Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Walmart:  Vacuums and Floor Care > All Floor care > Top Seller

Best Buy:  Vacuums and Floor Care > [all] Upright Vacuums > Best Selling

Sears:  Vacuums and Floor Care > On front [lower half] of page  > Featured Items/Vacuums & Floor Care > Top Sellers
(Sears has no search filtering for "Best Selling", although Sears has "Top Sellers" listed on their front page of Vacuums and Floor Care).

With all due respect, I would add the caveat:  "See how lesser expensive versions of dyson bagless vacuums are selling.................

I note too that TARGET in store sales are discounting/offering gift cards of $75 on the purchase of a DC24 for $399.  Unadvertised specials in an effort to jump start sales waning sales.

Carmine D.

BTW, BEST BUY stores and Wal-Mart stores will do the same if asked: Match the lower DC24 TARGET price. 

Carmine D.

With all due respect, the data at the .com sites does not reflect what consumers are doing at the big box stores.  In the stores, the best selling vacuums are far different than what is purchased by the more affluent internet purchasers.  I have never seen anyone buying a Dyson at my Walmart; however, I've seen hundreds of Bissells, Eurekas, and Dirt Devils being sold.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that I typically visit Walmart late at night, but that's my take. 

DysonInventsBig wrote:

CarmineD wrote:
This can be applied everywhere, not just to Dyson, let's remember that most of the recent Oreck sales account for the less expensive models as well. 

Price doesn't matter here.  Less expensive or more expensive, Dysons are still flying off the shelves.  That proves only one thing:  Even with this recent economic situation, people still have to clean their houses!  I'd also go out on a limb to say that could influence someone's decision to go bagless.  Bags, belts, and filters still cost money over time; with a Dyson you're eliminating that entirely so the difference in price over a less expensive bagged cleaner is justified within a few years of use, if not less.

I notice the Hoover Whisper is currently listed as Wal-Mart's top seller.  As I mentioned when I first bought it, it's a fantastic machine for the price, and that was when they were priced at $120.  At just under $100 now, it's a *steal* for anyone who wants the performance of a DC07 or DC14 but doesn't want to/can't shell out $300+ for one of those.  I'm actually dumbfounded that those nasty Bissells and Dirt Devils are still selling now that the Whisper's been around for over 8 months.  I just hope the motors don't burn up after a year and they haven't cheapened the design, the first models on the shelves had surprisingly decent construction.

Motorhead wrote:

The thread subject is about dyson technologies and big box retailers [which don't sell ORECK-s].   If the MSRP on a DC24 is $399 [the latest and greatest lightweight dyson on a ball] and the big box retailers are offering/matching incentives of $75 off that price [$324],  then they are not selling at the MSRP.

Carmine D. 

"With all due respect, the data at the .com sites does not reflect what consumers are doing at the big box stores.  In the stores, the best selling vacuums are far different than what is purchased by the more affluent internet purchasers.  I have never seen anyone buying a Dyson at my Walmart; however, I've seen hundreds of Bissells, Eurekas, and Dirt Devils being sold.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that I typically visit Walmart late at night, but that's my take."   Severus.

Points well taken.  

Carmine D.

Motorhead wrote:

Price most assuredly does matter with dyson sales and technologies [bagless and ball].  Hence the need for retailers to offer incentives from the dyson MSRP [which in the case in point for a DC24 exceeds the 10 percent dyson MAP and the reason it is unadvertised and the in-store price].

Carmine D.

Motorhead wrote:

These are selling points better made by vacuum professionals in the independent vacuum stores not by the sales people at big box retailers.   Sadly, the primary dyson sales venues are the big box stores which are suffering enormous profit and sales losses.  Many are and will go belly up.  These stores are culling their high price goods [like dyson vacuums] for lower price product that moves more quickly off the shelves. 

Carmine D.

Motorhead wrote:

If you suggesting that DC07 and DC14's are more properly priced at $300 in the big box stores, I am in agreement.  $250-$300 should be the top tier vacuum prices at the big box stores [most especially in the current economic times].  Above that price, vacuum consumers are better served shopping and buying at their local independent vacuum stores for value.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

As I recall DIB [originator of the thread] purchased a DC15 for $300 from BEST BUY when the MSRP was $499 and $599.  Price matters.

I purchased a new DC07 pink for $250 when the MSRP was $439.   Price matters.

Carmine D.

Motorhead wrote:

I would categorize a steal as a $100 product price for the same technology offered on $400 plus products.  Hence the reason for their popularity and sales.  I wouldn't categorize a $20 savings on a $120 MSRP vacuum at a big box store as a steal.   It's a very good buy.  When the $100/$120 product performance matchs or bests that of the comparable $400 plus models then it's a steal!

Carmine D. 

Finally,  take note that sales of dysons and market share have decreased over time in all sales venues and countries, despite the innovative technologies and costs savings that the bagless dyson advocates so oft claim.  This is due in large part to better and less expensive competition that fares as good and better when matched side by side to dysons.  A clear signal that price at least for bagless and ball technologies matters.

Carmine D.

I've added Sears to my list (see above/first post).  Dyson DC25 is ranked #2 only behind a Kenmore (for uprights).

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Very interesting take on your part by SEARS usage of "top sellers."

Kenmore canisters have always been the SEARS number one vacuum seller.  Kenmore uprights are very far behind.  Kenmore uprights are not even second in SEARS sales by units/dollars.  Yet, new upright vacuums over all sales venues outsell canisters almost 8 to1.  The sales position of best selling upright at SEARS belongs to another upright brand [and its not your fave].  

