Comments on: Is the Dyson Vacuum All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

By: Braxton

Braxton — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:33:49 +0000

In response to Leann, the problem is with the carpet, although it’s not really a problem. Most high-end thick deep pile carpets are of stapled filament construction, as opposed to continuous filament construction. It is normal for loose fibers to be vacuumed from the carpet for up to 6 months after the carpet is installed, and normally, this doesn’t damage the carpet at all…you should see the amount of fibers become less and less at time goes by, though.
I have owned a Dyson DC07 animal for about two years now, replacing a Hoover WindTunnel. I have been very pleased with the performance of the Dyson, and it does have amazing suction: better than my shop vac! I like the easy dumping of the separator cannister, but find the cleaning of the inside of the separator to be difficult and tedious. It should be easy to take apart and clean, in my opinion. I have had one repair issue with the vacuum: 2 months after I bought it, my wife managed to vacuum up a sock which wrapped around the beater bar and caused the belt to strip a few teeth. Well, we found out very quickly that you couldn’t get a belt for the DC07 (purple animal) anywhere in town, or even on the internet! A call to Dyson’s 800 number netted us courteous service, and Dyson promptly shipped us a new, improved beater bar and wider belt FREE which I installed with ease. While the Dyson is pricier than a lot of its’ competition, I feel that it outperforms them all (including my mother-in-law’s Kirby!)

By: Leann

Leann — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:41:09 +0000

I bought the Dyson DC17 animal yesterday, brought it home to try. I have a rainbow e series that wasn’t getting through and cleaning my high pile, thick new carpet so I thought I would try the dyson. I used it only to find handfuls of carpet fiber in the canister and only about 1 cup of dust/dirt. Ok, so it picks up a little more then the rainbow did for this carpet but its tearing the fibers up too, so after a while I am sure there will be less carpet to clean right?:)?
I took it back along with a bag of the fibers from my carpet to show the sales rep and they were stunned at how much fibers in one vacuuming, this Dyson model pulled out.
I am disappointed, I was sure this would work and AM sure that if the would at least change or offer the option for a softer brisle brush that I would try one again. The concept is there but unfortunately for higher end carpets that are high pile and thick, it just doesn’t do the job without damaging the carpet. Oh, I did try to use it with no brush spinning since that is an option but it didn’t pick up anything without the brush to aid in cleaning:(
I was tempted to try the DC25 but still the brush bristles feel stiffer then even my rainbow so I am apprehensive to try it. I would love to know if anyone else has had this same issue with thick carpet and what vacuum they found that worked.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:27:10 +0000

I got a response from Dyson! Basically, the person who e-mailed me “skooted” around the issue and never really answered my questions. her response was…
Thank you for contacting us! I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. The DC14 J series vacuum that you purchased has had an issue with the brush bars cracking. The issue was discovered after the units had been assembled and shipped. We were told that this particular series was built in China and not Malaysia where they are initially built and we were sent the wrong brush bar by the manufacturer. I realize that this is frustrating and a repair to replace the brush bar is not satisfying however it is the solution to the issue. It is a good vacuum and it has superior suction just like the ball models. The ball model is different in terms of features; such as the effortless steering, motorized brush bar and the ability of the accessories to lock onto the hose and wand (friction fit on other models). It is my hope that you become a Dyson owner whether you purchase a DC14 or ball vacuum.

So, it appears that Dyson knew there was a problem with this machine and yet there was no recall? I responded asking why these machines weren’t pulled from store shelves if they knew there was a problem. In today’s economy, people only spend money on something that they think is built with quality and will last for awhile. I feel that if Dyson wants to keep me as a customer, they need to give me more than an excuse to get me back.
If I get another response, I will post it.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:25:40 +0000

My Dyson had that ratcheting sound after using it for the second time! I returned it to the store and got my money back. I can’t take a chance with a company that sells lemons! Too bad, because for the two times I used it, the machine cleaned very well. What really upset me the most was the technical support peopel showed very little empathy when the brand new machine broke.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:52:51 +0000

Just got my Dyson Absolute Animal last week after my Eureka died. I typically kill a vac every year or 2. Figured with a 5 year warranty at worst I would be even. Boy do I love this machine! I cannot believe the dirt my last 3 machines left in my carpet. I have house rabbits..delightful little companions but they molt enough fur to fill a mattress in a years time and this machine gets it all. My carpets look like new again. The pullout hose is awesome..able to get the stairs with out lugging the machine up. Just leave it at the bottom. That wand gets all the cobwebs on my 9 foot ceilings. The most beautiful thing is not having to dust after I vac. The dirt stays in the container and doesn’t blow back into the air. Friends with pets recommended the Dyson. Some have had the same machine 4 or more years. This machine is worth every penny I spent on it.
Yeah it does kick butt.

