Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Per a New York Times story,  Halo ( http://www.gethalo.com ), the upright vacuum with the bug and germ killing UV light, as of last week has committed to a 20 million dollar advertising push over the next year in behalf of the new UV-ST model.  This is a little less than half of what Hoover shells out in the same time window.  The Halo UV-ST -- a fan-in-dirt- stream upright -- is priced at $499. 

The interesting part of the effort is that this may well be merely word play. Phil Smith who is president of BooneOakley, the firm devising the add campaign, states that, "Any vacuum, by Dyson, Hoover, Bissell, can't kill germs while it vacuums.  We're not going after any maker or model.  We don't see any competition."  An ambitious approach but to the best of my knowledge, though UV technology is used for disinfecting water and for sterilization, Halo has not put forth bona fide test results as to how well its product actually works in regard to rug cleaning or disinfecting.

Here's the link to the story but please note that you may have to apply for a free subscription to view it -- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/business/media/26adco.html    Interested consumers may also call 866-638-4256 and request an owners manual.

Best,

Venson

MOLE

Good question.  The problem, based on talking with the SEARS vacuum products' specialists, is too high a price.  I would agree.  My sense is that halo will up the commissions in hope of jump starting sales and/or aggressively advertising.  When that fails and it will, halo will lower the price.  It's not worth $400-$500, even with the on-board tools.  It might sell better at the $200-$300 range.  But Consumer Reports may have nailed the coffin shut on it by its recent review.  Apparently, the vacuum can't do what vacuums do:  Pick up dirt.  It's destined to be a niche product [IMHO] for germaphobes, if the company can improve its vacuum performance and when the price comes down.

This is a bad time for a high price big box vacuums like halo.  Why?  Recession fears by retailers and consumers.  High unemployment numbers.  Credit crunch.  Sub prime slime effects with huge number of house foreclosures.  Poor 2007 Holiday season retailers' sales with predictions of poor sales through 2008.  All working against halo.

Carmine D.

Sounds like they better change their business plan and in a hurry........

MOLE

Funny you should ask.  A long and interesting discussion with the SEARS product specialists about the dyson claim:  Never clogs.  Apparently, dyson recently put the word out to SEARS to replace all the filters in the store machine demos AND warn buyers/users about the need to keep the filters maintained to ensure the warranty. 

Carmine D.

Funny you should ask.  A long and interesting discussion with the SEARS product specialists about the dyson claim:  Never clogs.  Apparently, dyson recently put the word out to SEARS to replace all the filters in the store machine demos AND warn buyers/users about the need to keep the filters maintained to ensure the warranty. 

Carmine D.

Sears product specialists must fall in the top 10 list of oxymorons.  Along with has been vac specialists.  I fail to see anything wrong with a manufacturer recommending that a seller instruct customers on proper care of the product.  Alternately this could be devastating if a customer knew all the maintenance needed to keep non Dyson vacs running properly.

For the record,  I have never had a Dyson to clog.

Hello HARDSELL:

I think you miss the points of the exchanges.  The oxymorons are dyson reps and dyson's disengenuous [read false, misleading, wrong, erroneous] claim that it would not clog.  You know this claim was the laughing stock of the vacuum industry for almost 5 years, including SEARS vacuum product specialists. 

Fast forward:  It took a class action by disgruntled dyson owners [36 whose dyson experiences with clogged filters contradict yours] and appropriate industry warnings to make dyson cease with the false claims in literature and cartons. 

BUT, on a serious note, all new US dysons now have the Asthma and Allergy Foundation Endorsement [isn't that the same one bestowed on the now infamous Ionic Breeze?].  The cert is valid with one minor exception:  When dumping the dirt bin.  It's recommended that users wear a dirt mask when performing this task.  Failure to do so, may result in serious health hazards and even death!  Wow.  Now that's some serious and necessary maintenance. 

Always enjoy taking you on.  I love retirement how about you?

Carmine D.

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Not that I am in love with this machine but I can't see why Halo cut its own throat by way of pricing. Besides no one really knowing this company, there was already a prior model -- same germ killing idea -- that nobody was knocking down the door to the store for when the new one came out. 

I think the maker would have fared better by suggesting a lower, more sensible price. They might have gotten away with the original $499 had they been able to plainly state some concrete and worthwhile numbers re the germ and bug killing pitch.  A more attractive first price of $389.00 on this machine would have been much more conducive in getting the public to bite.

Best,

Venson

According to a WSJ article, April 15, 2008, "Shining a UV Light on Germy Surfaces" Laura Johannes in a Column titled "Aches and Claims" says that the Halo co-owner Ken Garcia says a major market for its vacuums is allergy sufferers.  Halo is beginning a six-month study with academic researchers to determine whether using its vacuum at least once a week can reduce asthma symptoms, compared with a control vacuum.

I haven't seen Halo advertising on this site.  I thought at one time it did.  But I may be mistaken.

Carmine D.

Happy Thursday.  There they go again.  Studies?  Again? By whom?  The last academic they used was the one they paid -- at Ohio whatever I believe.  He was not only in a video at the Halo website, he was quoted in press releases posed as "news stories".

If they actually do studies again the only thing that will save their bacon is to clearly arrange them through a non-partial/buyable source who can quote clear percentages. 

Best,

Venson