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Tristar Products review: Total scam! 104

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Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
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I rec'd a phone call telling me I won a $1,000 dollar shopping spree, and to receive it, I would have to listen to a sales-pitch on TriStar Vacuum cleaners. They told me I didn't have to buy anything, just listen to the presentation for 30 minutes, receive my shopping spree card and they'd be out of my hair. The salesman showed up, showed his presentation, which took about 45 minutes, and then asked if we were impressed with the demonstration. I was impressed, but I also knew that it had to be unaffordable for us. He told us the vacuum would cost $2,800 dollars, but because we let him into our home and listened to his presentation, he'd cut us a deal for 1800.00. What! A thousand dollar discount just like that? Ok, at that point, I knew it had to be a scam. I filled out his 10 question survey, and told him flat out that we couldn't afford it at this time, but maybe in the future we'd go to the internet site and check it out. He wouldn't give us a card or brochure-said he didn't have any. He didn't want to hear us when we told him we weren't interested. He started being incredibly rude by saying, "Well, if you want to continue to live in filth, then you go right ahead... this is an unhealthy environment, but if you want to live that way..." For one thing, my house gets cleaned everyday. I have had many people, including real estate agents compliment on how clean my house is. I didn't appreciate being told my home was filthy and unhealthy because I didn't want to spend $1800 on a vacuum cleaner-especially from someone who couldn't even produce a brochure or business card. He proceeded to say how filthy my home was and finally left. It took everything I had not to throw him out physically. I bit my tongue, but found the business phone on my caller ID. I got a hold of his trainer, and asked him if I could give him advise on their sales presentations. I was wanting to let him know that it isn't going to sell if you insult the costumer. He wouldn't even let me say a word. I told him who I was, and he'd heard enough. I told him I couldn't afford their vacuum cleaner, and he said, "yes, you can afford it. We pre-approved you by running your credit. You are wasting my time-if you want to live in filth, that is up to you" At that point, I went off and cussed him out, and hung up. I feel like this is a scam, and I am sooo glad we didn't buy one of these vacuum cleaners. As for the thousand dollar shopping spree, that was a complete joke. It's landed a spot in my trash can. What a waste of time for me and my family. I would recommend these people be turned in to the better business bureau, and if anyone were to ever get a chance to have a presentation at their home, they'd be smart to skip it. I will never let another salesman into my home. I will forever hang up on telemarketing calls after that experience.

Thanks.

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104 comments
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Lexi775
, US
Nov 19, 2018 1:03 pm EST

Hello, I received the air fryer as a gift 2 months ago. The system will not heat . I have tried many different ways to correct the problem and have failed. What can be done to fix this issue.

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DinaMSilva
, US
Sep 10, 2018 9:45 pm EDT

I bought 1 year ago, the basket and there's rust on the bottom of the basket, I need the replacement of the bottom piece or the whole basket. Any way I can or you guys can replace this and give me a new basket?

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perfectsmile
, US
Aug 20, 2018 9:11 am EDT

the product i received was from china and after speaking to a rep at ur phone he told me that none of your products comes from china and the i received is counterfeit i need a email sent to my email adress brownfred701@yahoo.com that way i can get my money back from pay pall

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Carol Sutt
, US
Mar 31, 2018 8:20 pm EDT

My in-laws from my first marriage owned a vacuum store in NM. They were Kirby and Tri-star distributors to several states, as well as having 4-5 sales reps for the surrounding areas. I sold the Compacts (earlier version of the Tri-star), and the Tri-star out of the vacuum center. We sold every brand of vacuum from there. I can tell you those models were the BEST vacuum in the world. Back then they ran around $890. With a "trade in". I had my Compact and Tri-star until a couple months back when we were having new garage doors installed and my husband set them outside on the drive way! Well someone decided to help themselves to my prized processions. I'm so pissed, I could scream! These truly are the best vacuum, and these experiences you have had with your salesmen are inexcusable. There is no way our business would have tolerated that kind of behavior. One thing we did have was a finance company in place to offer low monthly payments, and the vacuums sold themselves. Back then they were made by Interstate Engineering and they stood behind their product. It was then sold to the company who owns them now. They are located in Dallas, but good luck trying to talk to them. They are rude. I will be purchasing one off the internet!

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Graig Kennaugh
, US
Sep 02, 2017 9:07 pm EDT

I used to work for Tristar. I am not the salesman type, so they fired me before I hit the minimum necessary demonstrations I needed to perform per month and they didn't pay me anything. The vacuums work well, but not $1500 better than the $300 vacuum I have.

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Up North1
, US
Dec 20, 2016 5:01 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

On December 17, I replied to a postcard received from Olympic Air Solutions to inquire of a prize I won. Prizes included a kitchen serving set, tickets to a Green Bay Packers game, a digital camera, Apple iPod Touch and a top prize of $10, 000. I was informed that I won, but my card must be verified by an agent of the company. As part of the verification process, I was asked to view a FilterQueen Indoor Air Quality System. The representative on the phone stated the demonstration was brief. Fair enough. I weighed out the chance to win $10, 000 with maybe a half hour of my time. An appointment was set up for an afternoon visit.

