Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

It's true, no more clutch.  It uses a brushroll motor.

I believe that Carmine is providing his educated opinion, and it does seem plausible.   With the economy in the dumps, I would suspect that sales of high priced vacuums are down.  It is common for manufacturers to lower prices and/or offer enhancements like the handheld Dyson to spur sales.   Since Dyson does not release detailed sales information, only company insiders really know what the sales figures are.  There always seems to be a plentiful supply of refurbished Dysons for sale. 

I would also suspect that most Americans would be unhappy if they had to pay $130 bucks or so for a replacement clutch on a Dyson.   Most people who buy Dysons think they are getting a vacuum with no additional maintenance costs.   If the clutch replacements are a common problem, they Dyson can expect some serious backlash. 

So what is the life expectancy of the little brushroll motors on the Dysons, and what is the replacement cost including installation?  Can consumers expect to pay $150 every 5 years for a new motor?

Severus wrote:
There is nothing wrong with providing opinion, I just don't believe opinion should be offered up as fact.  I have asked nothing more of Carmine (whom I do enjoy sparring with) than he asks of anyone else here.  On many a post he has requested numbers as proof of a statement, I am simply asking the same. 

Dusty

Severus wrote:
Hi Severus,

A clutch and belt assy retails online for about $40.  The installation is performed in real time on youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_CtaFcc5HU) in just under 10 minutes.  In my area the labor charge for such a job would be 30-40 dollars.  Even if it was 50 dollars labor it would still be a $90 total repair. When people are buying Dirt Devils and Bissells at $200 a pop every two or three years, I don't see much of an issue with replacing a clutch after 5.  I know I certainly don't sell any brands that require no repairs after 5 years...doesn't matter if it's Riccar, Eureka, Sebo or whatever.  They all require something at some point.

Dusty

CarmineD wrote:
If I may interject here--

I've read several Dyson consumer reviews over the past 6 or 7 years since Dysons were brought over here, and either they are happy with their DC07s or DC14s, or do not like them and switch to another Dyson.  Yes, those are the same people who later on bought (and buy!) other cleaners in the lineup such as the DC17 and love them.  So the "trusting clutch club" has simply moved on to different Dysons for one reason alone: they like the concept of the cleaner!

-MH

HARDSELL wrote:
Exactly.  6500 RPM doesn't mean anything except how much dirt is whisked off of the surface (think high-speed carpet sweeper or power nozzle).  In fact I would be under the impression that higher brushroll RPMs would actually mean *less* deep cleaning ability, since it would be spinning too fast to dig deep into the carpet.  Perhaps that's where their claim of "floats on the carpet" came from.  And unless the brushroll was flat, a la Dyson or Vibra-Groomer I, it wouldn't create any airflow on its own. 

Speaking of which, one can remove the fan on a VGI-equipped Sanitaire, replace the pulley and reconnect the belt, and it will still have more airflow than an Oreck.

-MH

Hi Dusty,

Thanks for the URL. It was interesting to learn how the clutch change is done. Wish we had the actual companies offering more easily available information for repairs we could do ourselves.

Best,

Venson

Motorhead wrote:

Maybe Carmine adds nitrogen to the brush bar and the bag on his Oreck.  It is a maircle working gas.  Speaking of gas.  Carmine spews a lot of it.

Severus wrote:
dusty wrote:
Dusty:
It is a breath of fresh air hearing from Vacuum Cleaner Dealers with integrity.

Some time ago Carmine suggested HSN had conspired (with Dyson) some how/some way when they claimed to of sold 10,000 DC07 units as a Today’s Special.  The vac was a great bundle and price and people bought.  Let’s see... to date, Carmine believes HSN, Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Sears are all conspiring to “pump to dump” Dyson’s. - It makes for great entertainment.


DIB

Motorhead wrote:
Motorhead,

I have been told this flat (ribbon roll?) increases airflow and/or suction.
Q:  Do you know by how much (a percentage)?

Have you any info on the so-called Windtunnel Technologies.  This looks to be Hoovers biggest exclusive only to them marketable patent.
Q:  Does it work and by how much? 

Only an observation...  brushroll's spinning to fast to go deep reminds me of snowmobiles that can stay on the surface (float) and cross a body of water when driven at high rate of speed.


Thanks,
DIB

Dusty, et al.

Let me get to your questions and comments about best and popular sellers among retailers.  As Severus pointed out big box retailers are reporting the worst sales of consumer goods [like vacuums] in over 40 years.  You know that Circuit City stores are in bankruptcy and Linens-n-things in liquidation.  Other retailers are sure to follow.  This doesn't take into effect that many retailers, BEST BUY stores included, have added more product that is less expensive pricewise and culled more expensive goods from shelves as consumers traded down in price/budget of their buys.

Now to your question.  All retailers sort their brands and models by the selling price.  For vacuums, dyson has few to no others than its own brand that compete with it in the same price range.  So, for example, a DC25 Ball for $499 plus has no other brand competition.  If it sells one a week, month etc, it is by definition a "best and popular seller.'

Carmine D.