The GoVacuum Blog

The GoVacuum family was saddened to hear about the passing of Stan Kann last week, at the age of 83. For those of you who are unfamiliar with him, Kann was a world-class organist who honed his skill in St. Louis. But he also made a name for himself as possibly the world’s biggest vacuum cleaner aficionado.

Kann was an antique vacuum collector, his fascination with them stemming from childhood when his parents were too poor to afford one. But it was a chance encounter with Phyllis Diller, the famous stand-up comedian, that thrust Kann and his collection into the national spotlight. The two met when she was in St. Louis for a guest appearance on The Charlotte Peters Show (Kann was the co-host and musical director). After Kann showed her his collection, Diller introduced him to Johnny Carson, who invited him to showcase them on The Tonight Show on June 8, 1966. He was an instant hit with Carson and the audience, and Kann and his vacuums would subsequently make 76 more appearances on the show.

Kann’s childhood love of vacuums resulted in some humorous stories. Amazingly, he developed the ability to identify different models of vacuums by sound alone, and was known to knock on strangers’ doors if he heard one he didn’t recognize. And according to Kann, his parents used to bribe him to finish eating his dinner by promising that a neighbor would turn on her vacuum for him if he did.

At the time of his passing, it was said that Kann’s vacuum collection totaled over 180 machines.

While he’s sure to be remembered for his contributions to the world of music, we here at GoVacuum will remember Stan Kann for his love and passion for vacuums, both of which are surpassed by none.

Rechargeable hand held vacuum cleaners can be very handy. From cleaning out your car, to vacuuming hard to reach places, to quick pick-ups in the kitchen, cordless hand vacuum cleaners are extremely useful. One of the most popular hand vac’s has been Dirt Devil’s Kone, and Kurv models. Half piece of art, and half hand vac, these machines are a popular item here at GoVacuum, especially during the Christmas season.

In Consumer Reports’ annual vacuum cleaner ratings edition they tested different widely available hand vac models, including the Kone. In their report they discovered a “safety hazard” with some of the Kone models.

The specific Dirt Devil Kone models in question are the M0213, and the M0212 models. The problem, however, seems to be narrowed down to only the older L series machines. The problem is apparently because of an undersized filter adapter that has caused the machine to expel sand particles out of the exhaust port. The new “J” series models have a better sealing filter adapter and are not having this problem. “L” Series models are identifiable by the Plant code on the back of the machine.

Although no injuries have been caused by this problem, particles as big as sand being expelled from the vacuum cleaner should be a cause for concern, especially for those suffering from breathing issues such as allergies and asthma. Sand particles can be as large as 100 microns in size compared to dust mites and their droppings at 10.0 microns, or pollen particles at 10-30 microns, which are both highly explosive triggers for people with allergies and asthma.

In response to the Consumer Report’s test, Dirt Devil is giving customers who purchased the L series a free filter adapter. Customers can call Dirt Devil directly at 1-800-321-1134 in order to receive your free filter adapter.

One thing must be made clear to our readers. Rarely, dare I say never, do we agree with Consumer Reports’ view on vacuums. For years, their top rated vacuums have been some of the worst in the industry but “ironically” are vacuums sold exclusively to Big Box stores like K-Mart (Kenmore). (Corporate collusion anyone?) Our goal in discussing this specific Consumer Reports’ piece is to make sure that our customers get the free filter they deserve, so make sure to give Dirt Devil a call.

Further, we’ve made active attempts both online and in our retail stores to educate consumers on their vacuum purchases.

In addition to the Dirt Devil Kone, GoVacuum recommends the Filter Stream V2510, the only hand vacuum to have a sealed, HEPA certified filter. This Filter Stream Dirt Tamer is Wet/Dry and comes with a strong warranty for a hand vac, with a 2 Year parts and labor warranty.

- Chris Jones, Operations Manager

When you purchase a vacuum, it usually comes with a warranty that guarantees the life and performance of the machine for an “x” amount of years. The length of the warranty generally can relate to the quality of the machine; longer the warranty, better quality of the machine, obviously.

Rarely, however, the quality of a machine is also be backed up by the retailer themselves. The supreme quality of Miele and Sebo vacuums have led us to create a special offer that makes purchasing the machine even more appealing for customers. Because we trust that these machines will thoroughly impress customers, we are offering a special risk free 30 day trial on Miele and Sebo vacuums. If you are dissatisfied with the product, you can ship it back to us and we’ll cover the costs.

We initially offered these specials in our newsletters for the month’s of July and August, where we showcased our opinions on the best canister and upright vacuums,Miele and Sebo, respectively.

Check out the newsletters for more product information and videos.

Changing your lifestyle to become more “green” or eco-friendly has become a norm amongst many households. We’ve even seen it from our customers who ask us regularly about green cleaning products and eco-friendly vacuums.

