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.

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.

CarmineD wrote:

I am sorry, I did not mean to insult Big Bird. I was only stating the color of the machine in question.  I believe it was defective and not misused.

I am also not meaning to imply that all of the Yellow/Orange machines are defective, only relaying the service of this particular one.

As I did state, the bin was not allowed to get overfull, as it was emptied after each room cleaned.  The two time it was used was within a week period.  My Nephew, who is a Doctor, is not uninformed on the workings of the world; but was very upset about the manner in which this store acted in regards to this machine.

Just wrote:
Hi Just, Carmine & everyone,

Referencing this and the Costco story that Carmine posted, these problems (that ultimately lead to store returns) are not just limited to Dysons, contrary to ever-popular belief.  No doubt there's a large amount of Hoover WindTunnels, Mach 3's, etc. as well as Dirt Devils being returned as well.  Of course for some reason the Dyson is all we tend to hear about on here ;-)

Just, I'm willing to bet that the machine your nephew had (DC14 I'm guessing, or was it a 15?) was indeed a lemon in one way or another.  I am a firm believer in that stores should not accept returns based on customer abuse or misuse, but this was neither and Sam's should have accepted the return.  The machine itself was just bad, in this case the cyclone assy. was probably defective as it was letting excessive fine dust get into the pre-motor filter.  I have vacuumed an ungodly amount of fine dust with my DC21 and have only had to wash the filter once (this week, after 9 months instead of 6, and even so the dust was only on the surface of the filter).

Carmine's story, regarding the lady taking the machine back to Costco, is an example of misuse.  The manual clearly states that the pre-motor filter has to be washed every 6 months under regular use.  In that case, Costco should not have accepted the return.   This is the same as not cleaning out the filter on a nasty filtered bagless (though I can see why most wouldn't want to, yuk!), or not changing the bag in a bagged machine.  No machine is perfect, yet, and will always require some degree of work to maintain top performance, whether it be changing the bag or cleaning the pre-motor filter. 

Truth be known, even as a Dyson user and supporter, I don't care for the DC07, DC14, and DC15 designs.  The DC07 design, while fascinating when introduced (and helped Dyson get their foot in the door in the American market) is going on 10 years old and is for the most part outdated in a company that is always (and needs to be) on the leading edge of innovation.  The DC14 is essentially that same design with minor tweaks, still using the DC07's horrible nozzle and brushroll.  The DC15 looked good on paper but the rug nozzle design is (in my opinion) horrible and severely affects performance.  Those three models seem to be the "token machines" used in anti-Dyson propaganda (at least from what I've seen) and should be dropped.  Dyson needs to focus on what's good now, the DC17, 18, 21, and future models.  Speaking of that, I noticed the closeout on the DC07/14 in Target as well; they're dropping the two (with the exception of the pink breast cancer DC07) to carry the DC17 Absolute and DC18 Slim uprights.

-MH

Motorhead wrote:

My sense is that the reason that dyson gets the Forum coverage for defects and returns is because it is by far the highest priced vacuum sold by the big box retailers.  When yours is the highest price, in most cases 2X and 3X the average price of a new vacuum sold in America, consumers expect that it is deserving and worthy of the price.  Dyson supporters like to maintain as a defense for the high dyson price:  You get what you pay for.  Well, evidently not all the time.

Since the Sam's Club Store will not exchange the defective dyson, the question now becomes what will dyson do about the defective dyson product?  Dyson can't impose its wishes on the Sam's Store policies.  But dyson can make the buyer whole again by exchanging the defective dyson for a new one, at no expense. 

I would expect and anticipate that a muti-billion dollar vacuum company selling $500 priced products, and prides itself on employing 500 engineers and spending millions of dollars yearly on R & D costs, would replace a defective product with a new one without hesitation.   

Carmine D. 

Motorhead wrote:

Is Target the only retailer scrubbing the DC07/DC14?  Or, are others following suit?  Or don't you know for sure?  I've heard some rumors from the grapevine about dyson and just wondering if others heard too.

Carmine D.

How do you think the 1914 Cadillac you showed us from ebay on another forum would compare with the Dyson?!  (only kidding)

I share a Texas connection with you.  Lived in Houston for a year and 13 years in Fort Worth, where I graduated from TCU a long time ago!  Went from 6th grade through college bachelors degree in Texas.

You present very interesting, intelligent, and clear information in your posts.  Thanks for sharing.

MH,

I think I have confused you with another vacuum enthusiast.  My apologies.

CarmineD wrote:

How very true........

Attention all!

DYSON DC23

http://certificates.iecee.org/cbtestcert/cbtestcert.nsf/476c88daa9b602fbc12570990038ef4b/ad021c22658bf9dec12573ad0030d8e3?OpenDocument

DC23, now that's interesting, I wonder what it will be in relation to the DC22?  Guess we'll have to wait and see...