Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Looking back over the past year, one thing conspicuously absent from this forum is a rabid Rainbow enthusiast.  Perhaps it is difficult to justify the outrageous price of these door to door wonders.   To some extent, a Rainbow owner has to believe in the Rainbow sales pitch and doesn't want to be confronted with any negative information about the Rainbow.    I also noticed that overstock.com is no longer selling the refurbished Rainbow SE's with the Wesselwerks small power nozzles.    Given the economy, it's got to be tough selling $2000+ vacuums - even if they can purify one's home. 

Severus wrote:

Hello SEVERUS:

Yes and No.  Anyone besides and/or including dyson and its authorized dyson dealers can sell previously owned dysons.  The sellers can call them refurbs [for refurbished], demoes, displays, rebuilts, slightly used, etc.   They can sell them "as is" with/without a warranty depending on the sales price through any means possible.  Consumer Reports' surveys would have to collect detailed information about the facts and circumstances of the purchases to have credible data/means to distinguish real product related problems from re-sellers' related problems [shoddy workmanship].  I don't expect or believe that CR has the resources and inclination to do this. 

It is far simpler and easier for CR to collect and report only on vacuums that are sold new through recognized retailers.  Hence, the reason CR could and should actively query independent vacuum stores for input and feedback on vacuum reliability data and repairs rather than only consumers. 

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:
CR has in the past used vacuum consultants, which would likely be independents.   A consultant could certainly point out design weaknesses.   The problem with data from independents is that they cannot  estimate the proportion of vacuums needing repairs.  They may be able to estimate the numerator of the ratio of interest, but they have no basis for the denominator.  Moreover, more expensive vacuums like Dysons/Orecks may go to the store for repair, while the cheaper vacuums end up in the trash heap.  Independents also have their biases too.  An independent might be tempted to knock the vacs sold at big box stores in favor of independent brands. 

Severus wrote:

Hi SEVERUS: 

As always thanks for the insight.  WRT the statement I highlighted, I'd say:  Not all independents [or retired independents who consulted to the industry] . 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Bias isn't limited to vacuum sellers.  Those who buy an expensive  machine - whether a Kirby/Rainbow/Miele/Dyson/Sebo/Oreck want to believe that the product they bought is the best.  So when CR reports that the performance of their monster vac is similar to a cheaper brand, they get upset.  It's normal human reaction.  

If I were selling the Supervac 5000 and had the opportunity to get it a good rating at CR, I would do what it takes to help my bottom line. 

Severus wrote:

Hello SEVERUS:

Good points.  Never pushed one brand/model in particular in business.  Always carried all different makes and models, new and used.  If it was a good product for the price, we carried/sold it and stood behind them.  Even had some not so good new vacuums: Westinghouse.  We stood behind the good ones and the not so good ones and we made sure our customers were satisfied with the quality of the repalcement parts and service.  

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:
Carmine,

Perhaps you should send Consumer Reports a resume.  You might be able to straighten them out. 

Severus wrote:

SEVERUS:

Thank you for the compliment.  I'm assuming you refer solely to vacuums.  Years ago, yes I was more inclined.  But not anymore, too old.  CR has its job to do and they do it with/despite their shortcomings.  I'm content to leave it there at that. 

WRT vehicles, excuse the diversion all, CR missed toyota's faux paux by decreasing design to dealer time from the industry standard of 5 years to 2.  I mentioned this here when toyota first announced the change and later as the recalls for toyota started to mount.  Huge mistake by toyota and CR missed the significance with respect to the future problems. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

CR does provide some good advice for what to do in the event that your car experiences sudden acceleration problems. 

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/consumer&id=7234106
"While Consumer Reports says the risk of sudden acceleration is low, it's important to know what to do. Apply the brakes firmly and put the car in neutral without taking your foot off the brake. The engine will rev, but you'll be able to bring the car to a stop and turn it off."

Severus wrote:
Just hope that the engine doesn't blow when put in neutral at highway speeds.  No power steering or power brakes.

HARDSELL wrote:

As long as the engine is running - at least until it blows up, you should have power steering and power brakes.  CR makes a point of saying not to turn off the engine, since you would lose those things.  CR tests showed that the brakes alone might not be enough to stop a car accelerating out of control. 

So how would your advice differ?