Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

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By the way guys we already seem to have the instruction manual for the Dustbuster Flexi PD1200, the user manual can be downloaded here:

http://service.blackanddecker.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs//docpdf/pd1200%20pd1080_uk.pdf

Specs for this model (according to the website) are:

AIR WATTS 25WATT
CAPACITY 0.500Litres
CHARGE TIME 16HOURS
VOLTAGE 12VOLT

If this is true then sadly it won't be a direct rival for the Dyson DC16 which has a stronger battery for a start! However I'd still be interested in this product as it is a darn sight smaller and more compact.

vacmanuk wrote:
The proof is the pudding . . . Despite Dyson's good performance in one test, the Popular Mechanics video I posted satisfied me by way of good performance and price B&D excelled. I would not spend the kind of money that Dyson is asking for a rechargeable hand-held vac.

The new B&D Flexi is even stronger than the Flex Vac model tested but it has yet to be shown how much power will or won't be lost in the translation due to the hose add-on. Even that considered, an $80 rechargeable vac is far more attractive to shoppers than machines running at 150 bucks and up.

Venson

Hello Vacmanuk, Venson et al.

The airwatts and charge times are just part of the features for comparison of the B&D Flex [$65-$80] and dyson's handhelds [$150-$270].  The key to comparison of these products are the uses that they will serve for their owners.  In that respect they are product rivals and rightly so. 

Having said that, perhaps there is more appreciation for the issues that Consumer Reports faces in rating and ranking handhelds objectively for consumer review and research.

Carmine D.

From time to time you see a no name brand hand vac that offers the recharge/cord/auto option.....for dirt cheap....So why not apply this/these features to the B&D $80 end and without at the $65 end.....this would compinsate for its ok power level and address the biggest issue .....run time.  this option would by far take a chunk out of the comp and perhaps put it on top.....by offering what the others dont .

turtle1

retardturtle1 wrote:
Dear, dear turtle1,

There's nothing to fret about here. B&D, well-known AND reasonably priced, is already on top. Trust me. How many people do you know that are either willing or prepared to run out and drop approximately 200 bucks on a rechargeable hand-held?

Practicality in price and use is what wins the day here? I'd love to own a Mercedes but if what I can afford happens to be a Chevy, which one am I buying? You know there are only so many of us now crying over our great misfortune that we could only take one trip instead of our usual three to Europe this year.

Ten years ago we were living in a world where splurging now and then somehow could be worked into the budget. Credit possibilities were great. Speaking of the present, for the larger part of us those possibilities are no more.

In even more practical terms, rechargeable vacs still do not produce any where near the results of a regular vacuum costing less than double their price does. They are merely luxuries and please remember that term -- "luxury". Even those who like these new little trinkets can learn to live without them until money is freed up. The real reality now is all about who and how many you have to meet up with and with how much come the first of the month. No makers wondrous claims win out when when the landlord's knocking.

B&D has nothing to fear from Dyson.

Venson

The sales appeal of the B&D Flex, beside the name reocognition and low price, is its versatility and mass marketing.  It will do well despite the bad economic times.

I think it was Lucky1 who made the observation that indies have to adjust and adapt to the changing economic times/hardships to survive.  Same is true of floorcare makers and their product prices.  You can't place a $250 price tag on a 5-10 minute heldheld in hardtimes and expect customers to run to the stores and buy them up.  Ain't gonna happen.

Carmine D. 

Venson wrote:

HI VENSON

I see your point...and very well made at that. ....so true.

turtle1

retardturtle1 wrote:

Hello Venson, 'turtle1:"

The economics of the market place dictate the prices of the products, whether dyson likes it or not.  This is especially true [as you pointed out Venson] in the current economic downturn.  Dyson chose the big box rip off stores as the primary sales venue for dyson products.  Then proceeded year after year to increase its prices of the latest dyson vacuums brought to market.  In a downward spiraling economy?  Globally!  A formula for product sales disaster [even if the products were worth the price and there is considerable proven evidence they are not]. 

Look at the facts:  In 2002, dyson's flagship upright model DC07 All Floors had an MSRP of $439 and quickly dropped to $399 with many retailers offering 10-15-20 off.  The market set the prices at  $321-$360.  Still high for big box rip off stores but consumers were spending freely with a euphoria of perceived wealth from easy credit card buying with delayed and interest free payments, stock value appreciations and skyrocketing home appreciation values. 

Fast forward to 2009.  World of difference.  Record breaking house foreclosures, record high unemployment rates, ever tightening credit, and a severe stock market slump.  Dyson's latest and greatest DC28 is priced at $600, the next lower model is a DC27 [a regurgitated DC17] is $479.  Even with 10-15-20 percent off, these models range from a lo end of $360 to a hi end of $480.  Much too high for the buyers in the market place [big box retail stores] to bear in the current economic conditions that began in the fall of 2007 and continued worsening up thru and including the foreseeable future.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Those rip off big box stores thrive on Flip floppers like you.   FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP.

Hello HS:

Flip, flap, flip, flap, flip, flap.   Your lips are moving but you aren't saying anything to dispute the facts of my post.  Own up for once here and admit that dyson did itself in with bad judgment and poor timing.

To make the connection of my last post to the thread topic, dyson made the same missteps with its handhelds as its uprights.  In 2006, dyson introduced a  DC16 handheld for $150-$200.  At the time, the highest price for a handheld on the market.  It is by all measures a failed product totally unworthy of its price.  Even at $80 it is unworthy.  At least dyson hit the market at the right time despite the poor product performance. 

Fast forward to the present and the worse time for bringing an expensive handheld to market.  What does dyson do?  Launch a $220-$270 handheld.  Dyson just doesn't get it!  The same failed past practices get the same bad results.   

Carmine D.