Hoover uses vintage models to promote T-Series

[sanimatic]

I post this with much thought and perspective after traveling to the holy land of vacuums. This afternoon, I took a very festive day trip with my buddy Sam, xraytech, to the Hoover Historical Center in North Canton, for their annual Holiday Open House. I really enjoyed it and after seeing some of the vintage vacuum displays, I have a slightly different perspective than I had even just this morning when I posted my thoughts on the T-series.

In the 20s, 30s and up through the 70s, buying your vacuum was like buying your household water heater, furnace, air conditioner, big ticket items. It was an investment in your household.

Now, vacuums are viewed like cell phones, computers, technology in general. High tech but in a package that is not intended to last for a generation. Something that is intended to be disposed of in lieu of what is new in a couple years.

I believe that Hoover still tries to offer innovation and high performance in what they are selling. But as even with their staff (as indicated above) nothing lasts forever and they no longer intend for vacuums, even if high tech, when introduced, to be a long term purchase.

I have to say that Hoover, despite their bad rap after being with TTI, has had the top rating vacs in the Consumer Reports for many years. Not just one, but usually the top three. We (I always did) tend to complain that CR doesn't rate long term durability, but in this culture nothing is expected to have long term durability, so ratings don't look for this.

Just some thoughts and a difference of opinion with myself from this morning.

Chris

 

[sanimatic]

Here is a pic from our trip today of the Holy Land of Vacuums with their Holiday tree in display. I purposely took this to avoid the for rent / sale sign that was just a few feet away.

Chris

 

[sanimatic]

Take that T-series

One more pic from our field trip that I couldn't resist posting, in the same discussion as the t-series.

 

[petek]

Ah the good old days.

A few months ago CR did a comparative look back comparing the new 2010 or 11 Mustang (6cyl) against their then ratings of a 72 Mustang Boss 302 V8. I'm not digging out the issue but it went something like this

The new 2010 Mustang weights about 250 lbs MORE
It's 0-60 time is about 1 second faster than the 72 302
It gets almost twice the gas mileage, 23 mpg vs 12 for the 302
It's loaded in accessories like a/c plus other things that didn't exist back then.
It outperformed the old 72 in every aspect EXCEPT stopping distance which was not that far off
Has safety features that didn't exist back then.

It would be neat if CR could do a similar retro comparision against some of the new vacs.
For example.. take that NIB Convertible and do a deep cleaning comparison against a new Windtunnel etc.

 

[suckolux]

Very very true. Of course the weight was toys not available back then and the safety features. Call me crazy,but I would want them!