Shortly before the scheduled visit, I received a phone call from a sales manager informing me the sales person was running late and if I would be o.k. postponing my appointment by one hour. One hour turned into two and a half hours. After waiting patiently for two and a half hours past the scheduled visit, the sales person appears. After verification of prize card, I was presented with an 18 piece BBQ set and asked to participate in a product demonstration.

The demonstration included the Defender and the Majestic. Both products were of good quality and the salesperson did a fine job with the demonstration. After a one hour and forty five minute presentation, I was ask to answer a few questions regarding the demonstration and the products. I made it very clear I was not interested in making a purchase. It did not matter how much the products cost, I was not in the market to purchase an air purifier or a vacuum cleaner. However, the salesperson was here to do his job, so I patiently listened as the price of the combo was presented.

The Defender was listed at $998. The Majestic was $2, 998. After quickly stating “NO”, the salesperson called his manager. There was a back and forth conversation between the sales manager and the salesperson. The sales manager would dictate to the salesperson a series of demeaning questions such as “so you admit your current vacuum does not do the job the Majestic does. You prefer to live in dirt?”

After indicating if I had to choose between the Defender and the Majestic, I indicated I would choose the Majestic but stressed again I was not interested in either product. The price dropped from $2, 998 to $2, 600 to $2, 200 to to $1, 500. During the entire negotiation process, I could hear the demeaning conversation taking place between the sales manager and the salesperson in order to hook me as a customer. After refusing to pay $1, 500, I heard the sales manager order the salesperson to offer a price of $1, 200 and perform fellatio on me (actual words spoken were more vulgar and offensive). Of course the salesperson, acting as a true professional, did not relay the entire message to me and was unaware that I was hearing both sides of this abrasive conversation. After rejecting the offer to pay $1, 200, a final offer of $999 was made. I quickly rejected the price of $999 and the presentation finally ended.

I am posting the report to alert other people in the community.

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Hearth
, US
Nov 04, 2016 7:54 am EDT

I was also gullible enough to buy the vacuum about 4 years ago. I hate it too. It is cumbersome to pull around, the bags are expensive, and there was no place to get the maintainence on the machine.

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ruby2zdy
, US
Sep 01, 2016 11:52 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got snookered into paying $2500 for a TriStar vac a few years ago. I had been using my 1989 Eureka canister. I had already been snookered into paying more than that for a name brand upright, but I can't use an upright. I don't see how anybody can. It'll give you wrist arthritis. Not to mention it won't go under furniture, or maybe it has an attachable hose that'll go under furniture, but that's a hassle. Anyway I just couldn't live with the upright, so when the TriStar guy came by, I was ripe. I was impressed with the amount of dirt it allegedly picked up from my carpet. And the swirling "technology" that did something special -- I don't remember what now, but "keeping the dirt from coming back out the vac" is what comes into my mind. He took my Eureka and the upright in trade and I still had to pay $2500. With the amt of money I paid for the upright and the TriStar, I could make a big down payment on a new car.

I did manage to get my Eureka back. The TriStar doesn't do a better job than a THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Eureka canister. It does a terrible job (even with a new bag) of picking up even little pieces of debris off the top of the carpet. I'm talking little, like less than a millimeter in diameter. Something I've probably brought in from outside. And when it's running, it smells like wet dirty dog. I HATE THE THING!

The salesman was charming and I'm a fool for charm. He called a couple of times after ripping me off (before I realized I'd been ripped off) to see if I needed bags and was satisfied w/the machine. Then one day he dropped over(!). He found out I was taking a prescription drug that sells for big monies on the street and proposed that I sell some to him and he would split the profits with me. HUH? I told him no and haven't heard from him since. I should have turned him in but didn't know the address of the TriStar store or warehouse or wherever he worked out of.

Not only does the machine not pick stuff up, the clasp that holds the top down over the bag chamber won't stay latched. If I pull the vac by the hose, it'll open. And the retractable cord doesn't retract any more. It's only 3 yrs old at the most.

I suppose I should talk about the positive aspects of the vac: It's fairly quiet. It has a very long cord. It's relatively easy to change heads. NOT WORTH $2500 for those things. All vacuums should have a long cord and be fairly quiet. DO NOT BUY A VACUUM CLEANER FROM A DOOR TO DOOR SALESMAN! Go on line and look for the vac with the best reviews by a professional consumer review organization. It won't cost you as much and I'm sure you'll like it better & it'll last longer. That's what I'm going to do now.

Your Agree/Neutral/Disagree is very confusing. "Your attitude towards complaint" -- Agree, Neutral, Disagree? Of course I agree with my complaint. Otherwise I wouldn't be making the complaint. Or did you mean something else? Because if you did, it's not at all clear and I'm an editor.

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Scott Shumaker
,
Jul 15, 2016 7:09 am EDT

Around four months ago, I had someone knock on the door and offer me a free doormat. Five minutes later some guy comes barging into my house and asks us just to hear him out. He gave us the sob story about how he was trying to sell these vacuums to support his family and only needed to sell one more to make his quota. I normally would not fall for this but I felt sorry for the guy and I needed a vacuum. He made it sound so great and promised to come back with a free duct cleaning and A/C filter. I couldn't afford the vacuum so he made it easy and made a payment plan that wasn't supposed to start until March 2008. The finance company has been harassing me since December about a late payment - go figure. The salesman never returned with the free bonuses he promised and the vacuum is a piece of crap. The hose clogs if you try to suck too much up and it is a real pain to lug the machine around. I wish that I could get my old Oreck back from him and give this piece of crap back! What a rip off!

