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 made one of several yearly visits to Wal*Mart today to buy enamel spray paint.  The local Wal*Mart Super Center has the exact brand and color of my outdoor lawn furniture which is in need of touch up.  Swung by the vacuum aisles.  2 aisles to be exact not counting the floor space thruout the store loaded with pallets of new vacuums.  Nice array of products as usual but noticed that the parts and vacuum supplies has been substantially culled and the newly available aisle space used to display more new floorcare products:  HOOVER, EUREKA, SHARK, BISSELL and DIRT DEVIL to be specific.  The vacuum parts were organized and in their correct spaces and places.  But the amount of space that they use now is probably 1/10 of the aisle space they once commanded in this store.  Easy to keep them all neatly in their place now.  The parts and supplies are mostly if not exclusively HOOVER, EUREKA, BISSELL, DIRT DEVIL and SHARK accessories to match the lineup of the new floorcare products displayed and sold in this W*M store.

No parts for the high price bagless brand which has been culled down to a mere 2 display models collecting dust.

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Is this an indicator that the credit/debit card and the internet are taking hold?  It's one thing to go out looking for a vacuum itself and another to make a trek merely to purchase consumables.  I much prefer it to traveling all the way to a shop just  to get bags, belts or filters.  All you have to do is have the model or part number.  AND -- if you forget -- you're still at home and your cleaner's no farther than your closet if you need to re-check your info.

Venson

Hi Venson:

Not in my opinion.  It's an indicator that W*M prefers selling the new vacuum products rather than the parts to keep them going.  BTW, I should have mentioned the vacuum parts' which are in short supply find have skyhigh prices.  Two deterents: High prices and lack of the right bag/belt or filter for the customers.  Forcing vacuum customers looking for parts to buy a new vacuum instead OR if they can't find their parts and/or won't buy one of these new vacuums then make the trip to the vacuum store for another oprtion.

Carmine D.

Vacmanuk:

According to all surveys done, most men in the US carry on average a mere $30 on them at all times.  Not much.  We have become a credit card using people and society. 

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

I think the picture has changed a little.  Since so much of payment for everyday expenditures, etc., has been facilitated the debit card has come into play.  Phone, cable, utility bills, shopping, even renewing car registration can be managed online and off without bona fide credit cards.

There's a non-interest bearing pre-paid version which, for a fee as needed, you may put funds on hold until needed and use to make online purchases even if you're credit ratings lousy.  These can be also funded by way of direct deposit set-ups. There are also debit cards granted by banks along with savings accounts  that allow for direct deposit of pay from your job or pension.  In either case, credit is not extended but, due to the card, you may use the card for all the same things you would a credit card as long as there is money in your acount.  The bright side to the debit card is the convenience it offers plus it won't allow you to spend what you don't have.  They've really caught on.

Venson

Hi Venson et al:

Here's a good article from the headline and front page of today's Wall Street Journal.  I can say with personal and firsthand experience that the article is right on for housing here in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704570104576124502975117950.html

People are cashing out of investments, stocks and bonds, retirement accounts and so on, to purchase houses.  Then, possibly "refi" some point in the future.  With gold at such exorbitantly ridiculous prices now, the safe haven may very well be real estate, now that the bubble has burst.  All and all, very good indicatior for the vacuum industry and independent vacuum stores.  BTW, both Whirlpool and Electrolux AB reported quarterly earnings for the end of 2010 recently and as expected they were worse than the year before.  Always darkest before the dawn.

Carmine D.

Americans are struggling.  But there are some who lively frugally and squirreled away resources who are ready and willing now to jump into the market. 

Ironically the FHA with $11 BILLION in funds to assist Amercian homeowners in Megyn's situation has had a grand total of 38 customers.  Funny how the best laid plans of a government program is no match for the simple and pure human ingenuity and economic sacrifice. 

Carmine D.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/ultimate-electronics-files-for-bankruptcy-as-suppliers-curtail-shipments.html

Along with Linens-n-Things and Circuit City.

Carmine D.