Relationships with local vac shops...

[luxmanmatt]

Hi all,

Hope you had a Merry Christmas, and ready to have a Happy New Year!

This is a broad question, and I'm more or less just checking to see if any of you experience the same issues I do when dealing with local vac shops. Essentially, I'm going to post my experiences and feelings and I welcome any thoughts or feedback you have.

There are 2 vac shops in my city that I frequent no more than 4 - 5 times per year, just to check out what they have on hand, trade-ins, etc. Both shops service and sell top of the line used vacs (Aerus-Lux, Filter Queen, Rainbow, Kirby, Tristar, etc) which are typically the vacs I collect. However, whenever I drop by to visit either store, I feel like they see coming and they are hassled. Keep in mind, I always buy bags, belts, scents, etc.. Just so that it's not a waste of their time, but I also might look at a vac that interests me. Neither of these guys are aware that I am a collector, they just know that I own an Electrolux and a Kirby.

The next time I drop by either store, I am inclined just to say "Hey, I collect vacuums!" just to clear the air, but then I'm curious if that would make them even less welcoming. So, maybe a better question I should be asking you all, do most vac shops enjoy collectors who drop by? My hesitation so far to not out and say that I collect is that I'm afraid they will NOT bargain with me on a used vac, like they would another customer... But maybe that's a wrong opinion?

Anyway, I would appreciate your time, feedback, and thoughts!

Matt

 

[suckolux]

we now have but one shop to repair and sell bags/ belts. they know I collect and own several, often he has said look through the old stuff in there, see if you can find what you need. have not been charged, he just saves stuff. So you never know

 

[delaneymeegan]

 


I've thought about how to approach shops as well.  Frankly, I've been to three in the last couple of months and I wasn't overly impressed.


 


One is higher end. The others are lower end stuff.  I've told the two lower end places I collect and they seem dumbfounded, like they'd never heard of it.  More likely, the customer base they have, can't afford to be collectors.


 


I think we have to look at the owners from the way they look at their situation.  We are just one of many customers.  Over a period of a year, we spend a matter of minutes with them. They, on the other hand, if they are reasonably busy, deal with numerous repairs and sales of countless machines.  Unless you are planning to buy bulk lots or something, I don't know that we could expect them to "remember" us or our situation.


 


Frankly, I've thought about going into the vacuum store business, but it wouldn't be a good thing for me.  I couldn't handle that volume.  It would turn something that is all fun into drudgery.  I know the one store, the guy said he's been doing it for 30+ years now, and he says when he leaves the store at the end of the day, the last thing he wants to do is anything with a vacuum cleaner.  Like most people, there must be burn out.


 


The two lower end places I stopped, they seemed almost annoyed I was there.  Their mind set was like -find out what he NEEDS so we can sell the part and move onto next issue- type mode.  Which is probably reasonable.   These shop owners have both been in the business 20 + years.  Both of them I gave a list of what I was looking for and haven't heard anything from them, which seems counter intuitive to me.  I giving them a list and telling them 'this is how you can make a sale', yet no response.   They are probably too busy to peruse their stock for what I'm looking for.  And they have a set routine, like most people.


 


I fear being honest about being a collector will make them think they can jack their prices up.  I think it's best to be honest about being a collector though.  I mean if you stop in and buy parts for 3 different models, they are going to know somethings up, especially if you stop back a few months later and do similar.   And  if you buy a complete machine one month, then stop back a month later looking for another machine, their natural question is 'do you want to trade in the model you recently bought?'  Most people probably only own one or two vacs and they probably hold them for several years.


 


Another thing I think they are concerned about, as any shop owner should be, is liability and theft.  If you show up and then come back a month later, and so on, I think they start wondering if one is casing the joint to see if they can steal thing, or break in. 


 


The one place I stopped, where the guy has been in business for 30+ years, he's apparently had a bad experience at some time in the past where he let someone into the back room to view used vacs.  Don't know what happened but he mentioned that.  I asked him if I could see his used stock and a look of past provoked fear, rendered a negative response.     


 


I think it depends on the neighborhood and the socioeconomics of the products you're looking to buy.  It seems like he higher end shops, probably don't keep a lot of used stock on hand.  They are probably more motivated by commissions on new sales.  Stuff sitting in back taking up floor space, doesn't make money. 