Being green, however, encompasses a ton of different factors so it is hard to accurately determine the “green-ness” of a product. But I was fascinated when I came across a vacuum that is made up of 50% recycled auto parts. As it turns out, like most people could have predicted, the vast majority of American and European consumers want eco-friendly products, a fact researched by the Electrolux company.

When we inquired about this machine, however, we were told that the machine was only built for a limited release in the European market, leaving the American market looking for other alternatives. I was sad to hear that we could not sell this machine to our customers (who are majority American). I can only hope that the limited release was to test out the profitability of the machine and that in the next year or so the Electrolux company continues to tweak the vacuum so that it can provide the world market with both a commercially viable and a eco-friendly vacuum.

The Olympic Games represent an international tradition where the spirit of competition and sport supersedes borders and promotes unity among nations. The 2008 Olympics have been a topic of intense discussion for citizens around the world because of the decision of the International Olympic Committee to host the games in Beijing. Many have questioned the Committee’s decision to host the games in China’s capital city due to a variety of factors, including concerns over human rights and the environment.

As a company who has a keen interest in air quality, the GoVacuum team was interested to hear that IQAir, our leading brand of air purifiers, was supporting the U.S. Olympic team by providing them with high quality air purifiers to be put in the athlete’s housing accommodations and training facilities. Considering the high level of pollution in Beijing (see graph below), the air purifiers will be a true gift for the American athletes. Having met the President of IQAir, Frank Hammes, personally, I am not at all surprised of his commitment and generosity towards improving the air quality of athletes at such an important event.

My only question, however, is how come, as an international company, IQAir didn’t make a broader effort to improve the air quality of the entire event by housing air purifiers in all the major stadiums and event grounds for the Olympics?

Air Pollution in Beijing Graph (Source: BBC News)

I’m posting the IQAir Press Release that GoVacuum received earlier today for your viewing pleasure.

“IQAir Press Release

IQAir North America, Inc. is a member of the Swiss-based IQAir Group which has over 45 years experience in the design and manufacturing of ultra-high efficiency air purification systems. IQAir offers clean air solutions for a wide range of applications, from commercial air cleaning systems for hospitals and other critical environments to products for homes, offices, and hotels. IQAir is the American Lung Association’s exclusive educational partner from the air purifier industry. IQAir products have earned the Best Buy recommendations of Consumers Digest, Consumers Guide, Reviewboard Magazine, Consumer Search, as well as the top recommendation of the prestigious German government product testing organization, Stiftung Warentest.”

Introducing the Nascar Robotic Vacuums. It has been a while since I have been so excited about a new product. We have carried robotic vacuums now for several years, including the original robots on the block, the Roomba Robotic Floor Cleaners.

With the success of Roomba (over 3 million units sold since 2002) there was bound to be new competition in the robotic vacuum industry. The Nascar Robtic Vacuum was some really cool features to it. The company that makes them, Vesture Inc., was nice enough to send us a sample unit after we called and expressed interest in their product. Like most new products, I get to be the guinea pig and test them out.

I took the robot home, and began to play with it. The vacuum is complete with real Nascar sounds. When you turn the robot on, the machine says “Gentleman, start your engines”. The machine comes with a remote control, I know the ultimate lazy persons gadget, you can sit on the couch and vacuum at the same time! When choosing the vacuum option, the robot makes a noise of engines starting.

There are 5 different automatic cleaning options, from a spiral pattern, to a back and forth pattern. You can also just use the remote control to point the robot in any direction you choose (I decided it would be fun to chase my dog around the house with the machine). I actually found myself finding dirt to throw on on my carpet, just so I could vacuum! This robot is more then just a toy, it is actually a very decent vacuum. There is a brush roll inside that helps loosen the dirt, and the vacuum inside the robot picks up everything (you’ll need to pick up all big pieces of trash manually)! It made it’s way underneath my bed, which hasn’t seen a vacuum in many months, then casually made it’s way back out.

I used the machine for over an hour, and then the robot says “we need to pit”, informing me that the batteries were running low, and needed recharging. All around I was very impressed by this machine, and highly recommend it. The only draw back I saw was that the robot does not make its way back to the charging station automatically. You have to carry the robot (very easy to carry, there’s even a handle on the robot) back to the charger.

The Nascar robotic vacuum comes in four different models, the #24 Jeff Gordon car, the #48 Jimmie Johnson car, and the #3 Dale Earnhardt car. You may also purchase the Black Nascar rainbow logo car . These will make great gifts for Nascar fans, or anyone for that matter.

We issued a press release about our new Miele Diamond Dealer status (yes, we’re very excited). A copy of it is below for posterity.

