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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 66 customer reviews )
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61 of 63 found the following review helpful:
 Love Dependable Panasonic Aug 11, 2008
By Joan M. Patrici
I'm glad to be back with Panasonic. I had a Panasonic vacuum that lasted at least fifteen years. Less than two years ago, in the process of blowing insulation into the walls, from the inside of the house, my beloved vacuum died. Needing one quick, I went to Consumer Reports, and, based on their recommendations, purchased an Eureka Boss. BIG MISTAKE! Pain to use, tired of getting hit in the leg with the hose, when not in use. When you needed to use the hose, you had to stop what you were doing, move the dial -- hose -- then move the dial back to vacuum regular. Tools falling off. You get the picture. Hated to have to vacuum!
Even though I take good care of my things (especially now a days, when nothing seems to last), the Boss broke in two, less than two years later. So, I came back to Panasonic and am VERY HAPPY I DID.
The UG471 is GREAT!
I have two non-stop shedding Siberian Huskies. This vacuum works great picking up their hair on hard wood floors and on carpeting. The tools, especially the hose, stay on board, when not in use and there is a place for all the tools on the vacuum. Retractable cord -- lovely!
The only downfalls I would site -- needs a longer cord (but it seems every manufacturer has shorten them to 30 feet. And a "grab" place on the front, for when you do not want to use the "power paw" when vacuuming stairs.
Excellent buy/value. Next up, a new Panasonic answering machine. Goodbye crappy Uniden (another terrible Consumer Reports recommendation!).
UPDATE: If your vacuum wheel falls off, like mine did (my older model, left side/no washer's needed), and you can not find the 1/2inch cap, that prevents the wheel from coming off the axle -- do not call Panasonic, for parts -- instead, take the complete wheel assembly to your local hardware store, for a very inexpensive replacement cap and (if needed, for the right side, also washer parts!
After a TWO MONTH back-n-forth, frustrating circle with Panasonic, this is what I have learned: 1 They offer no parts schematic, so you can tell the Parts Department what part number you need; 2 Since you cannot tell Parts, they send your request over to "Research"; 3 Reseach only gets back to you after your repeated calling/emails; 4) Though you told them a thousand times, that you need the cap, to prevent the wheel from coming off the axle, they still send you two packs, of 10 washers each, and charge you $52.52. for the pleasure -- my experience)!
Hardware store's cost: 74 cents, with tax. You want the cap that has dimples, on each side. You will need a piece of wood, because the cap will have to be hammered onto the axle. It's a bit tricky/frustrating, but takes ten minutes at most.
I cannot convey how disappointed I am, right now, with one of my favorite, longtime companies.
37 of 37 found the following review helpful:
Initial impressions Jul 22, 2009
By Lo-II-yuo
"Yixter"
I was shopping for a vacuum lately and see this on sale at Fry for $39 !!(refurbished? didn't say but I know Fry is kind of sneaky)
I thought it was used or floor model but store clark told me they have 4 in stock and I can pick 1 that I like. I realize that contrary to the latest vaccum cleaners which are uniformly bagless this one still uses a bag but the price is just too good and I actually prefer an "oldfashioned" vaccum that uses a bag because a lot of reviews I read about bagless vaccum were complaining about how messy things can get when emptying them.
The setup was very simple -- I don't even need the manual. Out of box only 2,3 pieces need to be hooked to the main body and you are ready to go. The hoses and tubes are still in sealed bags and there was no sign of usage. if this is a refurbished machine then they did a very good job.
Pros: Very strong suction (the most important), coil rewind, a nice headlight, HEPA filter, VERY EASY to roll/move around( while it is not light it is certainly not heavy to me ), bags (easy to remove)
Cons: bags (costs $$ but ...) HEPA filter (it is a small size so I don't how long it can last)
** people complaining that it dosn't work on bare floor -- they need to use the attachment on bare floor, in my case it works fine
The initial impressions are pretty positive --> straight forward design and sturdy built. I realize that it dosn't have fancy colors and fancy shapes of parts but If you not buying it as part of your Art collection you should be fine.
P.S. you need to buy type U6 bags not the type U3 that are listed with the machine, U3 works but it is too small U6 fits the bag chamber
53 of 62 found the following review helpful:
 Heavy and can't be operated on bare floors Jan 13, 2008
By Mr. Anthony P. Cipriano, Jr.
