HARDSELL

Any advice?

TIA  :o)

Very true, but keep in mind that the big box stores are noted for wanting new models to sell annually and the brands you mentioned including dyson accomodate them. 

How often do the indy vacuum store brands like RICCAR/Simplicity, ORECK, Lindhaus, Kirby, Aerus, SEBO, Miele, and Royal [more in line price wise with dyson] launch new models?   Not every year. 

Look at the proliferation of dysons since its launch in the USA: 

2002, DC07 and host of variations [primarily as exclusives for retail stores]. 

2003, DC14 and host of variations [primarily as exclusives for retail stores]. 

2004, DC11.  Scrubbed after 9 months. 

2005, DC15 Ball and a host of variations [primarily as exclusives for retail stores]. 

2006, DC16,17,18, 20/21. 

2007, reprieve, due to Air Blade, probably and opening a new HS for engineers. 

2008, DC18 [Allergy and asthma], DC22/23 and DC24 and DC25 and the year isn't over yet!    

Now, look at the market share of dysons in the USA in sku's during this time: 

2002, about 3-4 percent [with the DC07] for partial year. 

2003, about 6 percent [with the DC07 and DC14]. 

2004, about 8 percent [with 2 models: DC07 and DC14]. 

2005, about 9 percent. [with 3 models: DC07, DC14, DC15].

2006, about 9 percent. [with 3 models for full year: DC07, DC14, DC15 and partial year: DC17, DC18, DC20/21].

In 2007, about 10 percent and since has been declining.  With 6 dyson models for the entire year [DC07, DC14, DC15, DC17, DC18, DC20/21].  4 new on top of the DC07 and DC14.  I didn't count the DC16, tho I suspect dyson may in market share.

Almost no increase in market share in 3 years with 4 new dyson models added to the original DC07 and the DC14. 

2008:  market share ??  Add new models: DC22/23, DC24, DC25 and the year isn't over yet!.  I didn't count the DC17 Allergy and Asthma which is an updated model from the original DC17.

2009: market share??    New models: ??? 

Time will tell.  But............I agree with JUST, the glory days of dyson in the USA are over.  Now comes the time for dyson to settle in with the given products and carve out the dyson vacuum market in the USA for the future.  I suspect it will be in the range of 6-7 percent per year in units IF the US economy rebounds soon. 

Dyson has made numerous exclusives [variations on the dyson theme] in models DC07, 14, 15, 18 for SEARS, BEST BUY, Wal*Mart, TARGET, COSTCO, and K-Mart stores.  How many indy dealer exclusives did it make in 6 years in the USA?

Carmine D.

BTW, you never told us how much the 3 year old refurb DC07 sold for.  Don't want to say because it may offend the donor?

Good thing it was not a sale to you but a gift.  If it were a sale, the carton would have had to say repack/refurb.  Else the seller [a business vendor] would be in violation of a federal law.  And penalized for the offense.

Carmine D.

HOOVER and BISSELL caught up with dyson [on bagless filtration] as quick as dyson caught up with the industry standard for its brush rolls.  Bagged remains [and more than likely continue] the industry standard for the top tier uprights and canns.  Household users who went with the high price bagless fad don't like to dump daily.  [Even dysons are messy and a major nuisance to dump].  Bagless will become the standard for specialty cleaners [handvacs, sticks] and commercial use. 

I suspect as the cheaper copies give dyson a run for its money at the big box stores [as they are already], and with the recessionary world economies, especially in the housing markets, dyson will look to the commercial vacuum market with its expensive bagless.  It will be dyson's way to sure up lagging home vacuum sales.  Dyson will do well there IMHO, IF:  One, dyson increases the dirt bin capacity; and Two: dyson  maintains its product reliability rating by Consumer Reports. 

Carmine D.