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Dear Fellow Aspiration Aficionados,

There appear to be some hard feelings and maybe some resentments about my decision not to send things from my garage clean-out to people who can't be here for it.

Please try to understand ... I really wish I could do so. But I knew even before I finalized my plans for the clean-up that there would probably be many folks who would ask me to send them stuff, and that's why I attempted to "head those off at the pass."

And, sure enough, I've gotten many requests from folks -- both publicly and privately.

I really wish I could accommodate everyone's requests to send them things, but doing so would turn into a full-time job and I just don't have the time or energy for that.

I posted my long list and photos not to torment anyone, but as an enticement to get collectors out here. That's what I really want -- a big back-yard party of sweeper collectors who have come for a fun day of gleaning treasures from my gigantic treasure-chest.

I feel a vague sense of urgency to get this done. As I said before, I do not want to leave a garage full of accumulated stuff for Arlee to have to deal with if I predecease him. He would have a very hard time trying to figure out what to do with it and it would be a huge and unfair burden to put on his shoulders.

I was only joking that whatever is left would be thrown out -- I was just trying to coax as many people as possible to come. Whatever is left, depending on what it is, I'll dispose of in various ways -- keep stuff, take stuff to thrift shops, leave stuff out front for people to go through, etc. I won't just "throw it out."

Again, I'm sorry if my way of needing to handle this chore has disappointed some of you. Try to put yourselves in my shoes...

Thanks for listening.

P.S.: As of this writing I have only received two definite "yes" RSVPs. I have to say, that's pretty disappointing to =me= ............. It kinda makes me feel like the old cliché, "What am I? Chopped liver?"

resentment at all.  The only things I'd have a remote interest would have been Hoover bags.  I already have all of those pictured.

  I, too,  hope you have asuccessful day.

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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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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.

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.

Charles

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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.