When you are buying a new vacuum, whether it be a central system, canister or upright, who do you want to buy it from? Someone who sells dishwashers, and stereos, or someone who sells vacuums, exclusively?

There's a big difference and Philip Hellam, owner of Mountain Vacuum Centre on the central Mountain, is living proof of that. This guy knows what he's talking about.

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He started out with a small wholesaler, then switched to Hibbert Wholesale, one of the largest distributors in North America with giant warehouses in Montreal and Calgary, where he was the provincial sales representative. In October 2000, he purchased Mountain Vacuum Centre, which was located for many years on Queenston Road, and is now at 30 Rymal Road East at Upper James.

Since then, he has been providing customers with the expertise they need when choosing a vacuum for their home.

He carries a full-line of vacuums for every household. In the central systems, he carries the ever-popular Beam systems as well as the Canadian-made CanaVac which has been producing quality systems since 1970.

He carries a large selection of canister vacuums, but stresses he sells quality machines that are going to last. Names like Numatic, made in England and Samsung, designed in co-operation with Porsche, equal quality and nobody knows this better than Mr. Hellam.

"These vacuums are going to last and they are going to make you happy," he adds. "I try to bring in better-than-average products."

In addition, he stocks a great selection of uprights, including a state-of-the-art one made by Sanyo. This vacuum does not use bags and its HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter system traps almost 100 percent of particles down to 0.3 of a micron (only 1/200 the width of a strand of human hair). Its innovative design allows you to empty the contents of its cleaning power effortlessly. This is great for allergy sufferers among others.

Another popular upright is the Riccar, an American made model that is built to last, and comes with a two-year guarantee. This vacuum was designed in co-operation with the Independent Vacuum Dealers to go head-to-head with the competition. This machine is built with quality and longevity in mind, it is not a disposable vacuum.

In addition, he carries the handy SSAKS, an upright and mini-vacuum in one that is battery-operated. The nice thing about this little machine is the battery is re-chargeable and has no memory, so it will last a long time and each charge lasts approximately 20 minutes - more than enough time to clean up those little messes, without having to drag out either the full-size vacuum or the hose for the central vacuum system.

In addition, he stocks many handy vacuum attachments and accessories, including bags for nearly every make and model of vacuum. Brushes, hoses, beater bars, powe-heads: he carries a full line of all these products.

He can also re-build your used central vacuum system, which many find useful so they can take their old system up to their cottage. Phil does all the repairs on site and can usually fix your vacuum within a day (unless it's an obscure part that is broken).

"I know these products and I know their track records," he explains. "People need that expertise when they are choosing a vacuum."

He relayed a story about a woman who went through two machines bought at a "big corporation" in a three-year period. Then she purchased a vacuum recommended by Phil. She spent more on the two machines she had to discard than she did on her new one and needless to say, it's still working great.

Mountain Vacuum is open six days a week, Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30, Friday 10 to 5 and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.