Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I would like to throw this question out........

If you are not a vacuum enthusiast or professional in the business.

What would you pay for a vacuum cleaner[please disregard being sold by high pressure sales or hyped promotional advertising]

$5.00, $ 20.00, $ 150.00, etc. I'M trying to see how the public in general sees this industry..........

Thanks

MOLE

Hello MOLE:

I suspect the vacuum industry which in large measure rides and falls with the new/existing home sales markets is feeling a retrenchment.  When that happens, the effects cascade throughout the chain from producer to seller and buyer.  Credit tightens, grace periods are shortened, payment time is reduced etc etc.  I recall parts suppliers and vacuum makers asking for COD on large orders in hard times.  They needed cash to operate day to day. 

You're probably experiencing the same now.  And will into future months and possibly year[s].   Now's the time for repairs and rebuilts.  Why?  The money you sink in the repairs and rebuilts nets a higher rate of return than turning over new merchandise for pennies on the dollar.  More of your time is consumed for repairs and rebuilts, but there are 24 hours in a day. 

Carmine D.

mole wrote:
More proof that Carmine can't comprehend.

Hi  H.S.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS,,,,,,,,,,,


MOLE

mole wrote:

mole wrote:

MOLE,

Depends on the day of the week.

I never kept a vacuum that cost less than $300.  I have also used some costing $700 that were a little better than a broom.

Regardless of what I would pay I think most are over priced.  Especially those imports that cost $700 or more with no cleaning attachments.  And those uprights that require you to also purchase a hand held because they have no hose.

mole wrote Oct 31, 2008:

What would you pay for a vacuum cleaner[please disregard being sold by high pressure sales or hyped promotional advertising]

$5.00, $ 20.00, $ 150.00, etc. I'M trying to see how the public in general sees this industry..........

Thanks

MOLE

HARDSELL wrote Dec 2, 2008:

HARDSELL wrote Dec 1, 2008:

HARDSELL wrote Dec 2, 2008:

Hello HARDSELL:

Since your answer to MOLE's question appears fuzzy [one with a price amount and one without a price but a day caveat], please clarify which brands you think are overpriced and which are not.  Why?  

As an example, I say most big box store vacuum brands costing over $200 [your amount] are overpriced: i.e. dyson, kenmore premalite, electrolux, and halo to cite several of the current ones sold in the big box store venue.   While most of the independent store brands like MIELE, ORECK, SEBO, Lindhaus, RICCAR/SIMPLICITY, BOSCH, PANASONIC and AERUS [the typical vacuum store brands] costing over $200 are not overpriced.  Agree/disagree?  If you disagree with me, tell us why?  Pick any day of the week and any time of the day you want if it makes a difference in your answer. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Carmine,

I am typing very slowly so you might be able to understand.  You were anti-Dyson long before you ever used one.  Your constant bickering got at least one vacuum forum shut down.  Every comment that I have made is from personal experience and not from bias because I never sold the product nor because Dyson made a fool of me as a consultant.  That alone must have cut you deeply.

It is only natural that as a former independent you dislike big box stores.  My experience with the big box stores has been better than with the independents. If I purchase a product at a big box store I can simply return it with no questions asked.  Making a return to an independent is more unpleasant than dealing with hemorrhoids.  Also the big box stores have never tried to upgrade me simply for more profit as you eluded to yesterday.  You already know my experience with an independent trying to sell me a motor when all the old motor needed was brushes.  That same motor that needed replacing is still running years later after new brushes. 

All those independent brands (along with many big box models) are over priced in my opinion as are most expensive items.   They have invested little to nothing in R&D or technology since start up.  Most perform no better than less expensive models and require regular repairs, tune ups, bags, etc.  An independent can't exist without the profits of these things.  Vac sales alone would be a short business venture.  Who wants to pay in excess of $500 for a vacuum that does not include cleaning attachments or that requires a 2nd vacuum because it has no hose.  Any vacuum could clean a hotel/motel.  Those house keepers make a quick sweep over carpet that allows little to no dirt to become deeply embedded.  They have no need for attachments.  I do not like a vacuum without a manual height adjustment or brush on/off control.

To date Dyson is the only vacuum that I have used on non carpeted surfaces that did not blow more dirt away from the vac than it pulled in. 

Simply because one is willing to pay a price for any item does not mean it is not over priced.

You say that Dyson will have to reduce pricing when sales slow.  That would also apply if consumers quit buying any over priced good.

The day of the week was a pun to MOLE.  Sorry that you can't comprehend.

Hey guys,

I appreciate the discussion but if you're going to discuss overpricing is it possible to get down to brass tacks and quote either what these machines cost to make or what they sell to vendors for? I was most surprised a long time ago when I was able to purchase a new Kirby, everything included, for $350.00. There's no real way to get a handle on things otherwise. Yes, I too think things are overpriced but it would be great to get a line on by how much.

I would love to know if my Miele was sold to the dealer for $500, 600 or $700. That wuold better explain how things work but is what no one is saying.

Does a $400 Dyson wholsale for $200? Is a $250 Hoover sold for only a $120? Are there usually sizable purchase price reductions for vendors that buy in large quantity?

Venson

Hi Venson, the market sets the prices, Your Kirby was bought at less than 50 lot wholesale from kirby,that was a great price you got,although its not very uncommon now,a lot of distributors are bailing out and just selling their inventory for WHAT THEY CAN GET, A  lot of manufactures and dealers are having FIRE SALES,if you have the CASH, they will bend to your price,if not someone else will,

As you may have heard the dtd brands cant even get people financed because all the credit lending companies are either bust or dont do business with them anymore,all the lifelines have been cut off.

Times are a changing,back to the way business use to be done,no more smoke and mirror shows.

MOLE

What I am about to say will not answer your price question Venson but you do have to consider into the price by dealers the cost to do business, rent, hold inventory, gas &amp; elec. maintain a service dept etc and the willingness to take risk in starting a business. Capitalism offers those who take risk the right to reward.... from the company that invests into research and development, the workeres in the plant to, Distributors and Retailers. <BR><BR>If your going by the rule of cut and dry of course your vacuum seems overpriced but there is much more behind it. In a new world of the impersonal internet we take things for granted WAY TOO MUCH.<BR>Just my opinion of course.