Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

   Customers are coming in  asking  about bags, belts and filters for cleaners that Wal Mart sells. They were told they were discontinuing these products and want the customers to go online when they need these items. When you need a belt or anything else ,it is," I need it now", not days from now. These customers didn't like being told they had to go to another store if they had what they needed. In our area it is 20 miles in three directions for a store.

  Many small businesses have been driven out of business by this company as well as other big box stores.I feel there will be a ressurection of the Independent Vac Shops because people will find getting parts and service there is better than going online and waiting. Looking at a cleaner and seeing what it will do is better than buying online and hope it does what it is supposed to. Online sales will still be made but having the service after the sale is still important. 

You can say what you will about your favorite brand but when it gets down to buying a cleaner going to a Vac Shop is the best way.  At Wal Mart and the other big box stores they sell you what they want to sell you. At least with Vac shops you can find a wider variety of Vacuums.The Door to Door sales peolpe also have a variety. It is if the cleaner meets the needs of the consumer that they buy.

                                                                                                           Procare

Trebor wrote:

Trebor,

You're talking to someone who makes his own mayonnaise.  The games of life AND business are and have always been played on several tiers simultaneously and 24/7 all the way through.  In tandem with that reality, as always, "them that's got"  usually get to have the most fun while the nickel a bet guys get their thrills as best they can. I have no time to worry over what someone else is getting since what's theirs is not mine in the first place.  The real issue is whether or not I'm going to get enough of what I need. 

If someone's able to run a game on a major coprorration and get a parachute clause off of what is perceived to be his or her super star potential, more power to 'em.  The heights they may reach can be dazzling but the downward spiral so often viewed is quick and landing on your butt can be oh so very painful.

We already know that we're being played by industry and government all for the sake of money.  To me common sense says if you don't want to be played with pull some of your money off the table and begin getting a little stingy.  If I decide I don't need the flavor-of-the-day vacuum -- I don't need it.  If I'm happy enough with an HD TV you're not going to show 3-D TV down my throat unless I feel I want it.  I am not a fan of Nancy Reagan but I like to "just say no."

You may be too young to remember the bus boycotts back in the day after Rosa Parks' arrest for deciding not to give up her seat on one.  But, people objected and then decided they weren't going for it and refused to use the local buses.  They sacrificed of course.  Some people walked to work daily, some carpooled.  At the end of the day the bus company knuckled under and people of color from then on could sit wherever they chose on a public bus. 

However, no hand from Heaven swung down and knocked anyone at the bus company off the proverbial mule nor were any other type epiphanies experienced.  They simply missed the money. Missing money changes the mind of lots of men as to how they conduct business.

I don't have to have something just because someone else says so.  I'm the guy who has to pay for it and if you can't give me what I want the way I want it and when I want -- you get to keep it.  Simple as that.  I go on and find the thing elsewhere at an establishment where I believe my money wll serve people that I mght be able to respect in sense, shape or form. 

I am not as fearful of what future lurch big business may leave in me as I am of folks who feel they have no control over money they themselves have to go out and sweat for.  Life needn't be all that complicated if we refuse to allow others -- especially those wanting our money -- to complicate it.  Follow 'ol Nancy's rule -- if you don't want it, don't need it, if you know it's not good for you . . . tell 'em heck no.

Venson

Venson,

I'm not 100% sure we are on the same wavelength.  I believe it is our acceptance of a hierarchical system that devalues human labor that has created the present  situation, based on a belief in scarcity.  I liked your example of Rosa Parks.  When we as consumers unite and stop supporting corporations that pay exorbitant bonuses to executives, then those will stop. What we need to do is pay attention, When companies realize that people are paying attention to what they do, and basing buying decisions on that data, things will really change.

I choose to support local restaurants and coffee shops rather than national chains.  I had a manager at a local cafe seat me in a section other than where my favorite waitress was working.  I asked to be moved, he refused. i got up and left.  When I returned a few days later, i was seated in Lori's section, and every time I patronize the establishment, i am seated where Lori is waiting tables. I always get great service, and I tip her well.   I support a local used book reseller, both selling and buying books there.  The more we can revive our local economies, the faster we can jump start the national economy.  Small really is beautiful.

Trebor wrote:

Hello Trebor/Venson:

I do/did the same.  To this very day.  It's not just about the food/meal, it's about the eating experience including socialization. 

With the very likely possibility that a double dip rececession is in the offing, based on the latest housing data, the Mom and Pop stores/businesses will make a comeback.  The pendulum is swinging the other way: Local businesses rather than BBR stores.  I luv it.

To those who follow closely, I mentioned this back in 2005 when local city and county ordinances in Prince William County VA put instituted space restrictions on BBR store space.  The incident in particular limited a new Wal*Mart's building space to less than half the normal size.  The Prince William County board advised W*M management if it didn't like the new restrictions it could take over one of the exisiting buildings/stores that had been shuttered.  W*M looked elsewhere.   

Carmine D.

