Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

  Many small businesses have been driven out of business by this company as well as other big box stores.I feel there will be a ressurection of the Independent Vac Shops because people will find getting parts and service there is better than going online and waiting. Looking at a cleaner and seeing what it will do is better than buying online and hope it does what it is supposed to. Online sales will still be made but having the service after the sale is still important. 

You can say what you will about your favorite brand but when it gets down to buying a cleaner going to a Vac Shop is the best way.  At Wal Mart and the other big box stores they sell you what they want to sell you. At least with Vac shops you can find a wider variety of Vacuums.The Door to Door sales peolpe also have a variety. It is if the cleaner meets the needs of the consumer that they buy.

                                                                                                           Procare

I promoted the Wal*Mart's ability to withstand an economic downtown over other competitors.  Predicted its stock would outperform Best Buy and others in recent years.  It did both just as I said it would.  I shop at W*M several times a year usually for one or two items like bulbs and weatherstripping.  These were my most recent yearly purchases.  Occasionally I'll buy some cans of spray paint from W*M too.  As I mentioned, I know several long time W*M and Sam's employees who rose through ranks of W*M/Sam's store and respect Sam Walton's business philosophy.  They are friends of mine.  Have beem for years.  One can object, as I did, to management's treatment of employees.  Wrong is wrong.  Withholding wages is a sin that cries out to God regardless of who does it.  Still, one can respect the business/sales of the store over the competition and condemn it for its wrongdoing of employees.  At least, I can and did. 

Again, Mike I thank you for your attention and notice of me. 

Carmine D.

Hello Trebor,

I suspect you're correct as is Procare and the information he's receiving from W*M customers who couldn't find their usual vacuum parts on the shelves.  W*M has always maintained that its typical customers shop at least once a week every week, have 5-10 items to buy, and want to spend no more than 20-30 minutes finding/buying these items and be out of the store.  W*M made a huge investment in time and money several years ago trying to ensure that customers could get the last one or two items they need in 20 minutes including the time needed to check out and pay.  

It's no wonder that since January 31 2010, after the annual W*M stockholders meeting, there have been major shakeups in W*M management for merchandizing, store operations, and inventory management.  WIth thhe reasons kept very close to the vest.

The more vacuum products you carry, the more replacement parts too you have to stock and display.  The more vacuum parts, the more shelf space.  The more shelf space, the more difficult and time consuming to arrange, sort and keep organized.  Most especially in recent years with the onslaught of pre-post bagless filters.  It's a nightmare for stores and their customers.  If the parts are out of place, require time for look ups/staff assistance, W*M customers/shoppers won't bother.  They'll leave frustrated without the needed vacuum parts.  In good times, just buying another inexpensive make/model.  Not now in bad IMHO.

Whether you cull, which W*M does regularly as all BBR stores do, or scrub completely, the result is a loss of sales [not customers in W*M cases].  W*M will still get shoppers who will most probably end up buying other products and merchandise rather than vacuums/their replacement parts.  Sure, other retailers will profit from the W*M changes.  I'm sure W*M has factored this into their decision making process already.  But, W*M has other products to make up the losses: Food, gas, clothes, furniture, appliances, electronic equipment, cards, magazines, drugs, toiletries, and the list goes on.  

Time will tell if the decision is right or not.

Carmine D.

PS:  If the decision and changes work for W*M's bottom line, and obviously it will take time to know, watch for other BBR store chains to do the same.  All bodes better for vacuum store independents who will be the winners in the end.  They will get more customers and sales, even if just vacuum parts and repairs.  Finally one more reason for dropping all if not most vacuums: The cost and expense for the loss on returns in recent years have become astronomical for BBR stores.

Carmine D.

Hello Trebor:

Some financial analysts are blaming the doom and gloom Wall Street Journal article on retail sales and the economic outlook for the sell off in the markets on Thursday and the Dow's 145 point decline.  SEARS reported financial results too the following day.  Didn't even meet the street's predictions and forecasts but came in worse.

Carmine D.