Vacuum Cleaner
Sat., October 22, 12:22 PM
One of the signs of the times is the stuff people are selling and how they go about selling it. (For example, look at all the ads for loans, consolidating debt, etc. The economy stinks – but you don’t need me to tell you that.)
A few days ago a woman turned up at my door offering to clean my carpet. It can’t be done, y’know. In my postage-stamp sized living room, I doubt that more than 14 cents’ worth is showing. The rest is covered with boxes of stuff, most of which isn’t even mine. Sure, I’d like to get rid of the Cat stains, but it’s not my animal and I refuse the responsibility.
If I didn’t want the carpet done, she would clean my sofa. That can’t be done either. Cat has clawed so many holes in my sofas that the stuffing is continually falling out.
Anyhow, I do not want another vacuum cleaner. After many years of spending money on cleaners that weren’t very good, I finally paid enough for one that is excellent. So I like this one, and it’s guaranteed to last probably longer than I will. Why in heaven’s name would I even consider buying another one?
Hers is better, she says. You’re not listening, woman, I don’t care. I wasn’t there to argue, I’m not buying. I sent her down to the neighbors, people I don’t even know, but at least they’re young and have kids. Maybe they need something I don’t.
I didn’t get into comparing my stuff with hers. The best part about my upright cleaner is that it’s not only lightweight and easy to use, but its disposable bags are so neat I can change them indoors. I don’t ever want to attempt emptying bagless vacuums.
The other thing about my vacuum cleaner is that the above-the-floor attachments are an entirely separate unit. That’s why the upright is so light, of course. Again, its bags are disposable. Its motor is more powerful than any other hand-held vacuum I’ve ever wasted my money on.
So, yes, it cost more than the “bargains” in the department stores, but I got two pieces for that cost. And if I had bought it before I bought the junk, I would have paid less.
If you pay attention to the ads for such things, you might recognize my vacuum cleaner as an Oreck. I love it. Ordinarily, I don’t go around recommending products, no matter how much I prefer them, because other people’s circumstances are not mine. But I’ve been receiving e-mail from Oreck ever since I bought mine – on line, mind you, which is also how I order supplies. So I found out something I didn’t know.
Oreck’s headquarters and major factories are in the Mississippi-Louisiana area, and the company suffered great losses. Thanks to astute and far-seeing employees, they were able to transfer operations to other plants and continue business. And they have a program to help some of the victims of the disaster.
As it turns out, I not only like their product but also the way they do business. I would even buy a vacuum cleaner from them – except I don’t need one because I already have one, with a life-time guarantee.
