Dyson = Hype?
I finally gave my new (refurbished) Dyson DC15 vacuum ($290, plus shipping, via woot.com) a test drive today. My initial thought was that I liked that it was quiter than my DirtDevil. My second thought was that was emitting an insanely annoying ultra-high pitched whine.
Quickly following were:
- I can't tell if the beater brush is on or not. The sound changes when I push the button but the results seem the same. Instinct said that the colored plastic button should light up when on - but it doesn't. I finally turned the vacuum over to confirm when the beater brush was on/off.
- It handles like a canister vaccum - which quickly became very annoying.
- It didn't seem to be doing much. Considering how great they're supposed to work, how much my DirtDevil usually picks up, and that I hadn't vacuumed in 2 weeks, I expected to see the Dyson canister full within seconds but it was less that 1/2 way to "max".
- While it was kind of handy at getting into corners, the Dyson ball was too big to get more than 1" under furniture. My DirtDevil can get about 3" further under stuff.
- The cord wrap is useless while actually vacuuming - with every backstroke, more cord fell off.
- I *liked* that it easily transitioned to linoleum so I could use it in the kitchen too. (My DirtDevil turns everything on linoleum into high powered projectiles.)
- The fact that there is no option to set for different carpet depths seems like a bad design. I read that it's supposed to "self adjust" but that doesn't really seem to mean anything.
- Dumping went pretty much as well as people say. There was still fine particulate dust drifting everywhere but at least I didn't have to use my hands to remove the center filter and pull off the giant dust bunny firmly wrapped around it.
Finishing with the basic areas (living room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway) plus kitchen, I was stunned at how little I found in the canister - nowhere near "max". I thought maybe the canister was bigger than it looked - but no.
I decided to do an experiment. Tons of people talk about vacuuming with their old vaccum, then using the Dyson and being *amazed* at everything else the Dyson got up.
After multiple passes with the shiny new Dyson, I decided to follow that with a pass using my old vacuum (the DirtDevil with the clogged filter), and see what happened.
And I got this:
This is all the stuff the Dyson did NOT pick up - in roughly 500 sq ft - despite mulitple passes with it and only a quick pass with the DirtDevil.
So, do I have a shitty refurbished Dyson? How do I found out what's "normal" for these models? I know Dyson hypes on the suction power but it was clear that my old DirtDevil had substantially more power. The box was destroyed in shipping... how do I send it back for a warranty checkup? Is there a satisfaction guarantee?
I am DISAPPOINTED. And I want my $300 back!!
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Read on woot that several people have had to return their units due to missing parts and were very pleased with the Customer Service. Also, return shipping is handled via drop off at the closest FedEx branch.
I got all the parts on my model, and it looks like it's brand new, but I can't believe that suction as low as what I'm seeing is considered outstanding by other people - so I have to hope I got a unit with a bad motor or something.
I guess I'll be calling Dyson customer service on Monday. I'd really just like to return the DC15, get a refund, and be done - but I doubt it works that way.
Did you get it through Dyson? My refurbished one came with a 6 month warranty, vs. the usual 2 year.
The fact that it doesn't get very far under furniture annoys me too, but that's my only major complaint. I didn't have another vacuum to compare mine with, since my other one completely died. Sorry you are disappointed, I hope you can get your money back. I wonder if it's that particular model or maybe it was damaged in shipping. Still, you would think that it would have to be visibly busted to be damaged in shipping, unless, I guess something small inside it broke or something.
I got it through woot.com and it came with the limited warranty. But that's repair only, not satisfaction. If I'd bought it retail, at least I could return it for hating it. Lesson learned.
I went through the manual and took apart everything to check for clogs or broken bits - everything looks fine.
I'll still send it back - based on the whine and lack of suction. But I suspect this is a case where most people have crap vacuums to start with (or, like you, a dead one) so this seems amazing... just like my DirtDevil compared to the POS bag vac I had before it.
I won't be suprised if it turns out that my 5+yr old DirtDevil is simply a more powerful vacuum than the Dyson DC15. It will be the Universe's way of telling me I'm an idiot for spending $300 based on reputation only - instead of personal experience.
oh duh, you said woot.com, and I missed it. Anyway, yeah, I had read a bunch of reviews and most were favorable. (some of the people that wrote the unfavorable ones I discounted because they seemed really stupid and like they just plain old could not figure out how to use it) I also have 2 or 3 online friends who said they were incredible before I got mine. I still think it's great, but I think I said this before, I WAS expecting stronger suction, like I might have to put the dog outside lest he end up inside the thing....I just go slowly over everything and it does pick up a lot. Of course, I don't vacuum all that often but then again, I never did with the old vac either.
Just tell them it's not picking up much of anything, and that you have 3 cats...well, I 'm sure you know what to tell them. If it doesn't work, you should be able to get a refund. and take a picture of the box. (you didn't throw it out did you??)
The box is still in the recycling bin - in the same state that it arrived.
My infrequent vacuuming is another reason I was so surprised at the lack of results. But the pile o stuff the DirtDevil got up, AFTER the Dyson, is the biggest surprise.
I was definitely expecting something that had more, not less, suction that a 5+ year old model that I've set on fire (with clogs) - TWICE.
So the best part about the Dyson is the British guy TALKING about the Dyson?
I have one - bought it a bunch of years ago but never assembed/used it. Now I know my carpets are too far gone to even try it. I figure I'll get about 3' before the thing will be full of mud.
I plan to recarpet the most used rooms - I'm sure seeing the dirt in the padding and on the hardwood is going to be enough to convince me to vacuum/steam clean more regularly!
As for the Dyson: I either got a bad unit or my DirtDevil is a hell of a lot more powerful. I don't know.