Thread Number: 32627
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
"What am I? Chopped liver?" |
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Post# 357648   8/14/2016 at 15:09 (2,811 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)   |   | |
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Dear Fellow Aspiration Aficionados,
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Post# 357650 , Reply# 1   8/14/2016 at 15:31 (2,811 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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I sure wish I could be there for the big event but I live on the other side of the continent and it's just not feasible. Still, I think it's a really cool thing that you're doing. My dad has collected electric trains and other vintage toys for more than 50 years and my sister and her kids and I are now faced with disposing of it now that Mom and Dad are moving into a retirement community and the old adage 'you can't take it with you' is finally sinking in. I just pray all the stuff I've brought home--along with the bulk of my own crap--is fully liquidated by the time I check out.
I applaud you for turning the need to let go of your treasures into an opportunity to bring our community together and I hope it turns out to be one helluva bash! The bottom line is it's your stuff, so you get to make the rules. If others aren't happy with that, then it's their problem--and loss. |
Post# 357653 , Reply# 2   8/14/2016 at 16:18 (2,811 days old) by kenkart ()   |   | |
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Friends live in the east, Many like me can not make a cross country trip for various reasons,Its your stuff and your decision to do this, but , as big a chore as it is, you will do better shipping the stuff. |
Post# 357677 , Reply# 3   8/14/2016 at 22:32 (2,811 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 357679 , Reply# 4   8/14/2016 at 23:40 (2,811 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)   |   | |
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~ Right, John. I appreciate your attitude. I was not speaking about you....... You wouldn't believe some of the private emails and messages I've gotten -- from friends. I'm actually starting to sour a bit on the whole thing and would just cancel it, but there are a few people who have said they will come. So I won't cancel on account of them.
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Post# 357715 , Reply# 6   8/15/2016 at 14:43 (2,810 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)   |   | |
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Jimmy, we're at an odd and somewhat difficult time in history -- collectors "our age" who look for machines mainly from the 1950s and back seem to have all the machines they want, and then some: People who have been collecting them for 40, 50 years or more are finding themselves in the same predicament and may need to -- sometimes suddenly -- downsize. I know of at least a dozen other collectors who are having to do the same thing.
Younger collectors who are just starting out, who consider a Kirby Heritage to be a vintage machine, don't seem to have any real interest in older machines. When I first met John Lucia in 1991, we were joking about how the day would probably come when collectors would be running around looking for VINTAGE Eureka Bravos....... and, well, here we are.
It's the same phenomenon with all collectors, I guess --- the machines we want to collect are the ones we remember from our childhood.
I'm finding it more and more difficult to make good sales on eBay for vintage cleaners. About 10 years ago or so, I listed an Air-Way Green Goddess and it went for an amazingly huge amount. Same for a few others I've listed from time to time. The Green Goddess I listed last week went for $251.00. While that's nothing to sneeze at, I was a bit disappointed at the bidding.
Even more so for the Hoover 541 which closed at $71.00. Can you imagine how crazy people would have been 15 or 20 years ago for such a vintage machine in such excellent condition?!
I'm fixing to list a Singer R-1 but wonder if it will be worth the trouble. What collector today is going to want a 1937 vacuum cleaner??
And it's even more difficult to interest people in coming out for Garage Giveaways. When I had my first "Great American Garage Clean-out" back in 2000 at my former place, something like a dozen people showed up -- and not all of them were "Locals." Nowadays, there's just not much interest anymore it would seem, even when I beg and entice with tons of photos!
Sorry if I seem so negative but I am in a bit of an emotional rut at the moment, what with my mother's passing, the lukewarm response to my "Garage Giveaway," and various other things going on. I know ... "This Too Shall Pass." But when one is in the thick of an emotional storm it's hard to keep things in perspective. |
Post# 357717 , Reply# 7   8/15/2016 at 15:03 (2,810 days old) by vacuumlad1650 (Wauponsee, IL)   |   | |
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Post# 357721 , Reply# 8   8/15/2016 at 15:58 (2,810 days old) by CharlesKirby66 (Manteca, CA)   |   | |
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I would LOVE to attend this event, but as I told you, I have been scheduled to perform at a parade in promotion of the Addams Family Musical. If I wasn't the lead, I could probably get out of the parade, but I am the lead so I must be there to promote.
I completely understand how you are feeling. I wish there were something I could say to appease the pain, but I know I cannot. Just know I am here for you if you ever need an outside ear.
Looking at my rehearsal schedule. Will be in touch.
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Post# 357731 , Reply# 9   8/15/2016 at 19:51 (2,810 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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If I were not on the complete other side of the country I would love to come-I'd be willing to drive 2 hours or more for it. A 41-hour drive is sadly a bit too far :(
It's disappointing that so many people have an issue with you being unable to ship the items, since it is a giveaway then there isn't much incentive for you to ship anything really. |
Post# 357774 , Reply# 12   8/16/2016 at 13:23 (2,810 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)   |   | |
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~ Kevin, you made some good points, in particular what collectors should do with their "stuff."
I can recall off the top of my head a half-dozen collectors who died leaving no will or final instructions. In one case, relatives backed a dumpster into a collector's driveway and hauled away all his "junk." I found out about it too late when I tried to get in touch with the guy, with whom I hadn't any contact in a couple of years. A snippy in-law replied to my email callously informing me of my friend's demise and the sad fate of his collection.