I thought this tidbit would be well served here.  With recent threads and posts about big box retailers and their wares especially in hard times, I scoped out the K-Mart Labor Day sales for vacuums and floorcare products.  Almost 400 in all on the Web site but with a twist.  The products are listed by being carried by K-Mart and/or SEARS and/or for shipping only.  Obviously, readers and viewers may draw the same/different conclusions from these findings and results.  But one thing to conclude for sure is that the times are a changing and the BBR stores are too.

Enjoy and HAPPY LABOR DAY.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/s_10151_10104_Appliances_Vacuums+%26+Floor+Care_View+All

Carmine D.

We talked about the changes coming from Wal*Mart here on this thread.  Here's the latest official word from the company itself. 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/WalMart-to-aggressively-roll-apf-63555426.html?x=0

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Mornin' Carmine,

Thanks for the article link.  I think we actually had a WalMart out here in Rego Park, Queens but it appears to have up and disappeared. I've never been fond of WalMart or Target.  Most of what they have is cheap stuff and I am not so enthused to jump in the car and burn gas just to save a penny or two.  It's simpler to walk the couple of blocks to my neighboring nondescript and small supermarket for everyday needs.

I did go to a Target about the size of two or three football fields out on the Island the other day just to kill some time and was sorely disappointed at what they had to offer.  The vac department was either low cost consumer brands or Dyson $#%* -- one of which pushed near the $500 mark.

This article surprised me in that it supplied an actual and accurate description of many shoppers who come to these stores.  They make do the best they can and are prepared to settle for less.  But, don't we all? However, customers out to make do are not good for businesses with execs and investors looking to live large.

Oddly enough I'm crazy about Costco.  Mine is a great big old place that poses no pretense in regard to style.  (Not a floor tile or scrap of rug to be found.) Besides my perception of easily finding worthwhile product there, maybe that's the extra thing that makes me like it.  If I want fancy-smancy, there's always Macy's and I haven't been there in years.

Venson

CarmineD wrote:

Mornin' Carmine,

Thanks for the article link.  I think we actually had a WalMart out here in Rego Park, Queens but it appears to have up and disappeared. I've never been fond of WalMart or Target.  Most of what they have is cheap stuff and I am not so enthused to jump in the car and burn gas just to save a penny or two.  It's simpler to walk the couple of blocks to my neighboring nondescript and small supermarket for everyday needs.

I did go to a Target about the size of two or three football fields out on the Island the other day just to kill some time and was sorely disappointed at what they had to offer.  The vac department was either low cost consumer brands or Dyson $#%* -- one of which pushed near the $500 mark.

This article surprised me in that it supplied an actual and accurate description of many shoppers who come to these stores.  They make do the best they can and are prepared to settle for less.  But, don't we all? However, customers out to make do are not good for businesses with execs and investors looking to live large.

Oddly enough I'm crazy about Costco.  Mine is a great big old place that poses no pretense in regard to style.  (Not a floor tile or scrap of rug to be found.) Besides my perception of easily finding worthwhile product there, maybe that's the extra thing that makes me like it.  If I want fancy-smancy, there's always Macy's and I haven't been there in years.

Venson

My pleasure, Venson.  The times they are changin.  Even for big box retail stores and their wares.

We have the market size W*M and the Super Center W*M within about 3 mile radius of each other.  The former has a sparse inventory of vacuum supplies and no vacuums to speak of save an occasional stick/hand vac for sale.  The latter is slowly reducing on-hand vacuum inventory and all their supplies.  It's been a ugly sight to see as the vacuum aisles in the W*M Supercenter gets ignored in the store's down sizing and makeover process.

Carmine D.

More on big box retailers downsizing:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/In-These-Lean-Times-Even-nytimes-799726442.html?x=0&.v=1

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Thanks for the article. Bloomy's, et al, must be in trouble but so are a lot of other folks -- the shoppers. I'll waiting to see if and when the "spartanizing" tactics might eventually make a significant difference for consumers too by way of prices. The more they trim their sails regarding overhead the less we expect to pay.

In past, the higher prices at Bloomingdale's, Macy's and other big department stores might have been excused or looked past due to the stores' efforts to manufacture a kind of special atmosphere, tone I guess is the better word, but that is apparently no longer a concern to shoppers. Everybody is looking to save.

Mr. Underhill's statement about confused customers is both on and off the mark. Yes, people may get confused but why? Considering the kind of near self-service venues they're attempting to move us toward, put out as many brands as you want but in regard to appliances, electronics, etc., provide clearly legible, plain English spec sheets/signs that customers may read for themselves -- especially in stores where sales help is sparse whether or not by design. I'd also add that I've walked out of more stores because in their effort to save they've cut back on staffing at the registers. Keep me in line too long and I begin counting reasons why I can live without whatever I'd intended to buy.

The only place I've seen a remedy for this so far is at Home Depot where they have self-service checkout areas.

There's also the matter of customer confidence. I see lots of sales staff pushing product merely because its sale garners higher commissions. This does not always lead to happiness for the customer. (This appears to happen a lot with Dyson over other good bagless brands though it also seems to only work once every blue moon when price comparisons are made.)

Considering the times and the economy, its sensible that all kinds of shopping venues lose a little fat but customers should never feel they're getting the bum's rush in the process. The store will surely lose in the end.

Venson