Dyson DC40 Mis-aligned handle structure

[blakaeg]

A while back I saw a Dyson DC40 in a magazine with a frontal shot. I noticed that the handle looked a little wonky. The main part of the machine was facing perfectly forward but the handle looked like it was facing to the left.

I decided to visit the New Cross Currys store in South London this afternoon. I noticed that all the DC40s have wonky looking handles but the DC41 doesn't have this. Appears to be a moulding issue which Dyson are either not aware of or decided to just leave it as it is. It doesn't affect the performance of the machine, but it shows that Dyson hasn't been very meticulous to detail here.

Tried out a DC25 which has a perfectly moulded handle and a proper aluminium wand. Just feels so much better quality than the DC40.

Pics of the DC40 machine...

 

[blakaeg]

Another shot from above. Notice the handle looking a bit crooked. All the 2 other DC40s in the store were the same.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Well spotted! I've never noticed that on the DC40's before will take a closer look next time I see one! Surprised Dyson let that one slip by but like you say doesn't effect the usage!

Must admit I'm not impressed with the build quality of the latest generation ball vacuums from Dyson! Dyson text book answer to the thinner flexible plastic is it designed to be like that make the machine lighter and will not break!

I do think Dyson need to go back to the drawing board and a complete rethink! I liked the metal soleplate of the DC15 and asked Dyson why they didn't continue to use it and was told moulded plastic was better to use and mild into any shape they needed! But you see so many worn and broken ones!! I've asked them about making an upright that can lay flat to go under lower furniture, beds etc... There answer is to use the wand with one of the big floor heads or buy a digital slim to clean under though areas!

 

[blakaeg]

Hi Madaboutsebo,

I disagree on what Dyson say about thinner plastics to make the machines lighter. Much prefer to have a slightly heavier machine that is more durable and the latest Ball machines do not feel like a quality piece if material. With all the flexing from left to right of the handle and spine of the machine, I wonder how many years it will take before something begins to crack or snap on the machine. Just like my DC24 which has various cracks and previous broken wands. The DC24 was obviously tested whilst it was during the design stage but various parts start to break over time still.

A friend of mine had a Samsung bagless machine. Despite it being quite lightweight. It's pretty much a tough machine and feels more substantial than the latest Dysons. Shame it has a rubbish dust collection system the clogs right up and it doesn't feel like it cleans very well as the belt appears to be worn. But it has been going on and on and my friend doesn't look after it.

 

[blakaeg]

Let me know what you discover when you take a look at the DC40s Madaboutsebo

 

[madabouthoovers]

That Samsung as actually a Bissell, with a Samsung label. I have one similar, and its in the loft now, unused because the filtration system is pretty poor. They are robust though, and can take a hammering about. For those not bothered about filtration they are OK.

 

[blakaeg]

Totally agree Madabouthoovers.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Hi blakaeg

I agree with you there I'd rather have a more solid machine so it's more durable. Be interesting to see how these vacuums last over time.... time will tell!

My Gran had one of though Samsung vacuums for a while. It got replaced by a Dyson DC24!

It's like the DC03 and DC04 had rubberised wheels (well the ones I used to own) help protect hard floors so did the DC15 Ball, the ball had rubber strips around it. Now it's all hard plastic I wouldn't like to used any of them on high gloss floor tiles or any other hard floors for fear of scratching. It's little things like that yet your paying a premium price but not for a premium product IMO.

I will you know blakaeg what I found when I take a look at the DC40's

 

[madabouthoovers]

The thing with Dyson is that now he has his followers, built up over the years, he can reduce the quality of his machines, and people will still buy them. Much like Hoover did, their early machines were very good quality but in the 80's, quality fell rapidly when the all plastic Turbopower 1 was launched, but people still bought them based on Hoover's old reputation. Dyson has made his fortune now, and will retire a very rich man, so I don't think he's really that bothered about quality any more. As long as his machines stay packed with "technology", that's all he's concerned about, as the "latest technology" will help sell more Dysons.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Hoover still do that now IMO - on the Argos Hoover Shop it states that 'Every Hoover Product has over 100 years Cleaning Experience inside'.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Madabouthoovers I could not of put that better myself.

