NOOOOOO! Bissell acquired Sanitaire from Electrolux!

[superocd]

Looks like the loss leader in vacuums, Bissell, has acquired Sanitaire along with BEAM central vacuums, both formerly owned by Electrolux.

Hopefully the quality and durability of the F&G style uprights stay the same. Hopefully they change nothing on these iconic uprights, which, by the way, just about every part is interchangeable with the original 1960s Eureka F&G's. It's a time-tested design that just works, much like KitchenAid mixers.

Most of all, I hope they continue to keep their direct-air F&G lines going. I cannot imagine a world without a Sanitaire heavy-duty commercial vacuum.

If you don't want to take a chance on Bissell wrecking the quality on these vacs, or just doing away with the old Eureka design altogether (in favor of a Walmart-grade PowerForce 8-amp bypass machine with a 50-foot cord remarketed as a "heavy duty commercial" model), you should probably buy one now. I might buy another SC886 as a spare, just in case. I refuse to use or own any other kind of vacuum (Kirby being the only exception).

https://www.bissell.com/news/bissell-inc-acquires-commercial-vacuum-brand-sanitaire

 

[fan-of-fans]

Yeah, I heard this. The Eureka Boss plastic F&G for household use was discontinued just before Eureka was sold.

As for the Sanitaire line, who knows what Bissell will do because they already had their own line of commercial fan first uprights, so my guess they might merge the two. Who knows though. I heard the motor quality wasn't as good in the newest Sanitaire uprights, so if they could keep the design while improving motor it would be nice.

 

[gansky1]

The Sanitaire vacuum line has been steadily declining in quality for a decade now. That's not to say it can't (and likely will) get worse. Despite their flaws, the Eureka/Sanitaire F & G style is my favorite all-around carpet vacuum, has been for decades. Solid, reliable deep-cleaning.

 

[superocd]

I've heard about there being differences in quality of the "old" Sanitaire vs the "new" Sanitaire but I just don't see it. The build quality looks to be unchanged. My newer, made in Mexico SC886 seems just as well made as the USA-made Sanitaire that I had.

I do know that a while back there was the introduction of what people have called the "plastic" motor for the 7A version. I don't know enough about the 5A version, but I am assuming that's "plastic" as well. FWIW, the old motor was plastic in the sense that it used the same old Bakelite base as it always had since the beginning.

The "new" 7A sounds similar to the old "metal" 7A motors but it is distinct enough that you could tell the difference if you know these vacuums. I can actually go into an office building or hotel and be able to tell if it is a "new" 7A Sanitaire or "old" 7A Sanitaire that the cleaning staff is using (I actally find it slightly uplifting to hear that all-familiar whir of the old 7A motor being used in the wild). Do the "new" motors not last as long as the old ones?

Are there any other shortcomings with the rest of the newer Sanitaires, like with build quality? Like I said before, mine seems solid, but of course I've only had it for four years and it's in a residential setting. Never had to change the fan, only a belt here and there. My brush strips are in great condition as well, I'll probably replace those when the machine is 7-8 years old.