Shark Infinity

by Sharif
(PA)

We got the turquoise Shark Infinity vacuum cleaner. Although it has good suction, on my first use of it I broke the belt...

Thought I could pick up a replacement from Kmart or Walmart.. Although Kmart sells their vacuums, they don't sell the replacement items.

So I decided to search Shark's site to find out info about the belt and only found that I would have to go through customer service.

I called to ask what belt number, before they could help me in anyway, they needed to take down my personal information, including name, phone number and street address, all I wanted to know was what belt model I could use and where I can pick one up from.

Guess what, you can only get it through Shark and it's $7.95 for the belt set (apparently it has 2 belts) and shipping is $4.95 for two belts.

The customer service lady asked me if I wanted to order it. I told her no, because I just got my Shark Infinity NV30 vacuum last month and used it one and the belt broke and now I have to shell out almost $13 for belts that I can only get through them so I'll probably be returning the vacuum.

At that point she offered to send me the belts free. Great!!! But then what, use it one more time and get another belt?

I'm planning to return my Infinity NV30 and get a Dyson or something. We'll see if the difference in price will make up for lack of peace of mind with the Shark.

Comments for
Shark Infinity

Average Rating starstarstarstar

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Oct 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		ditch the shark
by: househusband macho

After loving our Shark for many years the time came to tell it to take a hike. It broke where the roller spins. Nothing to hold it in place anymore. KNowing that parts are impossible we trashed it and opted for an LG model. Getting just as good of suction and cleaning of our dog hair as we did the Shark but loving the added ease of cleaning the canister now as well as having separate head to clean stairs, and multiple levels of control all controlled by a switch array on the handle. How nice!
Newer looking sharks that we checked out are just so Chintzy looking. You just know they won't last. Spend a bit more and get something that you will like.
Oct 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstar 		infinity belts
by: John

we too had almost immediate breakage of the belt. upon inspection of where it broke it is a clean break with no evidence of the roller having been spinning against the same place and causing heat. a manufacturing defect for sure.
May 07, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		belts
by: Anonymous

belts at walmart for about 4 dollars for 2
Mar 24, 2011
Rating
starstarstar 		Invest in a better vaccum
by: Anonymous

For two years we used this vaccum with no problems if cleanned out properly but now the belt is not working and
m trying to find it to replace it. Any suggestions? Thanks for any suggestions.
Feb 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Lost suction
by: Anonymous

I had the same problem,you might have put it together incorrectly. Check the manual, you can get one online. Once I got the manual, I found what i did wrong and it worked fine.
Feb 07, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Any suggestions would be helpful
by: Snips

I've had this vacuum for going on 3 years. Bought it at Walmart, LOVED it until recently. I just took the whole thing apart, washed the filters just like the book says, put the DRY, Cleaned filters back in and the thing isn't sucking. Im now using the hose with attachments to vacuum my whole house, GRRRR.

Any ideas what this could be? There are no clogs that I see, not in the hose, stick, nothing.

The belt is brand new, although not Infinity brand because Walmart doesn't carry them anymore. I took the broken one to Walmart and matched it up perfectly to a Hoover belt. I just found them online from someones post and ordered new ones, Maybe that will make the difference?

Im pissed, and contemplating buying a new Vacuum.
Feb 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Never again
by: Betty

I exchanged the other 2 and this is the third one.
Well, they all have the same problem, which is the metal piece on the wand. Infinity is one of the more expensive vacs and it is the worst in value. Oh! wait. Getting a replacement part is such a pain (that is IF I ever get it). UGH!!! Please just save your money, get something else..
Jan 21, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wish I'd Known Then
by: Idaho User

Wish I'd known about these issues before I purchased mine! I'd wanted to buy a Dyson and had even talked myself into the greater expense, however, when I went to buy they had this other machine there that seemed like a great deal. Unfortunately, it was a Shark Infinity and it was no deal at all. Within a week, the piece that allows you to 'lock' the hand held wand in an extended position broke. Next a portion of the cord wrap broke. Then the small wheels on the floor attachment started coming off; not a real biggie. Next we noticed that it was not picking up as well as it once had and discovered that all the bristles of the rotary brush had all broken off! (My old Oreck stills has all of its bristles and is 12 years old!) The last straw has been the breakage of the piece that holds the handle in place when using to vacuum the carpet! The dang thing will pull and slide up and down, sometimes pinching my hand severely. I've had my machine for barely two years.

