New Hoover Z-700 Vacuum Cleaner

[sudsmaster]

What were they thinking?

I paid a visit to my local Sears today. Ostensibly in search of the elusive Oasis washer, but along the way I spotted the new Hoover Z-700 Vacuum cleaner.

I had really liked what I saw on the TV commercials for this machine.

But as I approached one in real life, the first words out of my mouth to the nearby saleslady were, "That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen!".

She chuckled. I asked if I could "play with it". She said, "Of course", with a little smile. She knew something I didn't.

The darn thing was so heavy I grunted to lift it off the four inch high platform it sat on. I lifted it again, turned it around, and shook my head.

"I can't see many housewives wanting to lug this behemoth around. If I want a cannister, I'll buy a cannister".

She gulped and allowed that they'd only sold one of the monsters so far. This is in stark contrast to the complete sell out in short order of all 500 available Oasis washers (including the floor model) in the next deparment.

"What were they thinking?" I wondered aloud. I recited litany of ownership changes of Hoover, with the proposed sale of Hoover by Maytag at a time when Maytag itself is being sold to Whirlpool. The saleslady, was by this time getting kind of depressed, which saddened me, since she seemed like a very nice person, and I was sorry that I brought up the Maytag part. I thanked her for her time and headed over to the washer section... only to find the Oasis was MIA, having been completely sold out.

What a wonderful world.

 

[tolivac]

I saw the "Z" at my Sears store-may check it out again.Yes I tried picking it up off its platform-and the "Z" was very lonely amonsgt the Sears shoppers who were looking at the Sears KN "Progressive" cainster vacs-Tried one of the "progressive" canisters-wasn't too bad-gives the Mieles across the street a good run for the money.I wonder about the "Z" Too heavy--and probably too difficult for some users to change "Modes"and don't ask the lady of the house to slep the thing up or down the stairs unless you get her a forklift to go with the "Z"Maybe the "Z" should have a matching forklift with it.I bet the "Z" is going to bum out.At this point waiting for them to be sold a discontinued-close out prices.already they have dropped the price from $499 to $399 according to a Sunday newspaper add.

 

[Designgeek]

Today's "dog" is often tomorrow's classic, so maybe the thing to do is go scoop up a couple of these right now, or wait for the price to come down a bit more...?

You know that ten years from now y'all will look back on this as classic early 21st century design. Many of us who grew up in the 70s used to think that 70s designs were doggy, and look where they are today, eh?

 

[hoover1060]

at Least they are trying

The "Z" is the first new thing from Hoover in as while, since 1997 and the Windtunnel to be exact. Yes its rather freakish and odd looking, but it does clean pretty well and have some neat features.
It may be a dog, but its way better than another repackaged Elite or Windtunnel with a new name on it.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

a bit off the carpet beaten path

I agree with Jeff about it being better than a repackaged Elite or Windtunnel,HOWEVER that beast looks like something from Lost In Space.