I was hoping to use this vacuum after reading many positive reviews but when I opened a brand new box I noticed a tear in the filter bag. I contacted Snow Joe straight away and they asked me to register my purchase online and once registered they are happy to send out a replacement bag and anything else that doesn't fit. So I checked in and called to get a replacement and it was delivered to UPS with no problems. I finally got to use it and it's fantastic. I have a Jotul F400 wood stove and the vacuum cleaner holds about three pots of ash. Ash dust does not come out of the device. People complain that it loses suction, which all vacuums do when they start to fill up, but I have no problem even when it's almost full. I would buy it again right away. I wish I had had it sooner.