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/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl General >> Vacuum Cleaner Forum >> Walmart updates their GE can /cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1182373616 Message started by VacOMatic on 06/20/07 at 5:06pm |
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Title: Walmart updates their GE can Post by VacOMatic on 06/20/07 at 5:06pm It's not on their website yet, but the small Eureka-ish Walmart GE cannister has received an extensive makeover: 1. New powerhead with thinner brush roll and Miele 217 style bristles, foot pedals for upright release and heigth adjustment (both pedals rather flimsy). 2. New wand nozzle with motor speed regulator and "soft" (microswitch) brush control 3. New hose mount on tank with dual cord plug from hose to socket under tank. Hose mount has 180 degree swing angle 4. Filtrette bag 5. Eureka-style HEPA filter instead of cheap "fiber bat" filter. Filter lid was somewhat loose fitting. 6. Gold color 7. Power indicator light, switch and cord rewind on the tank 8. Same price as before. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 06/20/07 at 5:24pm I see that Wal*Mart is discounting the older versions of the GE canister too. And there is a GE bagless upright partner to the new GE cann. I don't know the prices of either as yet. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Mike_W. on 06/23/07 at 3:03am VacOMatic wrote:
This is not a Eureka. It is made by Techtronics Ind., so it is a whole new machine. It is true of the mini upright also and sells for under $60.00. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 06/23/07 at 8:09am Mike_W. wrote:
This is not a Eureka. It is made by Techtronics Ind., so it is a whole new machine. It is true of the mini upright also and sells for under $60.00.[/quote] Mike W: Thanks for the info on the new GE's. It would appear, if I may editorialize, that Eureka had the contract with GE and Wal*Mart to produce the GE vacuums for 7 years. Now Techtronics (the parent company of HOOVER, Dirt Devil, and Vax) has the contract. Must have been several solicitations, bids, offers and acceptances to consummate the deal. First, Wal*Mart with the various vacuum vendors to produce the exclusive cann and upright and then with GE again to renew and continue the name brand usage. A testament to the sales success of the GE vacuums at Wal*Mart over the last 7 years. Ironic too that GE has had better vacuum success "badging" outsourced vacuums than producing itself. I haven't seen the new GE vacuums yet although I heard the local Wal*mart got them in last week. I was under the impression that the GE upright was a full size not a mini. Also heard that the cann's power head is sleek and low to the ground, more suited for low furniture and under beds (with a light). Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by VacOMatic on 06/25/07 at 2:07am Thanks Mike W. for info. New machine seems an improvement over the older one, but have not had opportunity to power one up yet. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 06/28/07 at 2:58pm Local Wal*Mart has the upright and cann. Both still in boxes. Like TARGET stores Wal*Mart is culling and adding. So I'll have to wait for the displays to get put out. It appears that one of the losers gone from the shelves is the dyson DC07 Original for $378. Just doesn't fit into the venue. And the HOOVER WT 2 likewise will be gone for the same reason. Instead the Mach 5 will probably be the highest priced upright. The 2 GE models both come with a 2 year warranty. As Mike indicated the upright does appear to be smaller (or mini as Mike says). It is less weighty than the cann and much smaller box. Cann is HEPA bagged with cordwinder. It's save to say that Wal*Mart management is of the consensus that the efforts to attract up scale shoppers with high priced brands was a resounding failure. It just didn't work after one year. Instead Wal*Mart stores are looking to ensure that customers who on an average spend 21 minutes in a Wal*Mart store find the 10 items that they are looking to buy. Right now it's limited to 7 of the 10. And 5 minutes is spent at the check out line. Wal*Mart is looking to reduce that time too. People don't want to wait in check out lines when 5 minutes seems like 15. 127 MILLION shoppers visit Wal*mart stores every week. If each can find items 8-9-10 and buy at the existing 4000 stores, same store sales should increase more than the 2 percent so far this year. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 06/29/07 at 2:47am Hi all, You may view both new GE models using the following links. Operators manuals are available too. http://www.gehousewares.com/action/browseproduct?category_id=22 Regards, Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/03/07 at 2:53pm Hi Carmine, I was just going through the manual for the Hoover Mach 5. Since this is not a self-propelled machine is there a specific reason for its two-belt system? Wait I just got -- it's for the brush roll shut-off. Correct? Thanks, Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/03/07 at 7:10pm Hi Venson: I thought you purchased a Z. Did you also purchase a HOOVER Mach 5? Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/03/07 at 10:48pm guess_who wrote:
Venson: A "flat belt," part number 40201-271, operates the brush roll on-off pulley. A "V-belt," part number 40201-200, turns the agitator brush roll. And a belt, part number 38528-037, turns the brush roll in the turbine tool. The last two belts are $3.99 and $4.99 respectively from HOOVER. I don't know the cost of the flat belt that operates the on-off pulley for the agitator brush roll. The V-belt that turns the agitator brush roll should last the life of the vacuum. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/04/07 at 4:58pm Hi Carmine, I only bought the Z. I'm just curious about the Mach 5 and its possibilities as a real contender on the market. Prices can be vey nice for this model and from the online demo videos I viewed on the Hoover site. The company says it's quiet and that the HEPA never has to be replaced, just brushed clean. That would have to mean one heck of a great pre-filtering system for a bagless vacuum. Manuals for current cleaners can be downloaded at the site. That is how I became aware of the two belts. However, does a mechanical "clutch" like this last long without problems? Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/04/07 at 6:07pm guess_who wrote:
