Aerus branch ownership

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eluxca

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
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273
While I was in Knoxville yesterday, I stopped by the Aerus branch, hoping to see the Laudry Pro. I met the branch service manager as soon as I walked in and he was friendly and helpful. They had one of every product that Aerus carries. Based on his personal experience with the Laundry Pro, I bought one. As soon as we have experience with it, I'll post my opinion of it in the Laundry Pro thread.

Here's a bit of info that surprised me... This branch is corporate owned, one of 22 in the US. I was under the impression that all Aerus branches are franchises. It sounds like the company is moving back to its roots of owning branches. He was very knowledgeable about the products and prices are much lower than some branches we've heard about. For instance, a Guardian Platinum is $1299, opposed to some branches asking $2499. I had heard that the Laundry Pro goes for $1200, but here they are $699.

I suppose the franchisees are given free reign to set their own price. Sadly, they will turn business away from Aerus that a company owned branch would cultivate.
 
Those are very good prices for those products and especially so compared to the much higher prices typically charged for them.
 
What if they want you to think the LaundryPro costs $1,200, so that way you think $600 is the steal of 1993? CONSPIRACY!!!! 
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Good to see not every dealership out there is in it for the money!
 
I don't think that's the angle they're taking. There are a few who will buy a Laundry Pro, then put it directly on CL or ebay with a 50-100% mark-up.

I don't know how much oversight the franchisees receive, though. That's where Aerus should start.
 
Glad to hear that Aerus appears to be going back to its roots of owning branch offices instead of franchises. However, is this just a selective endeavor, or is it a long-term objective?

More reasonably-priced merchandise is also good news if Aerus wishes to be competitive--especially in this economy. However, I think the over-pricing comment is valid; albeit the aforementioned pricing at the corporate-owned store is more fair than some franchises'. It would be even fairer if the company offered something like purchasing points (leveled discounts) towards replacement items such as bags, brushes, chemicals, et cetera. For example, purchasing a Model C177A/Lux Guardian Platinum would earn a customer more purchasing points than buying a Model C151M/Lux Classic. Service work--including cleanings and repairs--could also be given points. Why, even customer loyalty based on the number of purchases over time (Aerus seems to keep thorough and organized customer data even if it doesn't do so with its product history) could be rewarded. I have heard that some have experienced these considerations, but to my knowledge it is not company policy.

This is not to say that base pricing should be inflated more than it already has been. Those business tactics would simply take the edge off the higher pricing for many customers. Along with that, customer care would also be increased if the variable base price range or "auction-style" pricing now in place would be abolished; while it is advantageous for stronger customer negotiators it is disadvantageous for weaker ones. To illustrate, I recently contacted Aerus LLC's corporate office inquiring about the price of a box of bags and was told to contact my nearest franchise (two hours away) for that information because prices varied. Surely, Aerus has figured out that customers talk with one another about pricing and is aware of the higher mobility rate than in previous eras; so if customers' experiences with the company differ too much--whether from home or franchise sales--the company's credibility becomes obscure. The bottom line is that Aerus needs to determine fair and consistent base pricing (trade-ins and taxes would still make final prices variable) and develop new and creative ways to maintain and grow its perceived nationally-weak customer base.

In addition, effective "customer care" training is essential--both initially and ongoing. Some of the Aerus personalities with whom I have personally dealt and about whom I have heard show inconsistency, greed, and unprofessionalism. I'm pleased to hear that the experience of the creator of this thread revealed an Aerus associate who was effective at both business and customer care.

Thanks for the information. I do hope the Laundry Pro proves to be a wise purchase for you and will look forward to your critique of it after you have used it awhile.
 
Thanks John..

This is good Info, Maybe just maybe Aerus can get back to where Electrolux was at its best, I was afraid it was on the downward slide...Hopefully they can rise above the name recognition thing, I wish the old Electrolux name had not been stuck on the junk in Lowes and Home Depot, I think that hurt them more than anything..
 
I have had my Laundry Pro for more than two months now. The secret is to pre-treat stains. Just like you would if using detergent. I bought a bottle of the Riccar Laundry Stain Remover, and couldn't be happier with it - as well as the performance of the Laundry Pro. I'm delighted not to have to buy detergent. I love that the clothes are soft, but have no smell other than "fresh". I like the fact I can wash colors and whites together with no dry transfer. I love how my clothes colors seem to last longer (my jeans don't fade any longer). All in all, I LOVE MY LAUNDRY PRO. Especially when I see Gain detergent 'on sale' for $17 - I know my Laundry Pro will pay for itself in two years.
 
