| Thread Number: 17234
Fantom Wildcat |
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| Post# 185213 6/11/2012 at 19:04 (345 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
  I hate people on craigslist! I found a lady with a Fantom Wildcat in the Tampa Bay Area, which I live in! She only wanted $5.00 for it! So I messaged her, and found out she lives an hour away from me, and so I tried working out a way that we could meet half way, I drive 30 minutes, she drives 30 minutes, and we meet up. Not only is it safer for both of us, assuming she was even real, but it would be more convenient for me. Instead she says "Go find your own patsy to go arround and annoy about a vacuum cleaner." So I chewed her out because she was rude when I was trying everything I could to make it work. Then she replies apologizing for being rude. Too late lady! I wanted this vacuum SO BADLY, as I have been trying to get one for years. But I will not deal with a lady who is being rude, and who cant send me pics, wants me to drive 48 miles, and for all I know, since she cant send me pics, it might be a scam?!?!
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| Post# 185232 , Reply# 1 6/11/2012 at 21:20 (345 days old) by ned_flanders (Chicago area) | ||
 There's no reason for her rudeness, but why would she take a loss on a $5 vacuum driving out to meet you halfway? If I am selling something that cheap, I am not going to deliver unless it is convenient. I remember selling a desk on CL years ago and someone wanted me to lower my price because they would be driving a long distance to pick it up. I basically said no, and I wasn't offended at all. I think some buyers and sellers don't know how to act using CL. I would've tried to reason with her. "If you send me pics...I'll drive all the way, or we can meet halfway no pics, otherwise I'm not interested." I have no idea why people get offended or upset over requests or low-balling. But you can't ask for much extra if they're basically giving something away. I don't get offended, but others do apparently. Sorry you missed out on that vac :(
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| Post# 185234 , Reply# 2 6/11/2012 at 21:25 (345 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185376 , Reply# 4 6/13/2012 at 10:18 (344 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185377 , Reply# 5 6/13/2012 at 10:43 (344 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 185378 , Reply# 6 6/13/2012 at 10:58 (343 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185379 , Reply# 7 6/13/2012 at 11:20 (343 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 185380 , Reply# 8 6/13/2012 at 11:28 (343 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185381 , Reply# 9 6/13/2012 at 11:29 (343 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 185389 , Reply# 10 6/13/2012 at 13:31 (343 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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Post# 185393 , Reply# 11 6/13/2012 at 13:54 (343 days old) by super-sweeper  (jacksonville,FL) |
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 Sorry to hear about that cranky lady on craigslist,Have had simular encounters at the flea market (Check my thread in the Off-topic sectoin).But coming from a house where Fantom ruled over the floors,I understand why why you'd want a Fantom,For Fantom+Fantomvacuumfan=Happy.Simple vacuum cleaner mathmatics :).
-Alex. | ||
| Post# 185422 , Reply# 13 6/13/2012 at 17:26 (343 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185423 , Reply# 14 6/13/2012 at 17:28 (343 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185424 , Reply# 15 6/13/2012 at 17:46 (343 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Rusted broken Fantom because I own a Westinghouse Unplugged which is the same look and everything as the Wildcat but cordless and it uses basically the same parts as the Wildcat and I could make a Wildcat out of it. Please reply. Also, would I have to pay for the Vac and shipping or just for the shipping? I could do both, but its just nice to know. Thanks.