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vmonch
Butler, US
Jul 15, 2016 7:09 am EDT

I was excited to see the commercial for this bra had full figured models that looked great in the bras. ( i am the same size as some of them). I rushed to order. After waiting 8 weeks, I called to be told " go on line to check your statice" . Poo!, I waited for a rep tyo pick up as they suggested. After 5 min. I got a dial tone. I finally recieved my tresures 10 weeks after ordering. They were too small and rolled up imediately( which they never do) Poo!. I got on the phone again and after 4 times a very nice man said he would send me our a larger size. "Just send back the ones you got". I did so and recieved my larger size in less than 2 weeks.(go figure). The new bras were the same poor fit, non supporting, roll up messes as the old ones. I am a 44 c cup now, and looked like a flat mess . I packed those babies up and sent them back expecting a refund. HUH! I recieved an e-mail confirming the return with no info. as to my refund. I called, got a machine which gave me another numb. I called and got a machine telling me to call on Mon. or Tues. as these were not busy times. Guess what, It was Tuesday! Got another number though. I called . only to be told they don't refund if a exchange has been made. I flipped out. The lady said maybe she could help me gause I was so nice. Good God! They have now promised me a refund within 2 days. I cannot wait to see if anything happens, what. Don't buy this item ladies, It is a clear scam. I urge you to e-mail me with your mess as misery loves company you know.( lavander@aol.com )

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skyhunk
, US
May 13, 2016 9:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Scam, scam, scam! I was also told my home was filthy by this door-to-door salesman. I said no, I can't afford it, it's much too expensive, MANY times. And each time he would get on the phone to his 'manager' to see if he could sell it at a lower price. And each time I said no, it's too expensive, and I asked that he leave. He would NOT leave and I thought the only way to get this guy out of my house is to physically grab him and push him out the door, but that sounded like assault to me. We had finally gotten the price down to $600.00 (STILL TOO MUCH), so I was getting desperate after an hour and a half so I agreed and signed a contract to pay $25.00 monthly over a period of 3 years - stupid me! After some years of having payments deducted automatically from my bank account, I thought to myself, surely I must have paid this machine off months ago, so I went to my bank and put a 'stop payment' order on the automatic deduction. It was a few weeks later that I started to get phone calls from someone telling me I had missed a payment. My response was - send me a statement of my monthly payments and any balance owing and then I will make a payment. Nothing! Nothing in the mail. I got two more calls asking for payment - my answer was the same as the first time - send me a statement. The phone calls finally stopped and I've heard nothing from them since.
These folks are crooks who should be in jail. I am amazed that they are not there. In the end I probably paid more than $1000.00 for this vacuum, and all because I wasn't paying attention to the deductions being made from my bank account - after a while you just get used to it.

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James A. Carrington
, US
May 13, 2016 5:50 pm EDT

I had a dealer from the local TriStar office try to sell me this ridiculously INEFFECTIVE and horrifically EXPENSIVE vacuum. He started by telling me I was living in filth and that he'd PROVE it to me (he never did) that my carpet was full of filth and that my current vacuum cleaner was a pile of junk. I politely told him that my carpet was not filthy but quite clean, and I told him that he was wasting his time, but he insisted on doing the demo. Long and hysterically FUNNY story short, he could NOT find ANYTHING but a tiny fleck of carpet fuzz...NO DIRT or sand, just a bit of clean carpet fuzz. Because my house is spotlessly clean, like I had tried to tell him at the beginning; I thoroughly vacuum my house at least a few times per week. With my KIRBY, which happens to be the best vacuum I've ever used and owned. I installed my extra thick and dense Sears's Best" carpet close to 20 years ago, and it's only ever been vacuumed by me with ONE vacuum, the same Kirby vacuum I purchased brand new the same day my carpet was installed. TriStar isn't the only brand who has tried, and failed MISERABLY, to find any dirt in my carpet, upholstery, and drapes; Filter Queen tried and failed; Electrolux failed, too. The worst failure of all was that stinkin' ### Rainbow; the water in the water basin was just as crystal clear AFTER the attempted removal of all of the dirt in my "filthy" carpet. But, I digress; when TriStar finally realized that my house and all of its contents were, in fact, clean, he began to insult me and my housekeeping skills ANYWAY...I told him to get the Hell out of my CLEAN house and not to EVER return. These guys are CROOKS; in fact, I was later informed by a local central vacuum cleaner manufacturer that when the actual OWNER of the local TriStar dealership had his new house built...? He had a certain central vacuum company install one in his new house! How's THAT for HYPOCRISY?! Crooks.

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James A. Carrington
, US
Apr 27, 2016 2:56 pm EDT

I just wanted to say that I actually liked the older models that had METAL WANDS and not cheap, breakable plastic wands that also break at the button lock as well. Another thing I hated about the newer plastic wand models is the power nozzle itself; it raises up (and you can hear it lose contact with the carpet) on the forward push; it maintains contact with the carpet on the the backward pull. A vacuum this expensive should be engineered better than this. The BEST vacuums I ever owned (and STILL own) was my Air-Way Sanitizor, an older all metal Electrolux vacuum, and of course, EVERY Kirby I've ever owned...these have all been exceptional machines that have stood the test of time...and Kirby has an EXCELLENT LIFETIME REBUILD WARRANTY that is SECOND TO NONE! I liked my old TriStar, but all of the newer models with plastic wands are, in my opinion, terrible for what you get. Buy one of the OLDER TriStars if you want a power nozzle that actually cleans effectively. I've had every brand of vacuum over the years, and only TWO cleaned so well that the salesperson couldn't find ANY dirt in my house ANYWHERE: My Air-Way Sanitizor, and my latest-generation Kirbys. Period.

