Hello Tiger21:
 
The bad news is that these written claims pitting the performance results of one vacuum against another, primarily on the big box store brands, are a recent development for the vacuum industry.  Like the last 3-4 years.  
 
The good news is that the Federal Trade Commission has the responsibility to investigate and verify the validity of these claims.  When asked by the FTC, the vacuum producers have to provide the research study to the FTC to support the written claims.  If the makers can't and/or won't provide the FTC with the results for review, then the FTC will stop the producers from making the claims.
 
But this process takes time.  And during the wait and see process, the vacuum producers have achieved their goal.
 
Carmine D.
 

Well, I know that none of those POS that say they are better than Dyson actually are!  Dyson doesn't name specific brands on its box because it doesn't have to... its performance speaks for itself.  See how ALL other vacuums are comparing themselves to Dyson and copying Dyson... What is the highest form of flattery?  Imitation.

Hardsell,
  The hype found on the box for Dyson and in their literature is just like the others in the BBS. The claims are just that and have not been proven to me in a store. No one of knowledge in the stores know anything. Just what the box says.
  I see a lot of these units out in houses. The thing I hear is they wish they hadn't bought. Anyone that says that Dyson or any other brand don't lose suction will have to tell 31 women I know of that say it is a false claim.  
  People in my area right now are getting turned off on foreign made products. Those made in Malaysia and China in particular. If you tell me it is good to do business in these countries because of price ,then think again when it comes to where are the jobs in America?
   Everyone claims to be the best. I sell everyday and show why I feel mine is best and not depend on the box for claims.  

Quote from Mike_W. on 11/29/06 at 3:43am:

 
I agree with what you say.  This also applies to almost any purchase.
 
BTW, tiger 21 validates your opening paragraph.  He thinks that what he sells is best, no different than a Dyson salesman.
 
 

Hello Tiger21:
 
So what you are saying is that when a vacuum buyer purchases a big box store vacuum brand, they are buying a "cat in the bag" because they don't know what they are getting and how it will perform when they get the vacuum home and use it.  I can't imagine that a "cat in the bag" would set the standard and the bar for any industry regardless of the product.
 
No wonder the big box stores have such liberal and generous return and refund policies.  And the reason that vacuums are one of the largest expenses for returned merchandise among the big box retail stores.  A  marketing VP of TARGET stores said in recent years that returned vacuums represented 40 percent of the cost of returned merchandise for TARGET stores.
 
If a customer has a vacuum budget of $400 +, they should shop at the independent vacuum stores.  Not the big box retail stores.  
 
Reliability, parts, service, and warranty are backed up by your neighborhood and local independent stores and vacuum professionals.  These are the businesses and people who are authorized by the vacuum brand makers to sell and service their products.  Not the BBS.  
 
Carmine D.