Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

   Customers are coming in  asking  about bags, belts and filters for cleaners that Wal Mart sells. They were told they were discontinuing these products and want the customers to go online when they need these items. When you need a belt or anything else ,it is," I need it now", not days from now. These customers didn't like being told they had to go to another store if they had what they needed. In our area it is 20 miles in three directions for a store.

  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

Venson,

I'm not 100% sure we are on the same wavelength.  I believe it is our acceptance of a hierarchical system that devalues human labor that has created the present  situation, based on a belief in scarcity.  I liked your example of Rosa Parks.  When we as consumers unite and stop supporting corporations that pay exorbitant bonuses to executives, then those will stop. What we need to do is pay attention, When companies realize that people are paying attention to what they do, and basing buying decisions on that data, things will really change.

I choose to support local restaurants and coffee shops rather than national chains.  I had a manager at a local cafe seat me in a section other than where my favorite waitress was working.  I asked to be moved, he refused. i got up and left.  When I returned a few days later, i was seated in Lori's section, and every time I patronize the establishment, i am seated where Lori is waiting tables. I always get great service, and I tip her well.   I support a local used book reseller, both selling and buying books there.  The more we can revive our local economies, the faster we can jump start the national economy.  Small really is beautiful.

Trebor wrote:

Hello Trebor/Venson:

I do/did the same.  To this very day.  It's not just about the food/meal, it's about the eating experience including socialization. 

With the very likely possibility that a double dip rececession is in the offing, based on the latest housing data, the Mom and Pop stores/businesses will make a comeback.  The pendulum is swinging the other way: Local businesses rather than BBR stores.  I luv it.

To those who follow closely, I mentioned this back in 2005 when local city and county ordinances in Prince William County VA put instituted space restrictions on BBR store space.  The incident in particular limited a new Wal*Mart's building space to less than half the normal size.  The Prince William County board advised W*M management if it didn't like the new restrictions it could take over one of the exisiting buildings/stores that had been shuttered.  W*M looked elsewhere.   

Carmine D.

I thought this tidbit would be well served here.  With recent threads and posts about big box retailers and their wares especially in hard times, I scoped out the K-Mart Labor Day sales for vacuums and floorcare products.  Almost 400 in all on the Web site but with a twist.  The products are listed by being carried by K-Mart and/or SEARS and/or for shipping only.  Obviously, readers and viewers may draw the same/different conclusions from these findings and results.  But one thing to conclude for sure is that the times are a changing and the BBR stores are too.

Enjoy and HAPPY LABOR DAY.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/s_10151_10104_Appliances_Vacuums+%26+Floor+Care_View+All

Carmine D.

We talked about the changes coming from Wal*Mart here on this thread.  Here's the latest official word from the company itself. 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/WalMart-to-aggressively-roll-apf-63555426.html?x=0

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Mornin' Carmine,

Thanks for the article link.  I think we actually had a WalMart out here in Rego Park, Queens but it appears to have up and disappeared. I've never been fond of WalMart or Target.  Most of what they have is cheap stuff and I am not so enthused to jump in the car and burn gas just to save a penny or two.  It's simpler to walk the couple of blocks to my neighboring nondescript and small supermarket for everyday needs.

I did go to a Target about the size of two or three football fields out on the Island the other day just to kill some time and was sorely disappointed at what they had to offer.  The vac department was either low cost consumer brands or Dyson $#%* -- one of which pushed near the $500 mark.

This article surprised me in that it supplied an actual and accurate description of many shoppers who come to these stores.  They make do the best they can and are prepared to settle for less.  But, don't we all? However, customers out to make do are not good for businesses with execs and investors looking to live large.

Oddly enough I'm crazy about Costco.  Mine is a great big old place that poses no pretense in regard to style.  (Not a floor tile or scrap of rug to be found.) Besides my perception of easily finding worthwhile product there, maybe that's the extra thing that makes me like it.  If I want fancy-smancy, there's always Macy's and I haven't been there in years.

Venson

CarmineD wrote:

Mornin' Carmine,

Thanks for the article link.  I think we actually had a WalMart out here in Rego Park, Queens but it appears to have up and disappeared. I've never been fond of WalMart or Target.  Most of what they have is cheap stuff and I am not so enthused to jump in the car and burn gas just to save a penny or two.  It's simpler to walk the couple of blocks to my neighboring nondescript and small supermarket for everyday needs.

I did go to a Target about the size of two or three football fields out on the Island the other day just to kill some time and was sorely disappointed at what they had to offer.  The vac department was either low cost consumer brands or Dyson $#%* -- one of which pushed near the $500 mark.

This article surprised me in that it supplied an actual and accurate description of many shoppers who come to these stores.  They make do the best they can and are prepared to settle for less.  But, don't we all? However, customers out to make do are not good for businesses with execs and investors looking to live large.

Oddly enough I'm crazy about Costco.  Mine is a great big old place that poses no pretense in regard to style.  (Not a floor tile or scrap of rug to be found.) Besides my perception of easily finding worthwhile product there, maybe that's the extra thing that makes me like it.  If I want fancy-smancy, there's always Macy's and I haven't been there in years.

Venson

My pleasure, Venson.  The times they are changin.  Even for big box retail stores and their wares.

We have the market size W*M and the Super Center W*M within about 3 mile radius of each other.  The former has a sparse inventory of vacuum supplies and no vacuums to speak of save an occasional stick/hand vac for sale.  The latter is slowly reducing on-hand vacuum inventory and all their supplies.  It's been a ugly sight to see as the vacuum aisles in the W*M Supercenter gets ignored in the store's down sizing and makeover process.

Carmine D.

More on big box retailers downsizing:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/In-These-Lean-Times-Even-nytimes-799726442.html?x=0&.v=1

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Thanks for the article. Bloomy's, et al, must be in trouble but so are a lot of other folks -- the shoppers. I'll waiting to see if and when the "spartanizing" tactics might eventually make a significant difference for consumers too by way of prices. The more they trim their sails regarding overhead the less we expect to pay.

In past, the higher prices at Bloomingdale's, Macy's and other big department stores might have been excused or looked past due to the stores' efforts to manufacture a kind of special atmosphere, tone I guess is the better word, but that is apparently no longer a concern to shoppers. Everybody is looking to save.

Mr. Underhill's statement about confused customers is both on and off the mark. Yes, people may get confused but why? Considering the kind of near self-service venues they're attempting to move us toward, put out as many brands as you want but in regard to appliances, electronics, etc., provide clearly legible, plain English spec sheets/signs that customers may read for themselves -- especially in stores where sales help is sparse whether or not by design. I'd also add that I've walked out of more stores because in their effort to save they've cut back on staffing at the registers. Keep me in line too long and I begin counting reasons why I can live without whatever I'd intended to buy.

The only place I've seen a remedy for this so far is at Home Depot where they have self-service checkout areas.

There's also the matter of customer confidence. I see lots of sales staff pushing product merely because its sale garners higher commissions. This does not always lead to happiness for the customer. (This appears to happen a lot with Dyson over other good bagless brands though it also seems to only work once every blue moon when price comparisons are made.)

Considering the times and the economy, its sensible that all kinds of shopping venues lose a little fat but customers should never feel they're getting the bum's rush in the process. The store will surely lose in the end.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson

Totally agree... I also have walked out and left what i planned to purchase due to long lines and countless unused registers. Its gotten to the point where online shopping is more conveinent and less of the hassle... the bbx stores can only lose in the end on this one.

turtle