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Warcry
, US
Aug 25, 2015 4:26 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I agree. We were duped into buying a tri star and our salesmans while pitch centered around my house with pets and my newborn daughter. He basically stated we lived in filth also. I cleaned and vacuumed regularly. The promises of a free getaway in the pamphlet my husband received in the mail stated we only had to sit through a demonstration. He pulled the whole, "I'll throw in the air purifier for free and take $1000 off. Plus you'll receive maintenance and cleaning yearly!"... It's not a vacuum, it's a home cleaning system! Yeah. Right. Its a vacuum. We were duped into buying a vacuum that's going to cost is $3k in the end. We are stuck making payments on a pos we hate or else we take a hit on our credit. It's heavy, bulky, it falls over, the metal on the canister gets ridiculously hot. Still waiting on that yearly maintenance and my newborn at the time is now almost 2. Fed up.

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Debbie McLean
, US
Jul 29, 2015 12:01 pm EDT

I do not have one not do I wish to have one I have an apt with no carpet so my vacuum is for my couch wow big stuff lol... but I have read an ongoing theme through here ... most of those who loved just love their tri star have had them for over ten years those of you who hated theirs are are saying save your money buy many cheap ones instead have newer models... now what have we learned? This at one point may have been a good company but is it standing the test of time? Does not appear to be so, they seem to get cheaper with their product over the years but still want the huge price. I would like to add I see these things being sold on buy and sell sites all the time, right now there is one on my local buy and sell the mg2 apparently its not that great he's selling for two hundred bucks mind you he is also saying there is still warranty on it which I don't think so because he had the life time warranty and i am pretty sure if you sell it then becomes invalid, but beside the point. His over priced machine is going for two hundred bucks . How did I end up here? I have no clue. Was looking up TriStar as in TriStar pictures and one of the google links led me here saw a lady saying something about a grand and read... well just kept reading frankly was interesting. Point I am making is this may have been a good company at one time but the cheapness of the product and over priced cost of what it is now it making it so its not a huge want. I did not know the company even still was up and running I had heard of them twenty years ago. Thought they went out of business. They are going to have to get nice sales men, people are too stress to deal with crap now a days they better learn to be nice! And they need to upgrade their product or it still will only be a company you see on buy and sells

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DharmaGalaxy
Yes, US
Feb 12, 2015 12:38 pm EST

When my in-laws died I inherited a Tristar. Only good thing I have to say about it is that it only cost me the wasted space in the truck for moving it. My main complaint is that it is un-maintainable. If the hose gets clogged, which it will, there is no rational way to remove the clog. The only people who are going to like this vacuum are vacuum repair stores. Get yourself an Orick, or three, instead.

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un4getable
Savannah, US
Feb 05, 2015 2:08 pm EST

I have had my TriStar vacuum for at least 20 years. Never enjoyed a vacuum b4 I purchased it. It is very versatile can blow the leaves off my carport or can clean my kitchen & bathroom drains. Not everyone will ever be satisfied with products no matter what it is. Sorry your experience was so bad, too bad you did not know my salesperson! She was very thorough!

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Oilslinger53
West Covina, US
Dec 28, 2013 2:06 am EST

I've sold cutco knives... I've sold prepaid legal... All these pyramid schemes are the same, and they are all scams. The product can be good (Cutco, Kirby, tristar) or they can be nearly useless (prepaid legal).

The bottom line for me is experience.

I found a tristar cxl in the trash today. Works great. Had a plastic cap stuck in the hose, once removed it works awesome. That said, for anyone to pay more than a few hundred dollars for one of these is unbelievable...

You can get them all day for under $300. They say it will last forever, but you shouldn't buy one online because there is no warranty? For the price they want door to door I can buy six of them! Surely six tristars will last a lifetime, right?

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e harcum
hague, US
Sep 24, 2013 3:53 pm EDT

very, very very, unhappy with the tri star dealer that came to my house, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and made it bad for any other salesperson to come to my house. i would slam the door in their face. i tried the vacuum out and it's no better than the one i have, it is a scam. i put a deposit down, tried it out and decided i didn't want it, they came back to get it but would not give me my money back. and was very rude when they came back. so take my advice if you see them coming please do not let them in your house.EH

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JustinC
lakeland, US
Jun 21, 2013 12:49 am EDT