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How does the Laundry Pro work? What does it use to clean your clothes if it doesn't use detergent? I don't know anything at all about the product. It sounds intriguing!

P.S. Tom, I still use Gain detergent and have done so ever since you raved in one of the forums about its scent. I really love it!
 
It uses carbonated water, CO2 or something like that.It's fancy stuff!


 


Gain for $17!? Wow, I'll stick to the $2.50 boxes I buy at Dollar-General, they're 3 times the size as Gain, and it smells GREAT! 
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The LaundryPro utilizes a catalytic action to produce hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide and other metabolites of ozone to oxidize dirt and oils and sanitize your laundry using cold water.  Wash and rinse is the same process and it really does work very well. I've been using mine just about 4 months now and will never go back. I only pretreat oil based stains or those of unknown origin and I love what its done for my towels especially. I have VERY hard water here in the desert and my towels used to get quite 'crispy' after a year or so of use... they are all very soft and fluffy again now.
 
The water from the Laundry Pro unit enters the washer tub 'carbonated' like soda water. While it would appear for a moment that you're 'rinsing' your clothes, you actually are not. I open the lid all the time, and I see the water all murky and bubbling. My towels are very soft. Everything is clean. I used to buy the 120 use Gain Liquid, Gain Scent beads, Gain fabric softener, and bleach. Not to mention washing soda (since we have very hard water here). I no longer buy anything at all.

In one month, I would use the $17 bottle of Gain, two bottles of softener, one bottle of bleach, one bottle of scent beads, and three boxes of washing soda. That's about $38 per month. More than $450 per year. Plus I had to drag all that stuff home with me, and carry it inside. Flushing all those chemicals into the water table isn't so great either. I now no longer have to buy anything, and my Laundry Pro will have paid for itself in no time. After the second year, it will save me $450 per year. If I have it ten years (and there's no reason why I wouldn't), that's $4500 I save. Not an insignificant amount.
 
yes, some... it runs at 9 or 12 volts off a transformer, but really it is pennies per month I've had no difference in my electricity costs but quite a savings in propane to heat the water.
 
You know,I just had a thought while mopping. Aereus would make a bwerk-ton of money by incorporating the LandryPro into the washing machine itself! It could be marketed as the washer that never uses detergent (but with a switch to bypass the water carbonation thingy)! They just bought GE's major appliance division, maybe this is a reason why! To make and sell these super-washers! Now, if they incorporated this system into the 1960s Maytag washer build, they would have the perfect washing machine! 
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The Electrolux name can be confusing, indeed. The original company, AB Electrolux, of Sweden, still exists. The North American spin-offs--Electrolux Corporation in the USA and Electrolux (Canada) Ltd.--are what became Aerus LLC in 2000--or thereabouts. Aerus does partner with Lux of Switzerland (the "Lux" of the original "Electro-Lux") but has not been affiliated with AB Electrolux since 1968.

AB Electrolux recently acquired G-E's appliance division, while Aerus LLC manufactures the LaundryPro mechanism.

I think the idea of incorporating LaundryPro, or other brands of the oxidation laundry system, into a washer has merit.

It will be interesting, though, to see how durable and long-lasting the mechanisms are as they have not been on the market that long. Will they be prone to breakdowns and/or replacement every 5-7 years? Are they constructed for easy repairs, or do they have expensive electronic components that can only be repaired or replaced by professionals? Such considerations would need to be made before mass producing an integrated system.
 
Oh well, still, somebody should incorporate the LaundryPro into the 1960s Maytag frame! I'd be the first to buy one, and certainly not the last! 
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If the LaundryPro is filled with circuitry and electronics, I would personally license the design (if the process of adding carbonation and what-not to the water is patented) and build the machine into an electro-mechanical version.far more reliable, far more user friendly! 
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OK, as promissed, I am giving a to-date review of the Laundry Pro. We have used it for a little over a month, and at first the benefit was hard to see. The first real victory was when I had gotten blood on a pair of jeans. I sprayed with Shout, threw them in the washer and crossed fingers. To my amazement, there was NO trace of blood left. The second big test was deodorizing a load that had been forgotten in the washer and was, shall we say, ripe. I doubt that anyone here is that forgetful. It happens in our house several times a year. Again, the Laundry Pro pulled off a hat trick. The clothes had no odor at all.

It took a while for the towels to soften up. I suppose the years of soap residue don't disappear easily or quickly. Speaking of soap, we still use washing detergent. Neither my wife nor I are ready for that leap of faith, however we use a third to a half the amount used previously. To sum it up, I would recommend the Laundry Pro without reservation. It lives up to all company claims. The only drawback is the initial investment
 

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