Either of two things, IMNSHO. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
1) Get cheap vacuums and toss them when they fail (and of course they will)
or
2) Get good vacuums and keep the brushes, bearings, filters, etc. clean and replace the bags when they start to impede airflow.
My old vacuum (I got a new one yesterday) managed quite well with 12 years of dirt, dogs, and long haired females. I kept the working parts fairly clean, unwrapped the hair from the brushes after every use, and cleaned the bearings in the head on a fairly regular basis.
I've seen the exact same unit die within a year or so when it wasn't cared for (my biz partner and I got the same type at the same time - he didn't even have the dog problem, but probably never took the collection of crap out of the bearings or brushes. The power head on his died at about the 1 1/2 year mark ...
Why did I get a new one? The blower motor was getting rather noisy and the cord was worn, and things on it were just getting loose from use. It was time. (No, it didn't quit on me - it still worked, but Sears was having a sale on a new one I liked so ... )
BTW, my mum had one of the Oreck's and hated it so much she only kept it for about four months - I don't know what the problem was, but don't mention Oreck around her. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Take care,