Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I was so enthused by Lucky1's report regarding the Miele S7 that I decided to run up the street and learn if our local vac shop had gotten any in so I might give one a try too.  The answer was no but we had an interesting conversation regarding his business as of late.  From this point on there should be no need for rantings regarding whose brand is best and what is and what ain't cyclonic.  I am simply passing on the sentiments of a gentleman who has been selling and repairing vacuums here at the same address in Long Island City for more than the last 15 years.  I've done business there before and feel the owner knows his onions.  I am more interested in learning what those who actually sell vacuums and repair will be adding or excluding regarding their inventory in the coming future.  Anyway . . .

We're not the richest but certainly not the poorest part of town here and, needless to say, I was a bit surprised at his answer and even more surprised when he said he'd be selling no Mieles now or ever.  His reasons for not were due to mapped pricing, the high cost of parts and also his feeling that there were vacuums just as good at better prices.  Per his teling of it, replacing a Miele telescopic wand prices at about $150.00. Laying a lot on the economy, he stated his customers are not necessarily willing to spring for vacuums that come at elevated prices. 

He also said that even a vacuum cleaner he really liked, the Riccar Radiance, has been dropped from his inventory because of less than enthusiastic shopper interest at his store by way of price.  Presently, he is banking on "disposable" vacuums to mainstay his business.  He does stock Riccar canisters and lesser uprights.  He also recommends the Sebo "automatic" uprights for durability if getting a good machine you plan to keep a while is on your mind.

I of course iinquired about Dyson, which he does not sell, and got a loud snort before the reply that,  "I have two in the shop now with burned out motors and they are less than two years old.  His spin on things is that the Dyson billions can sure support a lot of advertising and that that attributes more to the number sold than the quality of the machine.  He feels "yuppies" -- the young upwardly mobile -- probably think them all the rage due to their more advanced appearance and the belief that they'll cost nothing to maintain. Though the store owner did concede that Dyson is great on bare floors, he stuck to his guns as far as its less than stellar rug cleaning ability was concerned.

All things considered, I feel even more sure that door-to-door brands like Aerus, Rainbow, FQ, etc., are going to feel an even worse pinch.

Best,

Venson

Hi MOLE:

I cut/pasted this excerpt that you posted on another thread.  I want to agree/respond to you and keep this thought on topic.

HOOVER made a conscious decision in the 60's to go the big box store venue at the expense of the independent vacuum store owners and operators.  Why?  Volume sales to be number one.  Was it ego? Profit?  Both? 

I think you're right about MIELE.  History repeating itself in the vacuum industry.  However, I think MIELE, unlike HOOVER, is looking to carve out the high end vacuum market with the number one spot.  It has dyson, Aerus, Electrolux, RICCAR, Kirby, and all the high end import vacuum brands in its sights.  Why?  Not ego.  Profit!

TTI is consolidating the disposable vacuum market with its buy ups and takeovers of HOOVER, DIRT DEVIL etc.  Who's next?  Will MIELE do the same with the high ends brands?  Time will tell.

Carmine D.

Its survival of the fittest, dog eat dog,the weak players will get thrown to the wolves, I firmly believe that within 10 years [10 or15 companies will own everything in the world.

Isnt socialism great""

ENOUGH......................................

SINCERLY

THE-MOLE

Hello MOLE, DIB, Lucky1 et al:

Then the monopoly owned industry, like the banks, goes belly up and asks the Gov't for a bail-out, the Gov't buys them and you have socialism!

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt

 should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and

 controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest

 Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living

 on public assistance."     Cicero - 55 BC  Sapientia Romana

Carmine D.

For anyone interested, here a link to a June 2008 article in Appliance Magazine.

http://www.appliancemagazine.com/editorial.php?article=1983&zone=1&first=1

Best,

Venson

Hi Venson:

Terrific article, thanks for posting.  I missed it in part because the stands don't carry the magazine.

Vacuums appear to be on the leading edge for small household appliances when it comes to going green.  TTI [Glenwillow, OH] with the AccuCharge and Energy Star Rating uses 70 percent less electricity on battery recharging.  The latter has other benefits as Mike Mullens, TTI Engineer, points out.  The battery life lasts longer and the run time over the length of the product life is not compromised.  I mentioned that I use the HOOVER Slider, a cordless stick vac, for quick pick ups.  When new, this product has a 25-30 minute run time.  Now 2 years old, the run time has diminished.  Why?  Due to battery charging over time reducing the life and effectiveness of the batteries.

AccuCharge, which gets the Energy Star Rating, is now available in the Dirt Devil hand helds and sticks.  The process reduces the electricity from the adaptor to a trickle once the unit is fully charged.  This reduces energy usage [electricty], reduces heat build -up [fire hazard in adaptors], extends battery life, and keeps run time consistent over the product life.  Why?  As batteries overcharge they produce excessive heat which degrades the battery materials and fluids.  This in turn reduces the battery life and the run time over time.  AccuCharge prevents overcharging and its other negative consequences.   

BISSELL uses a majority of recyclable products in its Little Green Machine product and carton/packaging.  It has plans by the end of 2008 to use 75 percent of the recyclable materials in the product.  Wonderful! Well done Mark BISSELL, CEO!

Noticed even the halo got mentioned but with the caveat that UV-C light can cause skin cancer if misused.  BTW, the BEST BUY in NLV after selling these vacuums at clearance/discount prices has no plans to re-stock and sell.

Thanks Venson. 

Carmine D.