I will say that I have no problem with the actual suction of the machine and experienced no problems with the belt, (as described by another commenter, you do need to change from the carpet setting to the wand only while the vacuum is running. It does state this in the user's manual).

I had hoped to be able to get replacement parts but after reading here, don't think I'll put myself through the hassle. And when my son and daughter in law were looking for their first vacuum, I did urge them to look at anything BUT a Shark!
Jan 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		best swepper yet
by: Anonymous

been useing the thing 3 days a week 2000 sq ft house for 4 years never had any issues
clean out when full blow out air compresser
Oct 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		not good
by: Anonymous

we bought a shark two yrs ago,it worked good at first. the wind up cord hook broke under normal use,now we have to wind the cord and drape it over the handle.the belt keeps slipping off the spool and i have to take it apart to put it back on,very annoying and time consuming when you just want to get the job done.and try to find belts for it is a joke,nobody seems to have the right one.so if you wand a good vacum cleaner dont buy a sherk infinity.
Sep 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I LOVE MINE!!
by: Janitor!

I have been a cleaning proffessional for many years and this is by far the best vacuum I've ever used! I paid $80 for a refurbished one and have had it for about 2 years. It does clog up occassionally, but they ALL do.When unclogged it has great suction! The belts CAN be purchased at Wal-mart. I would like a new one only because the hinge broke off the bottom of the canister and it is difficult to empty. If you take proper care of your sweeper, it will take care of you. If you are not going to take care of it, buy a cheap one!
Sep 18, 2010
Rating
star 		shark infinity
by: Anonymous

failed after only two years, flimsy construction, went to get a little plastic part and parts not available to repair shops. Parts that are available from manufacturer are only assemblys and are expensive. Oh yea it does not work very well.

So if you want cheap and light and poor performance as opposed to what all the other vacuum cleaners charge and heavier and works great and parts available so I can fix it myself if I want. avoid Shark.
Sep 18, 2010
Rating
star 		Shark Infinity without the handle!
by: Anonymous

Whatever you do - DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE FROM A WEBSITE. We bought the shark infinity vacuum from the Shark website. They sent us an incomplete vacuum.

We call then to tell then about it they said they would be sending us the part (which happened to be the handle) one of the most important parts!!! We waited 3 weeks and they sent us the pin that holds the handle to the machine and when we called they said it would take 3 more weeks.

I asked to speak to supervisor - they gave me a name but when I asked for a number I am told they do not have a number I could call this supervisor. Then they changed the name they gave me. I told them we wanted to return the machine if they could not get us a handle within 5 days. Said no could not do.

They wanted me to pay to have incomplete machine sent back to them then they would refund my money. DO YOU THINK I AM STUPID? We have to get our bank involved to get our money back. I think this is FRAUD!!!
Sep 08, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Poorly made..
by: Anonymous

I have never owned a vacuum that had so many little things break on it. The part that locks the wand to the desired length broke the first time I used it and it has been one thing after the other from that moment on.. Never again will I purchase another shark product. My vacuum is cable-tied and held together by whatever works temporarily...low quality construction. What a disappointment.
Jun 04, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		my little up-right shark
by: Anonymous

Geeeeez, all I need is a replacement part and I can't find it
Jan 28, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		the new unit
by: House Husband Macho in Missouri

I thought I would update everyone on our Shark experience. We never did get the right wand for the unit we had. the wand that came the 2nd time was just like the first. It was for the "new" model. We kept the wand and went out to buy another Shark. It has performed fine as did the first but some of the design changes I don't care for. The filters at the top of the canister used to have a plug/opening to flush water through the filter to clean it. Now the new model has no hole and the water flows through the same opening as the air intake. It takes more effort to clean the filter, but it can still be done. The wand and hose assembly are much more user friendly now. Much easier to replace if you have to if you can get the parts. The belt is still a challenge to replace as you have to put a lot of tension in pulling it into place and it almost takes two people or a vise to hold it while you pull the belt on and line up the roller in the slots. Here in Kansas City it has not been a problem to get the belts as "Wally World" (Walmart) carries them. Accquiring belts in other parts of the country appears to be a problem. I wish I had an answer for all of you on that. I do not like the debris screen now as it is intergal with the canister. You can't just pull it out to clean it as before. Now you have to stick a fork or something similar up inside the canister to get the dog hair that wraps around it. If you are lucky enough to have small hands or a child that will assit you then you don't need a fork. Overall we are still happy with the Shark as it is still better than other vacuums we've used as mentioned by others the price is right and I haven't considered looking at any thing else. One person mentioned how off balance it is without the wand and it falls. Yeah, that has been a problem as well and my wife ends up repainting walls when I've allowed it to fall and couldn't catch it in time. I don't think anything is perfect but at least the challenges I have with this version are manageable.
Jan 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstar 		Shark Infinity canister vacuum
by: ed

