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Are these high-end products worth the hype?
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Postcrossing---and a little giveaway
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On my last post Sarah posted a comment asking whether the Dyson vacuum was worth the expense, and I thought HEY I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
Sometimes I think in all caps, I don’t know why.
In the hopes of pooling our collective smarty-pantsedness, today’s post will focus on three insanely expensive products—your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to weigh in on whether or not you think they’re worth the cost. Bonus points if you have actual experience with the product, but totally uninformed opinions are welcome too. I mean, this IS the internet.
The Dyson Vacuum Cleaner. For multiple hundreds of dollars I kind of want this vacuum to do more than suck, if you know what I mean, and, heh heh heh, I think you do. No, that’s not what I meant, who let my husband in here? — I mean, I want it to fold laundry and also maybe fix my lunch. And yet I lust after this thing to the point of having it on my Amazon wish list for a few years now and dropping hints that if someone wanted to buy me a lovely present out of the blue, hey, why not a spendy HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE?
Does anyone own a Dyson? Can you attest to its value?
La Mer Creme. I am vaguely suspicious that this stuff has always just been a jar of scented lanolin or something and the price causes so much cognitive dissonance thousands of women are convinced it erases wrinkles, transforms skin, saves puppies from burning buildings, etc—BUT, I am such a product whore when it comes to skin unguents I would love to try it for myself.
What say you? Have you tried the Mer, or do you maybe have an elderly, loaded relative who has?
The Bugaboo Stroller. Okay, this is clearly another item where you look at the cost and wonder just what in hell it does other than transport a kid from point A to point B. Does it cure colic? Change poopy diapers? Ensure your child’s future success at a prestigious university? My god, what’s with the unreal pricetag here?
Well, I actually own one of these, the Frog variety, and although it does not perform miracles it is a damn good stroller. It folds up beautifully; can be taken literally anywhere with ease (we’ve used ours indoors, on bumpy forest trails, over curbs, etc); the child can face inwards, outwards, and be reclined in three different positions; and it can be used as a rolling bassinet. Riley slept in it as a baby and we just rolled him from place to place around the house, now Dylan’s doing the same. We’ve gotten a LOT of use out of this stroller, and now we have a little stepping platform so that Riley can ride it standing up while Dylan’s in the seat. Hopefully we’ll continue to use it until both boys are well out of the stroller stage.
So my vote on this stroller is that it’s been worth the cost for us, although I’m sure we could have made a less expensive stroller work just fine.
Love the Bugaboo? Hate it? Inquiring minds want to know.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 10:50 pm and is filed under Baby gear, House & Home, Toothsome products (for grownups).
March 25th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I have a Dyson and LOVE it. I vacuumed with my old vacuum and then immediately vacuumed with my Dyson and could not believe how much more stuff was picked up. Also, If I vacuum my whole house (3 floors), the canister is totally full. It freaks me out to think about a bag being in a vacuum for months on end.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I love my Dyson, too. I have had the Dyson “Animal” model for about a year and it works great on Golden Retriever hair–it’s supposed to be especially designed for pet hair pick up, I guess. Plus, it’s a fun purple color. Amazing how much more it picks up than our old Hoover Wind Tunnel.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
As for La Mer I like what the cosmetics cop says:
“Creme de la Mer contains mostly seaweed extract, mineral oil, petrolatum (similar to Vaseline), glycerin, waxlike thickening agents, plant oils, plant seeds, minerals, vitamins, more thickeners, and preservatives. How expensive can it be to stick some seaweed and vitamins in a cosmetic? According to the cosmetics chemists I’ve interviewed, it costs pennies, not hundreds of dollars. ”
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/art.asp?ID=188
But I do covet the Dyson!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I’m a third person who loves her Dyson! We also have the purple “animal” version, and it works wonders on our furniture. We have two rather hairy cats. We’ve been using it for about 3 years with no complaints. It was even my husband’s idea to buy it!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
We had the Bug. My parents bought it — we probably would not have shelled out the $800, which is nutty. (And it was a stretch for them, but you know, first grandchild…) I hate to add to the hype but we loved it. We lived in NYC and its big wheels were great for walking around the city — including through several snowstorms. We used the bassinet thingy for the first 3 months and it saved space in our bedroom. We had the stroller for 3 years and the only thing that broke was one of the straps — which they promptly sent us.
