Every year, at Christmas I go through this. It's always a real PITA to buy something for my parents! My brother is the easy part. My dad, tries to like his gifts, but I see he doesn't always. My mom, however, if she doesn't like a gift, Oh, she'll let you know it!!!!

With that said, I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone, and buying a Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner for the both of them. I'm kinda curious if any one else is going this route, or if someone already owns one. I'm thinking about buying the Scheduler model, but I'm not really sure. Anyone have any input on the different models. Or if anyone has any experience with one, how'd you like it?

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'88 Pontiac Fiero GT - 5sp, 3.4L crate engine (in surgery)
'91 GMC Syclone - #449
'02 Yamaha V-Max - helps me poop

If it was for the wife I would say no, I found out a long time ago that you don't give cleaning supplies as gifts to the significant other. For the parents however is a whole different ball game. I say go for it.

I know someone who has one. From what I saw, when it was in action that it did not do a very good job. Not a vacuum, but just a brush that sweeps up loose debris. It would get stuck under low furniture, small throw rugs and the battery had a short life. The battery died and didn't make it back to the recharge station. To me it is too pricey for what it does.

I'd want one with a gift receipt so it can be promptly returned for cash.

I would get them a gift card for the price of the roooomba. Or a fabulous meal, or whatever.

I would never buy anyone a vacuum cleaner for christmas. IT JUST SUCKS!

(sorry!)

quote Originally posted by Zewerr: With that said, I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone, and buying a Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner for the both of them.

STOP KILLING BIRDS!

Haha. Anyway. Go for it. I've got [almost] nothing but great things to say about a Roomba. They've made great progress since the early days. They do take some maintenance, sure (and an air compressor is always nice to have to clean it out from time to time), but they are very convenient and actually do a MUCH BETTER job at cleaning than you could do with a crappy upright. If you let it do its thing, and let it run until it gives the "I'm done!" signal, then it'll give you a very clean floor. Don't set up a section that is more than one room, because it'll have trouble finding the edges and setting its timer. It's called a "ROOMba" for a reason.

(My mom always makes that mistake. She used to think it was cool to just plop down the Roomba in middle of the living room and let it roam all over the house. No! It won't get any cleaning done that way...)

But if you do want to get a Roomba... Woot has the best price you'll find in a while!

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'87 Fiero GT, Automatic, 153k miles, stock everything, just trying to make it all work again.
Shameless self promotion: PIP giving you problems? Check out http://hostfile.org!

I'd like one, but I know if I gave one to my mother, she'd ask, "What's wrong with my vacuuming? Are you saying I don't keep the house clean!?"

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1984 Fiero SE

Get both the Roomba and the now mopping one.

Just my opinion, but I have a few on my list like your mom. I know some of the stores they like to shop at, get them a gift card, and tell them Merry Christmas. If they make catty remarks after that (and a couple have) they're no longer on my gift list, just that simple. I love to give gifts to people that appreciate them, if they can't appreciate a GIFT, then they don't deserve one.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by Zewerr: Every year, at Christmas I go through this. It's always a real PITA to buy something for my parents! My brother is the easy part. My dad, tries to like his gifts, but I see he doesn't always. My mom, however, if she doesn't like a gift, Oh, she'll let you know it!!!! With that said, I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone, and buying a Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner for the both of them. I'm kinda curious if any one else is going this route, or if someone already owns one. I'm thinking about buying the Scheduler model, but I'm not really sure. Anyone have any input on the different models. Or if anyone has any experience with one, how'd you like it?

What are your dad's hobbies? Can you find anything relating to his hobbies? My dad liked to fly fish. I used to buy him the most godawful selections to tied flies for Christmas. I think he used every one of the at one time or another. Mothers are a horse of a different color. I had the same success buying presents for my mother as I've had with buying for my wife. And NO, that blender you want to make that frozen drink is not an appropriate gift for your wife (believe me!!!). I've always found that mothers (and wives) like jewerly. Doesn't have to be expensive (earings with pearls are nice and affordable) but if it glitteres, they usually like it. JUST DON'T LEAVE THE PRICE TAG ON IT (from experience).

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86 SE 2.8 4-Speed

I'm way too confused!!!

