It is not "overkill" to make an expensive purchase of a vacuum cleaner. What is "overkill" is purchasing an upright when you only have floors. There are alot of good quality canister vacuum cleaners out there to choose from. A cheap $30 vacuum cleaner may be all that you need, for the time being. There are other things to consider in a vacuum purchase like reliability, performance, features, ease of use. A $30 vacuum cleaner is not going to be the same as a $100 vacuum or a $150 vacuum. An example would be that many more expensive models would have better attachments than the ones for your brand of vacuum cleaner. When looking for a vacuum cleaner, do not look at the price. Look at how you can get the best vacuum cleaner that you will feel comfortable with using through the years.

White bottle with silver lettering? - sounds like it could have been a Restoration Hardware product, perhaps? I don't think they have any more of their cleaning products, however. I've had something called "Shiela Shine" for nearly 2.5 years - comes in a tin can that I was unable to open for nearly those 2+ years so I had never used it. Well, I did finally knock it open last weekend to use, and this stuff is unbelievable. Got my SS spotlessly spotlessly clean, cleaned away all vestiges of water spots and amorphous spots that simply wiping down with a MC would not. In the 4 intervening days since I worked on my DW and oven (dont' think I did anything else as I did this at 2:00am coz I couldn't sleep) I have not gotten any marks on either. I don't know how well it will keep marks at bay but I am really quite happy with this stuff. Both our appliances look spotlessly clean and absolutely brand new. We got this from our appliance shop - they gave or sold it to my DH when he ordered the appliances (stainless steel all). They had remarked that we'd need it with the order we'd just placed and that they recommend it highly. Well, consider me converted after not even bothering to open the tin for 2+ years.

Omigosh, all your complaints about your Meile are just the opposite of my experience with them - although I don't have experience with the Costco model. The upward exhaust bugs me, too, if I get near it, but I like that it's not blowing across the floor moving dust bunnies before I can vacuum them. As far as awkwardness of the hose/handle, try lengthening or shortening the silver metal pieces and see if that makes it easier for you. I've had other canisters and my big complaint was that they'd tip on their sides at the drop of a hat, but I can say my meile has never, ever tipped. It is so easy to pull and flows easily around corners - just a tug on the hose releases it if it gets hung up before getting completely around a corner. One advantage to Costco shopping is they will let you return anything. If you can't make it work for you, take it back! Oops, just noticed this was a revived old thread. My response was for Jellytoast. Hopefully, it's resolved by now.

Wow, Raven. I didn't realize there was a container size difference between the colors. Unfortunately...the only color B,B & B had in stock was the purple and I need it a.s.a.p. so I had them hold it for me. The smaller container shouldn't be a problem but it's interesting that the sales person never mentioned that and I didn't see it in any of the on-line searches I did. See how valuable KT members are! Maybe they'll have the white back in stock by the time I get there and I'll have a look but I don't expect the smaller container will pose any problems. I have a pair of knees who complain constantly so my trips to the floor and mechanical maintenance are becoming less and less these days...and I hear ya. I had my very first bone density test done this morning and I was shocked to learn that my bones are less than they should be. Guess I'd better talk nicer to these knees. Even at the tender age of 80...I'm planning on needing them for a lot longer. Thanks for the heads up. :-)