I'm a sales manager for a great distributor in Florida I've read over alot of these comments, and futured I should speak pf my experance as a member of the Tri Star enterprise. First of all every single buisness or money making system on the planet is involved in some type of sales... Now for the people who feel that they over paid for something they could have bought offline for a fraction of the price ok no Tri Star distributor can sell online so the machines that are being sold online are always refurbished with no factory backed warremty alot of times tjese online machines dnt even have Tri Star parts in them so ur probely not even getting what ur looking for so the price u pay online is basicly u paying for just the Tri Star name. Tri Star honestly is the best indoor cleaning system on the market hands down from its cyclonicaction to its non dust spreading carbon true HEPA filtration if anyone on earth really think tjat a 50 doller vac from ur local shopping center is just as good means its good enough for them. But for the people who honestly own a tri Star we know since owning one our homes our the air in our homes air way cleaner then they have ever been before and for they people who think they over paid that honestly just means that the sales rep how sold it to you did a great powerful demo and you was just completly satisfied only after when they found peole have paid less do tjey feel shafted so lets say a car lot sells a car for one price and u bought it and u find out another carsales man lowerd his commission and gave the same car to someone else cheaper of course its human nature to want a good deal so what im tring to say is for those who pay top dollar for there tri star good job to the rep for showing the true value of this incredible cleaning system and for the customers who buy honestly if u bought then u was completely blown away buy the cleaning power and saw what convetual vacs leave behind. And also fpr the so called ex tri star reps who down the buisness or say they cant beleave what they use to do then it was them who was doing unethical and wrong practices so thank u for no longer being part of Tri Star a truely fair and honest rep will always leave a home leaving with a smile on his or her face and the customer or non customer will walk them out happy that there rep help them and there family live in a cleaner and healthier home and noncustomers also are always thankful and enjoy our company and love our product. So for all of u judgeing tri star as a whole because of a few bad apples remember in ever walk of life no matter the profession there are unethical and bad spirited individuals so next time u get a knock on the door choose for yourself u might find that you can leave a positive comment about your friendly honest local tri star rep

Cleanliness is next to Godliness,

Tri Star Sales Manager Justin C. Central Florida

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K Fahlman
Chilliwack, CA
Mar 30, 2013 10:07 pm EDT

I bought a tristar quite a few years ago and so far it has been an amazing vacuum. I have to vacuum a few times a day due to a very hairy dog. About a month after being serviced and told that it was in great working order it has decided to have a mind of its own. It will work for about 30 seconds then it turns itself off for a couple of minutes and then starts up all by itself again. This is most frustrating, has anyone else had this problem and if so what the heck is it. The wires look perfect, the suction is perfect, everything looks great. Im beside myself trying to figure out what the problem is.

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Rory.
Calgary, CA
Mar 07, 2013 11:18 pm EST

Just got one of those "scratch and win" tickets in the mail and wanted to see if it was legitimate. After going through everything, I will not be proceeding forward with this.

As an aside, I think it's hilarious how those who have had good or bad experiences attack those on the other side of the spectrum for sharing their experience and tell them they're wrong... Because telling people that what they have personally experienced is wrong makes SO much sense.

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CatherineH
Campbellville, CA
Dec 31, 2012 11:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

All door to door sales people use high pressure sales tactics. I have owned a Compact vacuum for 40 years, maintain it by taking it in for a tuneup every 2 years, and it still works great. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner, pay the price, look after it, and you will find it will take care of you too. You get what you pay for. If you find the list price is too high, try negotiating. The quality is impossible to beat and will last you for years without losing its high performance.

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MRREP
, US
Dec 19, 2012 9:24 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Has anyone had animal hair appear on the carpet shortly before the dem...The rep was surprised to hear we had no pets!

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maggie g.
Glendale, US
Jul 04, 2012 3:53 pm EDT

I have to say, i was pleased with the salesman. My husband and i bought a TriStar vacuum and are pleased with its work. Unfortunately we were promised yearly maintenance and vacuum cleaning at a local store. Needless to say, that was a scam. The local vacuum store did not honor the certificate. I am happy with the vacuum, but would i buy an other one, probably not.

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TriStar Fan
, US
Mar 31, 2012 10:29 pm EDT

I sold the TriStar MG8 model for a few months. I got out of it because I'm not a sales person, but I was thoroughly impressed with the machine. I did no-pressure demonstrations in homes where they had just had the carpets professionally cleaned, and pulled incredible amounts of pet hair and dirt out of the same carpets. The people were shocked! I did a demo for a friend who had just cleaned his carpet with another well-known, very expensive brand just before I got there, and I pulled multiple bags of pet hair out of his "clean" carpet as well. Another lady raised and sold expensive, rare cats from her home, and was looking for a vacuum that could clean not only cat hair from the furniture and carpets, but litter from the hard wood floors. Her Dyson, designed for pet cleanup, just wasn't doing the job. She vacuums her house every day to keep the possibility of disease down, yet the MG-8 was able to pull an amount of pet hair from the carpet that truly surprised her, and had no problem with the litter on the floor. The engineering of this machine is like nothing I've ever seen. There is absolutely no loss of suction or power because the air flow is over the top of the dirt in the bag, and it never clogs. The force of the air flow is so strong around the bag that you can put sand in it almost to the top, open the lid while it's on, and turn the whole machine upside down and not lose any sand! I loved doing that part of the demo because it blew me away every time I saw it. It's expensive, and they will negotiate, but at the same time, you won't find a machine that is as powerful and cleans the way that thing does. It was designed by aircraft engineers who designed the air filtration systems on jet aircraft. They had to run for hours in flight without clogging. We were so impressed with it, that my wife and I are still looking for one that we can afford to buy. There are always people who are going to be disappointed with the presentation, and even the product. But I can venture to say that all of those who are happy with the TriStar machines aren't going to be on blogs like this, and they way outnumber those with complaints. I discovered that the reason they do in-home demonstrations is because you have to see this thing work and understand the uniqueness of the design to appreciate what it is. If you saw it on a store shelf somewhere, you'd have no idea how to compare it to other machines. I don't sell them anymore, so I don't have a thing to gain by my comments, but I still want one. I truly believe they are the best vacuum on the market ... expensive ... but still the best.

