So, what's up with Aerus/Electrolux?

[vacuumdevil]

Let's put the brakes on this right now.


@weltron You're taking what I said in the video way out of context.

I set the ownership of the "Electrolux vacuum name" was uncertain
I also stated that Aerus has closed up a few dealers.
There was nothing said about them going out of business.

@dysonman1 Thank you for setting the record straight.

 

[n0oxy]

several things

I'm not sure how long the door to door sales model will work. The fact is, the new Rainbow is way overpriced. You can get a Sirena or Quantum that will work just as well at a quarter of the price.
I doubt Aerus and AB Electrolux will merge, AB Electrolux has decided to completely pull out of the vacuum market in the United States.
I'm not much of an upright person, but I think Kirby will need to redesign their cleaner if they want to remain competitive. A machine like the Sebo Felix will clean just as well if not better than a Kirby and is much easier to use. Switching from carpet to hard floor cleaning or using the hose n the Felix is a breeze compared to using a Kirby for these tasks.
Mike

 

[weltron]

VacuumDevil...

THANK YOU for the clarification! I had not heard about Electrolux themselves pulling out of the US vacuum market. I did not mean to infer that you said they (Aerus) was going out of business, but I thought I heard you say that they were on shakier ground, which would have been news to me. I guess I should have been wearing my hearing aid while watching your video! (My ears do like to play tricks on me)

 

[kirbyg6]

It must be so boring being a Kirby engineer I bet most people want them to make something completely different like the Avalir was meant to be I just want them to realise that vacuum technology has moved on since the the G series has been out and make a more Modern machine

 

[panasonicvac]

n0oxy

Right, they just recently left the US vacuum cleaner market not long ago. For now at least. But who knows, maybe they might want to jump back into the market one of these days. If it's Electrolux AB that's struggling and not Aerus, then what they both could do is have Aerus license the Electrolux brand on their vacuums again and/or maybe Frigidaire just like when Tacony was able to license the Maytag brand on their uprights. That could really help out with both Aerus and Electrolux AB.

But what I basically know about Kirby, they have been and are currently still designing something new. The only way Kirby could get a new model is if the new model can actually clean, outlast, or hold up better than it's predecessor. I think almost 10 years ago I heard Kirby was working on something that I guess was almost a completely new design with an on-board hose and electronic controls on the machine. I haven't heard anymore news of it since then, I don't know if they're either still working on it or if it never did better than it's predecessor and maybe Kirby have already decided to move on with something else on the drawing board. I think Kirby wouldn't want to do a mistake like what happened with Speed Queen a few years ago on one of their washers. Otherwise. I still think they're good vacuums for what they are, the current model can still pretty much out clean alot of vacuums out there today. I know they're not for everyone but I will always love Kirby.

 

[panasonicvac]

Tom

I've been meaning to ask about this for a little bit now. Are independent retailers now allowed to sell Aerus or is it just only yours? I was praising Aerus when I saw you opened your own vacuum store and started carrying their line.

 

[human]

I sincerely hope not...

panasonicvac wrote:
"I think almost 10 years ago I heard Kirby was working on something that I guess was almost a completely new design with an on-board hose and electronic controls on the machine."

I reply:
The very last thing I would want to see is a Kirby that's a load of self-destructing circuit boards. While it might weigh less and out-perform the current design in the short run, there's no way in hell it would outlast today's solidly built, circuit board-free machines. Such a move would truly be Kirby's death knell. If such a concept has gone nowhere in a decade, the powers that be at Kirby certainly must realize it as well. If you want circuit boards and a built-in hose, Walmart has them fresh from China in all their plastic glory for $99 a pop. Knock yourself out.

 

[djub85]

I'm glad to hear that Aerus isn't struggling or going out of business. I try to support them as best as I can by buying filters and bags ahead of schedule and by buying extra accessories. I convinced my parents to buy the cordless Lux Lite, and they love it. I have one of the newest (black) Legacy vacs. I figure eventually I'll trade it in on a new one, but I'd like to see a color change or native HEPA support first.

I agree that the Legacy and Classic need HEPA standard, out of the box. The same-bodied Guardian Ultra had a HEPA filter and a sealed system, so I'm totally confused why the Legacy and Classic haven't yet been upgraded to the Ultra's sealed internals and filter. That move wouldn't endanger sales of the Platinum... that machine has other extra bells and whistles. With some squeezing, the Ultra HEPA filter can already fit in the Legacy and maybe even the classic. Maybe a small modification to the filter itself or the canister filter grille is all that's needed... if anything. Not sure if anything would need to change on the internals, but I'm guessing very little.

It's interesting to read that there's something going on with the Electrolux name. It would be absolutely the best news ever if Aerus was able to take back its old name in some way, shape, or form. I'd ditch my black Legacy in 2 seconds just to get a new black Legacy with the Electrolux name.