Shame really for Hoover and Dyson.

 

[madabouthoovers]

And many people will swallow this marketing spin, thinking that Hoover UK is the same company its always been. I have no doubt that many people who buy a Hoover today in the UK would have no idea they  are owned by Candy and made in China.

 

[madaboutsebo]

They sure will that's the general public for you! Most will believe the marketing spin! Others do for a while and wake up and smell the coffee after a while! That's marketing for you! It sure does work!

 

[madabouthoovers]

Look at how many members here love SEBO. Does SEBO emblazon their adverts over the TV and internet like Dyson does? Does SEBO spend millions on fancy displays and pushy salesmen in stores like Dyson does? You don't need so much advertising to sell a product. If the product is any good, it will sell itself by word of mouth, just like SEBO do. None of the Hype and not overpriced.

 

[vintagerepairer]

The problem with Hoover was not so much that their cleaners were durable (although in most cases they were), but more they were too easy to put right when they went wrong, given the endless amount of sub-assembled parts, most of which could be purchased individually as spares, or at the very least taken from a discarded cleaner which, given the popularity of Hoover cleaners, were readily avaliable.

The quality of Hoover cleaners became questionable when the Junior Deluxe / Starlight cleaner went into production, as this cleaner was somewhat problematic. Yet I felt that it was not through planning, more by poor design.

The Turbopower cleaners were, in my opinion, deliberatly designed to wear out more quickly, and not only this, but also to have a number of failed parts which made repairing the cleaner uneconomical. The only problem for Hoover was that it was perhaps too much too soon; had the quality dropped consistently over a period of time, it might have been alright, but it did seem to take a sharp nose-dive. Not that it affected sales, despite the complaints and moans I used to hear from people who brought me their cleaner for repair.

I agree that Dyson does not have to worry about the quality of their cleaner as they have other aspects on which they are able to sell their products. In fact I would go so far as to say that Dyson has never seemed to be bothered about the lack of build quality of their products.

 

[madaboutsebo]

I know I'm one of them! You don't really if a product is any good but these days businesses like to advertise and market their products to attract customers or they like to think that's what it does and probably does to a degree. Where as others like SEBO it's all about like you say word of mouth. SEBO are the opposite to Dyson no hype and not overpriced for a quality premium product which doesn't what it was designed for no gimmicks and which sells itself without the fancy advertising or displays!

 

[vintagerepairer]

"Look at how many members here love SEBO. Does SEBO emblazon their adverts over the TV and internet like Dyson does? Does SEBO spend millions on fancy displays and pushy salesmen in stores like Dyson does? You don't need so much advertising to sell a product. If the product is any good, it will sell itself by word of mouth, just like SEBO do. None of the Hype and not overpriced."

I agree with this, but we must also consider that with advertising there comes an enormous financial cost of course, and then the risk of demand outstripping supply. Thus, it could well be that Sebo are more secure by not advertising, given that they may not recoup the cost due to either not getting the sales at all or not being able to fulfil the orders.

In my opinion, if Sebo did advertise on TV, their sales could well rocket. But I also conclude that they may not be able to cover the demand, thus when a consumer goes to buy a Sebo, the fact it is not avalaible pushes the dissapointed purchaser towards another brand altogether. As a result, the cost of advertising is not recouped and in fact they have potentially paid to raise sales for the competition!

 

[madaboutsebo]

I agree with you there Vintagerepairer regarding SEBO. Suppose some of that's down to SEBO being a family run business which I think is nice to see in this day and age.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I agree with Benny about SEBO's ability to supply demand - they are still a small company, producing quality products. They started much like Vax, in the late 70's, but look how the two companies went over time. Even now, many online retailers are selling out of SEBO products regularly suggesting to me that SEBO is getting more popular. They really need to expand, to accommodate increasing demand, or they could become a victim of their own success by not doing so. They are now one of the only decent bagged upright manufacturers, so its only obvious that more people who want a classic vac are going to be turning to them to buy one.