Monday, June 15, 2009

My Dyson Dilemma. Buyer Beware.

One year ago my old vacuum decided to fall apart. It was in rough shape. The handle snapped off and it lost most of it's suction. We were in need of a new vacuum desperately. We had looked at the Dyson vacuum cleaner line several times, but I refused to pay that much for a machine. The hubby really wanted one. Eventually I caved under pressure from the hubby. He felt that we should buy the good vacuum instead of buying a vacuum every couple of years. Yes, it all sounds good in theory. Doesn't it? We decided to buy the Dyson D-17 upright pet vacuum. For all of you not familiar with Dyson, it's the purple pet vacuum. I was still a little hesitant due to the price of $545.00. We came across a great deal at Lowes and decided to purchase the vacuum. We walked away with only paying $419.00. The vacuum came with a 5 year warranty and all the items pictured here.


We took it home and it really seemed to do the job. There were a few things that I didn't like though. First the vacuum was to large to fit under neath any type of cabinet, which included both my bathrooms and my kitchen. Then I started noticing that it wouldn't even pick up tiny cracker crumbs. The vacuum would just push them around on the floor. Hello, I have a four year old. There's always crumbs on my flour. The only way to suck up crumbs was to use the hose attachment, which is a pain to use. The only thing that I agree with is the Dyson commercial's. Dyson states that these vacuums never lose their suction. In fact there is so much suction that it sucked off my linoleum flooring in both bathrooms. Let me explain, about six months ago I noticed these tiny scuffs in both of our bathrooms. I just assumed it was normal wear and tear. Then each following month the floor became increasingly worse. There were huge gouges of tile missing. I just couldn't figure it out. The vacuum became harder and harder to push. I took it apart thinking that there was something wrong underneath. Of course that didn't help. I also started noticing carpet threads were being pulled out of my little ones carpet, which was only six months old. So, this April I decided to flip the vacuum over and match up the damage marks to the vacuum cleaner bottom. Sure enough they matched.






I told the hubby about all the damage and that I finally connected it to the vacuum. He was just fumed. He called Dyson and they asked if we could ship the vacuum to their Chicago office where a technician could examine it. They stated this would take about 3 to 4 weeks. So of course I had to go out and spend more money on another vacuum cleaner. This really made me angry. What was I suppose to do? I had no choice at this point. Dyson also asked us to get a quote on how much it would cost to replace the tile in the bathrooms and the area rug in our daughters room, which we did. The quote came back at $1,700.00 to repair the three rooms. Yikes!

Dyson finally called back this week and stated that the technicians found nothing wrong with the machine and that our claim to repair our flooring was denied. What? Then they continued to explain that the brush and brush plate on the bottom of the cleaner needs to be replaced. Yes, the very plate and brush that damaged my floor. But Dyson still insists there is nothing wrong with the cleaner and the damage to our floors was caused by something other then the vacuum. Does this make any sense? I have finally let the hubby handle dealing with Dyson. I think I'm being to nice and not getting any where with this company. The hubby has asked to speak with the technician that analyzed our vacuum. So, we are still waiting for an out come to this drama. My poor vacuum is still sitting in Chicago some where.

How do regular people go up against a huge corporation and win even a small battle like this? The answer is, we can't. It's a no win situation.

My predication is that the vacuum cleaner will get the parts that the technicians are calling for and we will get our vacuum cleaner back. We will be left with the task of repairing and paying for our flooring, which we absolutely can't afford right now.

I'm so angry about this. We aren't rich people, in fact we are struggling to make ends meet at this very moment. Gosh, isn't everyone in this day and age struggling financially. It took me a year to pay off this darn vacuum. So much for the little guy. I will never ever purchase another Dyson product.

The moral of this story is that just because an item has a high price tag doesn't mean it's always better.

Buyer be ware. If you're thinking about purchasing a Dyson for you home, you might want to think again.

P.S. I purchased a $169.00 Bissell and I just love it. I should of purchased this vacuum in the first place. Shame on me.

Just wondering if anyone out there has experienced this. Do you like your Dyson?




Thanks for stopping by today and listening to me ramble.


Hugs

20 comments:

  1. I hate my Dyson! It will not pick up dog hair unless the dog hair attachment is used and it is a pain to attach! I would never have another one!!

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  2. That is awful! We've thought about getting a Dyson but your article has changed my mind. It sounds like you may have a lawsuit on your hands. If I were you I'd check and see if there is a class action suit against Dyson out there already. If so it might be in your best interest to join. If not I'd talk to a lawyer about this. (I studied Law in college and even considered going to law school) Good luck!