But I sooo wonder about La Mer…
March 25th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I also LOVE my Dyson. I got the Animal one as a present to myself last year. The first time I used it I was shocked (and horrified) that the cannister filled up just vacuuming our upstairs. Like a previous poster, I used to have the same bag in our old vaccuum for months! I also like that it can reach up to the ceiling for cobwebs and air vents and it picks up cat hair like nothing else. I really consider this vacuum a household investment. Maybe you could borrow someone’s to see how awesome it is before you take the plunge? Also, if you live near Bed, Bath & Beyond you can use one of those ubiquitous coupons and save $100.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I’m curious if anyone has compared the Dyson to another canister vac? I have a canister Bissel and like you guys am horrified/pleased on an ongoing basis by what ends up in the receptacle — but could the Dyson really be even BETTER?
March 26th, 2008 at 12:41 am
My friend got a Dyson. She thought it must be defective, and exchanged it. Same. She bought a Eureka.
Those bagless vacs are deceptive because the stuff doesn’t get packed down. The bags weigh a ton when you change them; the little canister weighs nothing.
I want a Dyson anyway.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I’ve had the Dyson Animal since October or so. I love it. I have a Lab and a German Shepard so there’s fur EVERYWHERE. I use the Dyson once a week and things are much cleaner than they were with my old Hoover. Worth every penny of the $550 I spent on it (and that was on sale).
March 26th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I’m in love with the Eureka we bought, with the duster built in. Honestly, there are a lot of things I’d rather spend over $500 on than a vacuum, you know? Especially since so many people are quick to point out the “cute” color. My Eureka is bright yellow and grey, but it also lives in a closet, picks up dirt and pet hair like a dream, and cost under $150. I’m biased, I guess, because I have a friend that worked in Small Appliance testing and basically said that all mid-range canister vac’s were the same.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:54 am
I like how the bugaboo lets you change which way baby faces but I like the BOB stroller better. They have a jogger stroller that allows you to attach an infant carseat which is uncommon…$500 bucks
March 26th, 2008 at 2:11 am
When I was pregnant with #1 we looked seriously at the Bugaboo, but it seemed absolutely confounding with all the removing parts and assembling and disassembling and swapping and…I sort of just gave up. I love both our Bumbleride and our Bob, though, so I managed to spend a whole lot of money on strollers anyway.
As for the Dyson, though, you will pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. We used to have a very good vacuum cleaner, but the first time I vacuumed with the Dyson the carpet was a DIFFERENT COLOR. As in, a good two shades lighter than it had been previously. I was not sure whether to be horrified at the filth that had been there or ecstatic about the newfound cleanliness.
One thing I have found is that a lot of people seem to think that the Dyson is maintenance-free, which it is NOT. It’s very EASY maintenance, but you really do need to clean the filter and make sure that you remove long hair from around the beater bar semi-regularly or you’ll notice an extreme drop-off in cleaning ability.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
My concern about the dyson is the canister. With all of the static and the pet/person hair and the dust and dirt, how do you get it all out of there without touching it? Cause I know I vacuum up some bugs quite a bit, due to not wanting to touch them, hence bag is beautiful.
So yeah - how do you empty to canister?
March 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
The Dyson is a go! I was vacuuming our dining room one day and when I finished I decided to stop and run out to Bed Bath and Expensive with hubby. We had a huge discount, plus the guy threw in some extra stuff like a barbie vacuum for the kid so we bought it. I went right for the d.r. and almost puked when I saw the amount of sand and fur and dust was in the canister. OMG! I can’t believe we let the kid crawl around on that floor. It took some getting used I’d never had an upright and it’s a true juggle on the stairs but I’m never looking back. It’s easy to clean out (just push the button while holding the canister over the garbage can and viola. It was soooo worth the money.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
You’ll pry my Dyson out of my cold, dead hands as well. We’ve had the purple Animal for… two years now? And it still, as they say, works properly. Frankly, I’m surprised the dog isn’t bald, what with the hair and dander I pick up. The thing is sturdy, too — I’m pretty clumsy and I haven’t managed to break it yet. The instructions for using the attachments are a bit Ikea-like in their frustrating pictorial “simplicity” but once I figured out how to use the upholstery attachment I was all about that. My husband got me the handheld Dyson for Christmas last year — as far as I can tell it’s pretty much a glorified Dustbuster, but it sucks up bugs like nobody’s business.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
PS — I actually asked for the handheld — lest anyone think my husband is one of those men who thinks a toaster is a romantic gift.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Another Dyson lover here, love it. We have two cats, a black lab, a 2.5-years-old son and the two of us. It’s awesome.
