Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Today I fortuitously stopped at the local Oreck dealer. 

Mike, the owner of several Oreck franchises and a few multi-brand stores had brought his new Edge upright from home, as stock had not arrived yet.

It has a more powerful motor, with a true  floating head. LED lights, infinite speed control AND and on-board stretch hose with a permanently attached telescopic crevice tool that is automatically active when the handle is in the upright position.  It lacks the Pilot's pivot head and the Halo's germ killing light. A model incorporating all three features is under development.  It is still easy to push, although it weighs 10 lb and requires a bit more effort than previous models.

There is a commercial OBT upright made by Stein (Sebo) that is very nice at only 450.00.  Oreck WILL be offering a bagless upright, but dealer participation is optional.  The new canister is color matched to the Edge and designed to be leaned on as the user vacuums stairs. Odd looking bare floor/crevice tool, no swivel neck. The bristles fold in to form the crevice tool, and the wand is inserted into a neck that curves more than 60 and less than 90 degrees, much like the OLD bare floor tools made of wood with the metal neck screwed on. A turbo tool is included and a dusting brush.

A cute little bagless canister is available for 49.99  Oreck has increased market share and has 89% brand recognition as a vacuum cleaner. They have become #1in  air purifier sales. (Mike did not say if that was dollar volume, or units or both.

The price of the Edge and matching canister will be about 750.00

Oreck is still marketing, still developing product, and still building a loyal customer base.

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

I would too.  I like the portable cann with attachments less the UV-C tool for cleaning above the floor on a ladder.  Perhaps ORECK plans a model more reasonably priced w/o the UV-C tool for the general buying public versus motels/hotels.  Or in combo with its uprights. 

Carmine D.

Trebor wrote:
So how does the commercial "Oreck" compare to Sebo uprights?

So who will be making the bagless upright?  It would be something if Oreck contracted with Dyson to make an bagless Oreck...

Severus wrote:

Hello SEVERUS:

The local hotel/Casino requested bids for vacuums when it opened in November 2007.  ORECK and SEBO made the cut so the locals had a match off.  The performances were so close, while the prices so divergent, that the casino execs split the buy evenly: ORECK and SEBO.  I see the staff using the vacuums equally and satisfied. 

Your suggestion is a good one.  The problem is one I raised awhile back with dyson.  Sir James would have to eat crow after his bad mouthing of bagged vacuum makers.  It was a stupid business approach on dyson's part.  Has come and will continue to haunt him. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
I think a bagless Oreck with utilizing features from both Oreck and Dyson could be ideal.  Oreck could  help Dyson to be more user friendly.

CarmineD wrote:

Reminds me of the consultant who advised the client to keep away from Dyson.

Severus wrote:

Oreck might also get a vacuum that deep cleans as part of the deal.

Read your PM.

Frankly I don't think it is wise for Oreck to consider any bagless system - they have always pride themselves as a bagged vacuum cleaner company and how they would get around suggesting a bagless vacuum can sit in their family range of "healthy" vacuums is beyond me.

vacmanuk wrote:

Could it be because sales are lagging for bagged?  Local stores only have about 1 bagged out of every 10 display machines.  Bags are also not so abundant as in the past.

vacmanuk wrote:

Oreck is a very well run company.  They will sell whatever sells.   While the bagged lightweights will always be their bread and butter, they certainly see opportunties to sell bagless.  If Oreck thinks they can make money selling Dyson Orecks, they will do it in a minute.   Oreck is a master at marketing.   Oreck may spar with other companies, but they adapt to the times.  Perhaps the bagless Oreck will have a more sanitary system for emptying.  

I did not see the Flash Vac in the store, and I'm sure Mike would have shown it to me. He also mentioned that he is not going to carry the bagless upright. It is dealer's option for the moment.
I noticed there were no Dutch Tech canisters in the store. They are not  a big seller in the Midwest. Oreck also has a competitor to the shark VX sweeper.  The Oreck/Sebo is not at all attractive, has a thicker body, and the brushroll does not pop out sans tools. But Oreck does their research and I expect it will do well. Oreck also has Sanitaire clones (made by them for all I know)

Awareness of Oreck stores lags far behind awareness of their brand.  But they are gaining market share. Dyson's huge favor to Oreck was to increase awareness of vacuums in the 500.00 category, far above the BBR price points, and way,way below the DTD brands. Oreck is positioning themselves well. They repair all brands, a huge plus if the store is not near any local repair shops, they offer cleaning products that people return to purchase again and again, and they sell bags to all those customers who bought direct and from QVC.  Smart moves.