man114
Well-known member
The reason I'm asking this is there seems to be a lot of talk about Fantom vacuums being rare. I don't find them all that uncommon. If I go outside the last 5 years, when I search thrift stores, they are probably the third most common vacuum to turn up in quantity outside of Kirby and Rainbow. I'm not saying you're going to easily turn up one I sometimes go to multiple stores a day weekly (I have a regular 5 stores I can hit on a lunch break at work and know others that do the same). On top of this they seem to sell fast at the thrift store level (poor man's Dyson?). Rainbows always get snatched first for trade in value most likely, Kirbys go to flea markets and garage sales, but it seems that Fantoms are the third most common of anything older than 5 years to turn up in quantity. The one year throw away specials are most common but outside of that general grouping. I'd be more likely to find a Fantom than most anything in that time bracket other than Kirby or Rainbow. Is this merely a regoinal anaomly since they were imported locally?
I think I realize this due to the fact that I frequent these stores. For example with the $4 Thunder I just found I realize that with a good cleaning it will outlast most of the cheapy $75 or less specials. The plastic is heavier and in comparison to the $75 Eureka I bought my Grandfather for his bday, I don't think the ones implementing the dual cyclonic technology due it as effectively (I don't think it filters as well) or have the same build quality.
Between me & my wife, my sister & her fiance, my mom & dad , my uncle & my grandparents there are at least 8 machines that see regular heavy use, 6 Thunders (may be branded as Destiny or 11 amp versions), 1 Lightning, and one Fury. All work perfectly well given proper maintenance. I occasionly use a Wildcat to vacuum the basement and a Thunder in the garage.
I have that like new Thunder that I purchased when I bought this house, if it holds up in accordance with the previous ones and their use I'd have it for another 20 years & I don't plan on beating on it.
I think I realize this due to the fact that I frequent these stores. For example with the $4 Thunder I just found I realize that with a good cleaning it will outlast most of the cheapy $75 or less specials. The plastic is heavier and in comparison to the $75 Eureka I bought my Grandfather for his bday, I don't think the ones implementing the dual cyclonic technology due it as effectively (I don't think it filters as well) or have the same build quality.
Between me & my wife, my sister & her fiance, my mom & dad , my uncle & my grandparents there are at least 8 machines that see regular heavy use, 6 Thunders (may be branded as Destiny or 11 amp versions), 1 Lightning, and one Fury. All work perfectly well given proper maintenance. I occasionly use a Wildcat to vacuum the basement and a Thunder in the garage.
I have that like new Thunder that I purchased when I bought this house, if it holds up in accordance with the previous ones and their use I'd have it for another 20 years & I don't plan on beating on it.
