1. No, the Miele S183 is still en route. Supposed to arrive next week.
2. Today, I took a broken Braun razor to my local small appliance repair store (where the Miele cannister is serviced), which also repairs small electrics and all brands of vacuums. I had not been in the store for over a year, because I buy Miele bags/filters online for convenience.
The store had been noticeably redesigned since my last visit. One half of the floor space is now a giant Miele display, including a 4800 Touchtronic laundry pair and two dishwashers; previously, he sold only vacuums and small electrics.
He explained that Miele now offers a new program for small retailers such as himself. When a customer buys a washer, dryer, or dishwasher from him, the order goes directly to Miele, where their contracted delivery/service/installation company delivers it to the consumer, almost like a a drop ship. He gets a cut of the sale, but all installation and delivery issues are between the consumer and Miele corporate. He said they still have the traditional program in place where large retailers will deliver/install themselves (they buy from Miele, then resell to the consumer in a traditional retail format).
However, this new small-dealer sales format may signify a shift from large retail to small dealers. He said he didn't have to pay for his floor models or fancy new Miele display.
I didn't buy any Persil from him (at $50 a box....) but did spring for a box of FJM bags, plus I left the shaver for repair. He has done great work on several vintage Braun shavers (one is 21 years old...) that I keep as spares; its the daily driver (model 7526) that is in the shop.
PS they did have the new Miele uprights on display. Amazingly solid and they swivel like an electric broom. Motor is same as on S5 cannisters and supposedly makes as much suction for the hose/tools as the cannisters do. But the cheapest model is $350 more than the $229 I paid for the S183 upright.
Comes to the Rescue!
