Rugged Industries Rugged Advantage

Rugged product with rugged customer care to boot. Caveat Emptor – TDLR: - The expectation set by their marketing claims (inclusive of online reviews) vs the reality was polarising. If you're going to hype a product and service up it better be good in my opinion. - Back pain was experienced during and post-use. - Was told that I should have done more research before buying so here's the research for future… Read more

prospective buyers. - Personally, I'd recommend Pullman.

Where to start, a low-quality product or the dismal post-sales service?

The context for use is intended for jobs at our church, offices, and home environment. My previous experience comes from cleaning in offices and at homes on a casual basis using a Pullman.

After reading the feedback for the product and business, I felt that everything was on point; a commercial vacuum that could rival a Pullman.

It looked like a product that was designed for everything with the customer service to go hand with it. Coming from a marketing background I got to give it to them, their marketing is actually great in pulling me in.

Instead, the polar opposite was experienced post-purchase. After sending what I believe was a somewhat negative and constructive correspondence feedback email I was met with a defensive and condescending response.

A wall of text on how to use it properly via manual and how I shouldn't see it as an ergonomic trekking pack etc... Business professionalism in the reply was void. Customer service fundamentals - absent.

I have worked in customer care all my life and specialize in marketing for one of Australia's largest organic distributors for years dealing with over 50 brands. This was the most polar experience I have with a product and service with reviews and marketing claims as a point of reference.

In all fairness, I wanted to like their product, brand, and business hence I bought the product to see the 'hype' IRL.

As a point of reference, I have spent months in the factories of Shenzhen in product prototyping devices and general products like toys for export. I love product design and have spent my life devoted to it.

So let's break the down...

Weight:

As a point of reference, I've spent decades lifting weights for health and working with handling products of different sizes so I am well aware of weight distribution for lifting and use by design.

Despite the selling point being lightweight at under 5kg; my impressions was contrary from half a dozen periods of at least half an hour interval uses for the following reasons:

Each time I lift the unit, the impression, not light. Perhaps because the centre of weight is at the centre top and not at the bottom? I am unsure. This is with zero attachments. However, with the attachments and electric cable, the weight sales point becomes pretty much obsolete in my opinion.

Ergonomics:

Despite boasting that the product is designed with ergonomic experts, I am of the opinion it is not well designed, I actually question the skillsets of their design and ergonomic department.

It looks ergonomic but real-world use indicates otherwise. I have experienced back pain after each short use of less 10 minutes increments of the product.

The strapping and the unstrapping of the unit become a nuisance because the shoulder straps are poorly designed and made - they are narrow hard canvas straps. Take this off and on frequently then you will see what I mean. There's no padding to distribute the weight.

The bulk of the weight which is supposed to rest on the waist was acceptable but the issue was that it wobbles while moving around areas thereby adding strain to the shoulder strap and therefore spine. There were no stabilizers to stop the wobble.

This is what I believe is a factor in causing the pain in my shoulders and lumbar. The flat backing is not ergonomic at all, it's like having a hardboard on your back. Added to the fact that you'll be doing a lot of twisting while cleaning around corners. If you have slight back issues: caveat emptor.

Suction:

Disappointed straight off the bat factoring weight and commercial/industrial positioning. Used in low dust/particle areas and cleaned as per instructions with each use. Also very noisy for the level of suction. You might want to consider putting on earplugs.

Components:

Despite being postured that it has met industry and manufacturing standards for quality control I am of the opinion that the components are poorly made - here's why: - Plastic components feel cheap compared with others like the Pullman - brush bristles have already deformed at first use. - Main hose unit leaks suction at the open/close hold point. - Main hose is stiff - this affects the ease of use and maneuverability. It's 'rugged' I give it that. - Metal tube is heavy - this adds even more weight to an already off-balanced product. - Shoulder strap quality feels inferior as a whole. - Generally, components come across as clunky (a reflection of poor design) compared to other vacuum cleaners (commercial and domestic) I've used over the decades. - Even the quality of the box packaging leaves an impression. I'll give you a hint, they've skimped on this as well.

To sum up, if you don't want back issues I'd strongly suggest you do your research (as per reply by rep/owner?) and look elsewhere. Otherwise be smarter than I am and test it out in person, thoroughly, before handing over your hard-earned money and not get blinded by their marketing hype.

Edit, this seems to be the same product and company: https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/hako-advantage-bagless

Powerful suction. Easy to clean – Purchased the new Advantage from Rugged in Jan this year and use it for vacuuming factory offices, kitchen and lunch room. Very powerful suction.Emptying is easy. Duster makers cleaning the metal filter a cinch.The Motor filter hardly gets dirty but I vacuum it anyway. Can't complain. Never want a bagged machine again. Show details