Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hoover WindTunnel versus Kenmore Progressive Vacuum cleaners Hello,

I'm looking for a solid vacuum for cleaning carpets and hardwood floors. Which one of these would be recommended?

Hoover® WindTunnel™ Anniversary Edition Self-Propelled Bagged Upright

$159.00

Kenmore Progressive Upright Vacuum with Inteli-Clean System

$249.00

Venson wrote:

Hello Guys:

Actually, when Tomas21 purchased this H-WT-SP Anniversary edition COSTCO was selling for $150 with a year's supply of allergin bags as part of the Holiday sales.  A great buy.  I've noticed that big box retailers are holding the price on it now at $229.  Most likely will based on the CR ratings.  I believe the CR March editions will be on the news stands this weekend.  I'll have to check and see.  Should please Tomas that his choice was picked by CR too!

Carmine D.

TTIpowerT wrote:

Wow.  Impressive.  Should be a huge boost to sales especially in hard economic times.  Go HOOVER/TTI!

What was that heresy about dyson vacuums knocking HOOVER out?  On whose scorecard?  James?  His doesn't count. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

What was that heresy about hoover vacuums knocking DYSON out?  On whose scorecard?  Carmine's? First the Fusion, then the Z.  His doesn't count.

Hey HS:

Like I always say:  You're only as good as your latest rating/score.  And HOOVER/TTI is the winner!  Say what you like/don't like about CR.  It has 20 million monthly readers.  Maybe more.  Your fave contender is fading fast.........................  2 spots out of 20.  Pitiful.  Shameful.  A $500 plus brand with 20 years vacuum experience in the UK and 9 in the USA can't get it right.  Niche vacuum, at best. 

BTW, need I remind you Sir I predicted here on this thread that HOOVER [and this model specifically] could/would unseat SEARS Progressive for the top spot by CR.  Ye, of little faith!  Fusion and Z were sparring partners.  WT is the Champ!  Still.  Since 1998. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
My Costco still has it for $156.00.  Also, Kenmore has the somewhat quieter $350.00 Kenmore Progressive 35922 upright which rates second in line but is considered a "best buy."  Third place, the $80 Tempo matches the WT's scores and is quieter.  All top-five vacuum cleaners were rated as having excellent emission.  The highest priced was the $550.00  Panasonic MC-UG787

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson:

The COSTCO here sold out of the WT SP Anniversary model in short order.  It had 2 pallets when I last saw a few weeks ago.  Went back this past week to pick up some movie tickets for my daughter.  Gone.  They'll be back.  Not sure the price when they return. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

Things appear to move oddly at my local Costco.  It took twenty minutes to finally turn into the store's parking lot a couple of weekends ago.  I asked what was going on when I finally got in and one of the store employees said somebody must have been going around spreading rumors that Costco was going out of business.

For all the waiting it took to get in, the store wasn't nearly as full as I'd imagined.  Lots of people were of course making practical purchases -- staples, other food and toilet paper by the bale -- and I saw a big-screen TV or two being rolled up to the check-out area.  There was also a lot of shopper interest in the section where the books, software, CDs and DVDs are but the vacuum department still is in rather pitiful shape.  Nothing appears to be moving much and, as always, what little there is -- is just there.  There's still the $350.00 Dyson model, the Hoover Wind Tunnel and the Roomba.  The rest is just the latest flavor of the day vapor steam cleaner and a Bissell carpet steamer.  That's all.

I am surprised that more effort isn't made as Costco offers a lot more online.

Venson

Hi Venson:

For along time, the COSTCO here did not carry the EUREKA Boss Smart Vacuum upright.  After it was included again by Consumer Reports in the top 10 for vacuums in the October 2008 edition, and also a BEST BUY, COSTCO had them for sale again in the store.  Same for HOOVER TEMPO with BEST BUY stores and several other retailers.  Once it returned to the CR top 10, back on retailers' shelves.

When some kow tow CR ratings/reviews [usually those whose fave brand can't cut muster], I remind them:  Observe how all the big box retailers always carry and sell the wares that CR recommends.  Conversely, what does that forebode about the $500 plus vacuum brand that only makes 2 out of the top 20 CR picks? 

BTW, here at COSTCO that $350 dyson is a DC14 Animal [price competes with the SEARS Progressive for $350] once having an MSRP of $549.  This dyson model isn't selling a lick at COSTCO.  Look soon for $100 off at the cash register for $299.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

No doubt consumers are suckers.  The boss is recommended then it isn't.  Nothing changed (except CR rating).  CR is a great fiction read.

All this tells me is that most are shopping for price and not performance.  We are all aware that Costco shoppers are not looking for high end goods.

I often wonder why low Dyson prices follow you around.  I never find those deep discounted Dyson prices.  Hoover on the other hand has always been on sale.  If you sell at a discount every day are you really selling at what the retail should be? 

HARDSELL wrote:

Hi HARDSELL:

Let me address each, if I miss any, let me know:

Firstly, CR can't review all the vacuums all the time.  Even when the EUREKA BOSS was not included in its biannual testing for publication, the BOSS was recommended in the CR yearly edition for BEST BUYs for appliances.  The reason the BOSS is a staple at BEST BUY stores and never discounted.  Consumers, especially during bad economic times, are shopping for value.  COSTCO store club members, at $70,000 plus annual incomes, are among the highest US income shoppers. 

Secondly, the discounted dyson prices are everywhere.  You just have to open your eyes and look.  Choose any big box retailer and you'll find discounted dyson prices abound [10-15-20 percent and more not including buyer incentives].  Always have.  Most especially now with most models being cleared out of stores.  BTW, did you hear dyson sales in 2008 failed to hit $1BN.  Why?  In part discounts!  Dah!

Thirdly, no consumer good's retail price is ever set in stone save what a willing buyer and seller agree.  Goes for your fave vehicle and TV brands too.  MAP is a joke in the vacuum industry.  Always has been and still is.  No different for your fave brand.  Even dyson fans don't pay MSRP for dyson vacuums.  Where have you been?

Finally, what does CR's latest ratings bode for your fave brand?  2 of 20?  Read: Niche vacuum, not mainstream.

Carmine D.