Choosing A Vacuum Cleaner: A Trendy New Way To Buy

(HIT) - An innovator in the vacuum cleaner industry has set out to change the way consumers choose vacuum cleaners. Instead of choosing a sealed box from the shelf of a big box retail outlet and hoping for the best, consumers can now take different vacuum models for a "test drive" before they buy. And when you consider that a quality vacuum will likely last longer than a car, this is a trend worth looking in to.

Miele—a German manufacturer making considerable inroads in the U.S. appliance market—now offers training to independent floor care professionals who are uniquely qualified to help homeowners choose the right vacuum for their needs. Independent dealers are trained to walk customers through the various considerations that can help them choose a vacuum well-suited to their homes, and they actually allow consumers to lift and operate each vacuum model … a level of service not typically available from larger retail outlets.

Ray Daminger, owner of Delmarva Air in Delaware, MD, compares choosing a new vacuum cleaner to buying a car. "Personally I don’t think a vacuum can be purchased without trying it first," states Daminger. "It’s an investment, one that will last longer than a car does these days." In fact, Miele vacuums are quality-tested for 20 years of virtually maintenance-free performance. When a vacuum will outlive an automobile, it makes sense to take the time to make sure it’s the right vacuum for the job as well as a comfortable vacuum to operate.

Besides, "even if they base their buy on performance ratings, when it comes to choosing vacuum cleaners one size does not fit all," says Tasmin Weston, product manager for Miele vacuums in the United States. Some popular vacuum types use aggressive cleaning features that can damage area rugs, hardwood floors and other delicate smooth floor surfaces. Floor care professionals can help consumers choose the best type of vacuum for the specific floorings installed in their homes.

"The first question we ask people who are choosing a vacuum cleaner is what kind of surfaces do you vacuum," states Barbara Green, floor care professional with Smith Crown Company in Salt Lake City, UT. "We make that personal connection so we can get them the vacuum with the right tools for their specific flooring and cleaning needs. For example, oriental wool rugs can get damaged with an aggressive roller brush. But if the homeowner also has pets, they need a roller brush that’s air driven and has height adjustments—like the kind Miele makes. We try to slow people down so they can see what’s available. When you buy a vacuum off the shelf, you don’t even know what you’ve bought."

Air Filtration Considerations

For family members with allergies or asthma—according to the government, one out of every two Americans suffer from some sort of allergy—a HEPA-certified vacuum may be the best choice. That’s why Bob Boffoli of the Cape Cod Vacuum Mart, Orleans, MA, has more than 100 vacuums in his store and compares his consumer needs assessment to "writing a prescription for a customer." "I prescribe which vacuum the customer needs based on the surfaces in their home, the traffic in their home and whether they have allergies, pets or children," says Boffoli.

To find a list of knowledgeable floor care professionals trained to match vacuum cleaners with the homeowners who need them, call 1-800-579-4583 or visit the Miele website at www.miele.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center