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Post# 185481 , Reply# 17 6/14/2012 at 09:49 (343 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke  (Orlando, FL) |
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 Fantom,
I'm sorry she was mean to you... I've had experiences where I go to buy something and the day I'm going to get it, the seller writes to tell me they've already sold it out from under me.... it is infuriating. However, if it was a machine I wanted and at a price I liked, I'd have driven an hour or so to get it. I live in Orlando, and my Dyson DC 14, Dirt Devil Cruiser, and Hoover Z 700 all came from Tampa.... It was an hour drive, but I really wanted the Dyson and the other two were rare..... My orange Wildcat came from a thrift store about 45 minutes away. Were there any differences between the orange ones and the blue ones outside of color? Maybe just the included attachments were different? I never buy anything without seeing a picture first... the handle could be broken off or it could be missing wheels or a cord. If you've got the extra money for the gas, it may have been worth it to drive all the way to her since you wanted the machine so badly... I don't know how I missed seeing that Fantom (just looked up the ad.... the lady thinks vacuum is spelled vacuume, so I don't give her much credit for intelligence.... still better than the lady I found selling a "eurica vaccumne swiper" a few years ago), because I check Craig's List in Tampa, Orlando, and Lakeland every day! I wouldn't have wanted it, but I would have forwarded you the ad if I'd seen it first, because I know you've bee kind of obsessed with getting one ever since your broken handle episode. Hope you find one soon! | ||
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Post# 185493 , Reply# 18 6/14/2012 at 12:15 (342 days old) by super-sweeper (jacksonville,FL) |
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| Post# 185495 , Reply# 19 6/14/2012 at 12:37 (342 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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Rugsucker, I think I am good on the canisters, I have 2 Fantom Lightnings, so I think I am set there. I don't want the broken Wildcat, so if you have anyone else interested in it that is fine. Assuming you find the working Wildcat, maybe UPS can find a box big enough for it.
Vacuumfreeke, Yes, but you have to realize, Craigslist is known for its crooks. There have even been news reports about people who list something on craigslist, just to lure a victim to their house, and attack, rob etc them. And there were other things that didn't seem right about it. The listing said it had weak suction, and had been stored in the closet for months, not being used, because of it. However, when she emailed me, she said she only listed it the day I saw it because "She was moving and needed to vacuum before she left her old house". I'm not sure why you would use a vacuum with poor suction that you have not used in months to vacuum your house. Unless you don't care about cleaning your house, you must have bought another vacuum, since you have not used the Wildcat in months. Also, in this day and age, yes its possible someone would not have a cell phone, or if they do, a camera phone, however, it is very unlikely, so the "my camera is packed so I cant take a picture" reason didn't seem right to me. And honestly, I wouldn't have minded driving the hour, but it was around 8:30 at night, it would have been 9:30 before I got there, and 10:30 before I got home. Driving around in the dark, to a place I have never been to before, without having a clue if the item even existed, with a lady who just because I asked her a question, gets an attitude, just did not seem like the best idea to me. Super-sweeper, the broken handle story is that I found a green Fantom Wildcat on ebay for $19.99 back in December of 2010. I won it for the $19.99 plus $19.99 for shipping. When I got it home, I opened the box and was shocked to find that the vacuum was packed poorly. They taped 2 boxes together to make the vacuum fit, since the handle was not removable, but they didn't put any packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts etc in the box, so the vacuum was free to move around in the box. The box was not marked which side was up either, and either the seller, when carrying it into the UPS Store, UPS themselves, or even possibly myself, put it down on the wrong side, causing the vacuum to slide to the top of the box, putting all the weight of the vacuum on the thin plastic handle, which snapped it where it attached to the vacuum. Nothing I did to try to fix it was strong enough to get it to hold, and a replacement handle was impossible to find, so I had to return the vacuum. | ||
| Post# 185496 , Reply# 20 6/14/2012 at 12:52 (342 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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Also Vacuumfreeke, after this whole ordeal, I looked her email up on facebook, just to see if I could find the person, and I found a profile that matched the email, and their first names were the same, however, the lady emailing me said he last name started with an M if I remember right, and the facebook profile I found, was a 15 year old girl in another state, whose last name started with a S or something like that. So I am pretty sure its a good thing I didn't go over there, as I doubt it was real. I meant to post that in my last reply but I forgot.