By: eric

eric — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:21:39 +0000

I have had a dyson D07 for over 4 years now and it still out performs my in-laws brand new $2000 kerby. it was the best $400 I ever spent and it’s still kicking buts and taking names. My brother has also had his dyson for 4 years and it still works like brand new. and yes they get used I have 2 big dogs and 3 kids and my brother has 3 cats 2 dogs and 4 kids. The work we put these through is extreme. and yes when mine does finally quit I will have a new dyson and nothing but

By: Peterk

Peterk — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:19:06 +0000

I have a Dyson. Two years old, it never did a good job. Suction is not the only factor Mr Dyson. Mine wouldn’t pick up light lint since the beater bar didn’t do it’s job (Iguess).

I bought the recommended Sears model and am happy now. Dyson for sale yellow 07. Cheap!

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:58:51 +0000

I have an Animal, and a standard DC07 Dyson vacuum. I have only had one minor problem with one of them and it has been addressed. I have read the comments that a couple of people posted regarding the warranty of certain carpet manufacturers and the Dysin voiding said warranties. I do not believe that these people have done their homework and actually read the warranties of these companies. The posting by Michelle on this site claims that most maufacturers will void the warranty if they find you have been using a Dyson. Here is the link to Shaws warranty. http://www.shawfloors.com/DOWNLOADS/WARRANTIES/TEXTUREGARD_LIMITED_10YR.DOC.PDFrranty.
I read it and find no mention about any vacuums voiding the warranty. There is a mention about not cleaning and maintaining the carpet. I think it important to do your homework before you make a statement about a product. I have 3 dogs and have to say that my Dysons are far superior at clearing up the fur and dander created by them. I have people in my home with allergies and they apreciate the job the Dysons do. Further I have owned 2 Eurekas and a Hoover. The Eurekas ate belts and stunk up the house doing so. The Hoover just simply could not do the job as well. I think it important to mention that there is simple maintanence that needs to be performed on these machines to keep them in top working order. In the long run they will be about the same money if you add up all the bags and or filters you replace on other machines. My experience has been excellent with the Dyson. As someone who has sold vacuums, I believe the beater bar system on the Hoovers would be harsher on your carpet due to their construction than the Dyson.

By: Chuck (Brisbane)

Chuck (Brisbane) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:29:38 +0000

I bought a Dyson DC08 in March 2004. The motor died in March 2008, 4 years to the day. We don’t have carpets or pets in our house, only timber and tile floors, so the DC08 has hardly been under heavy duty (and yes, I did wash the filter as the manual recommends). I just had the motor replaced at Dyson’s repair shop.

On the up side, the DC08 does the job, true, and it is very easy to empty the canister. On the down side, the vacuum is awfully noisy, to the point that I think I should wear ear mufflers (I do the all the vacuuming). Also, as the hose runs on the side of the canister, it damages the door frames. And it never fully rewound the cord back in. I have to try and try until it does it.

BTW, a few months ago I also bought a DC16, the little battery operated motorhead. I thought it would be useful to vacuum the boot of my car. Silly mistake. The battery goes flat in about 6 minutes. For its price it should come with 2 batteries, or, better still, a BIGGER battery.

All in all, Mr James Dyson has got from me
DC08 new (If you fool me once)… $600
DC16 (If you fool me twice) $350
Repair shop (If you fool me trice..) $145.
You can buy seven El Cheapo bagless vacuums with that money, and still have some change leftover.

James, here some free advice. Your brochures boast a lot about how many engineers work for you. How about letting your tech guys have a say over the marketers, for once. Maybe your machines will be field tested before being released.
Rating: overpriced gizmos.

By: caryn

caryn — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:03:17 +0000

I had a problem with Dyson, it ate my carpet. when i complained to the company they basically told me it was not thier problem and it was a defect in my carpet which is not true since i checked my berber carpet for pull and found none and again, it ate my carpet for the second time. They say not to use a beater bar and i tried that too and it picked up NOTHING!. What a rip off that machine is. I returned it and bought a Bissell Healthy Home machine. I am using the beater bar and SURPRIZE… no problems. Do not buy a Dyson if you want to keep your carpet