Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Apparently there's a new Dyson model that will be launched in February at the VDTA Convention.  I don't know any further specifics on whether or not it's going to be a canister or upright, but apparently all attendees of the show will be able to see it and place their orders.  I wonder if the $899 pricetag will be a detriment to sales, or are Americans willing to pay a premium for superior performance and space-age motor technology?

Has anyone else heard anything yet?  I'm curious to know what it is as I bought the DC21 right when it came out in March.  That and the DC17 are the only ones that impressed me so far, it will be interesting to see how this one is.

Carmine, I once had a customer tell me to my face that I was lieing to her when i told her she needed to wash the filters regularly.  I have also had customers come in with well used and very dirty Dysons, and claim that the machine never needs any servicing or cleaning at their cost. 

But I have to say the worst ones are the Kirby owners with their "lifetime warranty" that covers everything that ever goes wrong for any reason...     They don't tend to take the news to well.

Vacuuman wrote:

Hello Vacuuman:

The first is a function of the sales and marketing techniques used to sell dyson vacuums in the USA.  Obviously, selling a $500 plus vacuum in the big box stores presented a huge challenge with many obstacles.  2002 was a ripe time for it.  Housing market bubble, good economy, cheap gas, stable dollar, easy credit, full employment, liberal store return/refund policies.  But it's not like this any more.

Dyson had to "wow" buyers with a huge bang for the buck:  Real/perceptual.  Through its "marketeers" and the big box retail stores, dyson promulgated a host of puffed up claims.  They're legendary now:  Never clogs; Never loses suction; Zero maintenance costs; Excellent pick up on all floor and rug surfaces............Many of these claims appeared in dyson literature and on the dyson product cartons.  In the industry, this is called "hawking" and "hyping."  It's been around for years especially among the door-to-door vacuum sales people.  

Most US consumers, like the young lady at COSTCO, are gullible and accept these claims at face value.  We know what PT Barnum said.  The claims are believed as long as the honey moon period for the brand and product lasts.    

The second is a function of the amount of money the person pays for the vacuum.  The more they pay for the vacuum, the more difficult the truth is for them to accept. 

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Why dont you post your comments the VACUUMLAND forum, with the google shows,see how far you get,Stop hiding under the I SUPPORT INVENTORS B.S..

MOLE/O.T.

Remember, keep it civil.

I understand Mike,out of respect to you and a few others on the forum,You are one of us.

MOLE

The next new dyson launch will consist of at least one new upright model slated for the big box store venue.  Why?

Here are the reasons why. 

If you follow the big box store sales ads from week to week [like me], you notice at least one big box store each week selling dyson upright models at clearance prices.  In some cases in concert with FREE gift cards of $50-$100.  [Something I predicted several months ago as part of the 2007 Holiday Season dyson vacuum sales]. 

This week it is Target advertising the DC07 All Floors for $339 (regular $399) and DC14 Drive Target Exclusive for $389 (regular $459).  Both prices are more than the typical 10 percent off, which is the infamous dyson MAP allowable.

Last week it was Linens & Things with the dyson DC17 Absolute for $549 BEFORE the 20 percent off coupon and FREE $50 Gift card.

Week before, it was BEST BUY with the DC14 All Floors on clearance and a FREE Gift Card.  And so on and so on.

Put it all together and what does it mean?  The big box retailers who sell dysons have permission to break the MAP to clear out the old dyson upright models and make room and money for the new dysons.  No complaints from dyson and/or the retailers because all who want to participate in the sales clearances have permission.

Add the fact that the newest dyson uprights [DC17 Absolute and DC18 Lite] have some substantial retail age on them now.  Big box retailers like to have a constant new crop of vacuums to meet/satisfy customer demand.  In the big box retail industry, a vacuum with a year or more on the market is ready for the product retirement cycle.

Let's see what happens next.

Carmine D.

Vacuuman wrote:

Hi Reggie, Dont you find it a little funny how the usual vacuum cleaner buyer,buys on blind faith,believes every thing the bujambi says to them at the box stores,falls for all the pretty pictures,the borderline false advertising claims,then tells you that your lieing to them,I would put money on it that the retail store HELP has never changed the clutch on a dc07/14.Just keep on selling the parts for dyson......

MOLE

I am not trying to get into a debate of machines, but.  My Nephew and his wife just purchased a Big Bird colored vacuum at our local Sam's Club for a retail price $469.  She used the vac exactly two (2) times.  Dumping the bin after each room she cleaned.  She did so to demonstrate how much dirt she was getting out of each room.   When she pulled it out for it's third cleaning the machine didn't seem to be picking up, after  few minutes the motor just shut down.  They took it back, and was told they would have to send it into the service shop.  They spent all of the christmas holiday with a cheap Dirt Devil vac to tidy up with.  They have now been notified that the vacuum will not be repaired under warranty, because the filters had not been kept clean, and this constitues  misues and abuse thus voiding the warranty.    Apparently the motor is spent. 

I suggested that with as short of time it was owned, they should contact higher ups in the company and request a replacement.  It is currently being considered but they have not heard anything yet.

Just wrote:
(Presumably it's a Dyson cleaner you're talking about??)

If it's only been used twice, then they can hardly be expected to have kept the filters clean. Typically, the filter requires inspection every 6 months, with say two uses per week.
There's a few ways in which the filter can be blocked like this in a short time period. 1) There's a problem with the machine's construction 2) The user has picked up a lot of fine dust in one go 3) The user has allowed the bin to reach the MAX level and continued vacuuming. As long as the machine is used correctly, there's no reason why (in my mind) it shouldn't be replaced.

Just wrote:

Hello Just:

Are you implying that the new dyson vacuum from Sam's Club is a "lemon," as in a defective dud?  If so, then you're insulting the integrity and reputation of Big Bird who is completely innocent and blameless in this matter. 

What's interesting to me is the unwillingness by Sam's Club to exchange the vacuum for a new one/refund the cost.  Is it possible that the return period allowed by Sam's Club has been exceeded?  If not, then I would conclude that Sam's Club Stores, like all other big box retailers, are getting tougher with return policies for vacuums even for those that are problematic.  While I understand the retailer's point of view (it's costly over time to accept returned dyson vacuums for refunds/exchanges) if true (tougher return policies), then it does not bode well for dyson sales.

I recall Mole posting that his local BEST BUY store has 3 dozen returned dysons for sale.  If you do the math for these 35 returned dyson units and extrapolate to the entire BEST BUY store chain, it's a real hefty sum of money to reduce from sales revenue to reach the bottom line [profit].

I recall the VP of TARGET several years back saying in a newspaper interview [when big box stores still had liberal return and exchange policies] that returned "vacuum cleaners" was the single most expensive cost item in figuring the chain's net profit from new vacuum sales.

Carmine D.