A year and 2 dogs ago, a Kirby salesman (sales kid) came to the house to demonstrate--I couldn't believe all of the crap he picked up with that vaccuum!!!!! I wasn't about to spend over $1000 on a vaccuum, so I didn't get one.
I have heard so much about the Dyson vacs though--may be worth saving up for!!
We have a cheapie right now that we had to run out and buy at midnight one night after my husband broke our other one
It works well, but I also have a shop vac, dustbuster, dirt devil, and carpet steamer.

Thanks for the information.