Good idea @skieurope
Anyway, it looks like the consensus is to just get a cheap stick vacuum but I’m really drawn to the design of the V11… it’s just that vortex chambers look so cool but I do see the advantages of the cheaper alternatives since you can lend them without the worry of them being broken.
I am fascinated that your student is even entertaining the thought of vacuuming! I am happy if mine change their sheets occasionally! And they are girls 
We like Dysons, but they are definitely not an investment as they tend to break down with some frequency. The company has been good about repairing and replacing but maybe save it till you have a
@tkoparent Well the good news is that my college is near an official Dyson repair center so if anything happens, I always have a service center near me. So far now I just gotta try out the V11 Animal to compare to the Cheap Stick Vacuums that are on sale at Walmart.
I have a shark. I like it and it does a good job. I don’t think I’d want to leave something as expensive as a Dyson lying around a dorm room.
We had Dyson’s. We are over Dyson’s. Yes, they work well, but they are heavy and I found the hose never loosened enough so that if I wanted to just use the wand, the danged heavy motor/floor portion would keep slamming into me or falling over. We’ve since converted to Sharks. About 1/4 the price and I think they work just as well - if not better - since I’m more inclined to use them.
Neither of my kids wanted a vac for their room. I suggest you wait to see what you need when you move in and then order online if you feel the need.
@dietz199 That is a reason why I am leaning towards the Handheld V11 rather than the Upright for easier portability. I tried out the cheap vacuum sticks at Walmart and Target and honestly… I wasn’t impressed. They felt light, flimsy, and not very well built. I tried out the V11 at the local Dyson demo store and I fell in love. I know it might sound like I’m capping for Dyson but the difference in hand weight and quality feel in hand is miles away indifference to the cheaper variety.
^^ No one said (I don’t think) that your basic to mid level vacuum stick was going to perform similar to your coveted Dyson. The point was to many reasonable, experienced parents, owners of homes, providers of oodles of past college students and MUCH experience with dorm buying/living your Dyson is overkill.
Buy your Dyson and move onto the next item of concern for your freshman year.
IMO one of the reasons you don’t want the Dyson is because of that weight and quality feel. Not sure what year you are, but you are going to move that Dyson in and out several times in the next several years. It just doesn’t seem like a good option for someone whose needs are to vacuum one room with no exterior door, no kitchen, no pets, and it will be moved to different dwellings at least twice a year.
Well just to update everyone… I finally settled. I chose to get the Dyson V11 Torque Drive for my dorm room and then picked up a cheapo stick vacuum from goodwill for a few bucks to lend out so I don’t get labeled a selfish jerk.
When I walked into the Dyson store… I just knew it was the right choice. But let me not get carried away, I appreciate everyone’s advice. One thing for sure is that my room is gonna be really dust-free!
Well anyone who sees or hears your Dyson in your room is going to be really puzzled/offended/questioning when they realize you have a second vacuum for the peasants!
Well I mean @abasket that is going to be the price I gotta pay since the V11 wasn’t cheap lol. I’m pretty sure if I tell them the price they’ll understand or not want to use it all together.
Ok…on to sheets. I’m sure there are some $300 sets?
Hey, no need for the sarcastic comments here. I just wanted to buy something that I wouldn’t need to buy again. Not everyone likes to settle for the cheapest thing they can find you know.
I know this is useless, because you obviously wanted it from the get go. But, I just can’t keep shaking my head. From what I read, Dysons don’t last very long. There are much better vacuums out there if that’s what you really want, but they wouldn’t work well in a tiny dorm. And you obviously just wanted this particular model. But…
I was given my Riccar upright as a wedding gift. Started in a 1000 SF townhome for 2 years, a 2500 SF house for 10 years, and a 4000 SF home for another 10. I used it weekly, probably on average 1:00 each week. It came with a 12’ hose and I used it on the carpets, hardwoods, and tile to get rid of the hair from our 3-5 pets that I am allergic too. I also used it as a shop vac in my attic, basement, shed/garage, and my H’s storage room at school. It worked like a champ for 23 years before it died. The only repair it needed was to replace the power cord ($12) after 15-20 years. Once it died, the vacuum guy convinced me to buy a Miele saying I would like the canister kind better. My co-worker loved hers, so I did. I definitely prefer the upright, but this does just as good of a job, but I can’t say how well it will hold up, because it’s only been 2 years. I would be HIGHLY disappointed if I spent $500 on a vaccuum that needed replacement parts after 5-10 years. And from what I hear/read, making it to even 10 years is rare for a Dyson.
Enjoy using your vacuum! As the other parents have already said, a Dyson is not an investment. The value will not ever rise. I am on my 3rd in 15 years - we just do not have to vacuum often or they might break even sooner. But when I do have to, at least vacuuming isn’t a horrible chore. But it is just a tool, and if using it makes you happy while you are doing your chores, then that’s good.
This entire thread is very amusing to read. A dyson for a dorm room and buying a cheap stick vacuum to loan out so you don’t look bad?! I couldn’t make this stuff up. LOL
But seriously @joginthefog i would be so bummed to have my super expensive vacuum break. 3 in 15 years?! yikes. My almost 19 year old Miele canister is still going strong. #Mieleforthewin
LOL @crknwk2000 I definitely consider the miele if we had carpet - 19 years is awesome!! When we got the first Dyson (ball type) in around 2005-6, it was in the beta testing stages and it lasted probably 5-6 years before pooping out…then next one, the v6 cordless stick was also older style model and there was surprisingly poor design features with this one (dust canister would pop open, dumping dirt everywhere, battery had terrible life etc) so I was actually relieved when it bit the literal dust and I could toss it, though you probably wonder why I would get another Dyson. But this latest one (V7 stick) is great, works well and no battery life issues and redesigned so it is not popping open, and it seems to be ok. Our nearest service center is not really convenient but I’m sure regular service would help with keeping it in better shape.
ok; this thread is starting to remind me of this one: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/2011338-roommate-brought-22-pillows-4-lamps-7-towels-and-a-large-ceramic-pineapple-p1.html