In another case, opportunistic relatives thought they saw a goldmine and listed the collection with an estate liquidating service as one huge lot for an insanely ridiculous amount of money. When it didn't sell, they tried to sell it to a local museum. The museum declined but said it would be happy to receive the collection as a gift. The relatives declined that offer, of course! The last I heard anything about it, most of the machines were stuffed into barns, outhouses, garages and attics where they are slowly going to ruin.
In another case, the person wasn't even cold on the slab before "friends" swooped in on the collection and cherry-picked the nicest machines, leaving behind all the lesser machines and, well, junk. A lot of underhanded skullduggery took place; some friends and associates of the dearly departed were thoroughly hoodwinked.
In another case, a "friend" picked through the deceased's collection and tried to list stuff on eBay for ridiculously high amounts to fund his drug addiction. When NOTHING sold, the "friend" took a dozen machines to a local vac shop and sold them to the shrewd proprietor for pennies on the dollar. Meanwhile, the vac shop owner put the machines on display in his store; as far as I know, they're still there.
People who are concerned as to the disposition of their earthly belongings would do well to ensure that their intentions are legally memorialized in a Will.
This is off-topic on this thread, but it does bear repeating from time to time. This post was last edited 08/16/2016 at 16:23 |
Post# 357778 , Reply# 13   8/16/2016 at 14:09 (2,810 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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and, nice to see you post again.
I was 19 and 37 when my parents died.....far too young. But, my sister and I had to 'go through stuff'. I have everything prepared. As far as the vacuums, there are CLEAR details as to what to do with them. All I have to do is die. ....and, I have no intention of doing so any time soon. People have ALREADY asked me for things. geez. Again, I hope people go to the giveaway and find wonderful things. |
Post# 358080 , Reply# 16   8/22/2016 at 18:43 (2,803 days old) by VintageFox (California)   |   | |
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Hope these beauties find nice homes. It's kinda of bummer not too many are heading out, I was practically drooling over some of these! I'm actually 65 miles away from LA but sadly I'm not all too confident in driving in such a quick paced/multi-street city.
I'm not too sure of anyone my age that would want a Eureka Bravo "The Boss" series machine. That was my childhood vac (with the hard front bag cover) and I'm glad it was replaced with a Concept 1 back in 2002. I guess a few younger collectors don't quite appreciate the older machines.. For me the styling, engineering, and history are much more appealing to me than any modern 90s vac. I also find servicing them much more enjoyable, as it was with my Hoover 700, Hoover Portable and Hoover Convertible model 69. Being in my early 20s I'll be glad to pass down any information as well as repair advice down the road as time rolls on by. In terms of eBay, it can be rather difficult to sell anything of vintage. It just takes the right buyer at right time. December probably ranks at the top for best times to sell since some people might be looking for an "antique" to give to their family member as a gift. However the buyer market for antique vacuums is a tad limited. Hope more than two people head down during your garage clean out. It'd be fun to go on down and look through all the hidden treasures and talk vac among other people in person. And being so close is even more enticing, but sadly I probably won't be able to partake in it due to the driving situation. Either way I'm sure it'll be blast for those who do attend! |
Post# 358127 , Reply# 17   8/23/2016 at 17:30 (2,802 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)   |   | |
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Post# 358331 , Reply# 18   8/28/2016 at 15:31 (2,797 days old) by Columbus (South-Africa)   |   | |
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It appears that the culture of backstabbing, lying, and conflict, comes forward in many vacuum cleaner collectors.
Sorry to admit that I am a vacuum cleaner collector, I had an experience with a fellow collector, where I sent him machines amongst an extremely rare Hoover 262. with all original accessories, in perfect condition, Original Kirby 508 with polisher attachment hose and adapters for suction and blowing. Pink Hoover 652 De Luxe in all original condition bag cord etc., Vorwerk VK116/ Et4, The last Hoover convertible's, Miele S200, Moulinex De Luxe with all original Accessories in original condition. etc. More than 15 vacuum cleaners was sent to him, where he promised me a Columbus Sylvia, the equivalent to the Philips/Fakir/Nilco, which he had no interest in, and said he wanted to restore it for me and then send it to me, as it was siting amongst the machines that was not cleaned yet. After 3 years of waiting, your royal high ness decided to withdraw his agreement to me as he apparently thought that I was so ill and to pass away soon, and recently swopped another collector for something he had. I was extremely disappointed, yet a reaction from a grown man, who only wants to sit on the receiving end of all vacuum cleaners in South Africa, I am sure that these things do not go un noticed by God. After my parents travelled 1800km ( a 17 hour drive) to where this collector finds himself, and had to be with a dying aunt, he had them drive up and down every day to collect a vacuum cleaner I bought in the area and he collected. Was he planning to keep it too? Who knows. After messing them around for 10 days, where they could not even see an aunt who passed since. everyday they were informed by text that he will meet them there or there and either do not pitch or fabricated emergencies were gucen the excuse. One day they were stuck n a 3 hour traffic jam, and when they reached the place a text was sent through to say oh sorry can not make it. He does not speak on a telephone as he does not like it, and prefer text. ??????????? Eventually they got hold of him, after threatening him with the police, hence got the Hoover Concept, which left such a bitter taste in my mouth as a result of his games. He was ducking and diving them, and refused point blank to meet him at his shop. Only someone who has something to hide, has that characteristic. |
Post# 364733 , Reply# 19   1/5/2017 at 21:09 (2,667 days old) by Stricklybojack (Southern California)   |   | |
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