We have probably a little over$ 1,000 worth of floor cleaning appliances between the Dyson, the hard-surface floor cleaner and the carpet cleaner. Our house is SO MUCH cleaner after getting all of these appliances.
We’ve all been tramping around on these carpets for 2.5 years now and they still look fabulous.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I have mixed feelings about my Dyson Animal - the purple one designed for pets. I’m not sure how fantastic it is, given that I’ve never had another vacuum, but I’m happy with it for now.
If we’re getting into love territory, however, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my one true love - my Bissell Spot Bot “Pet” carpet cleaner. Oh my dear Lord in heaven, that thing is so fantastic. There are not enough words in any of the romance languages for me to describe it. I love it.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Can’t weigh in on the Dyson (I have terrible allergies and my allergist recommended a Rainbow vacuum cleaner to my mom 20 years ago. We’ve been devotees ever since. It has a canister that you fill with water so that the dust doesn’t blow back out) or the Bugaboo, but I’ll take a stab at La Mer.
My best friend from law school was a notorious tight-wad. She had been using Pond’s (upon the advice of her grandmother) forever–as cleanser and moisturizer. And she has beautiful skin.
Then, her boyfriend’s mother encouraged my friend to try her La Mer moisturizer. We laughed about how ridiculous it was, but nevertheless, she had me sneak an application when we were there for a visit once. Since her boyfriend became her husband, she is a total La Mer convert. Cleanser, day time moisturizer, night time moisturizer–you name it. It’s the only gift her mother in law has given her for years.
Now, she just turned 30 in September, and she already had flawless skin, so I can’t say it’s made a big difference in her skin, but I can tell you that she loves it. She’s also got her sister hooked on it (her sister is 36 and not married to a sugar daddy so she usually makes do with samples). While I have enjoyed my limited experience, I do not foresee myself dropping that kind of change unless I win the lottery and can’t figure out what in the world to do with all that cash.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’ve wanted a Dyson forever but could never justify the expense. However this year I did buy a Bissell Pet Hair Eraser upright canister vac and have to say I’m in love with it. I vacuumed with our old bag vac first and then went over everythign with the new vac and it picked up a whole canister of crap! It still does an amazing job and I find myself no longer lusting for the Dyson.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
OK. We didn’t get a Dyson b/c we have carpet, hard wood AND area rugs. We got a Riccar canister vac (retail $1400, got it for $700) and I LOVE it. Seriously, I caress it sometimes. It’s so shiny and wonderful. Our house smells cleaner. It’s amazing.
Never tried La Mer, but I bought my husband Fresh brand Creme Ancienne ($135) for a big scar he got over his eye, and that stuff is amazing. I’ve started using it too, and it’s excellent for really dry flaky skin.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I didn’t notice the space when I first glanced at the La Mer label; I thought it was called “Lamer,” which is probably all I need to know about it.
I have a Dyson and love it to the point of inappropriateness. I’d definitely recommend it.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
The purple animal Dyson lives in my house - I’d make out with it I love it so much.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Thank you Linda!!! I am very tempted (I even saw a factory reconditioned one for $299, which is very tempting). I would need the animal one, as I have a very shaggy golden retriever. As I was thinking of this yesterday, I thought ‘that’s a lot of money!’…and then on my way home, I rear ended a car exiting a parking lot, and now my Dyson money appears to have to go towards fixing my bumper (of my very first brand new car. well damn!). May still get a Dyson with my Bush money.
Everyone sure does seem to like them, but it still seems so expensive (I was also tempted by the Bugaboo but ended up with a Kolcraft Countours stroller that I swear is almost the same, at only $150).
Thanks again, I sure love the internet!
