F & H Vacuum Repairs

I worked upstairs from this store for over 30 years, so I’m pretty knowledgeable about how they work. I’ve bought a few filters from them over the years. All in all– bad news. Numerous times I’ve tried to help the owners out by bringing misplaced mail downstairs, told upset customers that the owner will be back soon, etc. Hard to tell when he is there; keeps odd hours. Can’t really tell day to day what kind of mood he is in: odd smile or grumpy. I’d suggest going down the street for a better deal and easier service.
PS I heard one disgruntled customer rename F and H– Flimflam and Humbug Vacuum!

We took a vacuum cleaner in to F and H Vacuum Irving Street, San Francisco, for repair. The proprietor said he would charge $ 50 to inspect it, and tried to sell us a new vacuum. He was quite pushy in trying to make the sale. When we said we’d like to get a second opinion, he got huffy and invited us not to come back. We won’t.

Here’s the deal: This place is utilitarian if ever there was such a thing. If you’re in the neighborhood, you’ve probably walked by it a million times and never noticed it or paused to wonder what it’s about. That was my mistake, too.
But if you can get past the unremarkable store front and strictly utilitarian floor space (and you should; do you want a durable, effective vacuum, or do you want to be sold a bill goods?), you should walk in here and place yourself in George’s hands. If you do, you will walk away with a vacuum that will serve you faithfully and effectively for years, and you will have started a relationship with a man who will competently service and repair it as needed without ever ripping you off.
Me, I had read on reddit the AMA by the vacuum repair guy who highly recommended a Miele canister vacuum for folks with apartments with stairs. His reasons were that bagless vacuums are crap, that a canister gives you the mobility for stairs, and Miele’s have low maintenance costs and will perform well for years (7 year warranty). Knowing this, I set about looking for a retailer in the city, and happened to ask my local hardware store guys for a recommendation, and they sent me here.
On arrival, George set me up by walking me through his entire line of Miele vacuums, and ultimately recommended one based on my budget but also on my desire for a HEPA filter given the age of the building materials in my apartment. Even better, he was very flexible about allowing me to swap out the specific attachments I wanted, including a better carpet attachment, and a swivel head for hardwood floors.
All in all, a great experience, a very straight-​to-​business, no bullshit approach by the owner, and a quality product that I’m very happy with. Highly recommended.

This gentleman who operated this vacuum repair shop runs an honest straight forward business. I took in a machine that was previously fixed nearby — he was able to guide me and further repair my item better than any other place I’ve been for repair. I will definitely be going back.

Have had several vacs repaired by F&H some even while I waited. Service is friendly and efficient. This guy knows his stuff and is honest and fair with repairs and costs. I use six vacs for my business and now do all my vacuum bisness here.
I was told by another repair shop (on the same street!) that my vac was shot and I needed a new one, F&H fixed it in ten minutes for under $ 8.00! I would not hesitate to give them my business for repairs, bags, or a new vac.

I called first and the person who answered was a bit rude, but it was close to us and a neighborhood business so we went down with our vacuum. Again the guy was not all that interested in what we had to say about our vacuum but I still went with it and we agreed that I would come to pick it up in a week. I arrive a week later, again, same guy, not at all friendly. After showing him the number on our work order we found the vacuum still sitting out randomly in the middle of the reception area and he hadn’t worked on it! Nor was he interested in giving me a date when he would! I just took the vacuum and kept walking down Irving to the other vacuum shop on 16^th where the owner (friendly this time) said he will keep the shop open a half an hour on Tuesday evening (two days) in order for me to pick it up. You choose…

We have a Miele tank model vacuum, and had known how to get the hair out of the rollers of the ‘turbo brush’ — the usual on-​the-​floor vacuum attachment. But recently the rollers just wouldn’t turn. I called one shop, and they said bring it in. I called F&H and he told me exactly how to open up the turbo-​brush, where the screws were, etc., and said I could likely clean it myself… if not, then bring it in, and he’d clean or replace it. Well, my wife and I did the cleaning — it took about 10 minutes altogether — and voila — the turbo brush works like new ! WOW… thanks a million! I’ll go here for an actual repair if and when I need one.

The owner of the shop is very nice and talks very sweetly. However, he is not interested in warranty service, but rather, in selling you other vacuum cleaners for prices way over the ones you’d find online, or perform unnecessary services not covered by your warranty on your vacuum cleaner. He does give wonderful lectures about the inner workings of vacuum cleaners, though.

I had a Dyson DC 24 with a brush bar that was not activating. I went in and without even touching the vacuum the gentleman in the store told me how to fix it myself and it was no charge since it was a simple reset. If nothing else, these guys know what they are doing and they are quick and eager to help!!!

