Hi Chrome,
I had a similar frustrating situation.
I wanted to buy 6 ceiling fans that had the best functionality, of moving air efficiently per revolutions.

Not one shop could tell me the difference between a 3 or 4 blade device or difference in performance of Rattan fan over a metal fan.
Not a clue .
Some suggested they are all the same.
Another said you only get what you pay for.
So the more you pay , the more air it it will move ? Yes! was their answer (Rubbish)

Feeling positively angry with their ignorance of the products they represented.
I seriously had to question how the devil do they stay in business, they didn't even offer to find out from the suppliers.

I rang the suppliers & they said they all perform much the same ,there's hardly any difference , I asked what the differences were in functionality & they didnt know.
Struth.
So I got onto the internet & bingo , it was all there. Unbeleivable & they did'nt have a clue & they did'nt care to find out either.

By the way the best fans for functionality are the 3 blade aluminium (not steel due to rust from humidity) fans (they push more air per revolution than a 4 blader) due to less wind resistance, or stainless steel if you like looking at chrome hanging from ones ceiling, with a ball bearing motor with a baked ,not just sprayed on , finish, with rubber cushioning in the base to minimise motor vibration which mormally wears motors out over time.
Cost $45-55 with 3 year warranty. For the Std 120cm size.

The Rattan fans push a lot less air per revolution because their blades are not as curved like the metal fans are & their blades are thicker , therefore have more wind reistance, they usually come in the less efficient 4 blade configuration.
Rattans dont have a swishing sound that a metal blade can have when placed on maximum speed .
In a bedroom situation, where this maybe a consideration , most people run their fans at low to medium therefore a swishing sound wont be heard at those speeds , only when set on maximum & if one is boiling hot , one would'nt care what it sounds like to get relief from the heat.
The swishing at max speed, is hardly hear in a lounge enviromnement because of all the backgound noise e.g. TV, Music,traffic,kids talking ect.


The best places to by fans are usually from discount lighting shops who have been around for a number of years because they tend to only stock items that dont give them grief from their customers.
They will normally beat most other places prices also, including Bunnings.

So the verdict for functioality, is a 3 blade aluminium fan, ball bearing motor with rubber cushioning, baked on enamel finish, bought from a reputable discount lighting shop.


I will stop now...
I have said too much.
The truth is out now.
My work is now complete.

Cheers.

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Cheers.