Weird, we were just talking the other day about vacuum cleaners. My sister buys those plastic ones that last a few years, work great, then die. We used the money we got from our bridal dance at our wedding, 1992, and bought a REAL vacuum, a Royal upright. Aluminum, stainless steel, heavy duty wheels, a metal switch, and wait, made in the U.S. A few drops of oil for the motor once a year, replace the bag when its full, and thats all we've done for 18 years, and it will outlive us. I found a Kirby in the garbage and had it refurbished, we keep that downstairs, its just too big and bulky, but its made to last forever too.