"New" Constellation

14 bidders, at $137.50 and 5 days yet to go.

The last Connie 84 in this condition went for US $189.16 with 37 bids. The next one went for $50 with a Buy-It-Now. Then a very nice blue 82 went for $100 with 22 bids. Of course, these did not come new-in-box but still...

Way back last November I got static because I pursued and got an in-the-box with all the original packing and documentation barely used pristine Canadian Constellation 841E on eBay for $167. & free pickup in Winnipeg. It was strongly hinted by a few 'rain on your parade' fellers that I paid too much. I didn't then and don't now think so...:-).

Reality check...when one has been collecting for plus 3 decades one's wishlist becomes distinctly polished, refined and edited...with ample room for peculiar wacky oddballs that appeal to maybe no one but one's self. One also ideally has more discretionary funds to dip into without endangering the retirement. With all the cheap & free vacuums that fall into my path by happenstance, that swell the collection or donate to the parts bins, I feel no guilt about dipping again into that fund to acquire the rare dream machines that pop up. Yes, Ebay has become absurd and shipping to Canada horrendous; that's why I have a western Pennsylvania shipping address for these costly precious items to be picked up in early November each year.

I do this because I can, even though I have similar luck simply driving around as time and work permits, stopping at every roadside estate sale & Thrift Store, keeping friends informed about the hobby and making the effort to seek out, introduce myself and possibly visit vacuum pals past, present and future.

In the end it always pays to follow your initial gut instinct. Just as it is always smart to gas up at the first outskirts gas station encountered as you enter a city 'cause you won't find it any cheaper, the same applies to desired vacuum items especially if it appears to have most if not ALL the accessories. Right after I snapped up the LEWYT 40 in the hexagonal carton with all the partz, the next one in that condition went for twice that amount 2 weeks later. Do not mislead yourself into thinking that these auctions are not monitored closely by speculators of all moral persuasions, ready to pounce on a trend.

Another case in point - When a vile green flower print Sunbeam Challenger (the TOL version of the very nice one camelotshadow Christine got from dear Richard at his spring clearance sale that we all were joking about) with all the tools except the upholstery nozzle came up I didn't hesitate to at least toss a frivolous bid at it. Got it for a measly US $19.99. Someone was paying attention - the next one that came up fetched US $112.49 and 15 bids. For possibly one of the most ugly but underrated
cleaners ever foisted upon American Domesticity. :-)

That painted 1946 XXX? What an unusual Electrolux sample that turned out to be! never mind the bonus hose...and that trip netted me the all aluminum Nilfisk, among others. Not a shabby return for a daytrip to pick up a $51 vacuum.

For these seasoned reasons and more I went after that Singer S-2 and got it...for a mere US $103.50. I call this a bargain for achieving one of my top 5, now down to 2, most coveted vacuum cleaners. While it's all well and good to know one will come along 'some day' - and kind offers to that effect were proffered - I studied the ebay pictures, asked for and received some more from the seller, and based on it's really excellent condition committed myself to a budget-based price and won it for considerably less that I was prepared to pay.

Not that I haven't lost out a few times, either. When an item generates excitement there is always someone willing to pay more. I will not be bidding on this Connie, though. :-)

Didn't mean to write an essay. Just mean to say if you want it, go for it, and no hard feelings.

Dave, who unabashedly uses spell check and recommends it; the more you use it the less you need it and...it makes you look as smart as you are, boys.


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Post# 50295 9/1/2008 at 19:30 (5,708 days old) by swingette ()
Checkrate/Likes Who wants to guess at the sale price?? CLICK HERE TO GO TO swingette's LINK on eBay

Post# 50298 , Reply# 1 9/1/2008 at 19:57 (5,708 days old) by myvacsrock (USA)
Checkrate/Likes 50 MILLION DOLLA! LOL

Post# 50322 , Reply# 2 9/1/2008 at 22:05 (5,708 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes *Let's take a moment to all say,* "WOW". Look at Miss Connie HOOVER !!!!

Post# 50323 , Reply# 3 9/1/2008 at 22:06 (5,708 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO)
Checkrate/Likes I'll give a guess of $325.00? We'll see ! Norm

Post# 50325 , Reply# 4 9/1/2008 at 22:08 (5,708 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes *As Bette Davis said in Dead Ringer,* "You haven't GOT that much money" !!

Post# 50342 , Reply# 5 9/2/2008 at 00:47 (5,708 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)
Checkrate/Likes *Hmm* Id go for between $500 and $600 Wonder how much they paid at the sale- $25 maybe.... Seamus

Post# 50344 , Reply# 6 9/2/2008 at 00:50 (5,708 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes because it has 5 days left my guess would be between $200-$600 maybe on the day before it sells we take bets Mike

Post# 50353 , Reply# 7 9/2/2008 at 03:26 (5,708 days old) by xraytech ()
Checkrate/Likes I am guessing that it will be between $350-$450

Post# 50405 , Reply# 8 9/2/2008 at 18:55 (5,707 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 $500...maybe more!! You just don't find those kind of things every day! It sure is a beauty, though! ~~K~~

Post# 50414 , Reply# 10 9/2/2008 at 21:40 (5,707 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Have the first 3 color versions. Sure, the blue one is a bit banged up - we call that well-loved. Full credit to generous Tom A who dug out the blue accessories. Btw Tom, I have now seen 3 of these blue floor tools with the 4 rivets across the front securing the orange rubber fingers strip.

