Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

No, I haven't received any of these emails, if I did they would end up in my spam folder.  Just the name of the organization sounds like a scam to me, there's always a catch to everything...

I did some research because these offers are coming from more than one company.  Another vying for my services is Vindale Research AKA Quandrant Media.  Hence the reason I'm getting so many.  The DC25 must be the in-thing to give away.  These companies offer to pay $5-$75 per survey completed plus give you the product free.  Or, alternatively, they will pay you the amount to buy the product and tell you where to buy.  Plus out-of pocket expenses for gas, plus a fee for compensation.   The amounts can be as much as $2000-$3000 depending on the product.  Sure beats completing a survey for JD Power which provides $1.00. 

I'm inclined to believe these offers are from viable consumer product research companies and are on the up and up.  Why?  All the information about the companies are included in the email with the company history.  If it were a scam, these companies would be liable for a plethora of federal and state violations for using the internet to fleece unsuspecting customers under false premises.  And they provided an audit trail for the legal authorities to nail them lock stock and barrel.  The companies would be reported in the news and would be shut down.

As you can see they are continuing to get sent to me.  If I see something that interests me I may accept the offer.  But so far the dyson DC25 ball-thing ain't it.  And maybe that's the exact reason they are trying so hard to entice me to try it and give my opinion.  Maybe they want an honest man's appraisal and believe I will provide it to them.  I might and then gift the dyson away.  At least this time, it won't cost me any money just a little time and and a survey completion.  That's a labor of love for me, not work.

If all spam is this lucrative, I better start paying more attention before I delete.

Carmine D.

If you're thinking about the gift for Mother's this Sunday, here's some advice.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/five-things-you-should-never-buy-as-a-mothers-day-gift-167260/

Read it through.

Carmine D.

The Dyson DC25 was launched on HSN today.  More shows may/may not air today.  The show was called "Home Solutions".

• Worth noting of the DC25 and demo:
  • It is the new "The Ball" or their selling it as the updated version to the DC15.  And the DC24 was refered to as the "The Mini Ball".
  • The additional extra 20 airwatts gives Dyson the ability to advertise the 25 as having the same power as the DC15
  • The pitch showed (Dyson's) concerned that people may think the small size = less power.  Interestingly, the demo was done on floor level and a raised platform.  I have never seen a Dyson demo on a raised platform.        DIB

The launch video is archived...  http://home-solutions.hsn.com/dyson-the-ball-dc25-all-floors-upright-cyclonic-vacuum_p-4270406_xp.aspx?webm_id=0&web_id=4270406&sf=hw&attr=2699&ocm=sekw&prev=hp!2699&ccm=hw|2699

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Hello DIB:

I've seen this done before for dyson on HSN.  For the DC14 Animal, some time back.  Using a raised platform with 3-4 different thicknesses/styles of carpets.  I opined at the time I posted here that I thought this approach was used to preclude using matting underneath the carpets.  Why? The carpets are perminantly fixed to the platform.  Don't come off.  Can't see what's left below and under the carpets [read dirt that doesn't get picked up] after vacuuming with the carpets with a dyson.   Slick demo technique.

Carmine D.

After looking at the demo again, I saw nothing deceptive.  But I did count 3 platforms and nothing demoed on floor level like I previously wrote/thought.  The lowest platform looked to be 3 inches high and the highest looks to be 12 inches high.  Looking at the footage again, the extra (platform) height gave the camera a better view for filming the up close shots of "The Ball" mechanics and manuvering.  Who knows?        DIB 

May be of some interest...  HSN product host for Roomba says - Over 100,000 Rombas sold in 5 years, on HSN.  Dyson product host says - Almost 100,000 Dyson's sold in 2 years on HSN.  The Roomba guy said the HSN demo's greatly help to drive outside (of HSN) sales too.        DIB

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Hello DIB:

The number of Roombas vice dysons sold on HSN is more a function of the number on hand, price offerings and buyer incentives from HSN than the popularity/demand for the brands sold.  iRobot Roomba is now in their 5 th generation of robotic machines and the prices have come down and they have gotten better.  Consumer Reports rates it the best for the robotics.  And it's a new category of household vacuums for CR reviews.  Maybe the last year or less.  Roombas have a pervasive presence in all retailers and have since the fall of 2002 when they launched.   More so, in my opinion, than dysons.  As inexpensive as $100 and as expensive as $279 not counting the scooba which runs typically for $399 and up.  A model for every budget.

Of more interest is how many of each [dyson vice roomba] have been sold so far this year to date, not years past.  I'd like to see these numbers if available.

Carmine D.

Carmine, you bring up intersting points.       DIB

Hello DIB:

I will add one more point to consider.  iRobots are purchased to supplement the existing mainstay vacuum(s).  Dysons are purchased as the primary/mainstay cleaner.  In some respects, the iRobots are a luxury household item.  They are not needed  as much as wanted since a main cleaner probably is already in use in most households.   This would tend to make the robotic sales inherently lower.  But as I've read and seen, the sales of iRobots have been and continue to be very brisk.  People justify their need due to lack of time and effort to use/run the daily vacuum.  The low prices are a balm to people who may feel some guilt to make the expense, especially in bad economic times.

I was surprised the professional gift advisor did not include robotic vacuums as a possible Mother's Day gift.  Instead honing in on the dysons as representative of all vacuums as unworthy for the gift giving occasion. 

Carmine D.