The good news is that I’m talking about a central vac unit. We’ve been meaning to pick up a central vacuum for about 4 or 5 years now – we had the rough-in done at our last house, and again got it done for current house, but without any real pressure, time went by and it just didn’t seem to make sense to spend the money on it. Just before we sold our last house, our old vacuum cleaner died on us, so we picked up a $90 cheap-o upright (I think it was made by hoover) to get us through to the new place. The plan had been to purchase a central vac shortly after moving in but it seemed there was always something else to spend our money on, and since the cheapo vacuum we’d bought was still functioning, we never got around to buying that elusive central vac system…that was until recently when the cheap-o finally died on us.
I couldn’t avoid it any longer – I had to figure out what to buy and make the purchase in a relatively short period of time. Afterall, with no working vacuum, two cats, a dog and a rather messy 17 month old running around the carpets were sure to need a good vacuuming in no time! I hit the internet of course and after a bit of research I saw people mentioning a central vac called Vacuflo. I saw it described as ‘the dyson of central vacs’ and after that I was pretty much sold. You see, ever since I saw those dyson commericals, checked out their website and read as much as I could, I’ve wanted one. Amy was convinced she didn’t want another upright vacuum (even if it was about 100 times better than the cheap-o one we currently had) but I was sure it was the best vacuum out there. I emailed their sales department and asked if they made a central vac. The responded back (rather quickly actually) telling me that no they didn’t have a central vacuum and had no plans to introduce one. Sad news indeed. Anyways, like I said, once I saw this Vacuflo unit described as the dyson of central vacs, that was it. I’m a sucker for advertising, I know.
A bit more time on the web found me the only place in Ottawa that sold these things, a place called Universal Appliances on Bank St. Amy, Liam and I took a trip to the store on a Saturday. It was a nice enough store – they seemed to stock high end appliances. We eventually found a free salesman and I chatted with him for a bit about Vacuflo. He confirmed what I had already decided, that I wanted to get the 466Q model. He told me about the great warranty on the product (lifetime for as long as you are in the house) and we decided on which hose/attachment package to get. I paid him that day for the whole sha-bang. He said that it wasn’t in stock, but that it would be in on Tuesday or Wednesday. Fantastic!
Tuesday came and went and I didn’t hear anything. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – no word. I called on Saturday afternoon looking for an update. The salesman I had dealt with was ‘with a customer’ and would have to call me back. I left a message for him to do so. Two hours go by and I don’t hear anything so I call back. Again he is ‘with a customer’ so I ask if it is the same customer he was with when I called last time. I’m told that no – this is a different customer. I leave another message. Closing time for the store comes and goes and no call. I call again – this time I leave a voicemail (instead of a message with a person) thinking that surely he’s got to get this one. They aren’t open on Sunday, and Monday is a holiday so I figure I’ll get a call on Tuesday. Tuesday – no call. When I get home on Tuesday I call the store. Guess what – he is again ‘with a customer’ and is unable to take my call. I reluctantly leave yet another message. Wednesday afternoon I get a call at work from the salesman. “Sorry about the telephone tag…” I’m thinking, WTF?! Telephony tag would have involved him actually attempting to reach me. Anyways…he says that they apparently shipped it to the wrong place (blaming someone else – nice) and that it should be in on Thursday or Friday. I hear nothing on Thursday or Friday so I call the store on Friday evening when I get home from work. This time I get the guy who is in charge of purchasing and even HE can’t tell me when my vacuum will be in. At this point I simply ask for them to credit the purchase back to my credit card and I’ll just pay them when the unit comes in. At this suggestion he asks if he can call me right back. A few minutes later he calls back and says that the unit is there but it just hadn’t been inventoried. I wonder how long it had been there. I’m less than impressed.
On Saturday, the salesman I had dealt with calls me (at my work number?!) and leaves a message to let me know that the vacuum was in and that he’d call the installation guy so he could pick it up. I suspect he called my work number cause he didn’t want to talk to me directly. Afterall, I had left all three of my numbers with him. Anyways, I got a hold of the guy who was doing the installation and we set up a time for the install to take place. I’m trying not to judge Universal Appliances on the performance of this one salesman that I dealt with, but I’m having a hard time of it. I really don’t think I’ll ever go back there again, and the only reason I went ahead with this purchase is because they were the only place in town that sold this brand of central vac.
Anyways, this past Wednesday morning (yesterday) the vacuum was installed. The installer, who isn’t affiliated with Universal Appliances by the way, was on time and did a speedy and thorough installation job. This particular unit requires venting to the outside (part of the reason why it is such an awesome central vac) which is why I opted not to install it myself. I’m sure I could have done it – but why not pay someone who does this everyday – it’s faster and they do a better job than I would. It was the right call and I’d certainly recommend him to anyone.
I’ve only used the vacuum to do the family room so far, but WOW!, this thing is awesome! One of the advantages about this baby is that the powerhead isn’t actually powered by electricity – it’s air driven! That means it’s one less motor to worry about burning out and there is also no need to plug it in to use it. They can get away with an air driven powerhead because of the ‘true cyclonic‘ action of the power unit. :) The way this powerhead spins – you’d swear it was driven by a motor – it’s absolutely nuts…it pulls the powerhead across the carpet. Granted I’ve only used it for a VERY short period of time, but so far I’d definitely recommend a Vacuflo to anyone in the market for a central vac.
she is very passionate about vaccuum cleaners and is still mad at my dad and sister for buying a cheap-o one without consulting her. I am sure she would be very interested in your new vaccuum !
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