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  3. That is really awful! I don't blame you for being mad. To be honest we cannot afford a Dyson. I have an old Hoover that does pretty good considering I have 3 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a bunny to clean up after. :)

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  4. We looked at the dysom. but decided on a hoover. which I do like. I also have a Oreck, Really love that vaccumm. It really cleans the carpets well. No so good on the bare floors. Years ago we had a Filter Queen now that was the best one I ever owned. One would that in this day and time they could make a better vaccumm.

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  5. I have had my vacuum for a long time, I don't even know what it is. I do have a story that just happened to someone at work and they won but didn't at first. Just being nice seem to pay off for them and over $8,000 in damages. How about your insurance company did you check with them or maybe you should call 1 800 call sam!

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  6. I don't vacuum, but my husband likes the Dyson. I totally hope it hasn't damaged our floors. I do have scratches, but I always blame the dog and the kids.

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  7. That is awful. I would go over the technicians head, and get in contact with higher management or ceo, you can find their contact info on the BBB website and even file an complaint. Some companies like to keep their business in good standing with the BBB, so they may take a better listen into your complaint then. We have a Bissell, that we picked up in the low $100 range, that works pretty well. Good luck with that!

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  8. Coming from someone who was going through vacuums at least once a year (yes, I vacuum a LOT), the one and only vacuum I recommend.....and I do NOT work for them is the ORECK.

    I love, love, love, love, love my Oreck Ironman. I swear I love my Oreck more than my family on most days and I threaten to send out photos of my Oreck by the Christmas Tree for the holidays instead of the kids. I've had mine for 3 years and it picks up kitty litter (and does not shoot it out the back!) like the first day I bought it. I need to replace the hose--but that is it. I love ORECK!!

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  9. My former vacuum was a Hoover and its rotating carpet brush ate holes in our flooring in the kitchen and hallway, we have the lower end Dyson, and it seems to work okay for us, but when it dies, I don't know if I would by another Dyson, I hear that Ryder makes some of the best vacuum's but never owned one.

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  10. I have never had a Dyson but the fact that those marks match up makes me feel like you need to pursue this. If you're in the right, you're in the right.

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  11. Bummer :(

    I got our Dyson as an anniversary present (it's okay - it's what I asked for) and we haven't had any problems...

    Hope you get a resolution!

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  12. We bought a Dyson a long time ago and when we took it out of the box it had plastic parts rattling around in the box.... we boxed it right back up and took it back. Hearing all of these complaints I think it's wise to stop vacuuming. lol Okay, I am moving toward hardwood and ceramic floors so not too much vacuuming going on anyway.

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  13. oh! I can imagine, that must be so disappointing.

    btw, I have an award for you.=)

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  14. I can sooooo relate. We heard all the talk about how great Dysons are, blah blah blah. So, we saved up our money and used a coupon to get one at Bed Bath and Beyond. Brought it home and I thought it was awkward to use, didn't think it did all that great, so we took it back the same day and got a Bissell Healthy Home, and liked it so much more! It even picked up dust form the same area we used the Dyson just an hour before. ha!
    I hope they will change their minds.

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  15. Shut up cu nt

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  16. Well now, look at that nasty comment above this one. That's just not a nice thing to say to someone. What happened to our polite blogging behavior? Only a small minded person would leave such a nasty comment. You really need to learn how to spell cu??. It's got me thinking, maybe it's someone from the Dyson Corporation. Hmmmm? I think I might actually use this comment as my next post. Thanks Anonymous person. You've given me a great idea. These nasty words sure don't make Dyson look any better. I can't deny the facts. This terrible thing happened to me and now I'm stuck with some huge repair bills all due to this lovely vacuum cleaner. So sorry you don't agree anonymous.

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  17. That is a terrible comment. If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all at least that's what I tell my second grade class. I certainly won't be buying a dyson.

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  18. Don't think it was Dyson that left the message, and I don't think I would have published that comment.

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  19. my guess is someone was bored when they left the rude comment and just wanted to get a rise out of you. They'll probably never return. I have met too many rude people online. Don't give them a second though. Your article here is very informative and it's good to know. I always buy the cheaper vacuums. I go through them way too fast to buy an expensive one. haha

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  20. OMG someone was having a bad day...more important I'm disappointed in Dyson, it makes so much more sense to say I'm sorry and correct the problem and the damage I'll never consider Dyson now and I'd go to the CEO and send a message to him directly and give him your blog url as well. Good luck thanks for sharing...

    Dorothy from grammology
    grammology.com

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