bagless is better:)
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
August 28, 2008 10:36am CST
When my mom came to visit in May, I was looking for a vacuum cleaner that worked better than mine. I wanted the house to be nice and clean for her. But with two cats and a dog on top of the regular "messer-uppers" that are my kids. There always seemed to be stuff on the floor that needed to be picked up.
Now, i don't have carpets in my home, so I don't really need one of those top or the line vacuums. ANd I don't like those heave ones that leave my arm hurting after using them for a few minutes. I also don't like uprights too much.
My other vacuum was a nice little hoover that worked well, but with all the hair from pets - and kids LOL - I was spending a lot of money for bags.
I was at Canadian Tire one day when I saw a vacuum on sale. It was marked $39 which wasn't much at all considering that they usually start at $70. It was a bagless one too, which I had been considering so I didn't have to buy so many vacuum bags. It was small and lightweight just as I like and a cannister too instead of upright.The only thing is that I didn't recognize the brand at all. I have never heard of a Lancaster vacuum.
Still I could always try it and if it didn't work well, I could return it, so I gave it a try.
It worked really nicely so I kept it.It has been working perfectly ever since. Once the deposit is full I just have to empty it on the garbage can and I"m ready to fill it up again :)
But I was curious to find more about it and the company. I googled and googled to no avail. I was thinking in terms of replacement filters and how I could get more. There was a toll free in the manual but other than that I couldn't find a web site, or even a mention to this vacuum anywhere on the web.
So yesterday I called canadian tire and I told them I had bought the vacuum there but couldn't find anything about it and I was wondering how I could get replacement hepa filter when I needed a new one. It turns out that this lancaster company belongs to Eureka - and that brand I know :) - and I can get the replacement filters from canadian tire because they carry them. But if I plan to buy them anywhere else, I am to look for filters for Eureka.
Well, this is it. The moral of the story is that sometimes it's ok to buy a brand we don't know LOL It works well, I'm happy with it, and it was much less expensive than the other similar ones that I've seen.
What about you, do you prefer vacuums with bags our bagless? Cannister or upright?
Would you buy something of a brand that you don't recognize?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I totally agree with you! I couldn't imagine life without my bagless vaccum! No more having to run to the store for bags, just empty the canister and go!
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I buy (hopefullY a years worth of bags at one time. OR at least as many as I can afford at the moment in the budget. That way I dont have to think about them all year. Bagless is nice tho... maybe next time!
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Aug 08
im not using vacuums at home..that i cant comment on that...and yes sometimes i buy branded things which im hardly familiar or not familiar at all which of course more cheaper in cost and everything but sad to say it will not last long..
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
I used to avoid brands that weren't familiar, because of the same idea that they might not be as good or last as long etc.
But lately I have been trying some and so far I have to say that it has been a very positive experience.And one that has saved me money.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I dont' have a problem with off brands, other than finding replacement parts! That just gets our of hand!
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I'm Glad that the vacuum you got worked out ok for you. I do like the bagless vacuums too. Those water vacs are really nice for carpets. You can actually see when you get the carpet clean when the water stays clean. I bought a water filter that was an off brand and when I went to get a new filter I couldn't find one not even at the store I bought it from. Lesson learned find out about replacement parts before buying an off brand product make sure you can get replacement parts.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
I just heard about the water vacs from drannhh a few posts above, but the idea is interesting. However I don't have carpets so it probably won't do me as much good as it does for someone that has them.
I think I got lucky with the replacement filters. Both because they do carry them regularly and also because if they didn't I could use he Eureka ones.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
28 Aug 08
We only buy bagless and we have been making our own replacement filters for this sort of device for years, so we don't worry too much about availability of parts. Hubby does most of the vacuuming, but I like something powerful, but small enough to carry around and I like it quiet and as I said recently, it needs to be a design that doesn't just redistribute germs and dust back into the air. I cannot believe the difference this H20 vac we got this summer is making.
Of course bagless vacuums are better, but even the best of them used to end up being messy. But when we filter the dirt with water, all I can say is WOW, there just isn't any dust flying around any more, not when vacuuming and not when rinsing out the cannister.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
You guys make your own filters? Do tell... please drannhh
Weight was also an issue with me, that's why I enjoyed this one, really light but powerful.
I really like the concept of yours. The water really helps with the dust and dirt that they seem to release into the air. By the time I need to replace this one I think I will be looking into that one before any other.
P.S. By the way I have found a link for that blue magic mop thingy I will post it under my other answer on that discussion:)
1 person likes this
@Wyldrose (1216)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I use a bagless vacuum cleaner. I much prefer the ones with the heppa filter than the bags. It seems it picks up more dirt and my carpet looks cleaner. I'm not sure I would buy something of a brand that I don't recognize. I'd have to look into it first. 
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I just got a new one - forget the name but it has those hempa bags on it. The old one was about 9 years old and a rebuilt...well forget its name to but a rebuilt of one of those expensive ones they say that "they use them in motels!" to say how great they are. Anyway, it lasted awhile, but this new one either the old one was wearing out, or this new one is overly fantastic as this one REALLY gets stuff up! It even makes the carpet itself look better! And I like the nice hempa bags, yes they have to be replaced, but they are easy and cuts down on the dust going back into the air and all the allergy things i have to deal with.
I would NEVER have a canister again - boy those things are a handful to have to deal with! - That long hose all over the place except where you want it!
My only problem with bagless is while you dump the canister into the trash, out poofs alot of dust, unless I have seen it done wrong!
Good luck with your new accquisition! Sure makes house work at least less annoying if you have good equipment!
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
I am actually the opposite. I hate the weight of the upright ones. That's why I always look for a canister one and always the lighter ones:)
I know what you mean about the poof of dust when we're emptying. I solve that by putting the container with the dirt inside a plastic bag even before opening it, I close the bag and only them open. There is still a small bit when I take the canister back but much less than if I didn't do it like that.
THe right tools always make the work easier isn't it? I confess I'm not a model housekeeper - which irritates my mom to no end , portuguese people are supposed to be always cleaning LOL - but when I find things that actually help make things easier then I'm ok .
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
29 Aug 08
Yes the right tools always help out! Good idea bout the plastic bag. Problem is that I can't always afford the right tools so I have to create my own! I will keep that plastic bag idea "handy". This new one I got, the bag just pulls off, the dirt is down in the bottom of the bag! Quick and easy. Yeah, I know what you mean about housecleaning - I set days to do certain things and never in between do we meet! Dust, you are scheduled for Thursdays - don't bother me until then!
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
Yep, twin dear:)
I used o spend so much on bags, because tazz - our dog - has a skin condition and looses a lot of hair.
I hated when I thought I still had one bag and then when I needed it most, I would realize I didn't have any. THis won't happen again LOL
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Hey, I love a sale so I'm always willing to give something a try if the price is right! 
I have a bagless upright because I have wall to wall carpet and three pets (2 cats and 1 dog) and I like it alot. It definitely is more convenient than my last one, which needed bags and there were times when it seriously needed a bag change and I didn't happen to have any. 
I have a bagless upright because I have wall to wall carpet and three pets (2 cats and 1 dog) and I like it alot. It definitely is more convenient than my last one, which needed bags and there were times when it seriously needed a bag change and I didn't happen to have any. 