Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi,

Which? magazine has just made a preliminary announcement re the Sebo D series vacuums.  Bags being my preference, I was pleased to read that the D series sports a 6-liter bag (about a gallon and a half).  The airbelt is a little wasted on me as I've never had problems with marring furniture.  However, if it will keep the machine itself from looking like it belongs in a second-hand shop for a few years I'm all for it.

Which? plans to test the D series soon.

The story is here: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/07/new-vacs-with-bumpers-to-protect-your-furniture-219804

Venson

vacomatic wrote:

I don't believe SEBO will ever be more than a niche seller in the US market.  And ever so slight.  Despite the quality and high visibility of of famed and reputable buyers and users. Same is true of Lindhaus.  In part I believe the result of the huge influence of big box retailers and vacuum  brands which cater to their whims with disposable inexpensive vacuum products.  Rather than repair, just replace every few years with new.  Keeps the wheels of the big box retail economy humming.  ORECK is trying, IMHO, with its launch into BB retailers to do both markets.  Disposable and repair venue.  With its prices and products and net work of ORECK stores for repairs and parts, it just may very well succeed where others have not.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I agree. Even here in New York where you'd expect to find everything not a lot of vacuum specialists carry Sebo or Lindhaus. Most of the vac shops are pushing Riccar, Simplicity and Miele. Were I to have bought a Sebo I'd find myself making a trek into Manhattan most likely to get bags quickly. I'd been eying the C series canister for a long time but easy access to consumables was an issue that influenced me to pass on buying.

Venson

Doesn't SEBO US have a store though online? If I can't get to a stockist I usually order online or consider EBAY. The C series is a good canister vacuum but it is similar to the Miele S500 series on weight alone. It also lacks the longer cord that the new D series has.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hi,

Yes, I'm sure. However I don't always buy in advance and am prone to just run out to a shop to get bags. Access is not just a problem with foreign vacuums. Depending upon where you live, consumables for niche brands like Filter Queen, defunct AirWay, TriStar and even Kirby may require some looking around or travel to get if you can't or don't desire to shop online. Some shops may have substitutes but that may prove an issue for some.

I grew up in a rural area and remember people mailing away for even Electrolux disposable bags. Of course, back then there was no internet and some vac makers included a fresh order form in every shipment.

Venson

Venson wrote:
I grew up in a similar rural area and back now to the same place for cheaper living costs than the cities. None of the shops that sell vacuum consumables have the Miele or SEBO products I need. The "latest" Miele consumable they have are the brown paper bags for the 1970's model! That's as far as "modern" gets in the wee towns of Scotland! There's even a shop that is selling a brand new DeStijl Dyson DC01 for £300!! No one has touched it/bought it, which is probably why every year, it just continues to sit in the shop window looking very much like a dummy demo model when in actual fact it's the real thing.

The D4 was interesting in that it was the first SEBO I've seen using filterette bags, and a large one at that. 
Every SEBO I've used has trouble handling fine dust (removing/tapping sides/reinserting the paper bags restores most of the suction).
Also, their fit/finish was at times a little haphazard (their hoses leaked air, etc.).

USA Recession probably didn't help either Sebo or Lindhaus.  Miele just seems to keep rolling along, though.

vacomatic wrote:

True and false.  MIELE is humming.  WIll match and better previous year sales.  SEBO and LINDHAUS will be happy to match.  Others, primarily the big box sellers in the USA, especially high price sellers are hurting.  Several factors add to the heartache.  Down USA housing market which typically is in good times a boost for new vacuum sales.  High unemployment.  Worse in 40 years.  High rate of foreclosures and mortgage arrears.  Any one of these is a deal breakwer for new vacuum sales.  Put them together and they spell disaster for new vacuum sales.  Good for repairs and parts.  Good for sales of low-middlin price vacuums in big box stores.  Bad for high priced big box vacuum sales.

Carmine D.

vacomatic wrote:

I'm all for new blood in the vacuum market but by comparison, Miele is way ahead in the import market. It's had its name out there on the U.S. market for many years and developed and still carries public belief in its level of quality for all appliances it makes. Also, its employed lots and lots of advertising to keep us aware that its here.

Sebo and Lindhaus are moreso brands that the individual consumer "discovers" after happening into independent vac shops that carry them thus having to lean on word of mouth from satisfied owners and sellers to lift public awareness.

"Buy-ahead" type consumers (who can afford Miele goods) looking for vacuums that will make the long run usually give Miele consideration.

I'd think both Sebo and Lindhaus might be able to bring their name up a few rungs on the ladder if they advertised independently instead of relying on mention by way of vendor rosters. However, considering what national advertising campaigns must cost now that may not be a practical path for either to pursue. Yet manufacturers of way cheaper vacuums, Shark for one, don't seem to mind.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

The good thing in bad economic times is that more American vacuum consumers frequent the indies for parts and repairs rather than buying new and throwing away.  More foot traffic in the indies.  More opportunities for the vacuum industry pros/store owners and operators to show off MIELE, SEBO and Lindhaus brands and models.  More pitches, more sales.  And brand loyal customers for life. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

Things are getting a little scary in New York . . . .

I was approached by a woman returning a vacuum she'd just bought. This woman wanted absolutely nothing to do with upright vacs or canisters with PNs or even turbo-tools.

The lady had a bit of an accent so it took a moment or two of back and forth to get the gist of what she meant but it was easy to finally sort out. She owned expensive heirloom-quality silk and wool carpets. No pets, no kids, no heavy traffic, "Go to your local vacuum shop and ask for a good straight-suction canister," I said. Problem solved? No. It turned out she'd no knowledge of where her local vac sales and repair shop might be. I have met several other persons who are absolutely unaware of where a nearby independent vac shop may be. Instead, they run to a department store for solutions. A place where solutions are far less likely to be found other than buying another vacuum. I cannot say whether this is an indicator of the decline in New York vac shops but I do wonder.

Venson