Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Today I fortuitously stopped at the local Oreck dealer. 

Mike, the owner of several Oreck franchises and a few multi-brand stores had brought his new Edge upright from home, as stock had not arrived yet.

It has a more powerful motor, with a true  floating head. LED lights, infinite speed control AND and on-board stretch hose with a permanently attached telescopic crevice tool that is automatically active when the handle is in the upright position.  It lacks the Pilot's pivot head and the Halo's germ killing light. A model incorporating all three features is under development.  It is still easy to push, although it weighs 10 lb and requires a bit more effort than previous models.

There is a commercial OBT upright made by Stein (Sebo) that is very nice at only 450.00.  Oreck WILL be offering a bagless upright, but dealer participation is optional.  The new canister is color matched to the Edge and designed to be leaned on as the user vacuums stairs. Odd looking bare floor/crevice tool, no swivel neck. The bristles fold in to form the crevice tool, and the wand is inserted into a neck that curves more than 60 and less than 90 degrees, much like the OLD bare floor tools made of wood with the metal neck screwed on. A turbo tool is included and a dusting brush.

A cute little bagless canister is available for 49.99  Oreck has increased market share and has 89% brand recognition as a vacuum cleaner. They have become #1in  air purifier sales. (Mike did not say if that was dollar volume, or units or both.

The price of the Edge and matching canister will be about 750.00

Oreck is still marketing, still developing product, and still building a loyal customer base.

CarmineD wrote:
By eliminating (filtering out) the competing manufacturers to Dyson and their representatives (competing small time brick and mortar dealers) and eliminating the group that's not happy with themselves and their lack of real-accomplishments...  then it turns out, Sir James has very few critics here in the US and UK - indeed.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

What ever happen to that wonderful HS for engineers that dyson wanted to erect in 2008 in the UK for the good of the Queen and her country?  A very few UK critics were not happy with it?  Must have been buyers/users of dyson products:  Very few critics indeed.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

IF Oreck increased MS it was due to reduced pricing in Oreck stores and distribution in Big Box stores.  I feel certain that Oreck sales to BB stores are low profit for Oreck.  Combine that with reduced pricing in Oreck stores.  Increased unit sales does not always contribute to the profit line.  Give me the profits you can have the boxes.

I am familiar with Oreck's ability to clean up.  I am not impressed.

CarmineD wrote:
So you’re saying the $550 Oreck is not a colossal innovative failure (as advertised), but instead (perhaps) a corporate ‘secret weapon’ packed full with life-changing, industry-changing innovations.  And these innovations have been intentionally omitted from the Oreck marketing.  I’ve got the time...  we’ll see.  Hilarious!

vacmanuk wrote:
The two links are not good examples for good sound quality.  The second video has distorted sound.
I really like the ORECK Edge.  It is alot different from the other "8lbs." that have been marketed, from ORECK.  The Edge is not loud like the other ORECKS.  It sounds more like the HOOVER  Platinum bagged upright.  If you look at the Edge, you will see that the company studied the HOOVER quite a bit.  They have the large back wheels, like HOOVER, and notice the outer bag.  The outer bag has the same feel and look at the HOOVER.  Even the top of the bag has the same shape as the top of the HOOVER Platinum.

The attached hose does not have that much power, but I expected that.  The hose w/telescopic crevice tool would do fine for picking up light debris like crumbs.  Don't expect to clean the family automobile w/it.

The bristles are stiff and aggressive, unlike other models.  The vacuum cleaner really lifts the carpet pile as it crawls across the carpeting. 
 
The upright has a smaller bag than the other ORECK "8lbs.", but the bag prices are the same.

The Edge comes w/a completely different portable vacuum cleaner that has alot of power.  It has a bigger "clothlike"/"HEPA" bag, which is located at the bottom of the machine.  The user must release and remove the upper portion of the machine to gain access to the bag. 

The Edge should do well if people can afford the very high price.

I will write up a full review of it later, as well as the LG and a few others that I have not gotten to yet.

HARDSELL wrote:

When a company and its products increase market share in unit sales in the worse economic times in this country since the 1930's year over year, it's called successful marketing strategies in adverse economic times.  You are not impressed with this cleaning up strategy because you obviously fail to comprehend the significance of it. 

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

No, you said that.  Others here said ORECK increased market share in units in 2009 and likely too in 2010, two of the worse economic years in this country since the 1930's.  This should silence ORECK's critics, if they are honest with themselves.  Increased unit sales, not self-spun unaudited company provided figures, holds the key to long term market success.  If one comprehends this and obviously not all do.  Especially in bad economic times, worldwide.  [btw, what's the euro exchange now?  Parity with the US dollar yet?  Like it was in 2000?]  Add to this sales success, ORECK launching several new vacuum and floorcare products to compete directly with so called industry leaders, like dyson and HOOVER, and you've got a formidable company.  Not to mention also buying the rights to the halo UV-C technology/products which others in the industry, given first right of refusal, declined.  Innovation comes in many forms and usually is overrated and overpriced.  Year over year sales/product successes are more convincing to me than hyped diatribes about supposed innovation to solve contrived problems no one has. 

Carmine D.

Well, we dont even have the U.S Hoover Platinum bagged model in the UK so it will be good to see the Oreck EDGE in the UK if it ever gets here eventually.

CarmineD wrote:

 I assume you are comparing 2009 to 2008. Do you know how much they increased MS in 2009? They only had negative growth for the 3 years prior to 2006. Do you call those 3 years unsuccessful strategies?

I understand that when you sink to the bottom of a 10 ft. pool there is no significance to rising only 1 ft.  Gotta get above the water line.  Rocks (units) will not rise to the surface.  Wood (cash) will rise to the top.  Which would you grab?  Remember ypu held to the Hoover rock and sunk.

HARDSELL wrote:

10 feet of water.  Wow, you really make it easy.  I thought for sure you would say at least one mile/5000 feet below water. 

Answer is very simple.  Even you could do it.  Squat down in the bottom of the pool with bended knees.  Push off the pool bottom with your legs and feet while using your hands and arms to pilot [as in ORECK] you to the top.  Works every time if you are even quasi-coordinated. 

Look.  In the last quarter of 2007, the time in which the BEST BUY store on the east coast that sells the largest quantity of dyson product told me year over year sales for dysons begun their decline, ORECK sales increased.  While BB insiders tell me dyson sales continue to plummet since, several posters here tell us ORECK sales are continuing to rise year over year.  Unlike the pool analogy, which required my help, figure out for yourself which is the winner today.  Should be easy.  Even for you.

Carmine D.