I'll probably just get it, cause I'm too lazy to go looking for something else. I guess I'll just get a gift reciept for it, just in case! thanks for the help!

100% YES !!! - A great gift.

We have the Roomba & the Scooba.

The Roomba cleans just as good as a regular Vacuum & it goes under furniture, it cleans up more than a regular vac. Ours runs for about 3 hours, has no problem making it back to the charging station.

The Scooba does a fantastic job washing the floors. We have white floor tile, I'd hate to see what they would look like without the Scooba. I love using the Scooba, it's interesting watching it in action.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 12-20-2006).]

Wifeys dropping hints about the roomba.. Its on sale this week too.. $299.. reg $399 (cdn) so I may need to pick one up..... I already got her a gift certificate for a hour massage at a local spa.. so she can come home relaxed and have clean floors LOL

I'll bet that one of those things could really freak out the dog.


"You gonna get that thing out of here? Or do I have to kill and eat it?"

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-21-2006).]

Funny you should ask.

I just purchased one these as a Christmas present for my wife. I had her open it already because I'm out of town working this Christmas, and I didn't want her to lug it to her folks. She loves it. We have hardwood floors in our house, and with a dog that likes to shed, sweeping becomes a daily necessity.

She's only used it a couple of times, but it has done a nice job and she enjoys relaxing on the couch (she's 6 months pregnant) while it zips over the floor.

And yes, our dog is somewhat mystified by it. It actually is good exercise for him. It kind of weirds him out, which makes him tired, which is kind of nice for the owner.

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86 Fiero 2.5L, 5spd.
00 Ford Focus 2.0L 5spd
66 Chevrolet C10 250 cid, Powerglide

Try a place online called findgift.com While it's too late to order anything fromt he companies on there, it might give you some ideas. It helped me out a lot this year.

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Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck
'87 GT Auto
'88 Ferrario
'84 Indy (8/26/06)

I broke down and picked one up.. It was the last one in stock, so others must have been given hints as well

I love mine we actually got it because we have 3 dogs and it works awesome the dogs like it too we just got the Scooba this year and I LOVE that one too... I definatly reccomend the roomba as a gift it's really nice and especially for a gift

I just picked up a Scheduler at Sears for $300. They had from what I saw, about 10 of them left. Maybe more in back. Still plenty to go around. I got a gift reciept just incase!

quote Originally posted by fieroluv: If it was for the wife I would say no, I found out a long time ago that you don't give cleaning supplies as gifts to the significant other. For the parents however is a whole different ball game. I say go for it.

EXACTLY what I was thinking.

Well... giving cleaning tools means "Clean, b*tch!". Giving a "toy" that cleans for you means "STOP cleaning!"

Good choice with the Roomba. Got the most expensive one at the most expensive place (PLEASE tell me you got the Sears extended warranty on it!!!! You'll need it!), but hey! I guess it works...

derp...

Here's a hint for those that have the Roomba.

When cleaning the unit, remove the brushes underneath, and clean off the sensor located under the brushes.

That sensor, if dirty, won't allow the unit to "see" the dirty areas on the floor.

I got one for 20$ from the best buy store that just closed down. it was a display model. Works good. does the whole living room before the battery dies out. Dogs are scared of it and it gets stuck under the couch sometimes but for 20$ it does a great job.

quote Originally posted by ezramore: I got one for 20$ from the best buy store that just closed down. it was a display model. Works good. does the whole living room before the battery dies out. Dogs are scared of it and it gets stuck under the couch sometimes but for 20$ it does a great job.

Thanks... makes me feel good I just paid $350.98 for mine on sale ($100 off) ($299.99 + 17% taxes)

I'd love to get one for my family home but, I'm afraid my buddy Jake would either eat it or sit on it. Jake, you see, is a 130 lb. Bullmastiff. Jake eats, sleeps and pretty much does what ever Jake wants to do. Not really, but with his size, that vaccuum wouldn't stand a chance if it pissed him off.

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Ron
Land of the Free because of the Brave. Most gave some, some gave all.
My imagination is the only limiting factor to my Fiero. Well, there is that money issue.

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-23-2006).]