i had to make quite a few calls, but they gave me a refund for the shop vac. this is better, for me, because i can use the refund cash to buy most of a new one (i had initially bought it on sale so i got the price i paid back and it won't cover the full price of a new one) and then probably find a new motor for the old one, now. otherwise, i'd have had to give them back the old one and buy a third one at full price. if it costs me another $50 to replace this one and buy a new one, i've got them both working at a sale price for both. and i'd have had to leave the house, putting myself at threat of getting drugged again.