Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

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.

CarmineD wrote:

Why would anyone be so cruel as to give their mother a prank gift on their special day?  Most moms have outgrown toys.

HARDSELL wrote:

Probably a loving, caring, concerned husband, son/daughter who wants to make their Wives' and Moms' lives easier and simpler so they have more free time to themselves.  It's like doing the vacuuming for them.  Many husbands, sons/daughters do this for their Wives and Moms for Mother's Day for the same reason.  Why not make it a permanent daily gift with a robotic vacuum? 

Come on HS.  You've been inhaling too much powdered baking soda and its nuking the limited thought processes you have.

Carmine D

CarmineD wrote:

Why not just spend $40 on a swivel sweeper.  A loving, caring husband would rather see his wife get some exercise and not contribute to her sitting on the sofa getting obese while a toy raoms the house. 

HARDSELL wrote:

Be my guest.  It's your money.  $40 dollars wasted for a manual sweeper that requires a constant user to operate.  Or $140 for an automatic sweeper that is self-sufficient and needs little/no user intervention.  Now...let me think: What is the better expenditure?  Dah?

Keep the sign.  Especially if you want to justify being a cheapskate by telling your wife that she can use the exercise.  That's real smart!  She'll just love you for that one.  And you can sleep on the sofa for the rest of your life too.  At least you'll have your sign for comfort and security.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
The Roomba is not a REAL vacuum cleaner.  True, it may have a suction motor, but many toy vacuums have a suction motor as well, and most are twice as powerful.  Even that POS Oreck will remove more dirt than a Roomba, and just barely.  The Roomba is no more of a vacuum cleaner than the Swivel Sweeper.  Anyone who takes these things seriously must have some REALLY dirty rugs...