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| Post# 185531 , Reply# 21 6/14/2012 at 18:42 (342 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Post# 185541 , Reply# 22 6/14/2012 at 20:44 (342 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke (Orlando, FL) |
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Fantom,
You don't have to explain, I understand completely! I'm not really paranoid about people robbing me on Craig's List... I wouldn't use it if I was... The driving around in the dark issue could have been solved by you going the next day that you were able to during daylight hours, but there were a lot of other issues. I have had people offer to meet me halfway for things, but I prefer to go to their house so I have an idea of what kind of people coming from and so I can plug the item in and try it out and make sure it works before I buy it. | ||
| Post# 185545 , Reply# 23 6/14/2012 at 20:59 (342 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185602 , Reply# 24 6/15/2012 at 11:39 (341 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 185714 , Reply# 25 6/15/2012 at 20:37 (341 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 185884 , Reply# 27 6/16/2012 at 18:15 (340 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186005 , Reply# 28 6/17/2012 at 15:43 (339 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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A Brand New Wildcat my friend Rob showed me, however, someone bought it before I messaged the seller :-(
toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-... | ||
| Post# 186021 , Reply# 29 6/17/2012 at 20:05 (339 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186067 , Reply# 31 6/18/2012 at 11:53 (338 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 186068 , Reply# 32 6/18/2012 at 11:56 (338 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Post# 186088 , Reply# 33 6/18/2012 at 15:10 (338 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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Both motors seem very good.Havent checked 'bad' one for condition of belt,pulley,brush,etc. | ||
| Post# 186109 , Reply# 34 6/18/2012 at 15:56 (338 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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If possible, maybe the brush from the "bad" one could be salvaged and put in the "good" one. Also, I know its a geared belt, but what kind of belt is in the Wildcat? If its the same time that the Lightning and Cyclone XT used, I have 2, 1 which is brand new, and one that is used but still in good shape.
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| Post# 186146 , Reply# 35 6/18/2012 at 16:38 (338 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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How about I get the 1st water damaged broken one, you get the other broken one without anything "transplanted" from it, and than since I know how to fully disassemble the Wildcat without breaking any of the really annoying small, flimsy plastic tabs, parts, etc. and I also know you, I could send you the parts you need and I can just transplant them from my Westinghouse to the Wildcat. Thanks. Hope no one has any problems with it.
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| Post# 186147 , Reply# 36 6/18/2012 at 16:39 (338 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 186193 , Reply# 38 6/18/2012 at 18:58 (338 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186194 , Reply# 39 6/18/2012 at 18:59 (338 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186208 , Reply# 40 6/18/2012 at 22:10 (338 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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Post# 186235 , Reply# 41 6/19/2012 at 09:32 (338 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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Szymon-Good chance my friend will be on the PA Turnpike close to you.Will know more soon.--Michael-Estimate I will need $50 money order,a few dollars for vac & then careful packing and shipping.-Either or both call me!-423-543-7900. | ||
| Post# 186257 , Reply# 42 6/19/2012 at 13:46 (337 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Post# 186323 , Reply# 43 6/19/2012 at 16:49 (337 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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As the 'bad' one leaves my doorstep,very little.If my friend will be close to you I'm sure some gas money would be helpful.Remember Mr. Bells invention-423-543-7900. | ||
| Post# 186342 , Reply# 44 6/19/2012 at 17:34 (337 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186561 , Reply# 45 6/20/2012 at 20:09 (336 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 186679 , Reply# 46 6/21/2012 at 17:18 (335 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 186738 , Reply# 47 6/22/2012 at 09:19 (335 days old) by director12 (Metuchen, NJ) | ||
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I've noticed Michael, you also need a Crosswind 600, but it's extremely rare. | ||
| Post# 186745 , Reply# 48 6/22/2012 at 09:45 (335 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 187003 , Reply# 49 6/24/2012 at 13:15 (332 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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website for looking for Fantoms on craigslist all at once! Here it is...
