Hi A.!
I have a 7 month old who is just about to start crawling, so just last week I decided it was time to get ourselves a new vacuum! After doing lots of research I decided that I wanted a Dyson myself, since everyone who I have talked to who has one absulutely loves it! Currently I am waiting for my vacuum to arrive (should be here today!) So unfortunatly I can't tell you how well it works yet for myself, but I can tell you where you can get a REALLY nice Dyson for about $300 which is what I paid for mine!
If you go to www.dyson.com you can find the full price new dysons, but you can also find refurbished Dysons for $250-$350. The refurbished dysons are either returned models or ones that had a little quirk and then had the flakey parts replaced with new ones, and that have then gone though testing to make sure they perform just as well as a brand new dyson. So, its like getting a brand new dyson for 200-250$ cheaper! If you buy the vacuum straight from Dyson, their refurbished ones come with a 6 month warrantee (a new one comes with a 5 year warrantee). Also, it does not come with any attachments, you are just getting the basic vacuum.
I REALLY wanted a Dyson Animal with the pet attachments, so I continued to search the internet for one at a good price, and I found it on Ebay!! There is a seller on ebay (I think its ABC Vacuums or something similar) That I was able to get my Dyson Animal from, for $299 with free shipping! It came with all the attachments, as well as a 3 year warrantee (first 6 mos though dyson, and then 2.5 years thorugh ABC Vaccums) Those vacuums there are refurbished too, but SUCH A GREAT DEAL! I would reccomend checking it out! Depending on what type of Dyson you want, it could be as cheap as $250.
Well, I hope this helps! I am SO excited for my Dyson to arrive today! I know that Dyson is such a respected brand that I wont have to buy another vacuum for years and years, and I am so excited to try it out! My friend got hers and used it right after vaccuming with her other vacuum and she said that it picked up SO much stuff that her other vacuum left behind that she had to empty the canister 3 times just while doing her bedrooms! WOW