Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sucky September Story

The vacuum cleaner died. It was over 30 years old. It only had a 2 year warranty - its final demise was brought about by plastic fatigue on a little clip that kept the bit of foam filter in place. I don't have any photos of the Sunbeam Volta - but it was a gem.

This meant that my first "few hours of just me in the house on a Sunday" that I had cunningly negotiated with V was spent instead in an electronics store. I browsed vacuums ferociously, and went over the pros and cons of many a model with the salesman. I mentioned old, deep carpet, a moulting cat, my own locks and children, one of whom is partial to mysterious coughs and rashes on occasion. I also mentioned a serious aversion to Electrolux (I have a whole series on the joys that particular company has given me over the years).

He mentioned Turbo Head and extolled the virtues of a model that had "Volta" in its title and I was sold.

When I got home, I found the warranty has Electrolux on the top despite not being on any external labelling. It sucked - very well. The turbo head went wonderfully - for one whole vacuum of the house.

And then the turbo head bit died. Less than a week old, killed by long hair and complete lack of access to clear the turbo bit of the crap it collected... The rest of it works.

Have to dig out the Electrolux warranty and work out how many levels of hell we will be put through for the bit I bought the bloddy thing for...

7 comments:

Rootietoot said...

awe---that sucks! oddly, the best vacuum I've ever had is a $99 Bissell. Go figure.

Debby said...

I've never found a good vacuum, quite honestly. Don't know whether I'm hard on them or what, but they simply don't last more than 2 or 3 years. I remember while my ex was doing graduate school and we were trying to make every penny count...and the vac went. I remember saying, "Wow. I've reached the point where everything sucks in my life but the vacuum."

Mary O. Paddock said...

I've been in vacuum cleaner hell many times (Keep in mind that I have numerous animals AND boys). It is in part why I went to laminate flooring and throw rugs in the living room. For a while we went through one vacuum cleaner a year.

About five years ago we won a shop-vac at a company Christmas party. I love my shop-vac. It does a thorough job and--should we ever need it--will even suck up water.

Good luck trying with the warranty--stuff.

Rhubarb Whine said...

I had a Volta Red Devil for a few years, it went pretty well I think but was never totally sold on it's sucker-bility. Yes, it's electrolux. They should have told you that :(

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

My long hair used to play havoc with the vacuum cleaner too landlocking the wheels - almost severed fingers trying to cut the hair off little wheels and brushes.

Good luck ! I can't remember the name of ours but hubby killed the powerhead. The hubby bought a plastic attachment that sits on the side - magic !

PS I rarely vac it makes my hearing aid squeal.


Eccentricess said...

Oh that is sad, it is so hard to find a good vacuum cleaner.
I bought my electrolux on the advice of my Tabby cat, who smooched the door to door salesman excessively. It worked brilliantly for 18 years, and the one time it needed a repair (long after warranty) I found Electrolux to be lovely.
However, I am now a Dyson fan and they are brilliant to deal with.
I wonder if you could try different brand head?

Pearl said...

I grew up with the Electrolux...

These days I'm all over my Dyson. MAN but that thing can suck up some cat hair! :-)

Greetings from Minneapolis!

Pearl