 


I've heard owners say, on numerous occasions now "we have the entire upstairs FILLED with used vacs" or "we have 3 storage units filled with used items".  Really?   To a collector, this sounds like a dream come true,..... if it's true.    

 

[vacuumlad1650]

My trick is there are 3 local shops. One im friends with the owner, so i get old trade ins now and then. The other two, i pretend idont know about vacuums, and im just an Average Joe. They are more patient that way

 

[vintagerepairer]

Matt, what do you hope to gain from attempting them to make them more welcoming?

 

[kirbysthebest]

Collector or not

I'm a customer.  One that I work well with appreciates my business and is always friendly and professional.  Another is a vac/sewing shop.  If the guy is there forget it, he only wants to sell the top of the line, full price, no negotiating.  If the ladies are there they will sell you anything on the floor and welcome you back.


 


The Kirby dealer, well I love Kirby, but the lady there is mean, mean, mean.  I order my consumables online, and never ask her about trades anymore because she's mean, unhappy, and really doesn't want to be there. 


 

 

[luxmanmatt]

Great thoughts!

All - Thanks so much for for your thoughts! These are all great things for me to consider.

@ delaneymeegan - you've given me a lot to consider. I definitely appreciate your input on them being burned out, the last thing some of them may want is to spend extra time chatting about vacuums, when they just want to get their work done and head home.

@ Vintagerepairer - to answer your question, "what do you hope to gain from attempting them to make them more welcoming?" Initially, I was trying to get a feel for how welcoming other local vac shops are and what other collectors have encountered. From a perspective of what I could gain, maybe it's that I would like to get a feel for good etiquette... Which, in a way seems silly. But, I think delanymeegan makes a great point, collecting is my hobby, but for them it's their "job", not necessarily a hobby. On my days off, I could literally spend hours in either shop.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I find the trick is act like a complete idiot around vacuums. When ordering parts for an older vacuum, say it belongs to your mother or grandmother. Dont say anything about more than 2 vacuums you own. Dont get interested in used, only new. Follow those thoughts, and a vacuum shop experience will be better. I once told a shop I was a collector. I was given price jumps, and sas. the girl working that day called me 'the know it all who expects me to cater his every whim' since i asked for a filter for an Electrolux Lx

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I went into a prominant vac shop in the Poconos.

1st time,  uneventful.  The 2nd time,  when I started speaking 'vac verbiage"... he changed completely.  After I told him I've all through TTI Headquarters..  he was most helpful.


   I've been to a local shop.. had 3 locations, now only 2.  They , a family business,  are very nice to me.


   The late Betty Fritz,  10 miles south of me,   was nice,  not "toasty",  but nice.  I gave her a lot of business. She wasn't thrilled when I stressed that I wanted "NO stickers on my cleaners'.  They'd drop one off, pick one up to service.


  Another in Wilkes-Barre,  Gnall Jones,  now deceased, was wonderful. He sold me all of the Guardsman vacs for the church.  I also got great repair service for years  in Scranton.


  They all knew I have a "collection".  Some were pleased with my "relationship" w/ the Hoover Co.  Others were a little afraid... that I'd not put "them" in a kind light. (like I had that power).


  Just sayin'


 

 

[delaneymeegan]

Another thing to consider is the realities of being a vacuum store owner in today's world.
The big box stores are always trying to take business, whether it's the grocery stores, pharmacies, music, hobby, photo processing, and yes vacuums. And of course these days, the throw away vacuum is very much a reality.

I remember when I was growing up, we had several of the 'mom and pop' stores in our town, catering to vacuums, plus a downtown Sears, a small JCPenny, A singer sewing machine center that carried vacuums.
I checked recently, all of them are gone. The last strong hold, passed away a few years ago. The others were gone long ago. And we're talking about a metro area that's constantly expanding.  A recent google search of vacuum stores came up with about six in that area, and only one has a working phone number and that is the upper end store I already mentioned.

I remember in the 80s, going to some of these stores, and the attitude was friendlier. I've no doubt the people working in these places these days, are thinking what else they could be doing, rather than isn't it great to be in business.


"On my days off, I could literally spend hours in either shop." lol.

  I know.  When these sales people mention various warehouses I'm panting like a dog and saying  'show me'.    


 


You should figure out how far you want to take your collection, and how far you are to fulfilling it.  This might be easier said than done.