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Mick2
Aurora, US
Dec 05, 2011 5:10 pm EST
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It is really too bad that this machine has to be characterized by rude sales people and goofy promotions. I sold these machines back in the 1960s when they retailed for about $180. We gave away steak knives instead of airplane tickets. These machines are the finest quality and still out perform everything on the market. I still have one that I bought in 1970 and it works great. The only thing I have replaced are the brushes on the floor tool and dusting tool. At that time you could buy the best vacuum cleaner that Sears made for about $50. I doubt that anyone still has a 1970 Sears machine that works at all. A Kirby cost about $300 and was also good quality but this machine (we called them Compact back in the day) made a Kirby look silly. It was fun to stick the hoses on the two machines head to head, turn them on and watch the Compact implode the bag on the Kirby. We would suck up three or four big ball bearings and they would BANG! against the back of the composite metal lid. We would suck up a big bucket full of sand in a couple of seconds. The most fun was putting the transparent demo lid on with a sheet of white filter paper under it, and pull a big ugly load of dirt out of a couch cushion that the lady thought was squeaky clean. If you had to work at it by pulling three or four times to get a trace she was devastated. If one pull filled the thing half full and she scoffed, you knew that she really didn't care about cleaning. Direct sales is all about hype and if the salesman can put on a good enough show to make you part with a big fist full of money. If you don't want to part with three or four times what you think it's worth, go buy a used one. People die and leave them to posterity. My mother lived to 93 and couldn't wear hers out, so I turned it over to my cousin who lived to 85. One of her kids probably has it now.

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The quilter lady
Sacramento, US
Nov 12, 2011 3:21 am EST
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When I saw the website "Tristar vacuum scam" I figured I better check it out because I bought a Tristar Cleaning System which is a very good vacuum cleaner. I am sorry for anyone who had a bad experience with the salesperson (I had a good experience). But the people who say it is as good as any "vacuum cleaner" don't really know quality. I have owned my Tristar for 19 years. Yes, I have had to replace a few parts (19 years is a long time) but every time I had to fix something I still had a better machine than anyone else who did not have a Tristar. I traded in my Kirby for my new Tristar and they don't even compare. I received the warranty services as long as I was supposed to. I was told when I purchased it that the warranty would no longer be good if I used it to clean other houses for money. Well, I have to tell you that I did have my own housecleaning business for a couple years and I used my Tristar and did a superior job. When I quit, one of my customers went out and bought her own Tristar because she knew it was better than what she had.
I clean the inside of my house and then go outside and vacuum out there. It will pick up leaves and small debris. I blow out my dryer vent hose with my machine. It also turns into a blower if you connect the hose to the rear end of the canister.
The Tristar has suction that is incredible! So if you say the machine "sucks" you are right! I wish everyone could be as happy with their vacuums as I am.

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MsReadsALot
, US
May 04, 2011 6:31 pm EDT

Tri star is the worst vacuum and company I've ever had the displeasure of working with. In 2001 I got scammed into one, then sued for non payment by their finance company, their mistake not mine. Their service provider in our area, Phx metro was incompetent, and when the unit broke, blamed us for not treating it properly! My husband pieced the crappy thing back together and we never went back to authorized dealer again. 10 years later, I'm so happy to finally beat the hell out of this thing with a bat and buy myself a Dyson. They are no Kirby, which is what I had used for years, and I only kept limping this thing along for a deacade to try and recoup some of my almost $2000 investment. NEVER AGAIN, and I will share my story with all who'll listen. Don't care what anyone has to say, I've been in sales for 20 years and this company has no ethics, period! Stay away from this product and company. Oh and in the last 10 years that we'ved lived here, that was the only time that Tri-Star was selling in our neighborhood.
Interesting, once they scam a neighborhood they know not to hit it again. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!

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peckerw88d
Gillette, US
Apr 08, 2011 3:30 am EDT
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My girlfriend and I bought a Tri-Star about 2 weeks ago. Maybe overpriced, but a really good vacuum. We have 3 kids, which make messes, and the vacuum helps keep our home clean. Is it better than any other vacuum, maybe, maybe not. To me, YES! The salesman was very courteous, and even had a beer with me. A very good experience!

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chuckachucka
owen, CA
Apr 01, 2011 2:58 am EDT

All vacuums will loose suction, so they must be cleaned often. I found the dyson to have the best suction mostly due to the smaller opening on the motorized head and with 5 years warranty from a trusted company why waist thousands of dollars on a tristar for nothing.