 

[dysonman1]

I order HEPA disposable bags from Nationwide Sales and Service out of Farmingdale, NY. When I sell a Classic (or Legacy) I put the HEPA disposable bag in it and with it. I can order the bags in packs of 9 for sale to customers and in boxes of 100 (for retrofitting the new machines). None of the Aerus Electrolux canisters I sell leave this place with a paper bag in it.

This is how I rationalize it: The Classic is a great vacuum with great attachments and cleans well. The power nozzle covers a lot of carpet at once. The machine is easy to service and the parts are quality made.

I can sell this machine for the price of a nice Miele or Sebo. No one has heard of Miele or Sebo, so the first thing I would have to do is tell people about this 'new' and unknown German brand with VERY expensive repair parts and bags. It's SO EASY to say "you should have an Electrolux. It was good enough for your mother and grandmother - they had it for years and wouldn't part with it. Don't you deserve an Electrolux too?" I recently went to the home of a customer and took two canisters - one of which was an Electrolux. I felt just like an old-time Lux salesman. We vacuumed for a few minutes with the new Classic, I cut open the HEPA bag and she bought it right then and there. I never even had to show the Titan, which was the other vacuum I took with me.

 

[rainbowd4c]

I love my classic. Since moving down to Arkansas I have been using it instead of my Rainbow. I ordered bags and filters right before I moved because I wasn't sure if I had a dealer in Arkansas. I still think I want a Ultra Lux or Marquee model. We'll see.

 

[vacman1970]

So Is Aerus Selling to independent multi line dealers now ? Is they a minimum by in , Is there still a franchise fee . Assuming there isn’t a existing franchise in the dma

 

[completenutt]

Can't find the video link.

What video have you guys seen?

 

[s2_82]

So if all our our local dealers are closing up and aerus obviously isn't sold online, how are we supposed to buy their products?

 

[vacuumdevil]

@completenutt Some people are taking one of my videos completely out of context.

Only thing you need to see in this thread is what @dysonman1
Said on the subject.
Enjoy the rest of the threads on vacuum land.

 

[djub85]

S2_82

Here's my thought. Aerus machines last a very long time. They rarely need maintenance from an Aerus technician. It wouldn't be super inconvenient to drive a few hours away to a dealer to buy your machine knowing you'll go years, perhaps more than a decade before you have to set foot in their stores again. You can buy all the disposable supplies you need on the Aerus website (bags, filters, etc.). And you can call their HQ to order larger parts (attachments, wands, hoses, etc.). The only things you have to interact with the dealer for are sales and service. Everything else can be handled online or on the phone.

PLUS most Aerus dealers still make house calls, so even if there isn't one in your town, there's a good chance they'll still come to you to deliver supplies and parts (if you prefer to order from a dealer) and to do service.

TBH, I've always thought Aerus should sell machines online and then send a commission check to the nearest dealer for each purchase, along with contact info for the purchaser. Then the dealer could mail out postcards to remind the new customer that A) the dealer exists and B) the dealer provides supplies, parts, service, sales, etc. That way, online sales don't take away from franchise business. Instead, it would likely grow business for franchises. Or, alternately, the website could sell machines but offer some sort of incentive or discount for buying the product in-store at the nearest location.

 

[tolivac]

BOTH of my aerus Guardian Platinum vacuums have needed board changes-one of them TWICE-This in NOT acceptable for a premium vacuum.I like how these perform but the board issue needs to be CORRECTED!!!

 

[s2_82]

Those are good, valid points Dave, I hope that changes will be made to give customers more options in light of today's business model.

 

[kloveland]

Tulsa has always had Electrolux it was listed as one of the branch offices. Prices are pretty much outrageous. Last time I went it was $60.00 for a full bottle of shampoo. Bags are also expensive. My location changed hands about two years ago and ever since then prices are extremely high. I buy everything online now. Which is a real shame! They used to call and say "I'm calling about your Electrolux, do you need service?" I thought that was a nice touch. Since management has changed I no longer get those calls.

 

[gregvacs28]

outrageous prices are a good sign that the end is near for a business. They can't make it because the internet or competition has priced them out but they still have people who don't know any better who will shop there. So they scalp customers while they ride the slide to the bottom.

I went to an old time hardware store when I lived in Mass. once. I walked in expecting bargain prices cuz the placed looked like a resale shop. Was floored to see the ridiculous prices and left. Home Depot opened a year earlier and they took all the business.
The store closed less than a year later.

 

[kloveland]

For example

One gallon of Turbo Carpet Shampoo is listed for $46.19 on the Aerus online store. The last time I bought the same carpet shampoo at my Aerus dealer it was $60.00 it might even be $70.00 now. They won't carry the 12 packages of bags they only carry the 24 packs which are higher in price $46.19 online probably much more at my local dealer. Luckily, I found the same carpet shampoo at an estate sale for $3.00 almost full.

Are these prices normal? It's a shame because the dealer is only 2 miles from my house. I hate to say this because I love my vacs but I can see why people are buying the $100 Sharks at Walmart and generic bags online. I'm not just picking on Areus every brand seems to be high now days. Hopefully the collectors on here have had better experiences than I have had with my local Areus dealer. It may just be my dealer.