March 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
The Dyson is totally worth it. The La Mer lotion is not, but you know what is? Their foundation. It’s fan-freaking-tastic–feels great, makes skin look great, doesn’t feel goopy or heavy. I used to be a beauty editor, got some for free, and now actually spend my own money on it.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
My Dyson story - I was using it quite a bit one day and all of a sudden it just stopped . I have since learned that if you have them on for too long (lets say if you are trying to suck up 2 weeks worth of cat hair) they will overheat and shut off. No worries- give it a rest and it will be good as new. But at the time I thought it was broken..and I. CRIED. I can’t imagine life with 2 cats and no Dyson - that would be my own personal hell.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
No personal experience here, but FWIW Consumer Reports preferred the Kenmore and another vacuum over the Dyson.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Back when my husband and I were living in sin, my mom gave us a purple dyson animal vac and I’m not sure it would be exaggerating to say that it saved our relationship, or at least made it a hell of a lot easier on the domestic-who-does-the-chores-front. When my 75-lbs of black-furred dog & I moved into his nearly 2000 sq ft of beige carpet-covered house, it was a difficult transition. In the beginning we had a shitty old vacuum that did NOTHING to animal hair, so I bought a truly old-school rubber carpet rake and RAKED the dog hair out of the carpet each week. I got killer pecs and arms, but it took forever and was awful. Dyson, I love you.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Actually, the Dyson doesn’t make it on Consumer Report’s list until number 10, behind some WAY cheaper models. It’s even behind a Hoover that retails for $60!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Well, I did it. I bought a ‘factory reconditioned’ one on Amazon for $299, plus a 3-year warranty. I figured I’d spend $299 on any other brand so why not.
I also went to get an estimate on the damage to my car, and the guy said ’save your money’ as you can barely see it. So I did. Except for that $299 thing I bought!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Ooh, Sarah, you have to come back and tell us how you like it!!
March 27th, 2008 at 6:13 am
I have never had any of the above, but my family has been using Rainbow vacuums since forever. As in, we’ve had the same two since I before I was born, some 22 years ago.
All the dirt and hair and everything gets stuck in the water part of the vacuum, so you know it STAYS in there. However, empying that part out can get really gross really fast, specially when someone *coughsistercough* leaves it to sit for a few days.
But if you’re looking for a vacuum and feel like spending money on something other than a Dyson.. get a Rainbow.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I have never tried a Bugaboo and it looks like a great stroller and I understand all the features, but I’d be afraid to leave one in the stroller parking anywhere without being totally anxious the whole time that somebody was going to steal it. Or maybe because they are so big and bright, they would be hard to steal. I also like to have multiple strollers, so my other ones would have to be the $15 ones you get at Toys R Us that don’t recline or have a sun shade and you just know that would be the only one handy when you went somewhere.
After reading the comments here, I think I might have to take on some more consulting work so I can buy my husband a dyson for our anniversary. He loves to vacuum and he could imitate the guy in the commercial every time he used it.
Amy
http://www.sofiabean.com
March 27th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Sorry to post twice. I just read Caroline’s comment that she would make out with her Dyson. I will be laughing for the rest of the day.
Thank you.
March 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I have a Dyson and I absolutely LOVE it. I to vacuumed with my old vacuum and then went over the room again with the Dyson and so much more was picked up! I have had mine for 5 years and I wouldn’t get rid of it for anything.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I LOVE MY DYSON!! I have 2 kids, 2 cats and a dog and there is no way that I could live without that thing!! My carpet has been through a war and back but every time I use Sir Dyson Loves A lot, I could totally roll around naked on it!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
We have the Dyson animal and loved it, but our toddler is terrified of vacuum cleaners, petrified. So we barely use it. But I bought a Roomba and love that. Whilst it gets the floors no where near as clean as the Dyson, we actually use it so all things considered our house is much cleaner than it was. I am now officially lusting over a Scooba, because we never ever get out the mop.. (too much information?)
March 28th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I too have been fascinated by the Dyson for a few years now…
As I tend to be from the school of ’suck n roll’ rather than actually picking up legos and polly pocket skirts - how has the Dyson fared if you commit the same vacuum sins as I?
Does it get clogged?
March 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Ok, I’m back! I ordered the Dyson on Wednesday (through Amazon), and chose free shipping - they said it would arrive April 13th. The next day, I got an email to say it had shipped, and it arrived in 1 day (March 28). I’m already excited about that!
I vacuumed with my old vacuum cleaner, then went back over with the Dyson - it did pick up a lot more! And then I went upstairs, and it pretty much filled the canister to capacity (gross!). We have a hairy golden retriever, so most of it was his hair, and a ton of dust.
So I’ve only used it once, but I’m sold! And, having the factory reconditioned one (with extra 3 year warranty) saved me $200 over buying in the store!
March 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Luv the dyson! I have two cats (one of which has long hair that gets on everything) I used to have to replace the cheaper models every year or so. Not with the dyson. Four years and still going strong!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
My mom and dad bought me a Dyson for my college graduation. I’m that cool. I love it! I use the attachments on couches and even roll it out and use on my car’s floorboards. I have a brittany spaniel that sheds year-round and it picks up her hair great.
