So I live in an apartment with 3 other roommates, and we have a vacuum that’s not too old but it’s definitely got some miles on it. I do believe that we need to get a new vacuum at some point, for our apartment but one day my roommate (Ally) I’ll refer to as Matt spoke to the other 2 roommates which are couple that I will refer to as Jenn and Alan. Now let me give you some context on Jenn and Alan, they are a couple that live in the master bedroom of our apartment and they lived in that apartment before Matt and I moved in, so about 70% of the stuff in the living room and kitchen was/is theirs, Jenn’s got tons of "health problems" and I say that skeptically because its a numerous list of things that she constantly refers to and always says she can’t do something because xyz. This also means cleaning around the apartment, now we don’t have a cleaning system but we typically work off of an unspoken "you make the mess, you clean up rule" but mostly me and Matt do most of the maintenance cleaning. So this surprised me when Jenn and Alan spoke to Matt about getting a $400 Dyson vacuum (and yes I know I’ve heard all about Dyson), Matt was alright with the idea when he presented it to me and I just said, that sounds like a lot and I’m not sure because I’m tight on money atm but also our vacuum isn’t broken, its just old, I said maybe we can find a cheaper one that’s still good? Thats when Jenn pops in and says "I just don’t work well with the cheaper ones because of my health conditions", this really pissed me off in my head, and let me tell you Jenn is not physically or mentally challenged at least by any diagnosis. I said again, it seemed like too much for a vaccuum at the moment and that we could still find a cheaper one, Jenn was relentless on this and even joked saying, "maybe Alan can pay for it and put you and Matt on a payment plan" she said this and chuckled, and I got more mad, I just said I’m not sure and sorry it’s too much. Another note about Jenn is that she is quite the consumer, she likes to buy things that are popular on tiktok or in her online culture, no matter the price and I’ve got a pretty good source that she uses her credit card for it only to add to her credit card debt or uses her boyfriend’s money because she’s unemployed. Alan is also the type of non-chalant guy that is more anxious than chill and goes along with whatever Jenn does in order to be a "good boyfriend", he rarely talks and doesn’t really give much input in certain things, only his hobbies. I was so furious that Jenn even has an input given that she is paying $0 to this and hardly cleans herself, I told this to Matt privately and he started to agree and find a cheaper one. Since then, Jenn and Alan aren’t really talkative with me and they don’t even look at me when I’m around them, they just close there doors and stay inside or leave the apartment. Matt loves this since he likes peace and quite with no social interaction which I can respect. Am I the asshole?
NTA, I understand the concern for health problems, but if you require the higher end stuff YOU should pay for the higher end stuff (which often time isn’t really different than most). Also she should contribute too if she wants it.
NTA. Roommates shouldn’t go in on these things together, it’s messy when you buy them, it’s messy when you break them, and it’s messy when it’s time to go your separate ways. Since Jenn is the one who wants the Dyson, Jenn or Alan should buy the Dyson, and then they can keep it when they move out. If you need another appliance to share, you or Matt should buy it but you get to pick the make, model and price level as it’s your item.
Yta for not using paragraphs.
NTA , truly it sounds like Jenn just likes to have things to have things as you mentioned.
I own a cleaning company and have bought 3 vacuums in the span of 3 years for my employees and certain contracts. We do not have any Dysons at all because truly it just seems like Dyson is big on Marketing gimmick, like Apple with phones. I wouldn’t doubt they are nice but I can’t get behind buying a $400 vacuum when you can buy 4-5 for that price. Plus it comes down to now yall split a vacuum, would Jenn and Alan buy you and Matt out of your share of the vacuum when you leave? Or are they going to say that yall used the vacuum so you got your moneys worth and try to claim property over it.
If it was a cheap vacuum everyone would easily be able to walk away from the vacuum without feeling cheated in a way.
I would probably try to reason with everyone, you can get a really nice vacuum that can help reduce all of the kick up of dust to help with Jenn’s allergies and then throw extra money at like an air purifier to actually help the air. And if they keep ignoring you like kids, then maybe start thinking about a new living situation.
INFO
Has the old vacuum actually stopped working? I would be reluctant to go in on a new vacuum purchase with two people who aren’t willing to do any of the vacuuming anyway, unless the old one literally wouldn’t work at all.
If Jenn and Alan are so fired up about a $400 Dyson, I would suggest that they get one and split the cost between them and they can use it when it’s their week to vacuum the house (translate: it will never get used) and you and Matt can use the old one when you clean.
When you guys move out, which I’m guessing will happen sooner than later, they keep the Dyson. But no way would I pay for something pricey like this with roommates. With my husband where I knew we would use the appliance for years? Sure. Our vacuum is still going strong after decades. But with roommates, this is inherently a bad idea because you’re not going to live together forever and then inevitably when it’s time to go your separate ways, someone (Jenn and Alan) will want to keep all the stuff you bought together and won’t have the cash to pay you back what you spent on it.
“…our vacuum isn’t broken, its just old…” NTA. No need to buy one until the old one stops working. Tell Jenn if she needs a specific one she and Alan can buy it. You and Matt are fine with the current working vacuum. Never buy shared appliances with roommates. It becomes a huge mess to figure out who gets to keep it when someone moves out.
NTA. Ask who keeps the vacuum when you all inevitably move out. That’s who pays for the vacuum.
NTA for not wanting to buy the vacuum. You’re kinda an asshole for the way you talk about Jen’s health though.
NTA. i have had a few cordless dysons and they were not worth the price. it may be different for corded dysons, but there are other good vacuum options for much less money (if and when you do need to purchase a new vacuum, maybe look at the cordless hoover – it is about $100-$120 and blew out expensive cordless dyson out of the water). and especially don’t go in on a pricey vacuum with roommate as other posters have said. if they want one, they can get it and use it themselves and you can continue to use the older but functional one. sorry they are being annoying about this
Jenn comes across as an entitled little snot and she doesn’t work, I couldn’t live with someone like that. NTA
If/when you move out, who will get the Dyson? That person should pay for it.