Acquired a Pow-R-Vac, info?

[vac_whisperer]

If chevysoldier wants to talk about his vacuum, i think he should feel free to. Last time i checked, this site was called vacuumland. Im pretty sure that means ALL vacuums. He has a vacuum. As long as its about that vacuum, he should be able to talk here. Just my two cents.

VW

 

[compactelectra]

OK - Time for the Webmaster to Weigh In Here

I have been following this thread and here is my opinion. I feel that people should be able to join up on the forums even if they want to know what "Aunt Tillie's" (in the words of Charles Richard) vacuum cleaner they found in the attic is worth. That's what these forums are about. Getting information about vacuum cleaners. I get at least one or two emails a week inquiring about that and quite honestly do not have the time to personally answer each one. I was planning on putting an announcement on the home page that if anyone has a question about a vacuum they found in the attic, to go ahead, sign up and ask their questions. I would hope that the members here would be civil and courteous about such inquiries. Opinions? Who knows, you may find a treasure. I would just hope it wouldn't turn into a hair-pulling fist fight. I have worked hard to lead us to an open-membership forum again after having to lock it down due to extremely bad behavior by some former members. We have come a long way to become and open and inviting place. Keep in mind that some people are shy about their interest in vacuums, we need to encourage them, no matter what the motivation.

Please let's try to be civil to each other. It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is for people to be mean when they communicate over the internet. That lack of face-to-face communication has spawned a whole new era of taking pot-shots at people without having to look each other in the face. I would hope everyone here would communicate as though you were having a face-to-face conversation.

I try not to be to heavy-handed in moderating these forums. I have been accused in the past of being a "Nazi" in moderating these forums in the past. Part of that had to do with the horrible goings-on stirred up by some of people previously mentioned. Many of you never saw the spewing of venom that went on here. I deleted as soon as it happened and believe me, it was a full-time job. Things have settled down nicely lately. For those of you who want to try some other forums, have at it and good luck. Robert Seger gave me some advice early on. He stated "Let the forum members police themselves and they will." And you all seem to have done just that. Feel free to express yourselves, particularly if you feel someone is being mean or unjust. I can't come to everyones rescue. If you want to engage in conversations here, be prepared to defend your position. Let's just be ladies and gentlemen about it.

Fred

 

[chevysoldier]

Fred,

Thank you for the kind words and you opening your forum to me. I can't really say anything I haven't said before but I really did not mean for this to happen. Judging by the rest of the people on this forum, and a couple who have approached me on the side, I think this a is good place. Thank you to the rest of you that "defended me" for lack of a better phrase.

I do think I will stick around although since all I can tell you about vacuums is which side is the top, I'll probably be pretty quiet and just learn what I can.

Josh

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Well said, Fred.

I would also like to add to this thread based on this comment: I have been wanting to attend a vacuum convention since I found out about the club in '98 but if this is the way things go...........Dont think so.

It amazes me that we have 401 people who have signed up and have a username on this website... However -- only 86 of those usernames are "upgraded members" or, actual paid members of the VCCC. I would say that a good majority of threads/posts/messages are not even coming from those members on this website who are actual members of the club.

So we get all of this conversation/fighting/call it what you like -- from people who aren't actually members of the club... and it seems like that's how we carry on at a convention when us collectors get together. The way that this club is represented on this website is a faaaarrrrr cry from how a convention actually is. Don't make judgments without trying something for yourself, or basing your opinion on what others say... who haven't attended one of our conventions (a) ever, or (b) in many years. If you attend, you'll see that's not the case at all. We have a lot of fun.

On top of what I just said, there is also a pretty large sampling of actual VCCC Club members who don't even have a username on this website, or actively post and contribute to it. Which is disappointing.

I'm also disappointed in the members of the club who do "participate" on this website -- so many of them who don't contribute a damn thing about vacuum cleaners. Even some of our board members.... I mean,I can think of a few board members who do post... but there are some who seldom post or seldom post anything about vacuums. I should really slap my own wrist, too. Granted I don't participate in every conversation... but I do start threads on a somewhat regular basis... they usually have some "meat" to them. Maybe that'll be one of my New-Year resolutions.. to try and start at least one vacuum related thread per week..

Having lost good people on this website -- that's a whole different conversation. I agree that there are lots of people who we've lost... the above mentioned are no exception. Although I feel some of that stems from ego issues, many of which stem from the misrepresentation of the club through bickering on these threads...

Anyways, I'll get off of my soap box..

And thank you to those on this website who DO actively post about vacuums and start civil, interesting threads with pictures and loads of knowledge. That's what this club and site are about and should be about. We all love vacuum cleaners, we all know a lot about vacuum cleaners. We all need to remember that... and like Fred said, be respectful of one another.

Fred

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Sorry this thread kind of got hijacked...

I also vividly remember the Pow-R-Vac brand being advertised in the yearly "Fleet Farm" catalog that we would get once a year near Christmas. I haven't seen one or seen that logo in a really long time....

Fleet Farm is a midwestern chain of stores that sell just about anything you could imagine. Sporting goods, small appliances, farming equipment, regular hardware store type things, tools, lighting, clothing, tires, candy, toys, seasonal decorations... lots and lots... Going to Fleet Farm with my father or grandfather was always a huge deal for me when I was a kid. I have early memories of vacuum viewing at Fleet Farm ... looking at the catalog with my grandmother/grandfather/parents.

I still look forward to going there, and when Robert and I go (a few times a year), we always end up spending more money than we intend on spending. Most of the stores are set up pretty much the same as one another and haven't changed much over the years. So walking through the store really brings back memories of going many years ago. They also all smell the same... But yes, I remember the Pow-R-Vac cleaners.. and that Pow-R-Vac logo clear as day!

Thanks for the flashback .. and welcome to VacuumLand.

~Fred

 

[twocvbloke]

There's a couple of reasons why I'm not a paid up VCCC member:

1. I'm a cheapskate
2. "Have I got news for you" (A news quiz made by the BBC)

The 2nd reason is the ridicule that was doled out when they got a hold of a VCCC newsletter or magazine, I don't know who the members were that were pictured and showed, but, they weren't exactly flattering to say the least, especially on TV, and to be honest, it puts me off, I'd rather remain somewhat anonymous.... :S

I'm just here for sharing knowledge and adding some humour, aswell as having the odd rant and expressing my likes and dislikes, and enjoying a bit of banter, that's about it...

If people dislike me, that's their problem, cos to me, all this is just text on a computer screen, I don't know anyone here, and no-one here knows me, I just offer up the information only I want people to know...

Completely off topic I know, but as a non-VCCC member, I thought I'd just point out that not all of us are horrid people, some are just overly-opinionated to the point of being a nuisance...

 

[luxg]

I would like to thank both Fred's for their recent comments here. I have said many times that the only way you can experience what the VCCC is really all about and to meet the many many wonderful members is to attend a convention and to get to know the members. Until you have done that you really shouldn't be judging us.

Terry

 

[nick]

adding some humour

i read the forum for a few years before i started posting. mostly for the insight and info as i repair vacs. if all views are welcome i have seen that does not seem true, re the dyson incident of a few months ago, i guess that persons views were not welcome. i have seen other strong opinions for and against other brands, kirby comes to mind. some times i am just entertained by the back and forth banter about certain brands.