We had previously owned a Panasonic vacuum cleaner and our experience with it was wonderful over the years. In between the time it finally "died" we purchased other makes but kept the brand in mind for future purchases. We needed a new replacement vac which had onboard tools like a crevice cleaner and we have bare floors. Though the vac is self adjusting, it won't adjust for bare floors meaning you can damage it during operation. What was Panasonic thinking when it designed this model? That everyone has wall to wall carpeting in their homes? There is no information about this on the Amazon page! It's one heavy "mother" to lug around the house especially when you have to move it upstairs to do floors there. The design of the handle is not good given its smallish shape and because of the weight of the unit and the fact that you have to put pressure on the muscles of your wrist, it will grow tired as well. I wonder what effect prolonged use will eventually have on your hand? I don't understand why Panasonic suddendly turned their models into this "iron" of an appliance! The vacuum also has a tendency to tip backwards when any strain is put on the extension hose while in use. You have to continously put one hand on the machine to keep it from tipping when using the crevice tool and that's an inconvenience! Because we didn't purchase this model directly from Amazon, its' 30 day return policy doesn't apply or we would have been returned this machine to Amazon. On the "plus" side, it does do an excellent job vacuuming albeit (it's noisier than our older one) and there is also the legendary reliability of Panasonic applicances. In sum, I can not recommend this vacuum if you are looking for a light weight vac or one that will operate on bare floors.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Most effective & reliable vacuum I've ever used May 01, 2010
By pOOdle mOmma
"Lori"
My experience with Panasonic vacuums began approx 15 yrs ago, when I worked for a retailer who sold them. I remember being impressed that I never had a Panasonic return, however there were many vacuum returns from other brands. I bought my first Panasonic with my employee discount, and I will confess I won't buy another brand. I had others given to me [before I bought one], and have used others which were extremely inferior by comparison.
PROS: (In order of importance to me):
-Best suction of any vacuum I've ever used; if it decreases then it means your bag is full
-The CORD REEL/rewind! The cord is reeled into a built-in chamber by simply pushing a lever with your toe.
-You can save money and get inexpensive generic bags (without HEPA filter) for about $2/bag (12 for $24)
-Panasonic is the highest recommended brand by both of my local vacuum shop chains
-Easy to use out of the box; belt is easy to replace when needed, as are the bags
-Color of the unit itself is relatively neutral (brick red)
-The light is bright and very functional
-Easy to locate a clog due to the hatch that opens on the back (eg the occasional sock from beneath the sofa)
-This model requires bags (imo this is better; you have to take bagless ones in for cleaning by a professional)
CONS:
-HEPA bags are costly type U6 (about 3/$10); I used my left-over U3 bags which also worked (they are w/o HEPA)
-Bare floor use is limited. I do use it occasionally, but it could be disappointing if you bought it for this use. (IMO you need to get a separate bare floor vac; look at the Hoover Flair for about $40; this is what I use when I have a big job on my bare floors. http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-Bagless-Upright-Vacuum-S2220/dp/B00020BQGK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1272736868&sr=1-5 )
-Would be nice to have a longer cord; this is 25ft. However, I'll take the cord reel any day over a longer cord.
I am shopping for a second one for upstairs; I am buying the same model. I cannot complain really. It's been very faithful.
16 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Panasonic MC-UG471 Apr 02, 2008
By Ronald J. Gibson
"The-Lampman"
Purchased this locally in Battle Creek because the owner of the Sweeper Depot offered to match any Internet Pricing. I own The Victorian Villa Inn in Union City - an historic bed & breakfast inn - since 1982. Purchased two of these babies in January 2008 and my housekeepers were so delighted with them that I ordered two more in March 2008. We now have one of these vacuums on each floor of the Villa and in the Carriage House too. We purchased these for $ 120.00/unit plus a small shipping charge. We love them - I just ordered two more bringing our total to six of these units to use in our new lighting shop - The 19th Century Lighting Company and in our newest building acquisition - "1876 Office Suites" - where they will both be in daily use... These are powerful machines - great suction and smooth operation. Buy one - you'll love it !!
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