I got hooked into the La Mer craze and I know it’s a bunch of money, but I really love it. A perk of buying La Mer products: you get TONS of samples. I have in my bathroom goodie drawer right now, a supply of samples that could last me through 6 or more months! Not only that, i’ve had friends notice a difference in my skin. I’m 25, so I don’t have horrible lines quite yet, but the most common compliment is “you have an amazing complexion.”
It’s nice to hear it. Even if it comes at a hefty price!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Ok, so I have to rave about another expensive vacuum cleaner. Miele. They are fantastic, small canister vacs that suck SO good, but are way way way better for the carpet/hardwood combo than an upright.
There are two main attachments one for hardsurfaces and one for carpet, plus your normal vac attachments. Also in the same price range as the Dyson, but much smaller and very very effective.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
[...] Expensive strollers, face creams, and vacuums — are these high end products worth the hype? Is the Bugaboo worth the $800 price tag? What about La Mer cream or the Dyson? Sound off with your opinions! [...]
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 am
[...] Expensive strollers, face creams, and vacuums — are these high end products worth the hype? Is the Bugaboo worth the $800 price tag? What about La Mer cream or the Dyson? Sound off with your opinions! [...]
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I’m only 28 but I’ll admit to using La Mer (bought off Ebay in 1/4 oz tubs for about $30 each) . . . the first purchase was out of curiousity but the second was because the stuff works. I have very dry skin and am prone to peely patches, roughness and general flaky uckiness. La Mer gets rid of any of those issues overnight.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Okay, so I didn’t read what anybody else said, but if you want the Dyson - go and get it. Its the best $500 I’ve ever spent, and if you’re going to get one, get the all out mighty-sucking one (I’ve got the purple pet-hair one). IT. ROCKS.
It is so disgusting yet so cool to see the stuff that it picks up out of your carpet. And just to make sure I wasn’t being screwed out of my money, I took our old vacuum cleaner to the entire house and then redid it with the Dyson and I’ve never been so excited to show my husband a full canister of dirt and hair.
My husband wants a Roomba, but I’ll never part with my Dyson…
April 7th, 2008 at 4:07 am
[...] Expensive strollers, face creams, and vacuums — are these high end products worth the hype? Is the Bugaboo worth the $800 price tag? What about La Mer cream or the Dyson? Sound off with your opinions! [...]
April 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
i finally tried LeMer face cream, gave it to myself as a gift…i’m good at that…as expected it is okay but not sensational. have not seen any miracles yet, but i’m only through half the jar. so still time i guess. the gel version of the product may be nicer, i bought the original one which you massage into your hands, then press onto your face. LeMer is actually NOT the most expensive face moisturizer out there, there are ones quite a bit higher. I’m glad i satisfied my curiosity, but probably would not buy it again. i did, however, get a sample of Natura Bisse glyco extreme peel, i would buy this!!! sample has lasted a long time & now peeks my interest in the rest of their product line. thanks!!
April 11th, 2008 at 3:20 am
I’m with Sara on the Miele vacuum. I haven’t tried the Dyson, but the Miele is awesome. It’s also so quiet that my cat doesn’t even leave the room when I turn it on. Shocking.
As for the LaMer, I use it, yes I do. But I do think the lotion is better than the creme, unless you have very very dry skin. I really really love the lotion. If you start feeling like $140 for lotion is too expensive, head to the La Prairie counter and price theirs. Yow. Anyway, I like the creme as an eye cream, and when you use it like that it’s almost cheap because, um, it’s giant for a jar of eye cream. Definitely ask for a sample - they will so give you one.
April 11th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
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April 27th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Dude I love comment spam. Viagra anyone?
July 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I wanted the Dyson but bought the Kirby that is expensive. I don’t think the Dyson is expensive but I have a friend that has the dyson and I love hers particularly because the Kirby is REALLY heavy.
God Bless
Amanda
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 am
OK, ladies, save your Starbuck’s money and drop the big bucks for the Creme de La Mer. It makes my skin look like a child’s. No luck with any of their auxilliary products (thank God — I don’t have to buy those too!), but the cream is beyond sensational. Totally worth it.
September 11th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Ladies, the La Mer really works. I live in Brazil in a tropical island. Sun and wind are my friends here and La Mer is the best. I’m 36 and nobody tells, to be honest, nobody believes I’m over 30. I never thought I would ever trust in an expansive product like this one but, it works. My skin looks clear and soft as a baby.