CLICK HERE TO GO TO szymonrules's LINK | ||
| Post# 187425 , Reply# 50 6/28/2012 at 10:25 (329 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 187427 , Reply# 51 6/28/2012 at 10:28 (329 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Post# 187457 , Reply# 52 6/28/2012 at 17:56 (328 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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to FL,OK now I learn meaning of patience.--to PA,real chance of this in 1-2 weeks. | ||
| Post# 187458 , Reply# 53 6/28/2012 at 18:11 (328 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 187911 , Reply# 54 7/2/2012 at 12:31 (324 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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Post# 187962 , Reply# 56 7/2/2012 at 18:02 (324 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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Understand.Am patient.Wildcat is sitting in back looking pretty. | ||
| Post# 187973 , Reply# 57 7/2/2012 at 19:56 (324 days old) by director12 (Metuchen, NJ) | ||
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I agree, the Wildcats had a problem of the handles breaking off. When fantomvacuumfan got one, it was broken off, he couldn't fix it, so he returned it (he got it from eBay for $98 back in early 2011). | ||
| Post# 188627 , Reply# 58 7/6/2012 at 13:15 (320 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 188755 , Reply# 59 7/7/2012 at 11:03 (319 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 188876 , Reply# 60 7/7/2012 at 16:52 (319 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 189034 , Reply# 61 7/8/2012 at 15:41 (318 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Post# 189225 , Reply# 62 7/9/2012 at 16:50 (317 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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Both sounds good.Am still patient.My friend may not want to go through narrow,congested Center City Philly as he has had that pleasure,but will be very close soon.Call when convenient.423-543-7900. | ||
| Post# 189297 , Reply# 63 7/9/2012 at 21:24 (317 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 189770 , Reply# 64 7/13/2012 at 11:31 (313 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 190531 , Reply# 65 7/18/2012 at 22:41 (308 days old) by vacuumfreak95 (Aransas Pass, Texas) | ||
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There is a Fantom wildcat on ebay for 10 dollars right now! | ||
| Post# 190532 , Reply# 66 7/18/2012 at 22:49 (308 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 190542 , Reply# 67 7/19/2012 at 00:05 (308 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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The seller and I were able to work out a deal to do a BUY IT NOW, so it is officially mine! Hopefully, this one arrives in one piece! Rugsucker, assuming this one makes it in one piece, from my talks with him, Szymon would be interested in both wildcats you have, however, you will need to talk to him to find out for sure. :)
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Post# 190627 , Reply# 68 7/19/2012 at 17:14 (307 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) |
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Glad you found one.Hope all works out.Did talk to Szymon and both going north is a possibility.Be careful on base as screws are hidden under trim.-Jimmy | ||
| Post# 191752 , Reply# 69 7/27/2012 at 18:30 (299 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 191755 , Reply# 70 7/27/2012 at 18:34 (299 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 191757 , Reply# 71 7/27/2012 at 18:36 (299 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 191759 , Reply# 72 7/27/2012 at 18:43 (299 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 191885 , Reply# 74 7/28/2012 at 10:06 (299 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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| Post# 191898 , Reply# 75 7/28/2012 at 11:52 (298 days old) by FantomFan (Upstate New York) | ||
 Hey, FantomVacuumFan, I just made a vacuumland account, I'm so happy!!!
Again, congrats on that beautiful wildcat. I would suggest to keep it as a collectible,not a daily driver. I know parts are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find for those. did you know that consumer reports gave this a bad rating in 2002? They said it had high dust emmisions. They state in that issue that fantom went bankrupt,and they suggest to return them to retailers if they have dust problems. I have the magazine. When I get a camera and a camcorder, I post the page online. | ||
| Post# 191901 , Reply# 76 7/28/2012 at 12:20 (298 days old) by director12 (Metuchen, NJ) | ||
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FantomFan, you are correct in the Wildcat's bad rating from 2002. | ||
| Post# 192248 , Reply# 77 7/30/2012 at 10:18 (297 days old) by FantomFan (Upstate New York) | ||
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| Post# 192263 , Reply# 78 7/30/2012 at 12:21 (296 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 192713 , Reply# 79 8/1/2012 at 21:13 (294 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA) | ||
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Comes to the Rescue!
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