Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

http://gizmodo.com/345918/dyson-dc24-vac-sir-james-brings-his-ball-back

Two models, one small, one large :-

DC24
http://www.dyson.co.uk/store/product.asp?product=DC24-ALLFLOORS

DC25
http://www.dyson.co.uk/store/product.asp?product=DC25-ALLFLOORS

iMacDaddy wrote:
I can't speak for the US, but over here, most vacuum manufacturers, including Vax and Hoover, two of the three biggest-selling brands, have stickers on their machines which direct their customer to call the company's helpline in the event of a problem, rather than returning it to the store. While Dyson - as far as I can see - do not state this explicity, every model of Dyson sold since the DC01 have had a sticker with the helpline numbers prominently and permanently affixed. If you try to return one to the store, you will be told firmly, 'We can't help you. Call the Dyson helpline.' And they won't budge on this!

iMacDaddy wrote:

Hi iMacDaddy,

Dyson has never been a particular favorite of mine but it and any number of other vacuum cleaners are not infallible as regards abuse. Any one of the posters here who are in the vac repair business can tell you stories on top of stories regarding this. I think popularity has enticed a truckload of household dunderheads -- people who shouldn't be allowed near even a light switch -- to buy the brand.

Anyone can buy a vacuum cleaner but not all understand either the machine or how to use it, situation to situation. Thus, you end up with lots of returned machines that may later be fixed and cleaned up and then resold.

I remember when my local BestBuy was pushing the easy return policy that I'd see vacuums of all brands coming back every time I was in the store. My local Sears has a corner in its appliance department where they tag returned vacs for resale. Matter of fact, I returned a new Electrolux 7020 to Sears because a wheel came off it's low-profile PN and also because the bag size was ridiculously small.

However, were any vacuum manufacturer not to make return or repair a relatively easy deal I'd be highly wary about buying its products.

Venson

iMacDaddy wrote:

Hello iMacDaddy, Venson, et al:

Consumer Reports adds the caveat with respect to reliability data that new brands and models have an inherent tendency to fair better in the ratings than brands and models with age/tenure.  Why?  Not as many of the newer ones among the people in order to collect significant data.  Plus, CR adds the caveat that differences of 4 percentage points are irrelevant for comparison purposes.   Meaning that all brands within the 4 points meld together.

Here's one piece of the huge dyson resales.  I've noted that dysons with the 2 year waranty [sold before August 15, 2006] are showing up in vacuum stores for repairs.  Usual problems are always clutch related.  [I've received offers to rebuild these by 2 local DYSON DEALERS].  Cost for repairs range from $90 to over $125.  Customers are not repairing them and abandoning instead.  Why?  For several reasons including the $100 repair bill.  Can't afford to repair.  They prefer to buy new BUT trade down in price rather than trade in their old dysons for a new one.  These abandoned dyson repairs are rebuilt/resold on line as refurbs and rebuilts.   

Carmine D.

I don't think it's ever been Dyson's intention to launch the DC27 in the UK at the beginning of this year. Places like Argos that are catalogue base always put new products in their catalogue at the beginning of each season (Spring\Summer or Autume\Winter) even before they have been offically launched and are avaialble due to the catalogue going to print before the new season starts! Having spoke to Dyson UK myself a few times over the last month and half regarding the DC27 the impression I got is it also been for the DC27 to be launch around the middle of this year. The latest I was told last week was about the middle of June for a UK Launch. <BR><BR>As I said on here not long ago the DC27 UK model is just an improved version of the DC14 (from customer feedback)like the DC14 was over the DC07! I also posted some of the improvements of the DC27 Dyson Helpline told me on here. So Dyson probably is not in any rush to launch this product in the UK as the DC14 is still selling although alot of UK shops have narrowed the DC14 model line up down to 2 models out of the 4!<BR><BR>DC18

DC18 wrote:
DC18 - two points:

- I was told personally by Dyson's UK PR Manager than it was due in February
- In the Argos catalogue, the DC27 section contains a box saying 'Available February'

Model2

Have you asked the Dyson UK PR Manager why it never appeared in February!? The must be a reason for the hold back if it was to be February. As for Argos, they are always putting available dates in their Catalogue well before the manufactor has offically launched the product themselves, one reason for them doing this as I already stated. The same happened if I remember with the DC14! It would be interesting to see if you could actually order one from Argos and it be available! I did call the Dyson UK Helpline back in January\February when I first saw Argos and other UK online Retailer pitching the DC27 to see when it was available back then and they knew nothing about a DC27, it's only recently the Helpline has been told. Must be a reason for the delay or hold back!

DC18

DC18 wrote:
I'm not sure I understand your point about the Argos date; they wouldn't have run the 'Available February' note unless Dyson had indicated to them that it would be ready by February. They wouldn't just pull 'February' out of the air and print it! If there had been any ambiguity or doubt on Dyson's part, I'm sure Argos would have printed 'Available Summer 2009' or something, and suggested customers pre-order it - not that many customers would be willing to place an order and wait 5 months for a new cleaner, when most of them are in a rush to replace an old one which has broken!

The DC27 has been pulled from the Argos website entirely. Obviously, this is easier to modify than a huge print-run of catalogues!

I've checked the Argos inventory almost weekly for any sign of the DC27 being available to purchase; it's always been listed as 'unavailable'.

As far as I can tell, this launch has not gone as originally intended; there has been a delay (whatever the reason behind it) which wasn't counted on in January, when I was first in contact with Dyson about the cleaner.

I will ask Dyson about the situation - I just wanted to see if anyone here could provide any insight. The team at Dyson are always friendly and very helpful, but I don't like to bother them with every little query, if there's a possibility I can find the answer elsewhere!

The fault is not Argos and/or the retailers and/or the VDTA [as in the dyson DM 22].  It's dyson. 

Dyson is confused, bewildered, befuddled and uncertain what actions to take.  What models, where to market, and for how much.  Typical for a novice company in bad times especially in unfamiliar retail markets with cultural differences from the UK.  In dyson's case, a company solely owned by the founder, an engineer/designer with no business experience, who controls the Board of Directors' every move and decision. 

The problem is dyson, thanks to its founder, markets products that are pushed on an unwanting public at prices that are too high for the market to bear.  Especially in big box stores, its primary sales venue.  Dyson has arrived at a crossroads.  It's losing new vacuum market share in dollars and units to virtually all the other big box and indy stores' brands.  It doesn't know what to do to reverse the trend.  Welcome to the real world of sales Sir James.  Titles don't mean a thing.    

Carmine D.  

Thanks Model2 for your comments, interesting. Be interesting to know why the long wait for the DC27! Hopefully next month from what the Helpline told me! I've been waiting to go and see this new model in the shops, even though it's an updated version of the DC14!

DC18

CarmineD wrote:
I'll say it again.  Dyson is following Hoover's footsteps.  Keep introducing new models that are inferior to the previous ones.  At least Dyson phases the old models out.  Hoover simply changed model # or name and called it new.  With exception of some morons purchases sales dropped and they are history.