Thanks girls for all your replies. I think on Monday (if I don't have to run errands) I will head on over to BBB and check out the Shark 501 or 502. I have a pile of coupons to take with. While there I will also look at the steamer. My daughter has a Dyson vacuum and hates it. Did not ask what model it was but she did say for the money she spent she does not feel it has good suction. In defense of Dyson they do have 2 cats and 2 dogs in the house along with 2 boys. I would imagine it does put the vacuum to test. A friend has the Oreck vacuum and likes it but it is several years old. It seems the older models held up better.