Our Dyson Vacuum

[JenniferB]

Okay this is going to sound so insane... but I love my Dyson Vacuum Cleaner and would like to ship it. However, I was told it will not work as well in the states. :(

Anyone ever take their vacuum cleaner with them?

(I know Dyson's are expensive here and in the U.S.)

[Frances]

I've heard Dyson is good; I can't say about how well it would work here. I imagine that the difference in voltage may make a difference. Can you write to the customer service email and see if they have any tips/advice?

We thought about getting a Dyson, but got a Roomba instead. Works amazingly! And I never have to vacuum as the little guy just does the deed on his scheduled day/time ...

[GrnEyesnUK]

I would think its more the cycling than voltage since that's why they say not to bring US vacuums to the UK.

A regular Dyson runs about $350 and up here (its on my wish list)

[Sarah]

Having had two Dysons in the UK and also a new non-Dyson vacuum in the US, I cant say I really notice any difference other than I find the non-Dyson (cant remember the maker) is a lot easier to move around. The Dyson was always a pain in my ass - too heavy and I cant imagine carting one around an American sized house.

But obviously thats just me and if you have your heart set on a Dyson, Id say you'd probably find the best option would be to buy a new one here in the US. A) No power issues and you wont need a converter (which can be large, heavy, and expensive for models appropriate for high voltage appliances) and B) It'll be covered by the warranty.

Unless your Dyson specifies that it is dual voltage on the machine somewhere, it wont work over here without a power converter. Even if it is dual voltage, you'd need a plug adapter which can easily slip out of the wall socket if you pull on the cord (which you inevitably do with vacuums).

TBH, its not likely at all that your Dyson is dual voltage. Vacuums aren't made to travel like laptops and computers. To make sure though, check over the stickers on the machine, contact Dyson, or look at Dyson's website for the specs of the machine.

If all else fails, Dyson is becoming very popular over here (just like front load washing machines...because theyre British *sigh*) and it shouldnt be hard to find a good replacement. If you sold your UK Dyson and turned the cash around into a US Dyson, the exchange rate would probably mean very little out of pocket for a new machine.

Best of luck!

[JenniferB]

Well, we can't sell ours here at all. For one its got a chipped (semi-broken) handle and for two, we checked out the going sell prices and its pretty bad. So we either ship it or we may just have to give it away.

[Sheril]

That's a shame, I'm a big Dyson fan (In fact Mr Dyson himself is coming to talk at work soon, I can't wait, I have his book!)

I have thought they were very well-priced here (depending on where you go, I've seen them at up to $500) But I have never found a better machine, so Sarah, I'd be interested to know what you have found that's just as good and easier to move around?

[Sarah]

I'll look at the name on the machine :)

[Sarah]

Sheril, I love target online...

Roomba (http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/602-0836627-8823858?%5Fencoding=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038580&field-keywords=roomba): $280 (for not having to vacuum - BARGAIN)
Dysons (http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=gp_se_search-results-box/602-0836627-8823858?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=4136751): $430 - 600 (*faint*)

My vacuum: The Bissell Lift-Off Revolution Turbo Upright Vacuum (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1144294987/ref=sr_1_2/602-0836627-8823858?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000BNMAB8): $180.00

The Target rating is only 2 and a half stars but I cant figure out why - I love mine and mom loved it so much she went and got one too. Its really easy to move around (very light), takes a real licking and doesnt chip (Jennifer my Dyson was all chipped to hell too). Its bagless and and sucks up pet hair and dirt really well (I would know - I lived with 2 cats, 3 dogs, and 4 adults). Also the canister is removable and has a handle so you can carry it and the hose attachment anywhere you want - makes cleaning the stairs really easy because you basically get a canister vac and an upright in one machine. Also it lays really flat so you can get under chairs and beds.

My only complaint is that when youre using the hose and an attachment to clean off seat cushions or whatever, the suction is so good that it pulls the upright over if you lean too far away from it. Its easy to prevent once you get used to it. Some people might also find the waste canister is small but I empty it every 3 uses or so. It really packs a lot in.

One of the reviews mentions that the floor setting knob is hard to turn. Thats true. I dont bother turning it. I just set it once and it does a good job wherever. Also some of the reviews say its big, heavy, and loud which is the farthest from the truth Ive ever heard. Having owned Dysons I can say truthfully that this is quieter, lighter, and smaller by a long shot.

Obviously some people have had issues with theirs. Ive had mine for 11 months, mom's had hers for 8. Theyre still going strong.

Mom is digging on her MIL's Dyson atm but I think it's because it's $600. My mom is swayed by $$$$. Anything that costs big must be better. Im just waiting for her to throw her back out ... again.

This is not a Dyson rant. My 2 Dysons worked fine while I had them, except for the fact that the plastic broke off faster than Hollywood marriages and the first one died after a couple of years. Oh and the fact that the hose on the new one kept getting tears in it and the fact that it was too heavy for me to carry up or down the stairs. And also that I couldnt get under the bed or chairs because the canister was too big. LOL.

I'll be going the way of Frances and getting a Roomba when we have money to spare.



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ANYWAY, Jennifer - buying new appliances is an inevitable moving cost. You wouldnt bring your microwave or TV - dont bring your vacuum. If you cant afford a Dyson right away, go for something cheap and save up. Its what most of us have to do, including Mart and I. Those are my thoughts anyway.

[RichJ]

Just checked - our Dyson (UK) is 230-250V only, so it wouldn't work without a voltage converter. At that point I don't think it becomes worth shipping. You might not sell it for much but you'd get something. Trying to ship a UK one, use it in the US, and maybe service it in the US is all way too much hassle if you ask me, especially as they are sold over there. And besides, the US usually has at least as much choice so there could well be more models/makes to check out...

Sheril - Can you please ask Dyson whether he considers himself a marketing genius or an inventing genius (I believe he's the former but likes to porttray himself as the latter, which kind of proves he is the former!).

[JenniferB]

Thanks everyone. I'd love to get a Roomba but I'm afraid my son will think its a toy! haha.

I also love Target! :) I'm registered there now in hopes people will buy us stuff. We are going to need some new things when we first arrive for the baby.

[Frances]

I've said it before, but I really must give kudoos to the Roomba. The cat ignores it (actually lays there while the Roomba whacks into her over and over again; she stares at it as if it were a stupid annoyance!). My nephew runs from it (3 years old). I would imagine that a baby would ignore it, too. Or, you just let the Roomba run while you are out. (Mine is the Scheduler model; I have it set to clean three times a week--I never see/hear it, but I can tell it's been out from the "vacuum marks" on the carpet--it goes back to the charger when it's done).

As for cleaning, it does better than any conventional vacuum I've owned. I was amazed, but it does one heck of a job! My floors have NEVER been so clean. Plus, no work on your end.

However: you don't get the attachments for sofas and curtains, so you'll need a little hand-held guy. I'm getting a little portable Dirt Devil to take care of things like that.

[Sarah]

Frances you should be selling Roombas. I would totally buy one from you with testimonials like that lol

[GrnEyesnUK]

Yea, I'd buy one based on Frances' testimonials..LOL.......besides, I'd love to watch my cats reaction to it!

[lplkemc]

just for interest Jennifer - what kind of Dyson do you have? I have wanted one for ages - but don't have room for an upright, so was looking at a telescopic one. Is it just as good as the upright?

[JenniferB]

We have an upright, which my MIL will gladly take off our hands. It does take up a lot of room though.