I have a love hate relationship with the Shark Infinity canister vacuum... I live in a townhouse with stairs carpet and flooring.. 2 large dogs.
love: never losses suction
has good suction
fairly light
no bags
easy to clean
filters easy to clean
easy to exchange accessories
reasonably priced

hate: very quickly the stair and furniture brush for animal fur broke
the teal color paint comes off on the walls if the handle hits the walls
the wheeles stick out to much they catch the baseboards
it falls apart when carring it.This is the worst..

I have used several types of vacumes from commercial to cheap home use...
not to bad I would give it a 6 out of 10
Oct 27, 2009
Rating
starstarstar 		Shark Infinity: Increasing your belt life
by: Anonymous

I Like the vacuum. The built in wand as the handle is a gerat design feature. Itoo have had my issues with the belt breaking and havew spent money having it serviced and the belt replaced (which was not cheap). The vacuum repair person told me that the design for switching between hose and upright mode moves the belt. It is when doing this the belt breaks. The workaround is to only switch it WHEN THE VACUUM IS RUNNING! This moves the belt slowly. Mswitchin it when it is off causes a high degree of stress to be placed on the belt causing it to break. Since making this change My belts have lasted much longer.

Again When it works it is a very good vacuum in my opinion.

Anyone find a good alternate source for the belts?
Oct 25, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		rubber gasket
by: Anonymous

I lost the rubber gasket that goes on the bottom of the debris screen, when I called Shark for a rubber gasket I was told I couldn't just buy the gasket I had to buy another debris screen, I told them I would buy another brand vacuum before I would do that. Well, I took an empty toilet paper roll and stuffed it up in the hole, making sure everything met okay, it takes alittle time to get it right but it works until I get another vacuum but you can bet it won't be a SHARK!!
Sep 24, 2009
Rating
star 		This vacuum sucks
by: Anonymous

Great Vacuum , if you want to be a vacuum cleaner repair man!!! I will never buy another Shark Infinity.
Sep 19, 2009
Rating
starstarstar 		Seriously every other minute?
by: Amay (Northern Manitoba Canada)

I wanted a Vacuum with better suction and this was on sale and thought wow to myself what a great deal... This worked great for the first three months... Awesome suction/ Light weight for carrying up and down stairs/ Not hard to clean at all... But last week I went to use it and the belt broke... ok that is fine because it came with a spare... So I replaced it... Today I go to clean my house and the thing shuts off in about 5 minutes ( also was having company) ... I thought one of the kids pulled the cord out from the wall... Nope... So I thought maybe the breaker went on it? Nope... So I started to Google and seen a lot of people have over heating problems... well so do I, I guess... After about 45 minutes it had turned on and was working so that is fine but then it over heats and this time melts the belt? I am guessing from all the reviews I would be wasting my time trying to order parts for this thing and I am not going to pay to ship the whole Vacuum to them as stated in the manual plus send them extra shipping cost for returning it to me... I am going to see if Canadian Tire will let me trade in and pay the difference for a new one since it is under a year and I have the receipt, they are pretty good with that. Thanks for the info guy's.
Aug 28, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstar 		plastic wand
by: louise

I bought a shark infinity light,great little vaccum.It picks up dog hairs as I have a hairy dog.
My only complaint is the cleaning wand.I wish there was an other extension.I have so many stairs and when I reach the 2 bottom steps it's too short.The flex wand is no help.
Jul 31, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Stop Your Complaining
by: Anonymous

No you cannot pick them up at a Walmart if you are in the mountains of colorado & go down to the city to find them, they just don't carry them. I clean homes on a full time basis & this is a great vac & it compares to my slimline dyson in every way possible, you have to clean out every hole & even turn it over so you can use a small phillips screwdriver to take it apart to clean this out also, I will tell you if you do not do this & clean the filters all of them as needed then you will not be happy, some of you are complaining because you do not take the time to do this, & you're homes need to be cleaned every week like mine, I'm meticulous, & I certainly don't think you would be happy with any vac b/c they ALL need to be maintained.
Jul 14, 2009
Rating
star 		I was happy until 3 months ago
by: Anonymous

