Vacuum demos (idea)

[vacowacko]

Although I hate the high prices and high pressure most salesman have I've enjoyed the few demos I've watched and even tried to sell Kirby for a short time. Ive had this idea for a while now and wondering what you think would happen. So I found out online that both Kirby and rainbow. (Probably others as well) Have a place you can request a demo. Well I thought what if you scheduled a demo for them both at the same time... Make them compete right there. Also it would take the last vac wins to an extreme. But what would happen do you think they would actually allow this? Would one of them or both just leave ? Could this open up some kind of pricing advantage? Seriously considering doing this and would potentially record and post on YouTube.

 

[centralsweeper63]

That is a good idea. I was thinking about having the two main central vacuum company's and also Kirby to all compete. I would love to see it.

 

[cheesewonton]

Have the sales people mud wrestle then see which one cleans the mess up better O_O

 

[centralsweeper63]

Walk out with a bag of flour and dump it on the flour!

 

[hygiene903]

Could be interesting! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[centralsweeper63]

I agree. The more the merrier!

 

[ultralux88]

How would a central vac company put on a demo. I have actually thought quite a bit about how I could come up with some form of a demo setup that one could take places, but the most portable design that will actually show off all the options is more of a home show booth type thing, not something you'd take to someone's house for a quick demo. The strange thing about centrals is, most customers buy the system, attachments and all based solely on the salesman's description and maybe looking at it online. very few if any even ask if I have a show room. But that's how they buy something like a water heater or a furnace or A/C, since it's not really on display, they aren't too charged up about seeing it first, they're mostly concerned that the thing has enough power and that it comes with all the attachments.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Maybe buy an old van and do some modification. Maybe wall off an area and insulate it. Get some portable power banks, carpet the floor and install some inlets.

 

[cheesewonton]

If you remember the front drive six wheel motor home GMC used to sell in the 1970s they came with a built in central vacuum as standard.

 

[centralsweeper63]

What model was that?

 

[cheesewonton]

What model was that?

It was just called the GMC Motorhome. GM made these from 1972 - 1978. They were powered by an Oldsmobile Toronado front drive power pack with a 455 cubic inch carbureted gas engine and three speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels had air suspension. Front air suspension was optional, otherwise there were torsion bars for the front springs. That left a nice low flat floor.

https://sirumvintagegmc.com/the-story-of-the-gmc-motorhome

 

[centralsweeper63]

Thank you, I looked into it and it is pretty cool.

 

[centralsweeper63]

https://www.gmcmotorhome.org/threads/central-vacuum-install.93068/

https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/X7821A_78-oper-manual.pdf . Go to page 84.

https://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&th=37612&rid=0

https://sirumvintagegmc.com/the-story-of-the-gmc-motorhome Go down to the interior photos.

 

[cheesewonton]

Thank you, I looked into it and it is pretty cool.

Surprisingly most of these that GM made are still registered and in use. They were and are considered something very special and they are well supported by the aftermarket and owners clubs. A popular mod is to replace the old fashioned carbureted gas guzzling 455 engine with a modern turbo diesel and Allison automatic transmission. There are kits to do this and GM will sell you one of their V-8 diesels new ready to install. That seems to be the preferred way to keep them on the road as new 455 gas engines do not exist ( the last 455 was built in I think 1976 or 77 ) and what is out there are mostly not good candidates for rebuilding. The rest of the vehicle is so well made and so durable they are well worth the cost of the engine and transmission swap. I imagine one would want to replace the gasoline Onan generator with a diesel powered equivalent.

 

[cheesewonton]

https://www.gmcmotorhome.org/threads/central-vacuum-install.93068/

https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/X7821A_78-oper-manual.pdf . Go to page 84.

https://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&th=37612&rid=0

https://sirumvintagegmc.com/the-story-of-the-gmc-motorhome Go down to the interior photos.

In that blinding green interior you can see an image depicting the central vacuum. GM put a lot of thought into that design.

 

[centralsweeper63]

They did, I love 50s-80s design. Avocado green is amazing in my opinion.