Kind of depressing

[bikerray]

Saturday I went by an Aerus / Electrolux dealership that has been there for years and the shop is gone.

 

[human]

Sign of the times...

Yeah, I had a similar experience last year. I pulled into the shopping center where the Aerus/Electrolux dealer was and there were signs and banners all over the place proclaiming the grand opening of a Hungry Howie's Pizza restaurant. I'll give you one guess as to which store space Hungry Howie's occupies.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Which location, Ray?

 

[oreck_xl]

It's a sad sign of the times, however one that was imminent the minute Electrolux became AERUS. It's very hard to substantiate that kind of an investment on a vacuum that no longer even bears the name Electrolux and let's face it quality had been going down since about 1990 when Electrolux made the changeover from metal to plastic bodied machines. I've heard a lot of good things about that new Perfect C101 though, I may have to break down and buy one.

 

[electrolux137]

~
~


There used to be about a dozen Electrolux branch offices in the greater Los Angeles area. Not a one of them remains.

 

[human]

As I recall, the sign over the entrance to the Aerus/Electrolux dealer that closed near me simply said "Vacuum Center"; however, the window bore both the Aerus and Electrolux names. To be honest, I never walked through the door of the place.

Aside from the name recognition issue, I think Aerus/Electrolux, like Kirby to some extent, is having to compete against itself in the form of the myriad excellent legacy models out there that are still going strong and can be had for very little money, often considerably less than a new cheapo plasticrap vac at Wally World.

 

[fcs3]

Evidence to back that up

Nearly all of the vacuums for sale at the Goodwill stores are Dysons or Dirt Devils.
Tons of RoboVacs and Roombas.

Its very rare to see a Kirby or Electrolux or vintage Hoover. Gee, I wonder why?
Its certainly not that these beasts are scarce according to Ebay.

 

[n0oxy]

plastic models and Perfect C101

I have a couple of the Aerus-Electrolux models. One is called the Electrolux advantage, not sure when it was made, it has a two stage motor, really like the sound of that model. I also have the Aerus classic 90th anniversary edition, this uses a one stage motor, I think the motor is made by Johnson. It works well, but, I don't know, it just doesn't sound as good, but maybe that's just me. The bodies of both of these vacuums are very similar. Regarding the Perfect C101, it's basically a clone of the Super J or Olympia. The body looks very similar, and it uses the same hose that the metal Electrolux models such as the 1205, super J, and Olympia use. It uses a two stage Ametek motor, and it's quite powerful. The power nozzle is also similar to the Electrolux models. The bags are cloth instead of paper, I actually use these bags in all of my vacuums that take the C bags, they are much better than bags made of paper. I chat now and then with our Aerus rep for this area, he says they are doing well here, but there are definitely more and more Aerus stores closing, and I have not heard of any new ones opening in a long time.
Mike

 

[kirbysthebest]

Lux dealer disappeared here about three years ago. Our Kirby distributor went kaput last year.

 

[n0oxy]

sales method

It may be that selling vacuums by in home demonstration is a dying breed. Buying on line is definitely taking its tole on store chains such as Sears and Masey's, it may be killing door to door sales as well. One problem with this sales approach is that it inflates the price of the product, in order for everyone to get their share of the profit. This is one reason why you see so many Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kirby, and Rainbow vacuums being sold refurbished. I do believe that a company has the right to sell their product in the method they choose, but at the same time, you also have to sell it in the way the consumer wants to buy it, if not, they will go elsewhere. I think back in the 1980's, Aerus, still Electrolux back then did sell their vacuums in stores for a while. Also, it would be interesting to know how much competition the Sirena has been to Rainbow.
Mike

 

[fan-of-fans]

I still see quite a few Electrolux and Kirbys turning up at the thrift stores here. Just a week or two ago there was a complete Ultimate G Kirby for only $12 or so at Goodwill and I have seen a few plastic body Electrolux Renaissances show up for fairly cheap too.

I always associated these brands with older people, but maybe I'm a bit biased. But it seemed these are usually seen in homes of the elderly. With fewer people, especially women, staying at home, than in the past it would be harder for salesmen to come to the door and get anyone home to do a demo of the machine.

And I would never pay the prices for these machines when used ones can be gotten so cheaply. They are very good machines, but when used ones can be gotten for pennies on the dollar, I can't fathom spending on a new one.

 

[human]

It's rare I see high end machines like Kirby or Electrolux at thrift shops around here but then I don't haunt the stores the way I once did. But when I see one and it's priced right, as often as not I buy it.

I had a roommate back in the early '90s who sold Rainbows and he did all of his demos in the evening hours by appointment. He never did any cold door knocking.

 

[tolivac]

Areus place is doing well in Greenville,Along with the Rainbow place.No Kirby,TriStar or Filter Queen here.

 

[crazykirbydude]

The Aerus store that I frequent is still going strong after 40 years of service. The guy is really nice to customers, unlike a few other Aerus dealers. All of the Aerus canisters are great vacuums.