Neato XV-21 Pet & Allergy Robotic Vac Price: $229.99 Shipping Options:: $5 Standard OR $10 Two-Day OR $20 One-Day Shipping Estimates: Ships in 1-2 business days (Tuesday, Dec 01 to Wednesday, Dec 02) + transit Condition: New
Be forewarned: although this bot cleans well when it works, it has a lot of problems.
The bots often suffer from issues like not returning to the base, getting lost and confused, and the batteries are notorious for losing capacity very quickly. However, the worst part of buying these is dealing with the absolutely horrible customer service Neato provides.
They do not care about keeping you as a customer and are just miserable to deal with. The fact that the bots so frequently have issues means the odds you will have to reach out to support is pretty high.
[QUOTE=jonxwilliams, post:5, topic:510195]
Be forewarned: although this bot cleans well when it works, it has a lot of problems.
The bots often suffer from issues like not returning to the base, getting lost and confused, and the batteries are notorious for losing capacity very quickly. However, the worst part of buying these is dealing with the absolutely horrible customer service Neato provides.
They do not care about keeping you as a customer and are just miserable to deal with. The fact that the bots so frequently have issues means the odds you will have to reach out to support is pretty high.
[/quote]
Was about to pull the trigger but your comment convinced me not to. Thanks!
I’ve had one of these for years. It does save me from most vacuuming chores but it is quirky and requires attention from time to time. I have had to get new batteries every couple of years. I like my Neato a lot and when this one dies I’ll probably get a new one.
However, this note is currently on the mother ship’s Neato page
*"Item Under Review
While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it’s described here. (Thanks for the tip!)
We’re working to fix the problem as quickly as possible."*
[MOD: That note indicates a problem with the inventory, not the item itself.]
The strength of their navigation system soon becomes its downfall. IF, you buy ANY Neato vacuum robot, ONLY buy from Costco that has a no questions asked money back guarantee. Just returned a BotVac to them. Had problems with the old ones too.
I have this Super Nintendo vac. Every other day, it complains about its vision being blocked. The solution is to kick it until it starts moving. Would not purchase again.
I have this Neato and it has been wonderful. When I had a problem, Neato customer service was good. I did have to re-arrange some junk in my house to optimize it’s maneuverability. Like any computer, rebooting is it’s friend. I would buy another, and I have recommended it to friends. Looks like a good deal today, IMO.
I bought a Neato from BBB. Returned first time after a week because wouldn’t hold its program, second time after two weeks because it wouldn’t hold a charge, third time right away because the bin didn’t close properly so the thing just beeped constantly telling me to close it. Bought a Roomba and am delighted. This being said, the Neato is quieter.
Interesting to see the “revised” ratings on the mothership after about six months. Also those who drank the Koolaide and rave about them after being on the third replacement.
I bought one over a year ago.It works great on pet hair. The complaints other posters list are the same that I have experienced. This model does suffer from getting lost; not returning to its base sometimes and batteries do seem to go bad more often than they should. If you can accept that its not human, it will pay for itself quickly compare to a housekeeper. My experience with customer service has been good.
Unfortunately, when it comes to buying anything and going off comments, it comes down to just using your better judgment. I’ve used Amazon’s comments to the point where it’s no more then a tug of war. I first look at the % of 1’s vs 5’s. If the neg’s are double digits, I look at the number commenters and the responses from the seller/manufacture. Base my buying on what is said in the end. As far as this device goes. I have two. One in the basement (original) and a pet model on 2nd floor. I have around 1300sq ft of hard wood floors on the 1st floor alone. It takes two trips to do it’s job. I have updated the software on the units and every once in a while, I have to help it find it’s way in to the docking station. I didn’t have this issue till I moved the docking station into a corner with a cabinet right next to it. SO, it fits in a cubby hole if you will. It does a great job. Whish it had “cat puke” detection as it made a mess out of a pile of it one day. In the end though, wife loves it. I have a iRobot scuba too that might as well be a blind man trying to mop the floor. Just close the doors where you don’t want it to go, turn it on and turn it loose. It will do the same spot 10 times but misses about 20% of the rest. Never will get another iRobot product.
And for the nay sayers… I’ve had my first for going on 4 years. 2nd device is 2 years old. Just replaced the battery and put it in the 1st unit that took 6 trips to do the basement carpet now it does it in 3. I figured the primary vac that goes out to do it’s duty 3 times a week gets the new battery. Would I buy another? Yep. Just like VW. I would by another in a heart beat once VW figures out how to stop polluting the world.
[QUOTE=knightry, post:6, topic:510195]
Was about to pull the trigger but your comment convinced me not to. Thanks!
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I’ve had the previous model for years, and it’s very easy to use, runs like crazy, and even recharges itself and then goes back to work! No issues ever, and mine was refurbished as well!
![[Preview 1]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/mediaservice.woot.com/e8f179e3-0b6b-4191-8a0f-fba00598c525._SY441_CR15,0,558,441_.png){kind=link}
