Hi,

I'd like to start researching financials and annual reports regarding some of the more significant vacuum makers -- both corporate and private. Surely there's a way for private individuals to do this but I need some advice and ideas as to how to go about it without the process becoming expensive.

Thanks,

Venson

CarmineD wrote:
In our hard pressed times, I'd be more happy if Mr. Obama took off the Santa suit and just said, "Tighten your belts and buck up" and left it at that as he sought to fix but not placate. This is not to say that I don't at least have some idea of his reasoning. There are those among the "movers and shakers" and the "haves" sorted out from the "jave nots" that you just have to try to make happy in some way, shape or form.

Nonetheless, sorry but I'm still asking for equal opportunity here.

My 20-year-old vacuum is not filtering well. Think of the health risks . . . the potential lung damage . . . the medical cost my jobless self may incur for tax payers. I'm breaking my back traveling up and down the stairs with my old blunderbuss of a Hoover!!! Why I could end up wheelchair bound any day now. . . . . My pistol-grip handheld is giving me carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rebates for all I say or none.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:  Join the masses.  I had pneumonia, as I said, and at risk for it.  I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back from an Army injury and collect no VA benefits for it.  Boxed in the Army and in concert with a fall off a ladder and using my right hand to break the fall I have CTS.  I could go on but what's the use.  Wheelchair?  Me?  My brother had ALS for 25 years and never used one.  Crawled around on his knees until he passed, up and down steps too and into and out of the car, which he couldn't close the door on because he wouldn't be able to open it with his hands.  He lived life to the fullest right up to his last breath.  I'd probably follow his example and do the same.  Just as stubborn. 

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

I was just putting out some examples but I am thoroughly assured that if you have that kind of stubborness that let's you tell the devil, "I don't care what you do to block my progress, I'm going on anyhow," it can't be a bad thing.

Best,

Venson

Amen, Venson.

About Electrolux sales/profits for Q2 2009 from the Wall Street Journal 7/17/09.

Carmine D.

Electrolux Reaps Benefit of Year-Ago Cost Cutting

By IAN EDMONDSON

Good morning Carmine,

Wow, this is a very informative article.

Thanks.

Venson

Venson wrote:

My pleasure Venson.  Gives some excellent insight from the management into the status of vacuum sales globally and what's being done to cut costs/expenses to improve the bottom line with sales/profits waning.  Other companies, whether they are publicly traded like Electrolux [whose stock price has done well over the past 6 months], or not, have to do the same cost containment when faced with these economic conditions.  It is a huge myth perpetrated by those who don't know better to say privately owned companies are spared the cost paring done by publicly traded ones.  If you are in any business good times/bad, privately and/or publicly owned, if you are not constantly cutting excess superfluos costs and expenses [especially in prolonged bad times; read sales/profits falling year over year] then you will not be in business long.

Carmine D.

How's the US economy and appliance sales doing?

According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers:

In 2005, the USA sales of "large" household appliances was a record breaking 47 MILLION.

After 2005, sales declined and since sagged to 39.7 MILLION in 2008

So far this year sales are down 14 percent.

Outlook for 2009 Holiday sales season: dismal.

Carmine D.

Consultancy Retail Forward last week forecast that 2009 holiday sales, including electronics, [read retailers like BEST BUY, Wal*Mart, SEARS HOLDINGS, and Radio Shack] would be the second worst in 42 [forty two] years. 

Stephen Baker of market researcher NPD Group says that ...."The fact that with most of these products [electronics], people already have one.  In this enrironment, retailers are scuffling trying to get customers to buy another."  Read:  Retailers will try to maintain year over year holiday sales and profits with promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free specials and pushing add-ons such as free home installation services.

BTW, Forbes released its latest top 400 USA wealthiest people.  The cut off now is $950,000,000.  The dollar threshold has gone down from ONE BILLION $ to make the Forbes list.

Carmine D.

Electrolux, as in Eureka-Lux, issued 3 rd quarter 2009 financial results and forecasts for rest of the year and future.  WSJ covered the story.  Do a search on internet to read if interested.  Banner quarter primarily due to increased sales, including vacuums, and reduced costs for raw materials and labor, due to outsourcing.  For vacuums too.  Remember this was the Oxy cann maker which was reluctant to make good on a warranty defect for burnt out wand contacts but finally replaced the entire unit for the customer.  Tried to push the problem off on the big box retailer which sold it and an indy that repairs them.  Both pushed the problem and customer back to the source: Eureka Lux.

Carmine D.