you just have to learn to love this vacuum . here be the way I break it down : pro : light weight . strong battery . good suction . two switch for floors\/carpet -- do a good job on both , include pet hair . fit into charger flawlessly with zero fumble . solid feel . use this to replace my frequent purchase of a Shark vacuum . I tolerate poor battery life , and fall-apart construction , and non-existent customer service in the Shark . con : it will not stand up alone out of the charger . empty the dirt cup be awkward ... you have to balance the center round part of vacuum over trash and `` dig it out . '' -lrb- I use a wood paint stirrer -rrb- you have to fold up the vacuum with the head up to place in charger . still , I would buy one again in a flash . the pro far outweigh the con ! Addendum : September 11 , 2009 shortly after post the above positive review , I go to use the vacuum and it be completely dead . Charger not work , but vacuum also dead when there should have be charge leave . I call B & D , which to they credit have english-speaking customer service located in this country . they send I a new charger cord -lrb- in a four foot box !?? -rrb- but the vacuum be still dead . I have be tell they would replace the vacuum if charger do not work . well , after MUCH argument and I push back ... ask for supervisor , etc. , now they say they will replace it but I have to take it to service center . this episode be less than 2 month after I buy it . after this , I would say you can find a better vacuum . I would probably buy Shark -lrb- unless there be a better one -rrb- and consider it disposable . Addendum : December 2009 . follow-up on service problem . B & D require that I return the vacuum to they . they do not pay for return shipping . this be very heavy and would be quite expensive to ship . I be able to locate a authorized center but have to drive about 45 minute there . I live near a fairly large city . B & D tell I the service center would mail the new vacuum to I . of course it would have cost this small business a lot to ship . evident as they personally deliver it . now that I have the new vacuum it do work well . it do not replace my Dyson , but be good for quick clean-up . but consider this a disposable vacuum , without warranty . also , the more I use it the more I notice that gunk get around the small pivot wheel cause problem . I have to cut the gunk and wedge it out with pliers . vacuum pretty good . customer Service deplorable . down-rate the vacuum because of that . would I purchase this again ? maybe . but I would absolutely try for Walmart and save the receipt for entire warranty period .