Post# 50417 , Reply# 12 9/2/2008 at 22:04 (5,707 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Let you know when I get them in my feverish selfish clutches, Fred. LOL. Sent out your package last week - hope you get it soon but you know how snailmail is.

Post# 50418 , Reply# 13 9/2/2008 at 22:15 (5,707 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)
Checkrate/Likes *Well..* LoL. I've had one eye on the mailbox allll week! And yes, I know how slow the snail mail is... especially around here. Let you know when I get them in my feverish selfish clutches, Fred. What's the fun in that? Can't others be on the lookout for you? I mean, you know, others who are eternally grateful for you getting them an autograph from one of the stars from their favorite movie of all time... whew, brethfull :-) ~F

Post# 50419 , Reply# 14 9/2/2008 at 22:53 (5,707 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Ah, I see what you mean. Ok, keep an eye out for: a 1959 Westinghouse MC-1 ( similar to a Roll-Easy), a TOL Sunbeam Courier with all the tools and the cordwinder, Eureka's 'canned ham' Vibrabeat canister, the Singer 'canned ham' canister with the sewing machine logo, the Eureka Roto-matic-like Singer Roll Magic, like the stunning tan one that just went on eBay, any Lewyt Big Wheels especially green and blue, a Hoover 150 with that gorgeous Dreyfus Bakelite smooth teardrop hood, a Hoover Model 50 cylinder, and a blue Hoover Floor Washer-Dryer. Any Rocket/Bomb/Jet Engine styled cylinder. and here's a real tough one - a red Canadian Electrolux 88 with all around white bumper. Whoops, the wishlist just exploded. :-) and that's how it goes, eh? never done... Dave

Post# 50413 , Reply# 9 9/2/2008 at 21:28 (5,707 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *This is amusing as well as ironic.* 14 bidders, at $137.50 and 5 days yet to go. The last Connie 84 in this condition went for US $189.16 with 37 bids. The next one went for $50 with a Buy-It-Now. Then a very nice blue 82 went for $100 with 22 bids. Of course, these did not come new-in-box but still... Way back last November I got static because I pursued and got an in-the-box with all the original packing and documentation barely used pristine Canadian Constellation 841E on eBay for $167. & free pickup in Winnipeg. It was strongly hinted by a few 'rain on your parade' fellers that I paid too much. I didn't then and don't now think so...:-). Reality check...when one has been collecting for plus 3 decades one's wishlist becomes distinctly polished, refined and edited...with ample room for peculiar wacky oddballs that appeal to maybe no one but one's self. One also ideally has more discretionary funds to dip into without endangering the retirement. With all the cheap & free vacuums that fall into my path by happenstance, that swell the collection or donate to the parts bins, I feel no guilt about dipping again into that fund to acquire the rare dream machines that pop up. Yes, Ebay has become absurd and shipping to Canada horrendous; that's why I have a western Pennsylvania shipping address for these costly precious items to be picked up in early November each year. I do this because I can, even though I have similar luck simply driving around as time and work permits, stopping at every roadside estate sale & Thrift Store, keeping friends informed about the hobby and making the effort to seek out, introduce myself and possibly visit vacuum pals past, present and future. In the end it always pays to follow your initial gut instinct. Just as it is always smart to gas up at the first outskirts gas station encountered as you enter a city 'cause you won't find it any cheaper, the same applies to desired vacuum items especially if it appears to have most if not ALL the accessories. Right after I snapped up the LEWYT 40 in the hexagonal carton with all the partz, the next one in that condition went for twice that amount 2 weeks later. Do not mislead yourself into thinking that these auctions are not monitored closely by speculators of all moral persuasions, ready to pounce on a trend. Another case in point - When a vile green flower print Sunbeam Challenger (the TOL version of the very nice one camelotshadow Christine got from dear Richard at his spring clearance sale that we all were joking about) with all the tools except the upholstery nozzle came up I didn't hesitate to at least toss a frivolous bid at it. Got it for a measly US $19.99. Someone was paying attention - the next one that came up fetched US $112.49 and 15 bids. For possibly one of the most ugly but underrated cleaners ever foisted upon American Domesticity. :-) That painted 1946 XXX? What an unusual Electrolux sample that turned out to be! never mind the bonus hose...and that trip netted me the all aluminum Nilfisk, among others. Not a shabby return for a daytrip to pick up a $51 vacuum. For these seasoned reasons and more I went after that Singer S-2 and got it...for a mere US $103.50. I call this a bargain for achieving one of my top 5, now down to 2, most coveted vacuum cleaners. While it's all well and good to know one will come along 'some day' - and kind offers to that effect were proffered - I studied the ebay pictures, asked for and received some more from the seller, and based on it's really excellent condition committed myself to a budget-based price and won it for considerably less that I was prepared to pay. Not that I haven't lost out a few times, either. When an item generates excitement there is always someone willing to pay more. I will not be bidding on this Connie, though. :-) Didn't mean to write an essay. Just mean to say if you want it, go for it, and no hard feelings. Dave, who unabashedly uses spell check and recommends it; the more you use it the less you need it and...it makes you look as smart as you are, boys.

Post# 50415 , Reply# 11 9/2/2008 at 21:58 (5,707 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)
Checkrate/Likes *So Dave...* What are the remaining two coveted machines on your list? :-) ~Fred

Post# 50808 , Reply# 15 9/7/2008 at 16:26 (5,703 days old) by swingette ()
Checkrate/Likes ...$550-$650...

Post# 50833 , Reply# 16 9/7/2008 at 20:51 (5,702 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)
Checkrate/Likes It closed for $381... Looks like "xraytech" was the closest guesser. Does he win something?