I purchased by NV31 3 years ago...loved it until about 3 months ago. I have had suction problems and I have replaced every possible part...problem keeps returning. I can disassemble the entire cleaner, clean out every possible hole, run the vacuum for 5 minutes and it stops working. I have a small child and another one on the way, I can not keep taking apart my cleaner between rooms! I am fed up and would like to throw the entire thing in a volcano!
Jun 16, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		belts are available at Walmart
by: Anonymous

the first shark we had was similar in trying to find belts. The second one we bought at WalMart and they carry the belts so it is no big deal to pick them up.
Jun 14, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		belt issues
by: Anonymous

When i read you comment, i too had the same problem with the shark, i have had to pay 40.00 twice to get a repair place to replace my belts. Now i am trying to do it myself. what a pain. george 1416-831-9735
Jan 24, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		trade offs on the NV31
by: House Husband Macho in Missouri

We love this vacuum. With three large long haired dogs this vacuum is indispensible. Okay that was the good. Now the ugly is that the locking nub on the wand broke loose and glue doesn't hold it and we currently have it packing taped onto the wand. Customer service at Euro Pro/Infinity is at best a challenge to deal with over the phone. Like others above the post cards promising replacement parts are back ordered, etc. kept coming and coming. 5 months later and more calls to customer service we finally received a replacement wand that doesn't fit the handle. Needless to say we can't get the old wand out of the handle anyway and it looks like we will have to order a handle as well. A new wand was ordered and the old sent back. Now we wait again. I asked them if it would be another 5 months and I did receive and apology. (That's something, I guess) I have inquired to customer service on their web site if the "new" wand will fit the present handle as well as how do we get the present wand out of the present handle as there are no directions and the product manual appears to not represent our model. There are a lot of issues concerning getting parts, but the vacuum itself is better than any of the vacuums we've used over the years and it picks up the stuff that even the commercial cleaners leave behind when they come in to shampoo the carpets twice a year. It is definitely a big step above an Oreck in its ease of use and ability clean corners, etc. on the go with the use of the detachable wand.
Sep 18, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Loss of suction fix!
by: Anonymous

Euro Pro Shark Infinity NV29 ( Same as NV30, NV31)
by Isaac
(Addison, AL)

I bought this vacuum at a local wal-mart and cant be more pleased with the results. The suction is incredible and I could not believe the amount of dirt it picks up from carpets. Although (in my opinion) this is an excellent vacuum, there are some silly design flaws. Many people complain about their infinity vacuum losing suction, but I think I have a solution for that problem. One of the flaws (again in my opinion) is in the cyclones. The dirt that gets trapped in the cyclones isnt very easy to get out. Most people just pour water over the cyclones which makes things worse! I used my infinity vacuum 3 times, once over at my friends house (which isnt very big) once on the area rug we have, and third on my car, none of them very dirty, except for my friends house. I emptied the cycolnes every time I vacuumed and then I "back washed them. I couldnt believe the amount of dirt that came out of them! Now to back wash them, take a garden hose, with some good water pressure behind it and run water up in the ROUND hole, this forces the dirt and junk to be flushed out the opposite way it came in, then it should restore the suction power. Also the manufacturer exagerates about the amount of cleaning and maintenance on the vacuum cleaner, but hey, a lot cheaper that a dyson or other brands.
Aug 27, 2008
Rating
starstar 		Poor design
by: The UK House husband

This products is one of the better entry levels in the market, but beware, the thought put into the design is poor; this is not a dyson (not that i recommend a dyson, i don't !!!!)

Pro's
1) Good suction for the first 4 months, then requires cleaning almost ever month.

2)Cost is good

3)Dust collection unit is well built and can handles bangs and drops quite well.

4)Power tool for the pet hair responses well and has little suction loss.

5)Light weight


Con's
1) Steering is poor, it feels like the handle will rip from it plastic holder as you navigate around the carpet, this is made worse on any flooring of long pile.(see other reviews for actual damage)

2) Access holes require the use of a screwdriver, and are not exactly well placed.

3) The lifetime filter clogs up within 4 months of use in a household with 2 pets and 2 adults.

4) center of balance is wrong, and the unit will keep falling over when using the hose.Don't use near that expense glass vase.

6)Warning light failed after six months

7) Customer service is non existent.

