding, car purchases and a few vacations. I am still trying to figure out if it was a good purchase or if I should return it (I have 3 days to decide). 

A door to door salesman came and did an in-home demonstration (yes, first mistake, I let him in). It was for a brand similar to a Kirby. It really is an incredible dry and wet vac. It can clean our hardwoods, clean carpets, furniture and even the air! It was pulling out fur, dirt and little rocks out of carpet..it was kind of gross, but very impressive. 

After haggling (which is to be expected), the price went from $2,700 to $1,600. Of course, that right there seems very sketchy to begin with, but I know some expensive vacs and other good ones run about that price. It has a “double life-time warranty” which means it’s good for the next generation owner if you gift it to them. 

I have been cleaning my whole house since the purchase and it works great. But I am still worried about the cost. $1,600 is a lot of money on a dang vacuum. We own a Dyson ball that we paid $375 for which works great, but even this new one picks up more from the same spot after we use the Dyson. We would likely need to buy another Dyson this year, after owning it for 4 years.

Part of me wants to buy select quality items so we don’t have to keep replacing them, but $1,600 is a lot of money still!!! I googled reviews and while a lot of people comment negatively on their sketchy sales tactics, a lot of people agree it’s still a good quality machine.

Has anyone else purchased a higher priced vacuum and not regretted it?? Edited to remove brand name since other poster questioned my motives  

als1982

You joined today, and this is your first post? Um, no... I would never been dumb enough to spend four figures on a vacuum. And if your comments are genuine and you're not a vendor, I hope you're smart enough to try and return yours.

sugabrat22

Woah, not so nice.

lizziejune2015

I am a real poster and long time lurker. I will happily remove the name of the brand if that makes you happy. Thanks for the advice... And for calling me dumb @als1982 I am actually really good with money and the thought of not having to purchase another vacuum again was really appealing. It's a lot of money but if it does last a life time I could see it being worth it. But I guess I am not sure.

Xstatic3333

We have a $300ish Sears Kenmore that more than meets my needs. I would not spend that much on a vacuum. In general I'd avoid making purchases from a door-to-door salesman. I like time to think about purchases like that.

I'm surprised to hear that a Dyson has such a short lifespan too.

als1982

I apologize for mistakenly assuming you were vendor. As a longtime lurker, you'll know that we get those frequently here and your post had many of the trappings that usually accompany their posts. Everyone's financial priorities - and capacity - are different. Not knowing more about you and your financial situation, since this is your first and only post, it's difficult to advise. But if it were me, no I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a vacuum. While it may still work in 20 years, what if the company doesn't exist, you live in a different house with only hardwoods, tile or an incompatible whole house vacuum system, or heaven forbid, you just want the newest model with all the bells and whistles? Again, I am sorry and do hope you stick around and participate here.

bparkhur

No, there is absolutely no way I would buy/keep a $1600 vacuum. That's insane (to me). The fact that you characterize letting the salesman in as a "mistake" suggests to me that you already know what you need to do.

hoffse

Return it.  You're second guessing this for a very good reason.  You could buy 4 Dyson's for the price of this one vacuum.

Sometimes you do have to spend more for quality, but spending that much is just spending to spend.

AprilZ81

I'm all for quality vacuum cleaners but there is no way I would spent almost $2k on one.  I can't justify the cost to replace our broken Dyson (DH brought it with him into our relationship).

simplyelise

I guess I'm not in a world where I have to regularly replace my vacuums. You need to replace a 4 year old vacuum, why? IDK I live in a 1k sqft apartment, so maybe it's different if you are using it on a bigger space or with pets.

We bought DH's car for 2500, I can't imagine spending mroe than half that on an impulse purchase vacuum. Return it. If you want to drop big money on your next vaccuum, just do your research on brands and make an informed purchase from the get-go. Then you can wait around for a big sale.

vlagrl29

Yikes!  We have a $400 dyson that we got as a wedding gift from FIL and I absolutely and in love with it and will always get dyson vacuums.  There is no way I would have let someone in my house and bought a vacuum that expensive.  I would return if possible.

hoffse

simplyelise said:

I guess I'm not in a world where I have to regularly replace my vacuums. You need to replace a 4 year old vacuum, why? IDK I live in a 1k sqft apartment, so maybe it's different if you are using it on a bigger space or with pets.

We bought DH's car for 2500, I can't imagine spending mroe than half that on an impulse purchase vacuum. Return it. If you want to drop big money on your next vaccuum, just do your research on brands and make an informed purchase from the get-go. Then you can wait around for a big sale.

Yeah this.   I mean, we live in a 2500 sq ft space with a cat that sheds everywhere, and our vacuum seems to do a perfectly fine job.  It was the $200 shark from BBB. I don't understand why you need to replace the dyson so soon.

