Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

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

Carmine D.

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.

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.

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.

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? 

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. 

If CR reviewed the same models all the time sales of their fiction mag would fall.  However, a top pick should be included in each round until it fails.  Assume brand x is in 1st place then in the next round it is not included.  Any of the top picks in the most current review may be better than the previous winner (possibly at a lesser cost).  After all this is sort of like a tournament.  Play until you lose.  $70,000 income group is not a candidate for higher end goods.  Not many of those driving $90,000 vehicles or living in homes exceeding $300,000.  Owning $50,000 speakers and $25,00 of electronics to power them.  The ones who try usually get in financial trouble.

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!

As I said those deep discounts are not visible where I shop/live.  Yes, there are Dyson discounts available.  However, you want the world to believe that other brands don't discount.  Yes, Dyson changes models.  Hoover just rebadges the same old stuff and calls it a neew model.  Is it unusual to see lowered prices on discontinued items?

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?

I have no problem with retailers selling at the price of their choice.  It is their business that has to succeed.  Never supported vendor dictation of slaes price and hope to never support it.  I never found a product that I couldn't negotiate a lower price.

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

I fit in the niche category. I always take performance over hype.  Actually I am in the elite category. 

Carmine D.