Overall
Would trade this in for almost any UK 240V vacuum model (a Vax in particular), if they worked over here in North America, but alas the competition over here is poor, and this is one of the better less well made vacuums.

With regards to a Dyson, the quality of the newer models reflects the move from being manufactured in the UK to the 3rd world.

Jul 27, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Shark Infinity - Just say no
by: Dusty

We bought the Shark Infinity in April 2008 in May the Dust cup bottom broke off at the hinge. We ordered a Dust Cup on May 18 and we still have not been able to get a replacement. The company just keeps sending post cards every three weeks telling us "Due to the large response, the item you've requested is temporarily out of stock. We have ordered new stock to cover all orders. You may expect delivery in 3-4 weeks. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience." Here we are 10 weeks later and we still do not have the part. Seems to me if they have had such a large response maybe this part of the vacuum design is flawed. (Yah think?)
Needless to say we have been forced to buy another vacuum and you can be sure it is NOT a Shark product. We should have guessed by the name of the company that they are just another predator looking for some un-expecting prey to sink their teeth into. We were bit once but NEVER again. Consumers beware of the Shark Bite!
Jul 18, 2008
Rating
star 		two belts broke on me within 3 months of use
by: Anonymous

i see this was not an isolated incident. I thought it was just bad luck that i went through two belts in a week. i see other people have had problems the same. i purchased my infinity nv30 from walmart. it worked great for about 2 months. Until the belt broke on me then i replaced it with the extra belt and it broke on me too. with the first use. i also tried to find a replacement belt and Guess What!!!! Not Available anywhere. if you contact shark they are on backorder for 3 weeks so far. i will be bringing my vacuum cleaner back to walmart and also get a dyson. my first choice, but this was a little cheaper. Get what you pay for, NOT!!Do not buy this vacuum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! beware
Jun 04, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstar 		What's Better?
by: Anonymous

To those who question the quality, which vacuum at or near the price is better? Amongst the vacuums available at the major retailers, this is clearer one of the better ones. As far as having to clean it, that's the nature of bagless vacuums. You trade off better suction and the expense of bags for having to rinse some parts. I did have the belt break but I got a generic replacement at my local vacuum store, which may be better than the one provided by Shark. Another problem solved. If you want something better, be prepared to spend at least 2 or 4 times as much. For its cost, the Shark is a versatile, powerful, and reasonably well built vacuum.
Jun 04, 2008
Rating
star 		Take it back if you can!
by: John

Powerful but poor overall quality and design
After 6 months of light use the handle has broken off (cracked at the hole for the release button) and the wand release no longer locks the wand in the handle.Duct taped both.
The company does not respond to emails, finally I called them about a replacement handle ( the vac was 4 months old)I had to pay for the handle (20 bucks) and after 6 weeks still have not received it.
Requires a monthly teardown and cleaning (washing)to keep the suction strong and the little red light off.
Overall a poor value due to the cost, breakages, and lack of support from the company (but at least my belt did not break)
May 30, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Good Value, Good Suction
by: Anonymous

I have tons of pet hair with two shedding dogs and the NV31 picked up a tremendous amount. The downside is that the collection capacity of the vacuum was a bit overwhelmed, but the user manual, which I recommend reading, talks about how to deal with this. All in all, I am finding this to be a good vacuum for the price. I also have a Dyson, which is a bit better engineered, but for half the price, I have no complaints with the NV31 so far. Its almost as though it is too powerful for the size dirt cup provided, but again, power is not a bad thing. Compared to the Dyson, it is not quite at that level. Compared to the cheap plastic alternatives at or near its price, its a level above.
May 25, 2008
Rating
star 		clogs all the time
by: Anonymous

i have a shark that is made for pet hair, has all the attchments for pet hair has a puppy on the front and everything problem is the thing wonk pick up anything!! and when it does it clogs right away i used it for maybe the third time it stoped picking up then shut itself off when i looked at the trouble shoting guide turns out this is well known to the company when it clogs it stops running due to overheating and you have to unscrew 4 screws 2 seprate compartments with long small screwdrivers to get to the part marked on the back as access to clogs and fish out all the junk yuck!i have small kids and pets i dont have time to disasemble the vacume every time i use it ths is the worst dont buy one!!
May 09, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Shark Infinity Buyer Beware
by: Anonymous

Same thing happened to me. The vacuum cleaner shark infinity nv30cn was only one month old when belt broke I bought it at Canadian Tire and they don't carry replacement belts It has been a pain from the start I will never buy shark products again!! Spread the word!

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