Interestingly, SEARS sells a DC25 Animal [with an MSRP of $549] for an advertised price of $467.  That's a 15 percent advertised price discount.   Dyson MAP permits 10 percent.    SEARS is in violation of dyson's MAP.   $467 for a DC25 Animal [TOL] is $33 lower than the MSRP of $499 for a DC25 All Floors.  SEARS is not even discounting its own Kenmore vacuums by 15 percent.   Such a sales discount is not usually associated with the latest and greatest brand models that are supposedly selling so well [you claim number 2]. 

Not one single person of all the many SEARS' customers who bought your fave dyson ball has recorded a single review for the DC25 Animal.  It rates no stars out of 5.  Look on the bright side.  Since negative stars are not allowed, then the customer reviews can only go up.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
You always spout off about numbers to back statements.  Give us the numbers for all major vacuums and let us see if they are all suffering.

DIB wrote:

"You always spout off about numbers to back statements.  Give us the numbers for all major vacuums and let us see if they are all suffering."

Which numbers? Number of units sold? Dollar volume on units sold? Total reveues including bags, filters, replacement parts and cleaning products? While sales of vacuums have remained at relatively high levels, I would venture that profit margins have declined for all vacuum manufacturers, as they have for manufacturers of virtually any product you care to name. To fight eroding profit margins, even Kirby has outsourced the manufacture of its componenets offshore, to be shipped to and assembled in the plant in Cleveland, OH. (Anyone know if Kirby still has their manufacturing facility in Andrews, TX?) The only real figure that matters is who will be left standing after the world wide economic market has begun its recovery.

Trebor

HARDSELL wrote:

And you, HS, always say don't pull numbers out of the air for the sake of doing so! 

More than likely vacuum sales in 2008 were off both in dollars and units but just slightly.  I have not seen any official numbers from the industry authorities who track and report on these matters, like the NPD.  Most say the vacuum industry figures are only best estimates for a variety of reasons:

--One, privately owned companies, like dyson, are hesitant to report honest broker figures in bad times for fear of the industry ripple effects.  They spin the numbers to their advantage.  

--Two, it's likely that sales of vacuums at big box stores in the $50-$250 range increased year over year while there was a fall off of higher priced vacuums in those sales venues.  This complicates the picture.  An industry phenomenon called "trading down."  Very common across all industries in a recession/depression.  So, in total the industry looks alright but in fact individual companies are falling down.  Most likely as a result of "trading down" high priced brands and models sold thru big box stores suffered the worse [witness the sudden fall of halo]. 

--Third, my personal and professional experience and conversations with experts and pros in the business [some who post here] affirm there was and will continue to be increases in sales of parts and repairs during hard times at most of the local independent vacuum stores.  This increase in business offsets the fall off of new vacuum sales.  Venson was kind enough to post and share a recent news article from a local vacuum store whose 2008/2009 business reflected this.  I recall the vacuum store owner was waiting almost a week on an okay for an $85 repair on a dyson. 

Finally, Tom Oreck, Dave's son and company CEO, reported to several news authorities, that 2008 ORECK sales were not as good as predicted and expected at the beginning of 2008.  But certainly not as bad as most vacuum makers.  Why?  ORECK caters to a niche market and is sold thru a network of its own 500 owned/franchised stores and independents.  ORECK has more control and authority over it's sales destiny than vacuum makers at the mercy of the big box stores.  An excellent vacuum business model for hard times.  Why?  These big box retailers are worried about going belly up.

Trebor, you said it well.  Who's standing when the dust settles?  They are the winners.

HARDSELL, my deepest apologies.  You and DIB got no bonuses in 2008 and 2009 is looking even worse.  Can't say I didn't tell you so, long before this economic sunami started 16 months ago.  You blew it off as just my typical doom and gloom. 

Carmine D

Carmine wrote:

....privately owned companies, like dyson, are hesitant to report honest broker figures in bad times for fear of the industry ripple effects.  They spin the numbers to their advantage.  So Dyson is in the numbers racket, eh? ROFLMAO! Good one Carmine!

Trebor

Trebor wrote:
That quote belongs to Mr. Hardsell, not me.        DIB

Trebor wrote:

In good times, numbers take care of themselves.  In bad times, the numbers do businesses in.  Let's see:  Linen-N-things.  Out of business.  Circuit City.  Out of business.  Many others tettering on the brink will go under.  Good business people, whether they like to or not, have to know and manage the numbers.  Even more so in the current bad times.  You're only as good as your latest numbers.  Most retailers no longer report quarterly sales amounts and earnings.  In good times, they couldn't wait to announce and broadcast.  Word sent the companies' stock prices soaring on Wall Street.  Now, in bad times, one by one all the retailers have added their names to the list of businesses that don't report these numbers every quarter.  They know the numbers.  Still collect and review them.  But they don't want to share any more wth the "street."  Have to massage and spin to put them in the best light. 

Alos note, the US stock exchanges have altered their rules on delisting stocks for trade.  Use to be, anytime a stock went below $1.00 it was de-listed off the AMEX, NASDAQ, and NYSE.  No more.  They continue to trade.  If the rule was still enforced, hundreds and thousands of companies wouldn't be traded publicly.  Numbers!  Necessary evil of business.

Carmine D.

DIB wrote: That quote belongs to Mr. Hardsell, not me.       

My sincerest apologies to both Mr. Hardsell and Mr. DIB

Trebor

Trebor wrote: