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.

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.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine

Perhaps at first i see it being used by staff...something new and cool. but eventually i see it sitting on a cart/shelf somewhere in housekeeping...the xtra time it would take to use/ xtra time required to do a room and have ready for guest....a niche product possibly for those with a maid and plenty of time...but do you really see the housekeeping staff actually going that xta-xtra mile....to use....just a thought.

turtle

retardturtle1 wrote:

Hi turtle,

I was thinking on the lines of just plain old household duty in a private residence, not a commercial setting.  It's kin to a backpack vacuum.  This particular machine weighs about eight pounds and comes with a shoulder strap.  You could walk around with it or even comfortably climb a step-stool or ladder if you needed to reach.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson

In the home i see it working.....put to good use and cared for.

turtle

retardturtle1 wrote:

I envision cleaning staff using the UV-C tool of this vacuum on the matresses and hotels/motels pitching this as a marketing feature to sell their room stays and prices.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I see your point..a good one at that. But makes you wonder if they will actually use it....high/higher end rooms i can...id also wonder about its durability...the bulbs and the abuse/beating the unit would take in a commercial hotel settings...L.V...would be the place for it...nice hotels .

turtles

HARDSELL wrote:

I was asked and advised the Casino/Hotel buyers to avoid bagless vacuums in their purchases.  It was easy to justify the list of potential vacuum makers and I used the criteria that the company's management and purchasing agenst established.  The technical requirements were:  The Carpet and Rug Institute of approval, energy efficient, and not exceed weight limitations.  Dyson didn't make the first cut not just fro bagless but these other technical requirements. 

Carmine D.