Dyson Vacuum cleaners

[alchemysa]

I'm not going to argue with you. I had a Dodge Durango that gave me 10 years and 150k miles of trouble free service when they are generally known to be trouble.

About 20 years ago, over here in Australia, the Holden (GMH) Camira won a 'Wheels' Car of the Year Award. They sold heaps. Since then it has achieved legendary status us one of the most unreliable, poorly engineered, flimsy, pieces of junk ever put on the road. Illustrating yet again that 'professional' reviews hardly ever really nail the question of 'durability' - something that is of utmost importance in the real world.

 

[Sigarms]

For your HVAC, one size may be highly rated when another size may not be. BTW it's spelled Ruud;

I'm impressed with your knowledge.

By the same token, you're correct, I'm happy with my purchase, which is all that matters.

 

[N80]

For example, I needed a four wheel drive that would perform extremely well off road. CR's recommendations were strongly weighted on how the vehicles perform on the road and for comfort. I simply didn't use their recommendation because it didn't apply for my use.

Exactly my experience. It was in 1990 and I was looking for an SUV that would work well off road and be reliable. And trust me, I knew off road vehicles at that time inside and out. CR rated the Nissan Pathfinder lower than some others because of its on road ride and luxury amenities. And they stated clearly that they were not evaluating its off-road abilities. I was not looking for those things so I dismissed that part. That is the key to using CR. You have to pay attention to details. They tell you what they are testing, they tell you what their bias is (on road driveability, etc). So you have to be aware of that and use their review accordingly. In that same review that rated the Pathfinder tops for other things that mattered to me like fit and finish, reliability, ergonomics, etc.

It got good reviews in the off-road magazines in terms of its off-road ability.

I put nearly 200,000 miles on it and only gave it up after a tennybopper ran a red light and totalled it. No problems, none, and it was the best stock off-road vehicle I've ever owned. Best truck I've ever owned...best vehicle I've ever owned.

Likewise, I bought my Nissan Murano based on CR reviews and they did not even rate its safety because the power steering loses boost in very low speed turns. They criticized its somewhat chintzy interior appointments but raved about the engine and reliability. They got it all right.

Now, in regard to one company making products for another company, well, that hardly means they are the same. Products are often made to the specs and standards that the labeling company requires. Those can vary quite a bit.

Also, CR makes it clear that they rate a product based on the one the bought (they do not accept products from manufacturers). If they get a dud, it gets a dud's review.

 

[N80]

By the same token, you're correct, I'm happy with my purchase, which is all that matters.

That's the bottom line.

 

[Sigarms]

Now, in regard to one company making products for another company, well, that hardly means they are the same.

Actually, they are in more cases than you would think when it comes to HVAC.

 

[kenmac]

Guess CR should have tested the payne or weatherking unit. Probably would have tested better

 

[Dargo]

Actually, they are in more cases than you would think when it comes to HVAC.

And, I'm still amazed at the markup. Wow! I'm not trying to give away an industry secret, but I know for a fact that owners of HVAC companies would scream bloody murder if the distributors began selling directly to the public.

I have American Standard for the first floor of my guest house and Trane for the 2nd floor. Hmm, think they might be a bit similar? I like the Ruud unit on the 2nd floor of my house just fine. Some turn their nose up at Ruud but I'm happy with it's performance as well as what it cost me. That some people don't like them means nothing to me. I like it just the same. Like we agree, that's all that matters anyway; right?

 

[Sigarms]

And, I'm still amazed at the markup. Wow! I'm not trying to give away an industry secret, but I know for a fact that owners of HVAC companies would scream bloody murder if the distributors began selling directly to the public.

Some distributors already do.

Air Conditioning with Heat Pumps - Goodman & Ruud AC Systems with Built-In Heat Pump

Contrary to some beliefs that you need a CFC card to buy refrigerant bearing HVAC equipment, that is not the case (you do however need it to buy "freon").

Personally, one reason per the link I posted above is one reason I do not like Goodman.

That said, if a homeowner wants to go out and buy an additional $2000 dollars worth of tools to do a proper instal, knock yourself out. Or the homeowner finds a decent service tech who will do a "side job" and cut the major HVAC business out of the loop, because when the service tech is making $500-$1000 for a days work (simple retrofit) he's (service tech) is jumping for joy because he made some fast money. That service tech also doesn't have insurnace to pay for the vehicles, health insuranace for the employees, rent...

By the way, as I've mentioned before, LOVE the Dyson

 

[dmccarty]

Talked to the wifey about the Dyson again last night.

My guess before I talked to her was that we bought it in 2003ish. That is the date she pegged.

The Dyson is very light and the lightness is due to the plastic and I think aluminum pipe. It does feel flemsy but it has not been a problem at all. Nothing has broken so far. Since we have concrete floors and the "wand" does get dropped from time to time its has held up pretty well.

Now you may or may not like the lightness. For me its a who cares and I would rather have more substantial parts even though nothing has broke. But its mainly the woman running the vacuum and lightness is a big factor for them. The wifey mentioned last night how easy it was to use the Dyson compared to the old vacuum. So lightness is a priority design point.

I think we paid $400. She thinks it listed for $500. Given we got 20% off I think we are both right.

Later,
Dan

 

[Bird]

And I thought our Hoover was expensive when I gave $270 for it on 1/25/1998. I may have to replace it someday, but hopefully not too soon.