Nathan, you are absolutely right!
The vacuum is for dust and dirt, not shredded paper, loose change, cigarette butts, remodelling debris, whatever! Somepeople must think that if it lands on the floor the vacuum will pick it up, and they could not be further from the truth.
One could equate it with being just plain lazy.
I believe one reason we have some many "clean air" vacuums on the market today is because people were careless and abusive with their dirty air machines, breaking lots of fans.
If people had not attempted to vacuum up whatever was on the floor, they would not have ahd any problems.
I believe it was posted earlier in this thread, if not I will repeat it:
Anything you buy will last and give good service, IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT!!