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Rich Boone
Rocklin, US
Mar 07, 2011 5:45 pm EST
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I can see how people would be upset with some of the sales tactics they experienced. We were luckier with our salesman. Yes, we paid too much - about $1600 five years ago. But we are very happy with our machine. We rationalized the purchase at the time by the fact that we were paying $200-300 every year for a new vacuum. We vacuum a lot because we've got a two story house and a big family with lots of pets. Its not uncommon for us to vacuum 1-2 times a day. So we were literally burning out a vacuum every year so we figured if we bot a Tristar maybe we'd get about 5 years out of it. That would make us break-even. If it lasts longer then we're ahead. Guess what? It still works great after 5 years. At the end of the day its still a great vacuum cleaner - just try not to pay too much for it.

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rippedoffgood
Port Hood, CA
Feb 24, 2011 2:38 pm EST

our tristar that we paid to much for is going off and on now, We were asked not to tell people how much we paid . It had fair suction, when it worked, but the proper filters cost almost 100.00 and bags are expensive. The floor brush broke in less than 6 months, we had to buy a different one as it was so expensive for the original .
I bought a little Shark vacuum for about 70.00 that works much better and is lighter to move around the house. Can't even get in touch with Tristar company !
Another person was going to buy one but salesman wouldn't give a price until he committed to buying. Needlee to say he lost that sale and when I was told about it, I let him know he saved himself a lot of money for a vacuum that only thing going for it is casing and the salesman almost threw it at me to show how light it was. I didn't find it that light. Should have charged him for ig scratch he put in hardwood floor with his breifcase .

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DizNiz
Redlands, US
Feb 23, 2011 11:28 pm EST
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So it's funny how all these former sales people talk about how good Tri-Star is. Brainwashed losers. It's all about the money, nothing else. I've been in sales for over 20 years, done quite well for myself, thank you very much. All ethically. If I was introduced to a product or company that didn't make a quality product, or had a quality sales staff, I passed. I've seen these vacuum cleaner companies...there are a few of them. They always hire the lowest form of [censor] to sell their stuff. They're good at exploiting the desperation of those looking for jobs and train them to exploit the desperation of their customers. The hard sell is an unnecessary tactic and myth. If you need to rely on it to succeed, you're not a good salesperson...you're a bully. Most of y'all live your lives that way too, you vacuum cleaner, door to door "sales" people. Leave the term salesman for those of us who earn it. Ethically and correctly. You guys, you're just bottom feeders...and it doesn't last.

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LTerril
Cheney, US
Feb 23, 2011 10:44 pm EST

I have been out of the vacuum business for over ten years, but was a national recruiter for direct marketing in the vacuum business. While it is true that some reps end up not being able to do this job, and many salesmen/women are unscrupulous; Not ALL are. The Tri Star is one of the best Cleaning systems available. Period. Having been in the vac business inside and out, you become an "expert" at the whole industry as you would in any sales position. An insurance salesman is an "expert" at insurance and knows his competition great and bad. He would know if he is overpriced, under priced, etc. There are other machines that do clean as well or better, however when you purchase the machine from a sales rep in your home, you get a brand new product. In ANY retail industry, you have a profit margin. Whether it be cars, hotels or vacuums. YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET. Comparing a Tri-star {brand new} to a dirt devil {brand new} is like comparing a caddilac to a daewo. Buying a vacuum used on the internet is like buying a used car... Yes you can get it much cheaper, just as you can get a car much cheaper. It is a matter of choice, do you want a used car, a new car, a luxury car or a junker? The reason you would spend alot of money on a cleaner for your home is: 1. makes furniture and carpets last longer by getting 80% of the dirt out of it as opposed to 20%. 2. you don't have to replace it as often. The point is you will pay for a good vacuum whether you use on or not. No matter what you buy, a profit has to be made somewhere. No matter what job you have... the end has to be money is made and you get paid, even if you are a garbage man. There is a salesperson somewhere selling the garbage service so that you have someone to pick it up from. Do you think the contract comes from thin air? Were they gullible innocent people wasting money because they could have taken it to the dump themselves? Some people, when they take the time out of their day, and use their electricity and push a vacuum around... some people want to get most or all of the dirt and not just some of it. These are the people that buy TriStar and other top rated top dollar machines. These are the people that have the nicer cars, and houses and expect and want to get the most value and luxury they can for what they spend. I completely understand why some of you can't relate. It's OK, as a Lowly sales person, I drive a hyundai and love it. But my son has asthma and allergies as do I, so when I clean, I use a machine that works, and doesn't just put pretty lines on the carpet. To each his own.

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P.A.
Tampa, US
Jan 21, 2011 6:17 am EST