I think it will be fine. Flat belt change from time to time should be the only needed repair. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Trilobite on 07/04/07 at 6:29pm Carmine_Difazio wrote:
Venson: A "flat belt," part number 40201-271, operates the brush roll on-off pulley. A "V-belt," part number 40201-200, turns the agitator brush roll. And a belt, part number 38528-037, turns the brush roll in the turbine tool. The last two belts are $3.99 and $4.99 respectively from HOOVER. I don't know the cost of the flat belt that operates the on-off pulley for the agitator brush roll. The V-belt that turns the agitator brush roll should last the life of the vacuum. Carmine D. [/quote] This principle has been used previously, in the UK-manufactured Hoover 'Turbomaster' series. The flat belt links the motor spindle to an idler pulley, and the V-belt links the agitator to a secondary shaft. When upright, or when 'Hard Floor' is selected, the flat belt is guided onto the idler pulley. When carpet cleaning (normal handle position), the flat belt is allowed onto the secondary shaft. This shaft has the V-belt on it. Turbomaster belts were sold as a pair, pre-packed: one flat belt, and one V-belt. The Turbomasters were initially seen as the superior range, above the Turbopower range. Appeared in the mid 1980's. They were wider path cleaners, but used the same paper bags. Latterly they were discontinued, as the Turbopower range spawned the 'Turbopower 2' series, then 'Turbopower 1000', then 'Turbopower 3'. Purepower series took over in the mid-nineties. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/04/07 at 6:52pm Thanks Trilobite. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by hoovcand on 07/05/07 at 4:33am :)NO ONE KNOWSA THAT BETTER THAN ME I LOVED THE TURBOMARSTER THEY WERE DECCENT MACHINES ;) |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/05/07 at 7:29am To Our Forum Friends Across the Pond: Do/did you have a self-propelled HOOVER/Candy upright that uses a trasmission to turn the front vacuum wheels making navigating over high carpets easier for the user? Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/05/07 at 7:39am guess_who wrote:
Hello Venson: So far, I have only seen the HOOVER Mach 5 at Wal*Mart stores. This may change soon. And the HOOVER Mach 5 may appear in stores like Kohl's and Target. I think this would be a good move for HOOVER upright vacuum sales. Wal*Mart just replaced it's head of home decor after a huge management shake up that started right before Christmas 2006. The woman in charge now is Linda Hefner [no relation to Hugh] and a Wal*Mart outsider. She came from Kraft Foods. Vacuums come under her management in the home decor unit. The home decor unit and the apparel unit were cornerstones of Wal*Mart's failed effort in 2005 and 2006 to broaden its customer base to include more trend-conscious, affluent shoppers (remember the dyson DC07 All Carpet and Original for $378). I suspect Wal*Mart is reverting/converting to the past marketing and retail strategy for the home decor unit [and apparel]. The Mach 5 is an impressive upright vacuum for the price, about $160 retail. Wal*Mart is staying in this price range for its top of the line vacuum cleaner sellers at least for in-stores sales: Like the new GE canister as well. It learned something over the last 2 years with sales of the HOOVER Fusion for $100-$119. Vacuum customers buy and like them. [Despite and/or in spite of the Consumer Reports ratings]. IMHO, I think this marketing strategy of keeping and holding down new vacuum prices [even below the average new vacuum retail price at the big box stores--about $200-$250) will serve Wal*Mart well, especially on well known brand names. At least in the current market and economic conditions. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see a new "cheaper upright model" arrive from the high price big box brand bagless--just for Wal*Mart stores. ;) Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/05/07 at 8:15am Thanks Carmine. That's great stuff to know. Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Trilobite on 07/11/07 at 10:13pm Carmine_Difazio wrote:
When I worked in Currys in 1990, I came across a spare tool-set for (I think!!!) the Concept 1 cleaners. I asked the in-store Hoover representative about it. She said that the Concept cleaners were on sale in the UK for a time, then production stopped. However, apparently there was a clearing out of some stock warehouse a few years later and they (Hoover, I presume) came across a sizeable stock which they sold prior to 1990. Another salesperson had sold a standard "Turbomaster", with the optional "Concept" tools. Of course the customer came back with the tools that didn't fit! I located the correct set, of course. The Concept tools had a 'pan converter' and one of the American style hoses (not double stretch, but flexible with additional reinforced braid/mesh along the pvc hose. The upholstery nozzle had a red/orange rubber insert, rather than bristles or velvet 'litter-pickers. I always presumed that the "Concept" model had power-drive. I could well be wrong, as I have never encountered that model personally. I also presumed that the Concept models were sourced from the USA, like the "Celebrity" range. Carmine: Separate topic: You stated some time ago that one of the old Hoovers had dual beater bars on each side of the agitator. It wasn't the only one, the Hoover "Junior" 375 had that distinction too. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/12/07 at 11:12pm Thanks Trilobite. I was not aware of the double brushes on each end of the the HOOVER Junior agitators in the UK. To the best of my memory and recollection, the original USA baby HOOVER's and the subsequent ones had single brushes on each side of the agitator. The HOOVER Concept uprights, successor to the Dial and Power Dial in the USA, came with and without the self-propelled feature in the USA. And attachments which fit under the brush head nozzle. I didn't care for the attachments and their operation on the Concepts. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by old-timer on 07/13/07 at 9:45am The HOOVER Concept uprights, successor to the Dial and Power Dial in the USA, came with and without the self-propelled feature in the USA. And attachments which fit under the brush head nozzle. I didn't care for the attachments and their operation on the Concepts. Carmine D. [/quote] The Hoover concept 1 and 2 , were and still are one of the best rug cleaning uprights known to mankind,With the proper maintaince these were 15 to 20 year cleaners,the only downfall to this machine would have been if it went bagless...... O.T. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/13/07 at 1:20pm Attachment sets for Hoover fan-in-dirt-stream uprights prior the switch in adapters were more or less a joke. Model to model, Hoover most meritably strove to keep conversion for attachment use easy and convenient for years -- no plates or covers to remove, no need to disengage the drive belt for the brush roll. However, despite the marvelously slick look of things there was no way to achieve the same without a substantial sacrifice of suction delivery. (No pain no, no gain?) This may not have been looked on as much of a tragedy as in prior times is was not uncommon for households that could afford to to also have a canister or tank-type vacuum on hand as part of their cleaning arsenal. Eureka and many other upright vacuum makers adapted one way or another in regards to adaptions that sealed off nozzle plates to maximize access of available suction while attempting to keep conversion as easy as possible. Hoover as I said resisted for a long time but got away with. As with the Constellation, not many consumers got around to the science of things. Low suction despite the increase in noise when the switched the Convertible to full speed apparently drew little concern. Redesigned Hoover uprights after the famous Convertible I ASSUME began to offer the company a small saving of time and money as the installation of the little spring-loaded "door" for the slide in converter at the back of the cleaner was no longer required. My opinion of course but Hoover's clean-air uprights have always provided above the floor delivery leaps and bounds beyond their conventional upright brandmates but lack that simplicity that lent more of a sense of seucrity in ownership. Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/23/07 at 4:31pm Some things I like about the GE canister: 3 year warranty Lightweight and compact Low profile power head rug nozzle Power head rug nozzle has 6 rug height adjustments activated by a foot pedal. Works very well. Headlight on the power head rug nozzle The power head rug nozzle has a nice swivel neck with ample range of motion up/down, side to side. It lays flat to the ground for cleaning under low clearance furniture. Uses filtrete cloth/paper bags. Decent size too. Vacuum is HEPA. On/off switch on the hose end. Suction regulator on the hose end. Cord winder retraction mechanism works smooth and easy. Price is $148 Things I don't like about the GE cann: The machine hose end swivels only 180 degrees not 360. The bag lid for the bag compartment opens but not completely. Makes changing the bag harder if the lid keeps falling down. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by guess_who on 07/23/07 at 7:32pm Hi Carmine, Sounds cool. Do you know the price of the bags? Thanks, Venson |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/24/07 at 6:40am guess_who wrote:
Good question. No I don't. And the bags are not stocked yet: Too new I suspect. Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by D.E.P. on 07/24/07 at 7:36am guess_who wrote:
Hi Venson, A pack of three is $5.87 at the Walmart in Piscataway, NJ - The HEPA filter is $12.87 at the same store - Both are in stock... Dan |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/24/07 at 9:00am D.E.P. wrote:
Hi Venson, A pack of three is $5.87 at the Walmart in Piscataway, NJ - The HEPA filter is $12.87 at the same store - Both are in stock... Dan[/quote] But not on the Web Site yet. Canister-bags-filter. NADA. Still the old one of 7 years. http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=GE+canister&ic=24_0&Continue.x=22&Continue.y=8 Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by D.E.P. on 07/24/07 at 9:01am Carmine_Difazio wrote:
Hi Carmine, The warranty is actually two (2) years, and not three (3).... Also - the Power Nozzle Shuts off when you stand it upright... Dan |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/24/07 at 9:05am Hello Dan: When I first saw it sevetral weeks ago before it was displayed, I read 2 years. But unless my eyes are failing several big Wall stores in LV show 3 years on the display tags. Which should come right off the carton. :o Carmine D. |
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Title: Re: Walmart updates their GE can Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/24/07 at 12:18pm D.E.P. wrote:
And if you retract the metal wands the power head nozzle will stand up with the hose connected to the vacuum for storing in the closet. Doesn't flip flop and fall all over. :) Carmine D. |
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