C.1.
I quit buying the cheaper vacs when mine kept breaking too. I finally bought a Oreck 13 years ago and still use it. It works very well. I also bought a Kirby about 3 years ago and love it. I like them both for different reasons. The only thing I don't like about the Oreck is if something gets sucked up that's too big, it jams up the whole thing where as the Kirby, it's very easy to take apart and clean out the jam, piece of cake! The down side to the Kirby is they are Sooooo heavy. I also looked at Dyson's before buying the Kirby, but I read so many mixed reviews. My aunt has had the pet one for 5 years and loves hers.