I disagree with all these complaints. There is nothing wrong with the tri-star home cleaning system. Most people are just to blind to see that the TRI-STAR HOME CLEANING SYSTEM and the PURE-STAR TRUE HEPA filters will keep a superiorly more Healthy Home than any vacuum ever can. This saves money over the life of ownership( which is 25 years or more) by protecting home, furnishings, and health. You pay for high quality materials, AMERICAN MANUFACTURING LABOR WAGES, distribution costs and of course the professional sales person . YES THE SALES PERSON DESERVES TO MAKE $$, TOO. If the salesman or saleswoman are rude or not properly trained, then that reflects on that person and the distributor they work for. NOT THE PRODUCT. If you feel like you are being scammed and you opened up your wallet to buy, then look in the mirror- YOU'LL SEE THE PROBLEM STARING BACK! YOU are probably such a SHEEP that you read one of these blogs and changed your mind because of another idiot. You can't force anyone to buy anything.
Furthermore, people don't want to work hard. It takes money to make money. So if new representatives quit in training, its because they are the type of people that should only be flipping burgers, digging holes, or possible bagging groceries. Any sales takes a hard working, dedicated and most especially a respectful person . Rude sales people fail at their professions.
As for people who say the machine doesn't have suction, thats BS. They probable don't wash out their filter bag, as required for proper operating use. After all it is a filter and if not maintained eventually is will start to clog- just like ordinary vacuums. The difference is ordinary vacuums lose power in minutes, NOT MONTHS LIKE A IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED TRI-STAR. After all they built a GREAT machine, NOT A MIRACLE machine.
HONESTLY people are scammed by marketers in TV ads, print Ads, infomercials. TRI-STAR has one of the few AMERICAN PRODUCTS available. These distributors can't afford TV ads, and lets face it a machine like this and their other products are HOME CARE products! If you care about your home and family then the best place to see the TRI-STAR is in your home~ NOT ON A RETAIL SHELF IN A BOX. It is worth seeing it in action in the home.
Everyone has opinion, but most unfavorable comment about tri-star are simply cry baby former employees that could'nt hack it or owners that don't know how to care for the machine. Buy CHINESE if you want inferior product and support their country, if thats what you want!
I hope anyone reading this and has not seen a TRI-STAR home cleaning system, have an open mind, you don't have to buy it. IF the sales person is rude kick them out and report that to the company.
I love my TRI-STAR, it keeps me and my family HEALTHIER and my home HEALTHY.

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Dustin87&micholas
Edmonton, CA
Nov 16, 2010 6:33 am EST

Hi my name is Dustin and I work for Tristar. I think that all the negative things that are being said are rude to the company and not everyone that works for this company is pushy and inconsiderate . I do beleave in this company, and the product that they have is one of a kind. I have a Tristar MG3 in my home and it works . I am sorry that there are people or reps out there that are pushy but not all of them are like that .
The product that they have does not have to be a one time pay you can purchase it many different ways . We are not here to take food off your table we are here to help you have a heathy home and to make sure that the particles that a taditional vaccume is leaveing behind - the Tristar MG3 air flow system will pick it up . Agian sorry if there are some sales reps that do try to pressure you into buying a Tristar. I work in Canada and I love working for this company. Now as for the guy that said that this is a scam please do some research before you unjustly criticize this company . If anyone knows anything about a scam then they will know that this is not one . As for me I am not anything like that - I will not come into your home and tell you that it is filthy. All I do is just show you what your vaccume system is leaving behind and if you think that it is gross then that's all on you not on us; we are here to show you not to judge you on it. That is what they tell us, our job is not to make you feel bad so that you get one of our systems, but just show you that a vaccume system is not all the time doing the job right. If I gave a mechanic a fork and a knife to go and change my oil and he came back to me with a confused look on his face, do I have the right to get mad at him? No i have no right to get mad at him because of the fact that they do not give people that right systems to clean your home . If this was the only thing on the market then you would get it wouldn't you? Yes you would. Now you will not find this system in any store . That is why we come to your home because if we just told you that this worked then you would have second doubts . So we go to your home to show you what it is capable of doing . There are things in in demo that we show you on how much you time, energy and money you are spending to clean and PEOPLE SPEND WAY TO MUCH MONEY TO CLEAN THERE HOME . We are trying to help you SAVE money. It may look like alot of money to purchase a Tristar but we help people save an AVERAGE $10, 000. So the next time that you think this is a scam just let them do there job and show you. What are you going to loose? Nothing but a few moments of your time. Agian sorry if there are some reps that do that are pushy and seemingly forceful toward people but not all of us are like that .

Thank you for your time
Dustin in canada

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apec
go away, US
Oct 20, 2010 7:53 pm EDT
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I feel I should add, the Tristar is genuinely the best vacuum cleaner. The only real advantage any other might have is being upright, and that's largely personal preference. But the self-cleaning bag is truly superior. It will clog and lose power though if nothing is picked up to agitate the bag, so toss a few noodles or something in first.

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apec
go away, US
Oct 17, 2010 9:14 pm EDT
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I was a tristar sales rep for about four months.

All I will say is this... once you refuse to buy the machine, do not let the salesman use the same bathroom where you keep your toothbrushes.

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muffiesis
Tyler, US
Sep 30, 2010 6:33 pm EDT

Wow, so many comments about a funny little sturdy vacuum cleaner! My mom (now 84) used to blow through vacuums like crazy... they were always burning up, breaking, whatever. My parents went on vaca about 1979 or 80 and I was staying at the house. The vacuum went, wouldn't ya know. They always used to get Kenmore everything, so off my oldest bro and I went to Sears but were very unimpressed. I found a vacuum store and asked the guy what was the best. He showed me the Compact, and after much talk, I brought that then $700 baby home. She still has it and we have both used and loved it over the years! It IS a little blue pig! Once you know how to maneuver with it, it is just the best vacuum system! Nobody came to our house, and I originally went to look at Electroluxes, which even then were all plastic and crappy. I would like one myself, but it's hard to reckon paying $1000+ when you can get those cheapies at Walmart or Target. Would I rather have an all-metal made in USA machine? You bet! No question about it. My stupid Royal and Hoover just make tons of noise and push the dust around, straightening out the carpet pile.

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