Dirt Devil Powerful Pet Hair, Carpet & Hard Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, UD70167

I bought this vacuum cleaner on Sunday and used it for the first time today (Tuesday). This is my third Dirt Devil vacuum in 20 years, and I’ve always felt the quality and value were high enough to keep me as a customer. I want a good vacuum, but appliances are not the ultimate must-haves in my life, so I don’t go for the very expensive models. I don’t have pets at this time, but with that possibility, I got this model for its pet hair capability. The machine feels a bit flimsy compared to my last two models (purchased in 1996 and 2004), but there is a design flaw that you won’t believe. I started on an area rug in the bedroom since I have hardwood floors. The suction is excellent, and I was satisfied. However, I pulled the “wand” from its spot where it doubles as the vacuum’s handle, and I attached the extension so I could get under the bed. I was bent over and didn’t notice until I was finished. I looked up and the air was full of all the lint coming up from the secondary hose that is supposed to suck dirt only when the wand is in place. The tube in which the wand rests has two cut-out squares in it, and the hole at the top, where it rests, are all open. For some reason, this tube acted like a chimney to the dust, which was coming up and flying all about the room! I was ready to box it up and take it back, but there was a toll-free number. I phoned it and was kept on hold for over two rounds of the COMPLETE Mozart symphony playing. I was extremely agitated by the time the operator came on the line. I asked her about the issue, and she put me on hold. She was very nice, and explained that she didn’t even have a full detailed, color photo of the model I was calling about, and after looking at “something I feel is extremely close to your model,” she said, she really couldn’t diagnose the problem. I diagnosed the problem, and she very kindly thanked me for understanding vacuum cleaners better than the typical customer calling in. What I see is a design flaw. The tube from the underside of the vacuum, coming up and meeting where the “wand” rests when it is in place, should stop sucking dirt while the wand is out. I think perhaps if the user puts the vacuum on a cleaned bare floor as he/she uses the wand attachments as needed, the suction should eventually subside. However, the manual touts the virtues of the at-the-ready wand and its convenience. That’s absolutely ridiculous. The operator had no suggestions other than I should return the model to the store and consider another. I live miles from a store, and though I probably will return it after using it a second time, I have attached a piece of duct tape over these cutouts in the tube. When I tried it, the problem was better, but not completely solved. Vacuums were on sale over the weekend, and I stayed faithful to Dirt Devil. If I go to the trouble of returning it, I’ll change brands. This model is not of the quality Dirt Devil used to produce. I give it two stars because the suction is rather good, and so is the washable filter option. Another note, the cord is too short, so I can only imagine this cheap piece of machinery was designed for the apartment-dwelling cat lady who would be so easily worn down after 38 minutes on hold that she’d give up and keep it.