If you really want ultra clean floors, ditch the carpet for hardwoods and tile throughout.  Dirt and skin cells build up in carpet, and I don't care how expensive your vacuum cleaner is - that stuff is not ever coming out completely.  Or decide that as long as it looks ok, it doesn't bother you to have trace amounts of dirt around the house.  Either way, save yourself the money!

Sisugal

I will confess that I do spend a good deal of money on my house (furniture, rugs, flooring, kitchen & bath), but a vacuum?  Not something I would recommend spending that much on a vacuum to anyone.

englishtrish1

FYI, my sister has a pet Dyson that she has had for over 10 years and it still is freakin awesome. She has two long hair dogs and a cat and her rugs and floors look like new after she uses it.

blondie42107

Xstatic3333 said:

We have a $300ish Sears Kenmore that more than meets my needs. I would not spend that much on a vacuum. In general I'd avoid making purchases from a door-to-door salesman. I like time to think about purchases like that.

I'm surprised to hear that a Dyson has such a short lifespan too.

We also have a Kenmore vacuum that was about $299 (we used a gift card and gift money for part of it). We've had it at least 5 years now and it's still working great. I would never spend that much money!

JoanE2012

I would never spend 4 figures on a vacuum, no matter how much money I had.

lizziejune2015

Update: 

I visited a local, trusted vacuum shop to get their opinion on the situation. The lady was very nice and seemed quite honest. She even carried some used versions of the same vacuum. Her thoughts were that $1,600 isn't a bad price considering most people she has met usually pay around $2,500. However, she thinks $1,000-$1,200 would have been much more reasonable given the quality of the machine. She says they do really last a long time and are one of the best machines on the market. She did recommend considering purchasing used though because they do last a long time and it isn't super expensive to fix them.

After talking with her, I called up the sales rep and asked that we return it. I am working on arranging a time for pick up. Thankfully, they have not run the purchase through their system since it is the weekend and less than 24 hours after purchase. I am now just waiting to have it picked up. I am planning on purchasing a used one from the vacuum shop for $600, which is a much better deal.

simplyelise

Is your Dyson just not working any more? I just don't understand why a Dyson wouldn't last more than 4 years. Any vacuum really as long as you're maintaining it properly.

I didn't even know vaccuum shops were a thing...

lizziejune2015

Our Dyson works, but it is noticeably less powerful. We have been maintaining it according to the manual. Yes, vacuum shops are a thing. They repair broken vacuums and sell new/used ones. If you google, you will probably find one in your area.

Xstatic3333

lizziejune2015 said:

Update: 

I visited a local, trusted vacuum shop to get their opinion on the situation. The lady was very nice and seemed quite honest. She even carried some used versions of the same vacuum. Her thoughts were that $1,600 isn't a bad price considering most people she has met usually pay around $2,500. However, she thinks $1,000-$1,200 would have been much more reasonable given the quality of the machine. She says they do really last a long time and are one of the best machines on the market. She did recommend considering purchasing used though because they do last a long time and it isn't super expensive to fix them.

After talking with her, I called up the sales rep and asked that we return it. I am working on arranging a time for pick up. Thankfully, they have not run the purchase through their system since it is the weekend and less than 24 hours after purchase. I am now just waiting to have it picked up. I am planning on purchasing a used one from the vacuum shop for $600, which is a much better deal.

Sounds like a good decision!

hoffse

I'm having difficulty with the idea of spending $600 on a used vacuum.  I mean, I'm glad you're returning the one you bought - that's definitely the first step.  But $600 for a vacuum that's been used/discarded by somebody else still seems excessive to me.

Have you asked her what it would cost to fix the vacuum you already have?

Also... when you do research at a vacuum shop, don't you think they are going to try to sell you one of their own products?

smerka

Why don't you call Dyson and see what they can do about your machine? Were you thinking about replacing the Dyson before this salesman showed up on your doorstep?

MommyLiberty5013

Xstatic3333 said:

Update: 

I visited a local, trusted vacuum shop to get their opinion on the situation. The lady was very nice and seemed quite honest. She even carried some used versions of the same vacuum. Her thoughts were that $1,600 isn't a bad price considering most people she has met usually pay around $2,500. However, she thinks $1,000-$1,200 would have been much more reasonable given the quality of the machine. She says they do really last a long time and are one of the best machines on the market. She did recommend considering purchasing used though because they do last a long time and it isn't super expensive to fix them.

After talking with her, I called up the sales rep and asked that we return it. I am working on arranging a time for pick up. Thankfully, they have not run the purchase through their system since it is the weekend and less than 24 hours after purchase. I am now just waiting to have it picked up. I am planning on purchasing a used one from the vacuum shop for $600, which is a much better deal.

Sounds like a good decision!

