Searching for a new Vacuum

Hi All!
I was hoping you could offer suggestions on a new vacuum cleaner. I am not looking to spend a fortune here, but i know a lot of people think Dysons are worth the money. What is your take and does anyone know of any great pricing on a better then average vacuum. I purchased a Bissell pet rewind vacuum from Walmart last April, and though it got great reviews the thing is useless. The pet tool doesn't work, it barely picks up lint off of my throw rugs. REALLY disappointed. I waited too long to say anything and now there is no recourse, Bissell basically just told me to clean it (which i do, so that wasn't helpful at all). I have always bought the cheapy walmart bissells, but now i have two cats and a lady with long, blonde, hair (ugh) and it is a nightmare trying to keep the rugs and floors clean. So instead of getting rid of the problems, i suppose a new vacuum is in order. Thank you for looking and thank you even more for suggestions with pricing info.

I love the Dyson vacuums but even The Animal isn't going to get up all pet hair as the bristles and suction on the extension wands just isn't as good as the vacuum itself, regardless of which brand you try. So that's why we didn't spend the extra money on The Animal. So buy an upright Dyson but not The Animal and you'll be really happy with the results and the savings.

What the Dyson upright will do is get up much more pet hair than any other brand will do. A neighbor swore by her Dyson and she had two dogs and one cat. She said when she bought the Dyson, she went over her living room floor thoroughly with her one year old vacuum. Then she went back over that same area with the Dyson and was shocked at how much hair and dirt it picked up off a supposedly clean floor.

After her telling me that, we did the same thing, used our two year old vacuum on a large area of floor, then used our new Dyson over the same area and it picked up lots of hair and dirt. We gave away the two year old vacuum and never looked back. That was probably six or seven years ago and if the Dyson ever dies, we'll replace it with another Dyson.

One thing to note, you do need to clean the brushes from time to time as human hair and longer pet hair can get wrapped around the bristles but we had that same problem with our old vacuum too. Don't think any vacuums are maintenance free when it comes to hair getting wrapped around the bristle rollers. You also need to wash off the two filters and let them dry completely before putting them back on but I think you only need to do that once every six months. DH does the vacuuming as I have asthma, so I'm not positive about that but I know he doesn't have to do it very often.

Yes, Dyson fan here too. I've had mine for almost 10 years now & although the handle on the dust bin is cracked, it's in otherwise great shape. I got mine as a refurb from Amazon, and I don't think I spent more than $250 or so on it. Also agree that you shouldn't spend the extra $$ on the animal. Just get the base model, and if you really need them, you can pick up the extra attachments on ebay for cheap.

do you guys have some model numbers to consider? i saw an all floor version, and then the pet version but there are ton of different models. Being a newby to Dyson i don't know anything at all. My mom bought one and then returned it almost immediately because she feared the delicacy of it (i guess it was TOO light weight for her and mostly plastic parts).

Quote from spazbam : Hi All!....I have always bought the cheapy walmart bissells, but now i have two cats and a lady with long, blonde, hair (ugh) and it is a nightmare trying to keep the rugs and floors clean. ..

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Quote from spazbam : do you guys have some model numbers to consider? i saw an all floor version, and then the pet version but there are ton of different models. Being a newby to Dyson i don't know anything at all. My mom bought one and then returned it almost immediately because she feared the delicacy of it (i guess it was TOO light weight for her and mostly plastic parts).

All depends on how big your house is & how much you want to spend. Here's the breakdown of the current models: http://www.dyson.com/vacuums/brow...s=uprights

That DC27 remanufactured one at the bottom of the page for $199 would probably be a great one to consider if you can find one nearby.

I think I have the DC14, which is a pretty old model but still works great.

**Update - just saw they have several Dysons on Home Woot this week: http://home.woot.com/plus/pamper-...h-vacuums#

When I want to remove cat hair from my comforter, I just vacuum it with my upright vacuum cleaner. No attachment necessary. The rotating brush is what gets it. I am using a vintage 1989 Eureka upright vacuum cleaner, and it still works great and things like bags and replacement belts are cheap and easy to find.

It looks a lot like this vacuum cleaner:
http://www.vacuumcleanerfactory.com/...0377874300.jpg

It's made in USA and everything!

Thank you everyone, i think i might opt for the DC41 without the mini turbine (hopefully pick that up later cheaper). Just waiting for a sale. I am not stranger to refurbishes so i think i may wait and start watching. Wish i had gotten in on the best buy or crazy target deal from so long ago! There are just so many models to choose from, it is overwhelming!

I really love my Shark navigator lift away professional, and it is the best vacuum I have ever own. They came out with a new model Shark Rotator both claiming better than Dyson. The reviews online are pretty good too, and it costs way less than Dyson.

I had heard good things about the Shark as well. I own a steam mop by them, but i was less then impressed.

I have to say Dyson also. Did have a Kirby one one time that lasted atleast 15 years.