pcg

- I bought 3 Shimono vacuum cleaners, the first generation model for myself, the 2nd generation model for my daughter and the 3rd generation model for my son. The reason why I chose Shimono over the more reputable brands like Electrolux and Phillips was because it was cheaper at that time than the other brands and the vendor assured me that the rechargeable battery can be easily purchased from them for replacement. - After some time, the battery of my 1st gen model could not be charged. The transparent plastic cover of both my 2nd and 3rd gen models broke at the place where it latches to the casing which contains the battery. I used super glue to join the broken plastic together but it is fragile and cannot stand the pressure applied during vacuuming so I re-glued them twice since. - I went back to the vendor to buy the rechargeable battery for my 1st gen model and was flabberghasted when he told me that it is no longer available because the agent had returned all their batteries to their 'Japanese supplier' and asked me to buy the 4th gen model at $199/- This new model has a metal filter and a more 'hardy' transparent cover. A few other customers who were there asked if they could buy the cover to replace their broken 3rd gen models but was told that each model is slightly different so the cover won't fit what they have at home. He demo to us & it was clear that though the shapes were the same, the hardier cover was made just a little (0.5 or 1 mm) smaller so that the latch won't catch on. Vendor's reply was that if they can fit, then they will sell less of the new ones and make less money. - None of us bought the new one! It was disgusting because such business approach prevents customers like me from using a workable vacuum cleaner set simply because the battery is not available as promised at the time of purchase. - In Singapore, there is so much talk about going green and sustainable design so that we don't have to throw away appliances if parts can be replaced. Saves us $ and reduce waste. But this experience shows that we are still far from being a green or a sustainable society and that we can't trust everything that salespeople out there promises. - at $199, I googled and found other reliable choices, e.g. Electrolux which also uses the same cyclonic vacuum action and long life NiMH battery but at lower prices.