I actually agree with this. When I graduated college my mom bought me my first vacuum a $500 one (not a Dyson). Every vacuum shop I've ever been in (for filters and bags, etc.) and asked about Dyson, the repair guys say they see them all the time and that they are very expensive to fix and that they aren't made to last as the $$$ models do.

I still have my original vacuum from 2004 and it's still going strong - never broken.

I agree with the $1,600 being high. I would pay $400-$600 though.

Xstatic3333

MommyLiberty5013 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

lizziejune2015 said:

Update: 

I visited a local, trusted vacuum shop to get their opinion on the situation. The lady was very nice and seemed quite honest. She even carried some used versions of the same vacuum. Her thoughts were that $1,600 isn't a bad price considering most people she has met usually pay around $2,500. However, she thinks $1,000-$1,200 would have been much more reasonable given the quality of the machine. She says they do really last a long time and are one of the best machines on the market. She did recommend considering purchasing used though because they do last a long time and it isn't super expensive to fix them.

After talking with her, I called up the sales rep and asked that we return it. I am working on arranging a time for pick up. Thankfully, they have not run the purchase through their system since it is the weekend and less than 24 hours after purchase. I am now just waiting to have it picked up. I am planning on purchasing a used one from the vacuum shop for $600, which is a much better deal.

Sounds like a good decision!

I actually agree with this. When I graduated college my mom bought me my first vacuum a $500 one (not a Dyson). Every vacuum shop I've ever been in (for filters and bags, etc.) and asked about Dyson, the repair guys say they see them all the time and that they are very expensive to fix and that they aren't made to last as the $$$ models do.

I still have my original vacuum from 2004 and it's still going strong - never broken.

I agree with the $1,600 being high. I would pay $400-$600 though.

My good decision comment was primarily focused on the returning of the $1600 model, but $600 isn't TOO crazy. It's more than I would personally pay but I am assuming from the casual purchase of vacuum #1 that OP has a bit more wiggle room than I do.

It is good to know that Dysons aren't as reliable as reported. Our Sears vacuum was an engagement gift that my parents directed us to chose for ourselves and refused to give a price range for ("We'd love to get you a nice vacuum"). We went with it over a Dyson primarily because we felt badly getting a $400 vs. $300 model.

jtmh2012

Wow.....couldn't imagine spending $1600 or even $600 on a vacuum.  We still have an old Hoover Runabout that my parents bought me when I went to college back in 1996 that is still running.

jessica490

Yikes, we keep our vacuums under $350

juliebeannn

$1600?!?!?! That was a month's rent in our last apartment! 

I've been sweating over spending $250 (after coupons and such, retail $400) on our Dyson last month!

noffgurl

I don't think I've ever spent more than $100 on a vacuum, and we have pets and kids, they just need to be maintained. I just wish I had $1,600 laying around that I could just drop on something other than a major bill. Heck, our total bills altogether come to around this much.

formerlyGDaisy09

I would never spend that much on a used vacuum, and I definitley would never spend $1,600 on a new one.  I have flirted with the idea of spending $400-500 on a NEW robotic vacuum (especially now we've learned all the dog's allergy woes are from dust-mites...save some money on medications for the dog and get a cleaner house!). 

if you're concerned that your current vacuum isn't really getting things as clean as you like, what about renting a carpet steamer/shampooer and/or hard floor steamer to get things really clean once a year or once every two years and using your current vacuum to maintain that? and taking steps like no shoes in the house? 

Erikan73

I'm in the party of, wow that's expensive. I personally wouldn't spend that much, mainly because I don't have that type of money to spend. That being said though, if this vaccum cleans up that much better then your current vacuum and it will help reduce or eliminate health issues (like allergies), then it could be worth it. But for me it would have to make a huge impact on improving my quality of life because it picks up more dirt.

short+sassy

On a bit of a different topic, I strongly advise people to never answer the door for a stranger if you are not expecting them.  Granted, I don't live in the safest city, but we seem to go through streaks of home invasions and that is how they barge their way in 90% of the time...they simply knock on the door.

I had a guy ring my door bell and knock on my door for ten solid minutes.  I think the blinds might have been up enough he could see I was home.  Nope.  Don't know you.  Not answering.  But after that long of a time, I was getting ready to call the police when my H went down the side of the house (he had been in the backyard the whole time) and saw this guy at the door.  Do you know this guy was actually going door to door selling stupid dollar store crap like stuffed animals and toys (rolling eyes).

Then I was super pissed.  I'm obviously not expecting you.  I'm obviously not going to answer the door.  So why are you still on my porch knocking on my door for 10 minutes?  I almost wish my H hadn't come along.  I bet if the police had shown up to ask this guy what he was doing, it would have been the last time he tried bothering someone who didn't want to be bothered.