Sometimes I feel I inhabit an alternate universe. After reading prior reviews, I was anxious about visiting F&H to purchase a new (or used) vacuum. But I did anyway, because I was specifically looking for a Simplicity vacuum, called F&H, and learned they carry them. Most stores in SF do not. Simplicity is one of two brands (the other is Oreck) that still manufacture some — but not all! — of their vacuums in the U.S.
I took a late lunch on a WFH weekday and George was incredibly helpful as soon as I walked in. He asked me about the type of vacuuming I’d be doing and said that he thought a smaller and less expensive) Simplicity would suit my needs fine. George encouraged me to test it out and showed me how to correctly remove and replace the Hepa bags and filter as well as some other features on the vacuum. He threw in additional bags free of charge. George even carried the box and bags to my car for me, which I thought was gracious and appreciated, even though the weight of the item didn’t warrant it. He was incredibly patient with my need to have a U.S. made item which I can be a real pain about. Excellent service all around.
I was in and out in less than 20 minutes for about $ 163 all told, which is slightly less than I saw the same model priced at online.
F&H is also focused on vacuum repairs now: they no longer do sewing machine repair, as George’s brother used to do that and no longer does. I have a late 1960s Kenmore sewing machine in my trunk that needs some love and really wanted to leave it with them, but I understand being so busy with vacuums that you’d want to give them all of your attention. I’ll definitely be back if needed.

Both times my vacuum has gotten tetchy F & H quickly sorted the issue. First an overloaded filter, second a worn out belt, and both repairs were very inexpensive.

We had some rugs and a couch to shampoo… George was really kind and helpful with making sure we knew how to use the machine. He was very flexible with returning during a time that was feasible with our work schedule.

I was simply calling this place to get a quote from the gentleman. I understand that he doesn’t know right off of the bat what is going on with my commercial vacuum, but he was very, VERY rude to me over the phone. I will absolutely NOT give money to someone who does not even attempt to provide me with decent service over the phone when I’m potentially going to give me business. Believe me, I’m not expecting rainbows and unicorns when calling to get a quote, but this guy was truly an asshole.

Ok, I am floored. It’s been a year — a year George. And I just got a call saying «I still have your vaccuum, it’s repaired now». Really? Because I GAVE UP ON IT. Why? Oh because I called at least 10 times, never got any responses to my voicemails, swung by to find out you were gated up and shut down (now apparently is looks like he’d just gone on an extended holiday). And now, 10 months later, you call to say «oh, it’s repaired.». Really!!!
Um — negative 5 stars?

Well Over the past 3 years I had taken my Dyson here, its one of the few places that fixxed them, both times I spent close to $ 100.00 Something wasnt quite right the first time, but the machine worked for a short time after. Granted I have only one room of carpet and 5 area rugs, when it broke again, I took it back was talked into doing a whole service and getting a new filter there like $ 30 bucks. I did it, the machine seemed to work.
I left got home about a week later went to use it and it never worked again. I recently took it to A-​1 in Hayward, they figured out it was a burnt clutch and fixxed it, We also discovered there was non Dyson filter in it. It has been working better than ever. If you have a dyson take the time take it to A-​1 Vaccuum in hayward. Its worth the trip.
Moral of the story, dont trust anyone who says he has it handled smiles too much and makes it seem like its too good to be true. I feel conned now after having the other guys really fix it.

The F and H Vac Guy is solid… I have used him for 30 years, going back to his father who had it before him.
I wish I could say I know his first name… I am a local realtor, and prop. mgr. and I use him a lot. Aces.

Owner seems more interested in customer service than profit. Our housekeeper has broken every part of our vacuum cleaner at one time or another. I think that rather than carry it she throws it down the stairs. F&H has been there for me with the right parts at a fair price (and very low labor rates)

Took my Oreck up right to be serviced by F & H. Brought it in on the 17^th, George said it would take 20 min to fix but was unable to it then. I said just call me when it’s done.
No Call, no nothing & IT’S 5 DAYS LATER.
I swing by @ 2pm on the 22^nd & see a note on the door. BACK AT 4:30.
NO TIME TO WAIT.
So today I go by again while out & another note. BACK AT 11:37. So I wait 30 min & he arrives. He didn’t even work on it.
TOTAL WASTE IF MY TIME !!!
YOU SUCK GEORGE, UNLIKE MY VACUUM

This is the place to go to get your vacuum repaired and to buy a vacuum. George, the owner knows a lot about vacuums and has years of experience in repair and restoring them. He also carries quality and top of the line brands like Miele, Hoover, etc.
He is honest and helpful.

Rare honesty.
Highly recommended. This guy knows his cleaning machines and will give you a no-​nonsense evaluation of your vac.
I feared my motor had died but when I brought in my vac, the owner checked it and it seemed to be running fine. While I felt like an idiot for bringing in a perfectly functional vacuum, he advised me on what to do in case the motor fails again. He then checked the belt and said it was far too stretched out, which I never would have noticed. Belt was replaced for $ 8 on the spot. Quoted me on other replacements, just for my own information. Very helpful.
Reassuring.
When I told him I discovered him on Unilocal,he seemed lightly amused, as if it were funny to have so strong a positive reaction from the general public.