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WE ARE NOT THE SUPPLIER OF THIS PRODUCT. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA TITLE. PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED IN THIS ARTICLE TO CONTACT SHARK’S AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIER.

Two vacuum cleaners from Australia most satisfying floorcare brand, Shark, have been withdrawn from sale this week following the discovery of otherwise unspecified flaws by their distributor, Brand Developers.

The two models in question are the Shark Navigator Lift-Away (NV350) and the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional (NV356). While neither of these machines have been officially recalled, as per the ACCC’s guidelines, Brand Developers wrote to its authorised dealers on Wednesday 11 February 2015, announcing that it a “voluntary suspension” of the sale of the units.

The letter, which has been seen by Appliance Retailer and verified as genuine by the author, says:

Brand Developers has become aware that the Shark NV350 and NV356 products may not have met our high quality assurance standards. Consequently as a precautionary measure Brand Developers has decided to voluntarily suspend all sales of Shark NV350 and NV356 while Brand Developers and the manufacturer, Euro-Pro investigate the matter and determine the appropriate action. Please remove all Shark NV350 and NV356 vacuum cleaners from sale until further notice. We will provide a further communication shortly.

A representative of Brand Developers told Appliance Retailer that the company was still debating whether to enact a “total recall” of the two vacuum cleaners. This source said the fault, the nature of which is still unclear, does not pose a threat to existing users.

Brand Developers’ letter to dealers continues:

Brand Developers apologises for any inconvenience this action may cause. We are committed to ensuring customer safety and are working as a priority with Euro-Pro to investigate the matter. We look forward to your support during this period and we will provide a further update shortly.

The two Shark models in question are also wholesaled into New Zealand, where this voluntary suspension of sales is also being enacted.

The Shark brand is owned by Euro-Pro Operating, a family run company based in Massachusetts, in the United States. In addition to the Shark range of floorcare products, Brand Developers also markets Euro-Pro’s small appliance brand Ninja.

In recent years, Shark has developed something of a cult following, based largely off its TV infomercials and goading of rival brand Dyson. In August 2014, Shark was the surprise winner of Canstar Blue’s floorcare brand survey, eclipsing Dyson, Hoover, Miele, Electrolux and other more fancied names to be crowned Australia’s most satisfying vacuuming brand.

“Shark vacuum cleaners is the new kid on the block; it’s a fantastic product range and now we’ve got the research to prove it,” said Brand Developers category marketing manager Penny Bicknell at that time. “[This is] an outstanding success for Shark and it makes us very proud to be associated with the product and [to know] so many people are happy with their purchases.”

WE ARE NOT THE SUPPLIER OF THIS PRODUCT. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA TITLE. PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED IN THIS ARTICLE TO CONTACT SHARK’S AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIER.