My last post, Collecting now and then..

[canisterman]

Ive been seeing things happen the last few years that I really have not liked in the collecting community, But let me briefly go back to when I got involved with the vacuum cleaner collector community, it was the spring of 1994, I was working part time in a sewing and vac shop for some extra money, The owner got the VDTA news , in it a man named Craig Long from Brooklyn New York, ran a ad wanting vintage vacuums, I called him and talked 3 hours, He put me onto the VCCC, which then was a small group of guys, I then began running up terrible phone bills talking to everyone, remember, pre internet days, I went to many conventions and made some good friends, Back then it was fun, not competetive, it was affordable, We were not allowed to charge but 15 dollars per machine if we sold one at convention, We looked out for others and tried to help each other, ive traded some really rare machines for other machines i wanted and vice versa.But as time has gone by, Its got more about show and getting more than the other guy, Ive decided recently to downsize greatly my collection due to health reasons, Im to the point now i can barely get down the basement stairs some days, so we are streamlining things,While im able I have decided rather than sell things on ebay, or as some have done, tell people who really love something id sell it to him, then when some filthy rich mogul comes along who gets stuff just because he can pay more for it,sell it to him,No im not doing that, Many years ago the late Mike Hays gave me, free of charge, his entire collection , Im passing that collection on to a young man who is the most unselfish person ive ever met, Do I need money , of course, ive not worked in 6 years, Do I need to wheel and deal and try to get the most out of something when I know someone wants that item more than anything, never .I will be able to lie down at night and sleep, I remember the old unselfish ungreedy days of just a bunch of quirky guys getting together having fun, I really dont need the drama and problems anymore, to my friends, and you know who you are, I love yall, for the rest of you,,BYE!

 

[westinghouseman]

Hans:

Thank you for your sincerely. The clubs today, just do not serve a purpose like they did 30 years ago, when I joined. We used to have a great time, sharing, trading, selling machines at a reasonable cost. Not today. I am surprised of all the plastic vacs that today's collectors are after. I own nothing plastic.

Ken

 

[odavid123]

There are plenty of young collectors that would love to get their hands on older vintage vacs and also share with others . Sometimes it’s hard to travel to these shows as much as we all would love to . I personally like to share all my knowledge about my collection with others so they have the correct reference when they restore their vacuums .
I’m glad you found someone you can give your collection to , I hope they are willing to share pics and info with all of us here on the group .

When I started collecting 20 years ago the hardest part was to find people who were willing to share their knowledge. That had changed for the better but is not enough .

Thanks again
David
Collectingdust.com

 

[lesinutah]

You

Like to share your opinion on knowledge. There sharing there collections.
You provide alot of great info. Let's not compare info to collections no offense.

 

[dysonman1]

Hans:
I completely understand. I have a vast collection as well, gathered over more than 50 years of active collecting. Being proactive, I've polished most of them, put their attachments and owners manuals with almost all of them, getting them ready for the estate sale. I've made individual videos of them running, so it's almost all set.

Collecting used to be fun. It actually still is for me, but I've lost my desire to share. Like you, I used to be the first one to say "Oh I have one of those for you" in response to a fellow collector expressing a desire for some part or machine. We were the first ones to share.

Who knew vacuum collecting would become so cut-throat. No fun anymore. Now I share with the public only. The public don't want anything from you other than to see your collection and hear you talk for a few minutes. Even showing the appreciative public becomes old when I have to do it more than a few times per week. I'm burned out on vacuums.

Your collection is going to a good home and a really good guy, whom I admire and respect. It was a good move on your part. Mike would be happy with your decision.

 

[fantomfan57]

Mr. Craig,

Thank you for your post. I have not had the pleasure of meeting but three current active members.

I have looked at posts with pictures and saw what looked like folks having fun. Your post is very revealing to me being I have never been to a convention. It makes better sense why so some posts requesting information or help go un-answered. Could it be that there are cliques, could it be disappointed members or just folks are tired of giving.

Thank you,
Garry