Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Original Message Apr 29, 2008 5:30 pm
Hello,
I'll be honest, I know nothing about vacuum cleaners except that I need one. I have 4 criteria for selection: 1) Works well 2) built well/will last me a long long time (serviceable) 3) Made in US, Japan, or Western Europe 4) Hopefully no more than $350
I think Oreck may end up being my choice since it's made in the US and I haven't found any others that aren't manufactured in south east Asia. But that's why I'm here! To tap into your brains :)
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #124 May 15, 2008 11:06 am
Complacency breeds failure, it's human nature and there's a huge number of people in the far east who'd like the opportunity to better their position, both individually and as a nation. I doubt the situation would be any different if the roles were reversed.
Can't be long now, until China or India are sending their respective armies over to the west, to help keep order...
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #125 May 15, 2008 11:51 am
Well the problem I have mentioned is that we don't trade on a level playing field... in the name of so call "Free Trade" and "Capitalism". Yet we deal with countries with protective import duties and near slave labor forces. Companies are American when it suits them and International when it suits them...damnned to the American Worker and America.
The world laughs at our trade policies. While I agree Free trade is a positive thing...there has only been one worthwile trading partner that holds to our standards...US. That we were the biggest and richest consumers for the last 50 years but couldn't sell to our OWN MARKET is outright pathetic.
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #126 May 15, 2008 12:04 pm
HARDSELL wrote:
Then we have at least one Wal Mart (China's best source of income) fanboy.
HS:
You can't knock their stock performance. Up over 20 percent so far this year. Ahead of all retailers, hands down. Liked their founder. Have to wonder if he would approve of the direction the company has taken. Put alot of Mom and Pop stores out of business. Not their finest achievement by far.
Carmine D.
This message was modified May 15, 2008 by CarmineD
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #127 May 15, 2008 4:57 pm
mole wrote:
You did very well, at that price you should at least buy the dealer lunch and dinner,because he certainly did not make any money to buy his or her own.
This just confirms how bad things are at retail,the dealers are dropping like flies.Selling machines at cost is not very condusive to stay in business,I suppose they gave you the internet price?.
Then these companies wonder why the dealers feel the way they do......[rant for the day]........
MOLE
Mole,
The Carina costs $185 at wholesale. When you buy more than $3000 worth of Miele products at one time you get free freight. If you do not buy more than $3000 worth at once the cost is $9 per machine to ship. So the dealer, even if he had to pay freight, made more than $50 profit on the Carina, has a Dirt Devil that can be rebuilt and sold for $50, and has a lock on the Miele market. He will continue to profit for the sale of those bags as long as she keeps her machine, and a very good profit at that. There was no reason he had to sell the machine for more than what he did.
I would call him an HONEST retailer. He doesn't NEED to gouge his customers, unlike some Bosch and Simplicity dealers...
-MH
This message was modified May 15, 2008 by Motorhead
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #128 May 15, 2008 5:35 pm
M.H. I agree with you about the wholesale and shipping deals,lets just hope that he has no overhead or sells 25 to 30 machines a week, more than likely figures he will make the money on the aftermarket,
Now that even miele has cooked its own goose,and the long green train ride is over for them,lets see if the dealers start to revolt, lets see now i put out $205.00 to make 50 bucks,this is not even worth selling or give it shop space.Did he tell that customer that the machine was made in MEXICO,sounds like what hoover did all over again. B.T.W. mieles are sold at williams-sonoma,have been for years............
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #130 May 15, 2008 9:49 pm
Let's give the buyer some credit for being a smart shopper and deal maker. As business owners and operators, sometimes you make and take $50 profit on a vacuum, sometimes a $100. ANd sometimes even more. You have to know your customers and business. One price does not fit all.
As the saying goes, you have to have a willing buyer and seller. And sometimes that buyer is a better bargainer.
Re: Help choosing a new vacuum cleaner :) Reply #131 May 16, 2008 7:17 am
CarmineD wrote:
HS:
You can't knock their stock performance. Up over 20 percent so far this year. Ahead of all retailers, hands down. Liked their founder. Have to wonder if he would approve of the direction the company has taken. Put alot of Mom and Pop stores out of business. Not their finest achievement by far.
Carmine D.
And W-M's $.95 a share dividend. No doubt will be a dollar soon. Is there another retailer that pays a dividend as much? Stock appreciation of 20 percent and a 95 cents dividend! What pays that rate of return on your investment? Like them or loathe them, but you can't beat them.
Carmine D.
This message was modified May 16, 2008 by CarmineD
