Item: Numatic Henry
Rating: 1

Canarysong's review of Numatic Henry

“UNSAFE/UNUSEABLE”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Canarysong on 26/05/2011

I have found the Henry Vacuum Cleaner by Numatic International to be UNSAFE and difficult to use. I would like to emphasize UNSAFE! The long attachments DO NOT fasten together with proper knobs and catches and ALWAYS COME APART when in use. I would like to emphasize ALWAYS! They have been like this from new out of the box and I have been injured on numerous occasions when the long extensions just fall away and disconnect from each other WHILE vacuuming with the chrome/stainless steel extensions hitting me and falling on the floor. It would make this a much better product if the attachments actually attached with a proper snap on feature because no matter how tightly you think you have fitted them they come apart in use. Without the extensions and the ability to vacuum the floor from an upright position, I find this product almost UNUSEABLE. I have recently purchased a Miele and though it was more expensive it was well worth the money so I recommend you buy a Miele instead

6 - 12 months

Owned Product For:
Ease of Use
Durability
Style
Value For Money

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Guest's Response to Canarysong's Review

Written on: 05/06/2011

My kids don't struggle with this Hoover! Having used these for years I think their simplicity and durability is what makes them the best. Sounds like a health & safety gone mad review ;)

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Janebloggs's Response to Canarysong's Review

Written on: 27/01/2013

You have to TWIST the attachments on as far as they will go, then they won't come off!
Most people seem to "ram" them on , which doesn't work

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Birdsong's reply to Janebloggs's Comment

Written on: 29/01/2013

I can assure you that both my husband and I do twist the attachments on and they DO come off again no matter what. The fact remains that connections should be made with a positive catch of some sort as most GOOD manufacturers have been using for donkey's years. Perhaps the users that have no problems don't vacuum very energetically.

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Birdsong's reply to Birdsong's Comment

Written on: 29/01/2013

Well, first this website wouldn't recognize my original login details and now it's not offering me an Edit option either.

Sorry for the double post.

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Birdsong's reply to Janebloggs's Comment

Written on: 29/01/2013

I can assure you that both my husband and I DO twist the attachments on and they DO come off again no matter what. The fact remains that connections should be made with a positive catch of some sort as most GOOD manufacturers have been using for donkey's years. Perhaps the users that have no problems don't vacuum very energetically.

Also, the floor attachment is USELESS on mats. I'm not even talking thick pile carpet. I'm just talking a throw mat in front of the door. Try and pull the attachment across that and it ALWAYS comes off.

Two years later, I still prefer my Miele

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Janebloggs's reply to Birdsong's Comment

Written on: 29/01/2013

Thanks for your reply to my comment. I do sympath ise, because I've suffered the annoyance and frustration of this problem with other vacuums, but not the Henry or Hetty. Why don't you give Numatic a call on 01460 68600.? I had to contact them once, and they were really friendly and helpful
Hope you can sort it out,as I'm sure you will be as pleased as I am. if you do?

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Tropi's reply to Birdsong's Comment

Written on: 29/01/2013

I absolutely agree with Canarysong.

The attachments fall apart far too easily because there is NOTHING, other than unreliable friction, to hold them together. I've lost count of the number of times I have painfully nipped my fingers trying to hold the two straight tubes together. This isn't a minor inconvenience - it is a major and painful nuisance, which would simply not exist if proper catches were provided.

Health and Safety does, too often 'go mad'. But in this case, canarysong is 100% correct - the attachment connections are simply not fit for purpose and it is inexcusable.

In all other respects, the little Henry is really excellent. But, with useless tools, the whole thing becomes almost useless.

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