Last Friday I received a telephone call from a VCCC member which still has me seething. It ended when I called him an a**hole and slammed the phone on him, something he richly deserved. I was busy working on repairs when the business phone rang. I answered it and was immediately asked "Do you have an owner's manual for a Kirby 515?" This is not something I'm asked every day. Not knowing who it was, I asked how the caller happened to need something like that, and was vaguely told that he had come across such a machine recently. I asked if he was a vacuum collector. He answered me, as though he was kind of a big shot, "Yes, I'm a member of the club." To which I asked why he hadn't had the courtesy to introduce himself first when he called, and who he was. Then he introduced himself as Jan Collins. That's when I blew my top. This same clod had done the very same thing to me some time back. Only that time he called out of the blue and instead of saying hello, introducing himself, or any thing, said "Do you have a cloth bag for an Electrolux 30?" Surprised, I said "As a matter of fact, I do." To which he replied, "Is it genuine Electrolux, and new in the box?" I said, "No, you're lucky to get any kind of a bag for that old of a machine nowadays." Now this dickweed has never done anything for me, never called to chat, anything, but he thinks he can call me and talk to me like I'm some kind of a lackey who will sell him all kinds of old parts. He has never been to a convention, and nobody I know, knows him. The man either really is an a**hole, or he has no social skills whatsoever.

Many of us have become close friends thru the VCCC, and for the most part are a great bunch. We don't need nincompoops like this guy!

Thanks Clay for putting a common rule of courtesy so bluntly and profoundly. Not only should common courtesy extend to club members but to people in general. Some folks may not have this skill for a number of reasons.

I have also been contacted, (as I am sure many of us have), by collectors as our names and phones are available through the club membership list. Not so much as a, "Hello my name is, ____________, I am a member of the VCCC and was wondering if you might have a part for a ___________. So tell, me how is the club doing? I never get to attend a convention.......blah, blah, blah."

No introduction, no general friendly greeting and conversation, then NO PARTS from me! Again, I thank you for stating this as only you can.

By the way, what have you been up to lately since the convention? And, I need a GENUINE part for a.....................................just kidding!

why be so bothered, have pity. anyone who behaves so crudely has serious issues. im slightly surprised that this has happened to more than one person.

Clay:
As you know, this happens to me some times too. In a very few instances, club members have called me asking for long obsolete parts. I'll answer the store phone and the person on the other end will just start asking for things. Again, no introduction. Just "Do you have brush strips for a Hoover 700"? Of course I reply that I do. The caller seems absolutely shocked when I say that they are not for sale. Just because I have a vac shop, some people believe that I'll sell anything I have. I've had club members get really rude with me when I say something isn't for sale. As if I SHOULD stock 80 year old parts JUST for them.

Of couse, 99% of VCCC members over the years have been wonderful people. My best friends (like you) have come from the club. I wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China.

Hope Jan Collins sees this auction. I don't think it's a genuine though LOL!