I see that Wal*Mart is discounting the older versions of the GE canister too.  And there is a GE bagless upright partner to the new GE cann.  I don't know the prices of either as yet.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from Mike_W. on 06/23/07 at 3:03am:

 
 
Mike W:
 
Thanks for the info on the new GE's.  
 
It would appear, if I may editorialize, that Eureka had the contract with GE and Wal*Mart to produce the GE vacuums for 7 years.  Now Techtronics (the parent company of HOOVER, Dirt Devil, and Vax) has the contract.  Must have been several solicitations, bids, offers and acceptances to consummate the deal.  First, Wal*Mart with the various vacuum vendors to produce the exclusive cann and upright and then with GE again to renew and continue the name brand usage.  A testament to the sales success of the GE vacuums at Wal*Mart over the last 7 years.  Ironic too that GE has had better vacuum success "badging" outsourced vacuums than producing itself.  
 
I haven't seen the new GE vacuums yet although I heard the local Wal*mart got them in last week.  I was under the impression that the GE upright was a full size not a mini.  Also heard that the cann's power head is sleek and low to the ground, more suited for low furniture and under beds (with a light).
 
Carmine D.

Local Wal*Mart has the upright and cann.  Both still in boxes.  Like TARGET stores Wal*Mart is culling and adding.  So I'll have to wait for the displays to get put out.
 
It appears that one of the losers gone from the shelves is the dyson DC07 Original for $378.  Just doesn't fit into the venue.  And the HOOVER WT 2 likewise will be gone for the same reason.  Instead the Mach 5 will probably be the highest priced upright.
 
The 2 GE models both come with a 2 year warranty.  As Mike indicated the upright does appear to be smaller (or mini as Mike says).  It is less weighty than the cann and much smaller box.  Cann is HEPA bagged with cordwinder.  
 
 
It's save to say that Wal*Mart management is of the consensus that the efforts to attract up scale shoppers with high priced brands was a resounding failure.  It just didn't work after one year.
 
Instead Wal*Mart stores are looking to ensure that customers who on an average spend 21 minutes in a Wal*Mart store find the 10 items that they are looking to buy.  Right now it's limited to 7 of the 10.  And 5 minutes is spent at the check out line.  Wal*Mart is looking to reduce that time too.  People don't want to wait in check out lines when 5 minutes seems like 15.
 
127 MILLION shoppers visit Wal*mart stores every week.  If each can find items 8-9-10 and buy at the existing 4000 stores, same store sales should increase more than the 2 percent so far this year.
 
 
Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,
 
I was just going through the manual for the Hoover Mach 5.  Since this is not a self-propelled machine is there a specific reason for its two-belt system? Wait I just got -- it's for the brush roll shut-off.  Correct?
 
Thanks,
 
Venson

Quote from guess_who on 07/03/07 at 2:53pm:

 
Venson:
 
A "flat belt," part number 40201-271, operates the brush roll on-off pulley.  A "V-belt," part number 40201-200, turns the agitator brush roll.  And a belt, part number 38528-037, turns the brush roll in the turbine tool.  The last two belts are $3.99 and $4.99 respectively from HOOVER.  I don't know the cost of the flat belt that operates the on-off pulley for the agitator brush roll.  The V-belt that turns the agitator brush roll should last the life of the vacuum.  
 
Carmine D.