Family-owned small business in DC Metro area awarded Miele Diamond Dealer status. New expanded and exclusive vacuum and cleaning product inventory available to area residents and online shoppers.

Fairfax, VA, March 13, 2007 — The innovative German appliance manufacturer, Miele, maintains high standards for all of its authorized dealers; Diamond Dealer status is the highest level of achievement possible and provides unrivaled opportunities. Vacuums Unlimited is now a Miele Diamond Dealer, the leading Diamond Dealer in Northern Virginia, and is excited to pass the new benefits on to its customers. Diamond dealers are chosen based on a proven track record of knowledgeable salespeople and outstanding customer service over many years. Diamond dealers are rewarded with specialized trainings, incentives and an exclusive expanded inventory that only they can offer their customers. Customers interested in vacuums, air cleaners, and floor care products will find the full selection and most helpful salespeople at a Miele Diamond Dealer, like Vacuums Unlimited.

For additional information about Vacuums Unlimited and its new Miele Diamond Dealer status, visit http://www.govacuum.com. Free, no-pressure demonstrations and advice are available at any of Vacuums Unlimited’s four retail locations. No appointment is necessary.

About Vacuums Unlimited - Vacuums Unlimited is a family-owned small business that has been serving Northern Virginia’s cleaning needs for more than 30 years. They have retail locations in Fairfax, Vienna, Herndon and Sterling; all four locations are Authorized Miele Diamond Dealers. Vacuums Unlimited also operates a thriving store online at http://www.govacuum.com. GoVacuum.com has been in existence since 1996, and ships everything from hard-to-find replacement parts to popular vacuums all over the United States (and to military bases around the world). Customers love the site’s ease of use, huge inventory, and unbeatable prices. GoVacuum, like Vacuums Unlimited, has an impressive record of friendly customer service and great frequent-buyer-discounts.

In addition to the full range of Miele cleaning products, Vacuums Unlimited and GoVacuum also sell vacuum cleaners, air cleaners, bags, belts, filters, parts and accessories for Dyson, Riccar, SEBO, Kirby, Electrolux, Hoover, Eureka, Powr-Flite, IQAir, Blueair, Roomba, AirFree, Bissell, Bosch, Dirt Devil, Earlex, Karcher, Koblenz, Ladybug, Love-Less Ash Fireplace Vacs, Lindhaus, Oreck, Royal, Rainbow, Sanitaire and more.

Unlike “Big Box” or department stores, Vacuums Unlimited has genuinely knowledgeable salespeople that specialize in nothing but vacuums and air cleaners. They are able to offer real advice, frank comparisons and tailored recommendations for even the most obscure needs.

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This past week, a couple of us GoVacuum-ers were in Sin City for the VDTA (Vacuum Dealers Trade Association) Convention. We got to talk to a whole slew of manufacturers, see new products, and swap ideas with other vacuum dealers around the country.

Dyson unveiled their newest offering with much hype and good marketing buzz. In the end, it looks like it’s the discontinued DC04PL Canister re-worked to have an electric powerhead (so it will be effective on carpet) and a new name (the Dyson Stowaway). I’m sure it will appeal to those who have always wanted a Dyson, but don’t have a large home with lots of space to waste. It also looks shinier. The people who demonstrated it for me were very helpful and knowledgeable, and the new powerhead seemed very easy to maneuver — it mimicked the turns of my wrist, like the Miele powerheads. It’s not available for sale yet, obviously, but I’ll update here when it is.

Below is a photo of my favorite poster from the convention (yes, I’m obsessed) :

You can see all our photos from the convention at Flickr, including some action shots of the Dyson Stowaway. I have some videos linked below. All in all, I have to say, vacuum salesmen/women are more interesting than people give them credit for. Of course, I’m probably biased.

All VDTA photos

Miele takes its brand name and the quality associated with it very seriously. So naturally, they’re very selective about who they let sell their products. They’re even more selective about who they grant Diamond Dealer status. Only those authorized dealers who have years of experience with the Miele product and a proven track record of outstanding customer service can be Miele Diamond Dealers.

Diamond Dealers are given special goals, challenges and trainings to ensure continued success and high standards. Diamond Dealers are also offered an exclusive selection of vacuums, that are unavailable to any other Miele Dealers.

We here at GoVacuum are honored to announce that we are now Miele Diamond Dealers. We are even more excited to be able to offer the exclusive Diamond Dealer-only vacuums to our customers. Check out our latest offerings!

Yes, it’s true. Whirlpool sold its Hoover vacuum business to Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (makers of Royal, Dirt Devil, and Regina vacuums). That is BIG news in our little vacuum world. We can’t wait to see what happens either. Are you excited by this? Nervous? Ideas, opinions, comments? Leave a comment and let us know.