Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This review is for the Shark Apex AZ1002. I purchased this from a store, who thank goodness, is willing to let me return it even though I've used it. The only positive attributes are: it's easy to put together, and it has powerful suction. I almost wonder if the suction is too strong (I didn't think I'd ever say that about a vacuum!) The negatives. Where do I begin? Firstly, the swiveling action (why don't they make vacuum's any more that DON'T swivel?!) I felt like I was wrestling an alligator all through my house. I've got blisters on the insides of my thumbs from trying to keep this heavy vacuum on a straight path. On the carpet, it was bad enough, but on tile floors? Forget it. I ended up taking the Lift-Away cannister and lugging it around while using the wand separately. Trying to use the canister for vacuuming shutters (or anything above the floor for that matter), was wretched. The hose, when not turned on, is very flexible and extends quite far, but as soon as you turn the vacuum on, it becomes exceptionally stiff and barely reaches to shoulder height. It was useless. The "dusting" attachment is also a weird angle design and was difficult to use. I thought that vacuuming my stairs with this type of vacuum would be easier than my old upright Dyson. Wrong. You put the canister on the stair below, but the back and forth action required for actually vacuuming a stair sends it toppling down. Overall, it took me twice as long to vacuum my 1650 sq ft house, I have hurt my lower back (and I don't have back problems), and I have two blisters on the insides of my thumbs. It's a good workout I guess - I felt like I'd run a marathon after using this vacuum.