Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I saw this ad recently on TV.  Haven't seen the vacuum up close and personal yet.  But at 16 pounds with metal alloy components and a cord winder, it appears to have some desirable features.

Carmine D.

Venson wrote:

Venson,

.

 You think like an honest guy and that’s good.  But many NIB or “floor models” simply are stolen and sold on eBay to the highest bidder.  I just bought an “Open Box Return” from a “Liquidator” only to learn the reality when my Paypal receipt showed not a liquidator as advertised but a pawn shop.        DIB 

DysonInventsBig wrote:
Hi DIB,

I agree with you, that is one of the risks associated with buying "new" merchandise on eBay.  I have to wonder what Sears does with their open-box returns, however, I highly doubt they would sell any of their "floor models" or "demonstrators" on eBay. 

To me, it's not whether or not the item was stolen, pawned, "lightly used" etc., it's the potential for being nonfunctional or broken I worry about.  I've noticed these pawn shop "Power Sellers" tend to have vague descriptions on the item; just general information.  They (on the whole; no doubt there are exceptions) are far more concerned about making money and getting the most bids than ensuring the buyer receives a good product.  Was/is the machine you bought in good working and cosmetic condition?

I've bought new items on eBay before (most recently a Grainger-catalog-exclusive Dayton hand vac I could not get any other way), both vacuum-related and non-vacuum-related, however, I tend to stick to items that are unused and with the original box (though not necessarily *in* the original box).  If it appears to be unused and simply powered on for testing, I feel better about buying it than I would, say, a "floor model" with obvious signs of use.

-MH

Hi DIB and Motorhead,

It's been a long time since I made notice but I think our Sears in Rego Park actually does have a corner where they tuck away returned vacuums for sale at a lower price.  Naturally, they don't want you to see it but I think its still there.  As for the Premalite, the posts for at least a couple of those I saw did make note that the handle/wand was not locking in place properly.  An image of one machine showed that the piece had come completely off.  Another cause for wonder was why would anyone buy one with the locking piece gone unless they're super handy at fixing things.  Without it the machine is useless as an upright.

The purchase of any used vacuum is best served by a person with an eye and some knowledge of what they're about to buy.  Considering the look of economics and our ecology these days, I'm the first to advocate buying either good used models or demos especially for those challenged of purse.  My first Rainbow D2  and my first Filter Queen were used (I paid no more than $40 bucks for either) but both were in great shape a gave very good service.  Then again I bought them at a time when not many demanded down to the penny what they paid for an item when it was new.  In real life you may drop a bundle on a new machine that a salespersons says is worth it's weight in gold but see how suddenly worthlesss it becomes when you try to take it back.  

As for electrical appliances sold on eBay, though eBay has not made it a mandate, you have every right to ask for the items serial number before buying.  Does anyone know the best way to follow up once you have that info?  I mean is there any sort of record available to the public regarding stolen articles?

Venson

Will have to check the local Sears store here to see if they have it.

Happy new year, Carmine, from cold Kansas.  Part of my family was in the 32-car pile up Dec. 22 on I-70 on the way to Manhattan, KS.  Car was demolished, but they weren't injured.

Hope you and your family are well.

sfosweeperuser/lionsweeperuser

   

HAPPY NEW YEAR Jim:

Glad to hear all were fine. 

I tried emailing you over the holidays but the email came back for lack of a good address.

Pax et Bonum

Carmine D.

Pax et bonum.  Ad multos annos.

Will send you private message with me e-mail address.

                                                 Jim

Venson,

 

I assumed these eBay vacuums you spoke of were simply were being stolen like much NIB, “customer return, no box”, “demo-return”, which is common for eBay pawn shop sellers and individuals who have a nice assortments of what looks to be Lowe’s merchandise and gift cards.  I witnessed first hand how easy it was for thieves steal from Lowe’s, sickening really.  I reported what I saw to the Lowe’s manager and told her it looked like lots of Lowe’s merchandise was being sold on eBay.  She said “They are very much aware of aware of this.”  I got to talking to my local Linens And Things store manager and asked how well the Dyson DC16’s were selling?  She said “Their selling well.”  I told her I see lots of what look to be stolen Dyson’s selling on eBay.  She said, “Our fist shipment of 5 Dyson handhelds were all stolen within the first week”.

 

They closed our Sears outlet many years ago and I forgot of their existence.  I’m fairly sure Best Buy is selling their “broken, as-is” returns, etc. on eBay.

 

Your idea of serial number tracking, etc. is long overdue.        DIB

Hi DIB,

Theft is real issue that somehow never comes into my realm of thought when I think of household appliances.  You know, you'd suppose someone might risk jail time regarding a luxury automobile or somebody's jewelry but never a vacuum cleaner.  However, I'd guess due to hype and high prices there's a big attraction for expensive, legendary appliances.  Go figure.

The motivation for theft of small items here in New York is usually need for some drug of choice.  Thus, stolen items go for a little bit of money. 

For a time there had been a campaign led by the NYPD to get people to photograph and list serial numbers of personal possessions.  It sort of fizzled out. I guess I'll have to get a Rottweiler to guard my new blender. 

Best,

Venson

Wal*Mart, a retailer which suffers from huge dollar losses every year due to pilferage, started an inventory monitoring system several years back to control and account for merchandise from production to sale and all venues in between.  It utilizes scanning technology and bar code labels that are automated and require minimum human intervention.  Unfortunately, Wal*Mart's vendors were not as enthusiastic to comply due to the cost and trouble to implement the changes.  I'm not sure if Wal*Mart succeeded and/or scrapped the effort due to the cost and vendor objections.

The purpose was to track and account for all Wal*Mart product in numbers and dollars as soon as it was produced and shipped to Wal*Mart.  As the product moved through each point of the Wal*Mart retail cycle and chain to point of sale, the product was accounted for.  If there was pilferage and loss at any point in the cycle, managers were immediately aware and could take action.

If a shipment of widgets suddenly were missing from a warehouse and little by little were showing up on eBay for sale, the Wal*Mart auditors and investigators took action.  If the pilferage occurred at a particular store location(s), the same.  And so on.  Obviously, cost benefit analyses are needed to determine if the wholesale/retail value of the product AND risk of theft are worth the expense to bring under detailed scrutiny and stewardship.  That's where the cost accountants come in.

Carmine D.

With respect to dyson product cartons in particular (including DC16), I've noticed recently that the new boxes are secured with plastic wrap straps.  To open the dyson boxes, one has to cut off the straps, which once done, cannot be reused.  Thus repacks are easily recognizable (no wrap straps).

Carmine D.