fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I haven't bought any vacuums at thrift stores this year. But I noticed the last few times I've had trouble bringing myself to do it. I get nervous even looking at them. Because I never see anyone looking at vacuums in a thrift store or at yard sales. I get the feeling that people in general view used vacuum cleaners as something very nasty that they do not want in their home.
And in a way, I can understand that, because you don't know where they've been. I try not to bring vacuums into my house either until at least the bag has been removed and I know there aren't any fleas or anything in them. In a perfect world, I'd wait until they had been disassembled and scrubbed down until any dust was removed inside and out, hoses and attachments washed out, etc.
At Habitat, the vacuums are upstairs, so if I buy one I have to carry it downstairs and all the way to the front counter to pay. Last summer I got my Kenmore Progressive Direct Drive, I was carrying it downstairs and people were looking at me very strangely.
When I first started collecting vacuums about 2012 it didn't bother me that much to buy them. Sure people looked at me odd, but I didn't care. But now just looking at them makes me anxious somehow. I try to look at them from a distance unless something really piques my interest.
Anyone else feel that way?
It could also be that I feel a bit guilty, because I know I don't NEED any vacuums, and probably shouldn't be buying them. But I've gotten better about avoiding impulse purchases, when I see a vacuum and think "that would be cool to have." Instead, I try to stick only with vacuums that I have always wanted, even if they may not be collectible to others.
I may be a bit different than others here too, because I don't collect just vacuums. I like fans (as my name implies) small appliances, lighting fixtures, and others. But, I've gotten to where the clutter can be annoying, and I don't feel like vacuuming because everything has to be dusted off and gets in the way of vacuuming the floor, shelves, etc.
And in a way, I can understand that, because you don't know where they've been. I try not to bring vacuums into my house either until at least the bag has been removed and I know there aren't any fleas or anything in them. In a perfect world, I'd wait until they had been disassembled and scrubbed down until any dust was removed inside and out, hoses and attachments washed out, etc.
At Habitat, the vacuums are upstairs, so if I buy one I have to carry it downstairs and all the way to the front counter to pay. Last summer I got my Kenmore Progressive Direct Drive, I was carrying it downstairs and people were looking at me very strangely.
When I first started collecting vacuums about 2012 it didn't bother me that much to buy them. Sure people looked at me odd, but I didn't care. But now just looking at them makes me anxious somehow. I try to look at them from a distance unless something really piques my interest.
Anyone else feel that way?
It could also be that I feel a bit guilty, because I know I don't NEED any vacuums, and probably shouldn't be buying them. But I've gotten better about avoiding impulse purchases, when I see a vacuum and think "that would be cool to have." Instead, I try to stick only with vacuums that I have always wanted, even if they may not be collectible to others.
I may be a bit different than others here too, because I don't collect just vacuums. I like fans (as my name implies) small appliances, lighting fixtures, and others. But, I've gotten to where the clutter can be annoying, and I don't feel like vacuuming because everything has to be dusted off and gets in the way of vacuuming the floor, shelves, etc.
) Do what you like and enjoy it. 
