Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Story here:  http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/40463852.html

HARDSELL wrote:

Does the maker claim that to be lifetime? 

Carmine D.

Every vacuum has decreased cleaning power over time. Suction is just one necessary element of effective cleaning. Whether or not it degrades over use is not really relevant as long as the vacuum being used has sufficient cleaning power to remove whatever dirt is present in the rug or carpet.

Compare a Dyson to a Sanitaire upright, for example, on a medium grade plush. The bag in the Sanitaire will clog eventually, but how long will it maintain its sand and dirt removing ability? Long enough to remove a lot of sand and dirt. It also depends on the condition of the belt and the brush as well as the bag, none of which are hard to change. But with reasonable maintenance, the Sanitiare will still be doing an excellent job of thoroughly cleaning rugs and carpets long after the Dyson has gasped it last.

Canisters and central vacs suffer loss of cleaning power due to the abrasion of the insides of their hoses, something even many vacuum professionals overlook. When the vacuum cleaner was respected as a machine that significantly reduced household labor and prolonged the life and appearance of rugs and furnishings, the prospect of a new hose and cloth bag every 5 years or so was considered a reasonable expense. Now, the vacuum cleaner is scorned and treated as a used disposable diaper. I don't think the current state of the vacuum industry is all the manufacturers fault. Much of the blame lies with the consumer who wants a shiny new bagless vacuum, and will fork over $150.00 as frequently as every six months in some cases. Perusing the vacuum aisle at Wal-Mart, there were two vacuums above $150.00, the Dyson 07, and the bagged Hoover Platinum set, which was the only bagged vacuum on the shelves that day. Not one canister, save the portable boxed with the Platinum upright.

The irony of the entire Dyson controversy is that Dyson created and marketed his line of vacuums to the worst possible audience, the lazy and careless:

1) No bags "I don't have to remember to buy them"

2) No belts "I never have to change them"

3) No clogging " I can suck up whatever is on the floor without stopping to pick it up"

4) On-board tools "I don't have to drag them out, or remember where I put them.

5) Automatic height adjustment " I don't have to be concerned about the correct setting"

6) Filters? "What filters?"

Satisfied Dyson users are without exception fastidious people who take extraordinarily good care of their household equipment. And, for the the most part, unhappy Dyson owners belong to that group of people who just don't understand the subtle distinction between their vacuum and a backhoe.

7) Read the manual? "You are joking, right?"

Trebor

"Satisfied Dyson users are without exception fastidious people who take extraordinarily good care of their household equipment. "  Trebor

Agree. 

Ironically, this category of vacuum customers generally shop/buy at their local independent vacuum stores and not big box retailers, which is dyson's primary sales venue.  Complicating the picture is that many of the big box retailers are struggling to stay afloat and some maybe more won't.  They are and will go belly up.   

James can change course.  Reinvent himself/his business, as they say now, in the current hard times.  Also of note is that Malaysia, the dyson country of origin, is broken economically and politically.  James, if he's the smart inventor and business man that many here claim, is thinking seriously about surviving and prospering in the future.  Expecially with the current worldwide recession looking more and more like it will be long and protracted.  The latter is called a depression.   Whether that's with a capital "D" or a small "d" is still uncertain.  Time will tell.

Carmine D.

J.C. Penney newly adds an Exclusive line of ORECK uprights and giveaways to its venue of vacuum cleaners. 

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchDepartment.aspx?SearchString=vacuums&JSEnabled=false&mscssid=&submit+search.x=13&submit+search.y=12

Note too that these new ORECK uprights are available in the stores, not just on line as are most of the vacuums at J.C. Penney.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
New in stores and already discounted by 25%.  NOT A GOOD SIGN.

CarmineD wrote:
I'd like to see Oreck win the "Oreck v. TTI - who produces the better Oreck vacuum?  Since Oreck is the lessor of 2 evils (TTI the other), I'd like to see Oreck survive, employ/keep employing Americans (legal) workers and contribute to our economy.  But!... Avocado green vacuums?...  Why?  Oreck is unwilling to build good looking products.  I am not a designer but look at the Oreck handle and Radio Shack-like rocker switch, it’s awful.  Most try to conceal the mounting screws... not Oreck.  Their portable vac looks like a shoebox.  I'm embarrassed for them.  Based on price and styling alone, Oreck and their employees may "pay" for these choices...  lost revenues = lost jobs.


DIB

Here is a pic of a [JC Penney] Oreck handle vs. a TTI handle.

The standard ORECK upright model [XL Classic] offers the tried and true industry standard handle grip.   The deluxe ORECK models offer the "Helping Hand Handle," exclusive to ORECK, which lets users operate the vacuum without clenching their hands or straining their wrists.  It is ergonomically designed to relieve the stress and strain on wrists, arm, and elbows.  And, has earned ORECK the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. 

As an regula ORECK user, I prefer the switch on the handle grip.  As opposed to the standard industry ORECK grip which has the power switch on the vacuum [see my review of the ORECK XL Classic in the reviews section of this page].

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Fortunately, the buyers and Execs for J.C Penney do not share your views and like the ORECK features and vacuums enough to offer them to their store/internet customers.  I trust their experience and judgement over yours.

Carmine D.

J.C. Penney reported annual profit for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, of $567 MILLION dollars.  It's current stock price is $25 plus with a 52 week high of $45.  Penney's also reported better than expected sales results for the first quarter 2009 ended March 31, 2009.  See its news releases for Q1 results dated April 9, 2009.

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:
CarmineD wrote:
What do you think the suits were motivated by mostly?...

1. Oreck’s inability to come close to matching TTI’s patented technologies, features, styling and price?  or...
2. The exclusive to JC Penney Avocado Green?  or...
3. Oreck’s brand name, margins and advertising budget?  or...
4. Other reasons?

DIB