Covid-19: Are your local vac shops open?

[eurekaprince]

We are at the epicentre of the pandemic in Canada so our vacuum specialty shops have been closed since the middle of March. The larger Canadian vacuum stores who have good websites are selling cleaners and supplies online - many with free delivery within a certain geographic area.

But I wonder how shops are dealing with repair requests. Are they offering home pickup and delivery as our local Montreal “Vacuum Rebuilders” used to do in the 1960’s? Is it dangerous to work on someone else’s vacuum cleaner these days? Do your local shops have certain measures in place to protect their repair staff from getting infected? I can certainly see how any vacuums or steam mops using water could harbour viruses and bacteria.

Would be interesting to hear how the pandemic is affecting your local vacuum sales and repair shops.

 

[fan-of-fans]

All of the small vacuum shops here closed many years ago, so we haven't had any effect there. The appliance stores that happen to sell vacuums as well as big box retailers are considered essential business so are still open. Although Bed Bath and Beyond is shut down.

I would think there is no more risk to repairing a vacuum now than there was before. A vacuum cleaner most likely won't harbor the coronavirus any more so than anything else that someone could touch and leave spores on. If it were wiped or sprayed down, there would be no issue. Dust particles and such inside won't likely spread the virus.

 

[gregvacs28]

I'm trying to think of the last time I was actually at a portable vacuum store.   
 
I went to a CV store in 2018 a few times to buy tubing and a few parts.  
 
A lot of the "old time" vacuum stores that are the basis for any normal child's good childhood vacuum shopping/hoarding memories, have long since closed.  


 


And I don't know but this is like a major WORLD-WIDE pandemic thingeee going on. 


It's probably just me but I don't think most peoples thoughts are pondering if their local  vacuum store is open.


 


It does make for  comical meme though which during this somber time, we can use comedy even more:


  


1st picture someone looking out their window to their neighbor on a gurney being quickly wheeled to a waiting ambulance. 


2nd picture close up of that person looking out their window with a thought bubble above their head with the text "What is that phone number for General Vacuum Store?  I don't need to buy anything but I'm wondering if they're open so I can go 'window shop'.  I want to try the new Miele. "   

 

[vacuumkid47]

I am still open.

I still get customers and it hasn't really affected businesses as far as repair shops goes.

 

[gregvacs28]

I'd be particularly afraid to work in any industry dealing with air particulates right now.   A vacuum bag catches all kinds of gunk.


 


I hope you're wearing masks when working on vacuums and if you have to remove bags or clean out bagless vacs you're doing out doors.

 

[eurekaprince]

I guess I was thinking more in terms of someone whose vacuum just broke and is desperate to get it repaired or replaced as the whole family is home now and keeping the house/condo/apartment clean could be more of a challenge these days - especially if you have a pet that sheds hair. I certainly did not mean to infer that there are people out there thinking about an optional purchase of a vacuum just for the fun of it during this serious pandemic situation.

 

[gregvacs28]

I know

I know you meant no harm EurekaPince.  

 


I just get snarky sometimes.  My Mother died a week ago in hospice and I'm trying to keep upbeat.

 

[eurekaprince]

Oh gosh. I am so sorry to hear that Keith. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. I hope that the love and support of family and friends can provide some comfort to you at this sad time.

 

[n0oxy]

centra vacuum manufacturers

A lot of the central vacuums are made in Canada, companies such as Drainvac and Duovac are in Quebec I believe, also the company that makes the Ovo brand is in Quebec. I believe Canavac is based in Ontario. I wonder if they are still making their central vacuums. The major web sites that sell vacuums seem to be up and running.
Mike

 

[gregvacs28]

Canadian people have a lot of CV's, which is awesome.  I don't know how that happened but good for them. 


 


Universal health care,  cheap prescription drugs, most homes have a CV, and people who know how to write and speak English fluently.   What more could one ask for?


 


The weather.  OK, I'll stay here.

 

 

[tolivac]

The vac place in my area is open and has permission from the county to stay open as an essential business.His wife makes masks.Mike is still selling and servicing vacuums and sewing machines.He tells me there has been a LOT of bag sales since this all started.

 

[rivstg1]

my favorite one never closed and I was glad for it as I"m friends with the owner.

 

[repairman]

Where I work, we are open by appointment only and nobody is allowed in the store. I actually haven't been there since March. I may have to go back soon.

 

[eurekaprince]

Very interesting...”by appointment only”...that makes a lot of sense. I imagine pick up and delivery of vacs needing repair would be another method of allowing clients to stay home while getting their cleaner fixed.

 

[n0oxy]

another Canadian brand and universal health care

Another central vacuum brand from Canada that I forgot to mention is Cyclovac, I think they are also in Quebec.
While universal health care sounds good in theory, it has major problems and over all is a bad idea. You have to wait much longer to see a doctor, sometimes months or years, and taxes are much higher in countries that have it.
Mike

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

My local Godfreys

Vacuum cleaners stores, three of them are open they originally used to be five but those two permanently closed, The first one I’m not sure why but the second one closed I think mainly due to rent issues

 

[dysonman1]

My store was closed, but we reopened every other day more than a month ago. We are now reopened full time and are seeing a TON of repair business. Many people with kids never put their vacuum away during this time. I'm not afraid to work on people's vacuums, never have been so I don't think I'll start now. I don't even own a mask because they were gone from walmart before I could buy one.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I wear a mask every time I go out.

I have several, from my renovation projects.
They also are EASY to make. Our news has shown people how to. I've given a few to other people, too.
I've only been to Walmart twice during this mess. I've not seen anyone buying vacs or bags, etc.
I wonder how our local vacuum scene is doing
I know lots of people are cleaning things more than before.
Luckily, I have an arsenal of vacs, and parts, etc.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Our governor still has us in "lockdown"

He is slowly reopening, according to counties.
The news, yesterday, showed several counties defying the mandate. Today, the governor went on the air stating that those in defiance are hurting others..... and will be hurt financially, when $$$$$ is withheld from them.
Some think it's awful, others think it's nothing.
Some are careful, overly careful, reckless, and, some are just stupid.
IF/WHEN they get sick, what will they do then?