Shark from Argos

[TheRussianDoll]

My old Bosch vacuum died. Have splashed out on a Shark. Read the great reviews and couldn’t wait to try it.

I have very a hairy dog (golden retriever) and find that the anti wrap hair feature isn’t up to the job. It also isn’t great on wooden floors. These things, I can let go, just about. The BIG problem is that it’s a cordless stick and really top heavy. Battery and collection bin is at the top of the stick so, you can’t stand it up, you’ve to prop it against something if you need to stop for any reason or lay it on the ground. The WORST aspect is the weight. As I say, all at the top. I’ve used it twice and shoved it back in its box so that I can put it away and just not think about it. The ache in your arm when using it, is horrendous. I have an old elbow injury; despite a lot of physio, it’s as healed as it’s ever going to be. I’m 60 so, not old and frail by any stretch but I cannot use it. The stick is really long so, to pull it “back” as it were, you’ve to lift elbow and shoulder quite high. I’m 5ft 5”. God knows how anyone shorter would manage.

Today, I bought a Vax. As I say, my old one died and I have to have something. Vax is Light. Easy to manoeuvre, half the price and stands upright.

What on earth do I do with the Shark? Can I take it back? Not really, I suppose. Thing is, you have to try it to know what’s what but nothing could’ve prepared me for the difficulty in using it.

It's not meant to stand up, it folds over (unless yours is a newer model that is slightly different!)

@hellcatspangle

It's not meant to stand up, it folds over (unless yours is a newer model that is slightly different!)

This. If you want to leave it freestanding just click the top over so it’s folded (which is quicker than finding somewhere to lean it against).

I bought a shark a while ago to replace the Henry which drove me mad. I didn't get the anti hair wrap model. The most annoying thing is that if you prop it up without folding it down it falls over. Quite irritating. But it perfotms well and is easy to use.

cute dog - he looks like a little lamb.
don't argos have a longish return period (a month?)

I've got a bosche athlet which I really like (mostly cat hair though)

I have a cordless shark and it doesn’t stand upright, it folds in half - does yours not do that?

I have to say that I absolutely love my Shark!

I have a corded, anti-hair wrap pet version and could practically re-coat the dogs some days.

I was worried I'd find it too heavy as I have physical abnormalities in my neck that cause a lot of pain, but I've found it to be fine. I fling it around all over the house.

I haven't had any issues with the anti-hair wrap thing either. And both dd and I have long hair. I did read somewhere that you have to use it on a hard floor to clear it, so I just make sure I hoover our hall and kitchen last.

Mine is about 2 years old, bought just before lockdown, and I wonder if they've changed maybe.

I'm sure Argos should take it back. I'd get in touch with their customer services.

I have a shark, it's not cordless but it has the anti wrap hair thingy. I love it I think it's brilliant. I have a very hairy dog that makes the house look like a snow globe, and three hairy ragdoll cats that shed everywhere. Works well for me.

I bought a shark cordless and for the same reasons thought it was a pile if shite. I rang shark and I could send it back and I got a full refund.

Contact Shark, honestly the product itself was crao but the customer service was exceptional.

@Viviennemary… yes, it folds but you’d think it might have a way of stabilising it so that if the door bell goes or “whatever” you don’t have to lay it down flat or prop it against a wall/chair.

It seems the corded was the one to go for. And yes, I think possibly to bring the cost down for people like me, maybe they’ve needed to cut a few corners? I’ve no idea but it’s shoddy.

@ThinWomansBrain… He is a she! A very big and hairy she 😂

In fairness, ANY vacuum would have its work cut out with her! This little Vax is doing well though. Not sure about Argos returns. To be honest, I’ve never needed to return something as mundane as a vacuum. I buy/use/replace. Don’t expect them to last forever but I expected better than this.

Oh, my Bosch that “died” was the second one I’d had in 3 yrs. it had some hammer but was good. Second one just literally fell apart so, decided to spend a little more and go for the so, so popular Shark.

100% YANBU it sounds like we have the same one and it's crap. Seriously thinking of going back to Henry, I moaned about him too but in hindsight he was a superstar

I have a corded shark, cordless shark & cordless dyson.

Going to sell the cordless dyson, the cordless shark is good for a quick blast, the corded one is the best of all 3.

I am very happy with my corded shark- had it a good few years and don't find it clogs? I like the light on it

If it’s not performing as advertised then you can return it under that. If you bought it online/reserved it online you can return within 14 days.

I've got a friend who bought a corded Shark. She rates it highly but then she has spare money and time on her hands, some of which can be disposed of by vacuuming perfectly clean carpets. After which she washes the many Shark filters. Despite being prepared to be impressed when given a guided tour of the beast, I wasn't very taken with the weight of it, the inability to stand the bloody thing up properly or its overall performance. I have an elderly Miele Cat & Dog and am very happy sticking with it.

Hopefully you can return your Shark on the basis that it simply doesn't perform as advertised.

@NewPapaGuinea… Got to go into town tomorrow. Might nip in to Argos and ask the question. The more I’ve used it the more cross I’ve gotten. The “pods” the dog brings in are like weeny peppercorns. They’re all over the place where she sleeps.

I inherited a Miele corded from my mum. I pt comes out rarely as it’s a beast but Christ it picks up! Not practical every day, though and I simply cannot carry it upstairs. Does the car brilliantly too 👏👏👏

Shark's are horrendous, the suction is good but the parts and customer service are shocking!

Argos are very good with returns so as said here take it back as not as advertised and unfit for purpose - keep on about it doesn’t pick up and keeps getting clogged so can’t use it!

Twice, twice I have been dumb enough to think Henry could be bettered. Nope, I always revert back to the little red pleb that although loves to frequently smack his head on every corner he comes across, cannot be matched for reliability and longevity!

I hate Henry hoovers. What is the fuss ? They have shit auction.

@ThinWomansBrain

cute dog - he looks like a little lamb. don't argos have a longish return period (a month?)

I've got a bosche athlet which I really like (mostly cat hair though)

I've got a Bosch Athlet cordless. It's crap for anything more than a quick once over. I got a Shark corded duo anti wrap for serious hoovering. Love it.

Quick update and thank you for the help.

Contacted Shark yesterday but hadn’t heard anything by this afternoon. Tried vacuum again this morning and again (have cleared the brush twice) FULL of hair. See below.

Took it back to Argos. No argument. They refunded and agreed it was heavy and the brush was NOT anti-wrap.

So pleased. Will use the Vax now and not bother with Shark again.