Quote from HARDSELL on 06/20/07 at 6:58pm:

 
Hello HARDSELL:
 
Thank you for your unbiased opinion.  I would add to your statement above one qualification.  Quick moving shelf items are key to survival "of big box retail stores," not to................
 
I firmly believe the independent stores, at least as far as new and used vacuums are concerned, have to stock and sell not only quick moving vacuums but also quality and performing ones as well.  Why?  To satisfy their customers; stay in business for the long haul; build a base of business clientele;  get repeat business; and increase customer base constantly through word of mouth recommendations.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from HARDSELL on 06/20/07 at 7:24pm:

 
Hello HARDSELL:
 
I don't think there is a fixed percentage across the industry that applies consistently to all indepedents.  Why?  At any point in time that you want to measure revenue: Day, week(s), month(s), quarter(s), biyearly, yearly, year to year, the mix of revenue generated from new/used vacuum sales, customer repairs and parts fluctuate.  
 
Some weeks the revenue from sales of new/used vacuums exceeds revenue taken in for repairs and parts.  Some weeks you don't sell any new/used vacuums and business is strictly sale of parts and customer repairs.  And there is any possibility of mix in between.  Over many years, I'd say from my personal and professional perspective, that successful independents will have equal percentages of revenue from each of the 3:  new/used vacuum sales, customer repairs and parts are equal.  About 1/3 for each toward revenues.  General ball park figures.
 
Carmine D.
 

Quote from HARDSELL on 06/20/07 at 10:20pm:

 
Not in a store location with the usual fixed and variable costs for overhead.  It takes a mix of all 3.  IMHO.  
 
Quote from HARDSELL on 06/20/07 at 10:20pm:

 
I wouldn't and couldn't make that assumption.  Why?  It's unrealistic to independent vacuum cleaner store operations IF the owner/operator is in the business with an eye for the long term.  A successful independent has to offer parts and repairs to its customers.  Why?  The vacuum business is about building business relationships with its customers over time.  It's not about a one time transaction for a sale of a product (like big box retailers).  The latter is only part of the total business spectrum.  Many of the new and used vacuum cleaner buyers will come from the parts and repairs clientele.  Especially over the long term of business.
 
If I were to change your question to this:  Can an independent make a decent living from parts and repairs without the sales of new vacuums?  I would answer: Yes, if the vacuum business includes the sale of used and/or rebuilt vacuums which are competitively priced and marketed (guaranteed comparable to new vacuums based on the brand, model, and selling price).  
 
Carmine D.
 

Quote from HARDSELL on 06/20/07 at 10:47pm:

 
All vacuum brands, makes and models need parts, repairs, service and maintenance to continue working "properly."  The decision confronting vacuum buyers is whether they want to buy and hold [read repair] and/or buy and dispose.
 
ORECK Home Cleaning Centers (about 500 nationwide) sell parts and repair all vacuums not just ORECK.  80 percent of their parts and service business from their stores are for brands other than ORECK.  The same is true, although the percentages may vary, for independent vacuum cleaner stores.  The bulk of their parts and repairs may be from brands other than those they are authorized to sell and service.
 
Since the prices of dyson vacuums today range from $400 to $600, and come with a 5 year guaranty, there shouldn't be any repairs needed during that time.  And if there are needed repairs, and not user related due to abuse and misuse, dyson has to have an authorized network of local independent vacuum stores to perform the warranty work.  With the backup option of the customer packing, hauling and shipping it to Chicago Illinois for repair/exchange.  The latter is an awkward and ill-conceived option diminishing the customers' perceived value for a new brand and product "selling itself as quality" in comparison to the other big box brands.  
 
And after 5 years, parts and repairs for dyson vacuums are not covered under the warranty.  So customers have to, if they want to continue to use their $400-$600 dysons after the warranty, have availablity and access to dyson parts and repairs at reasonable prices.  The mainstay of this kind of support is the independent vacuum cleaner stores.  And the less appealling option of packing, hauling, and shipping to dyson.  Again, the latter diminishes the perceived value customers expect for the product support of a $400-$600 vacuum.
 
There are many vacuum brands sold by independent vacuum cleaner stores that come with the same warranty as dyson.  And there are nationwide networks of authorized sales and service dealers for these brands who ensure that these vacuums work properly for many years after the warranty is over.  For example Miele and Oreck vacuums have industry reputations for 18-20 years of useful life easily.  Other independent vacuum brands are similarly rated and pass from generation to generation within families.  In large part due to the vacuum support provided by authorized dealers among the local vacuum independents.  
 
Carmine D.  

Hello HARDSELL:
 
You're comparing a 3-5 year old vacuum product with other brands particularly bagged (save the Rainbow), that have been made and marketed for years longer.  The perception is the latter need service more.  Why?  They have been made and used longer than 3-5 years.  Of course they would.
 
Bagged vacuums need vacuum bags replaced once a month or less often.  A small price to pay to avoid dumping a dirt bin daily and weekly after usage.  I've been using an ORECK XL Classic since April 26 daily, two months, and still have not replaced the bag!  Works better on my wool pile carpets than the DC07 All Floors pink, which did not work at all.  Why?  Poor dyson brush nozzle design for medium to high carpets.  I paid half as much for the Oreck as the dyson (including shipping and a year's supply of bags which will probably last longer than a year).  If my Oreck develops a problem inside/outside warranty period there are two authorized Oreck Home Cleaning Centers within 12 miles of me.  I don't have to pack, haul and ship the vacuum back and wait.  Or talk to a dyson tech on 3 separate days for over 2 hours, just to be told it won't work and return it.  
 
The big box store vacuums you mention, Eureka Boss Smart Vac, BISSELL HEALTHY HOME, HOOVER WT SP, are significantly less expensive than today's dysons.  And in my professional opinion better for rug cleaning than dysons.  Why?  Better brush roll designs than the dyson uprights.  Vacuum users don't want to spend lots of time vacuuming the same area over and over to see the dirt whirl around in the bin.  They want to spend the least time as possible.  You can't with a dyson upright because the brush roll is not suited for USA carpets.  It relies on suction more and suctioning out dirt takes longer than agitating out.
 
You know all the reasons already.  I'd be happy to spell out all the details, but it's redundant.  
 
Dyson is high end retail, the highest for the big box retailers.  Is it worthy to be considered "quality" based on the performance of its vacuums to date?  The ONLY glimmer of hope I see that looks promising is the DC18 lite which took 5 years and more than 5 models to bring to market.  I think dyson might have a worthy vacuum product in the DC18 that can clean all USA carpets, not just low to medium flat pile.  Not sure yet.   Have to wait and see.
 
The dyson canisters (DC11 and DC21) and hand held DC16 are the laughing stock of the vacuum industry.  Even dyson retailers avoid them.  And the exorbitant prices for these products combined with their poor design, performance and operation diminish the dyson brand and reputation to a point of no repair, I mean return.  No pun intended.  
 
Carmine D.