Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I had high hopes for this vacuum because my last Hoover lasted YEARS and they've always been good to me. Secondly, this was reviewed highly here on Amazon and on other similar sites. It was rated as a Consumer Report Best Buy. Well let me save you the drama and tell you to skip on this purchase. Here's the only three things I really appreciate: 1) Retractable Cord--this is the best invention since ice cream. 2) Folding handle--easy to store, convenient. 3) Quiet--when it works (see below) Here's everything I hate in order of MOST annoying to least annoying. 1) Most annoying: the bag / dirt chamber is disgusting! You literally have to remove the dirt by hand most of the time because it gets stuck in the chamber and no amount of hitting it up against the garbage can helps--despite the fact you can either pull it completely apart or it has a "quick release" feature. It's messy, it's disgusting, and I can't believe that someone thought this would be a good design! Worse, when you go to empty it, it gets dirt all over the floor, etc. It's awful. 2) Suction. The suction was awesome... for about three weeks. We have a cat and there is no reason that after three weeks a brand new vacuum should be doing this. I am tempted to contact customer service because I'm that angry about it. We literally took apart all the removeable parts and went over the vacuum piece by piece. Still can't figure out what's wrong. I've noticed that it tends to blow debris out the back rather than sucking it up. Lowering the setting to have it closer to the floor doesn't seem to change much. It still leaves stuff on the surface of the floor. 3)The handle. Okay remember how I said the handle folded and it's easy and convenient? That's great except that the handle is HUGE and clumsy in your hand (did they make this for a Giant?) and is very unsecure. You can feel the cheapness in the construction when you're trying to zoom around the house with your vacuum and you feel the handle moving with every step. It sometimes feel as though the handle is going to break right off. 4) Cleaning. Cleaning the vacuum really sucks. Remember how I said it gets dust and dirt everywhere? After just a few weeks, my vacuum looks like it's three years old instead of brand new. I take care of my stuff and this design makes it darn near impossible to keep my machine looking and running well. 5) The Hose ... What hose? The hose is the shortest hose I've ever seen. I'm sorry, but who designed this? It's not even long enough to reach the floor without bending at a strange angle that will eventually strain your back. Attachments obviously add a little bit of length, but you're still bending over toward the floor. This is the first negative review I've ever given a product here on Amazon and I've spent thousands here. If any of the above are issues for you, I highly suggest you pass on thie vacuum. Or, if you're really set on getting it, go try it out at another store and see for yourself what I'm talking about. I can't believe I bought this and am hoping you don't make the same mistake I did.