Shopping for a vacuum cleaner? Can you save money by shopping online? Sure, but is that the best way? Let’s find out.

I’m using vacuum cleaners as an example, but this idea applies to many kinds of product.

Buying online is a way to save money, and nearly all online dealers are reputable. The online feedback to a dis-reputable seller would stop most buyers from giving him money. So the online method of buying pretty much patrols itself.

But there are times when saving a few dollars by shopping online isn’t in your best interest.

I sell vacuum cleaners, so let’s use that as an example.

Some brands of vacuum cleaner are inexpensive (under $150), and you are not out a lot of money if the product proves defective, and you cannot get a replacement.

Some vacuum cleaners are more expensive, made better, and are in more demand. These vacuum cleaners are designed and built to last for many years, even decades. These are not disposable vacuums. These vacuums are ones you would maintain and service to ensure you get your money’s worth.

The problem is, there are sellers that obtain these vacuum cleaners from legitimate dealers that are going out of business. These machines are considered used by the manufacturer. Vacuums that were sold to a second party, are now not being sold by a real dealer. When you buy from these liquidators (many E-Bay merchants buy and sell this way), the warranty is voided.

These dealers are also not in the service business. Repairs will almost always have to be supplied by a non-dealer or a dealer that cannot honor the warranty. In our store we receive several vacuum cleaners a week that someone bought on E-Bay. They tell us that the description said it ran like new. We have to tell then sometimes that their motor is shot, or some equally bad news. Also, you have no recourse in many of these deals. Once you accept the vacuum, you can’t prove it was defective when you received it. It becomes your word against the online seller’s.

We have customers call us asking if we can beat an offer they received from a dealer of a vacuum cleaner we are not authorized to service. We can usually sell the exact same machine for hundreds of dollars less. We still recommend they buy from the authorized dealer and warranty center. The money saved today is always less than the money saved because eventually you will want your vacuum serviced.

So our advice is to buy from local retailers who are legitimately authorized to sell and service your vacuum cleaner. Buy online only from authorized dealers and service centers. Buying something that won’t perform for you, is never a good deal.