Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

1)  Nov 21, 2007 James Dyson t.v. commercial parodied on Saturday Night Live.

2)  March 17, 2009:  While many independent vacuum dealers bad-mouth, lie of and/or dismiss James Dyson and his teams contributions, many others champion the man.  Watch James Dyson in his element - in his Malmesbury Headquarters.  NBC’s “Today Show”  http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=71fa9222-10d2-413c-bf31-0007895697ac

2)  Older video news:  I could not resist...  A Hottie car-news chick mentions the rumor of Dyson working with car makers, and Oreck gets a mention too (funny).

www.blinkx.com/video/hamann-stallion-audi-a7-fast-lane-daily-24jun08/JQ18e2m7y5hiULCgEQWSvw

CarmineD wrote:

Carmine,

It is not  a matter of whether the dealers sell after market parts.  It is a question of whether he uses these less expensive parts and charges for genuine (higher priced) parts.  The big box stores carry bags, filters, belts, etc.  They are on the shelf and the customer can see that they are not labeled with the genuine brand of the vacuum that they fit.  When a vac is serviced the dealer does not allow the customer in the repair area to watch.  Who knows what is really being repaired and what parts are used.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               I called the store prior to my son taking the Rainbow  in and they told me that they would service a Rainbow.  They supposedly service all major brands.

If a dealer does not service a brand as you describe then you can add that to another reason that I do not trust so many indy shops.  A polite " We do not service your brand" would be in order.  To simply accept the vacuum then report that some bogus repair is needed is stealing.

CarmineD wrote:

HS:

In your effort to respond you attributed your remarks to me as author?  Would you like me to respond to myself?

If I understand correctly your question, then you completely missed my point.  If a maker [say dyson] outsources its genuine parts to a generic parts supplier or vacuum maker [say panasonic for motors], then its prices to authorized dealers for the parts will be higher than they would be if the dealer buys direct from the outsource supplier [panasonic].  Simply because dyson [insert your own brand name of choise] is charging a middle man fee to the end dyson dealer for the processing and sale.

Dyson is required by contract to price all the parts the same to authorized dealers.  Not so with vacuum parts from suppliers even genuines.  These suppliers may offer better price deals to better dealers [read larger orders and rapid payment].  If I am a panasonic authorized dealer [and I was in NJ], AND I am not a dyson dealer, I might pay considerably less for the panasonic motor [for dyson] than a authorized dyson dealer pays for the motor from dyson.   In fact, I would guarantee it to be the case.  This is true for all the outsourced genuine parts.  At least it was when I was in business.  

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I simply implied that all brands have customers that are not enthralled with their purchase if they have a problem.  You could have said the same, however you always choose to single out Dyson.  Your bias shows and really ruins all credibility in your comments.

You are the one missing the point.  What you say about subbing parts applies to most consumer repaired goods.  I have not disputed the quality nor the price of after market prices.  Most manufacturers sub out as opposed to building in house.  The point is the dealer should not use parts that cost him less and charge the price that the customer would have paid for the branded one.  Again,  that is stealing.

We had a parts program where I previously worked.  We sold parts for practically all brands, not just ours.  This allowd our dealers buy their parts from a single source rather than from all the manufacturers.  It also kept our competition from getting in the back door.  These parts were not branded with the with the various manufacturer names.  I really have no idea what the dealer told their customer.  I would be surprised if some failed to tell the customer the difference. 

There are only a few manufacturers of compressors for residential air conditioners so you will likely get one of theirs in any brand.  Sometimes they are generic and sometimes they are built to spec for the manufacturer. Therefore they are not always of the same quality.

HARDSELL wrote:
HA HA HA hahahahah... that's a good one

...When a company does it it's called "free market capitalism"....when a little guy does it, evidently it's called stealing


Personally I think both are unethical...

Lucky1 wrote:

Does it matter what it is called or who does it?   It is wrong by every definition.

Do you approve of unethical practices?

Hello Gents:

Call it whatever [immoral, unethical, underhanded, ruthless, capitalistic, fill in the blank, etc.] but its not illegal.  

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Do you condone it?

HS:

I never did it.  I frequently had both genuine and replacement parts.  I also had an opinion for both with prices and shared with my customers.  I let them decide.  Many times and cases the replacements were as good and better than the originals, or exactly the same, save the logo of the genuine.  Less expensive.  Sometimes considerably less to the customers. 

I saw the wave of Japanese replacement parts for vacuums in the 50 and 60's.  They were terrible.  I wouldn't buy and use these from my suppliers and parts makers.  Gradually they got better and I did.  But sold/used strictly as replacements not genuines and the customers were told and charged accordingly.  Many refused Japanese parts regardless of the cost.  And all the parts had the stickers with the place of production.  Easily came off but not by me when sold over the counter.  Truth in selling.  Especially as an authorized sales and service dealer/store for the leading vacuum brands at the time. 

If others do it, that's their business.  They can run their business as they choose.  It' s not my business what they do.  I hold myself alone to the honest standard.  Not others.  I expect honesty, but over the years get disappointed.  Good rule of thumb.  Always ask the questions and get answers.  If you don't like the answer, keep asking questions.  Eventually the truth emerges.

Carmine D.

Interesting that some [maybe just one] here impugn indies based on practices for which no concrete proof is offered.  But vacuumfreake buys a smelly old beat up vacuum on ebay [just happens to be called a dyson], overpays for it, and no one expresses concern?  Save maybe vacuumfreake?  Probably not an isolated ebay incident.

People are people.  Honest ones and dishonest ones both personally and professionally.

Carmine D.