 


I started my recent collection in mid October of this year and to my surprise I'm about half way to getting what I want/need.  But then, I've been down this road several times in my life.  I have the benefits of experience and patience on my side.  I know pretty close to exactly what I'm looking for. 


 


For younger collectors, they may not know what they want or what they are getting out of their collection.  When I started out, I didn't have any of the information one can get these days.  There was no online reference libraries, no VacLand, no other people I knew who collected, no on line classifieds or shopping options, not even a public acknowledgement that there were people who collected such things.


 


By knowing what your limits are, and what you want from your collection, you can decide what and who you need to contact to help finish fulfilling your goal.  You also can avoid purchasing/acquiring vacs that aren't really going to help you.


 


Apparently there are young people who've have incredibly amassed huge vac collections, into the hundreds of machines.  I'm hesitant to believe this.  If it's true one has to ask if they know what they are getting from the collection and if they have any limits. 

[this post was last edited: 12/30/2015-22:50]

 

[tolivac]

I have EXCELLENT relationships with the Sew&Vac shop here-Greenville Sew&Vac.Know the owner really well.He knows I m a collector and VCCC member.He is flattered about it and saves trades for me.I get first picks in his trade in pile.Same with sewing mchine trades.And I work with him to fix up the machines I want.Since I am now interested in Central vacs-he saves trades from those for me as well.Mike is a good freind!I have learned from him and he from me.

 

[marks_here]

Mine call me all the time

To see if I want any machines first before they sell them on the floor OR if they get something in trade that I might want for free like a Miele Quickstep w/power nozzle that I just aquired 2 weeks ago. Have to decide if I want to keep it or donate it to Habitat For Humanity.

 

[vintagerepairer]

Thanks for answering me and for taking my comment in the spirit of how it was asked. I was worried about it! I think what my own thoughts are, are that if someone is unwelcoming for whatever reason, right or wrong, leaving them to their own devices is always an option. Let them be miserable if they choose and seek out happier people etc.

 

[motojoejo]

There are a few shops in my town that have been mixed experiences with. The friendliest store is way on the other side of town (30 min drive) and keeps odd hours. The local Oreck/Miele store is extremely nice but extremely expensive. And of course a couple of crooks in mid town.

I was fortunate to find a quaint shop in a neighboring town that I can go by on my rounds for work. He knows I have a small collection and has done work on various machines. I'm very OCD so my machines must work perfectly and he comes through every time. My last move into my current home meant I had to slim my collection and he came through again. I decided I wanted a vacuum as a daily driver that needed little maintenance and easy for my house mate to use. He traded straight across a Hoover Elite convertible, Kirby Heritage l, and a eureka mighty mite for a Panasonic Platinum Performance Plus along with two free belts and 10 free HEPA grade bags.

I think it depends on the individual situation in dealing with a vac shop. You just have to test the waters with each individual and see what will work.

 

[pr-21]

I have a Sew & Vac about a half hour from here that has done specialty work for me, like putting in a 2 speed step down motor from a new Sc889, that was brand new. Into a Eureka Model 260 and in exchange I let him have the SC889 along with the very reasonable charge for doing the work. I let him do it in his spare downtime, so it took a few weeks, but well worth it. I also had him put a new cord on it.

With that said, it is harder and harder to find shops that do specialty work. In the 70's and 80's I did have specialty work done at a vacuum store in Dayton Oh, when the owner died, his son took over and they no longer will do specialty work. They will only work on what they sell now.



Bud PR-21

 

[delaneymeegan]

 


I stopped at one of the lower end stores today, as I was in the area buying a dryer.


 


He mentioned that other shops were closing, as were his suppliers.  And odd, reduced store hours were tending to be the norm.


"The business is just dying" he said. 


 


It's sad to watch, being what it's meant to me.


 


Well, I suppose.   We no longer see horse shoe dealers, or candle makers, or people who deliver coal door to door.  Business practices change. 


 


Our memories of what we once had, will always be with us.

 

[marks_here]

Not in my area

He's the only one here that services a large area. He's always busy & even installs central collection/vacuum systems. Prices are very reasonable & he won't touch certain vacs that the owners can fix themselves plus he has many places to order parts from the wait isn't long. He doesn't fix many vacs from big box stores because they're so badly damaged but mostly the higher end ones & commercial ones I see in there.

We also have a horse shoe sales/Dr that makes house calls in town & rural areas, candle makers yes the Amish & Mennonites but no coal sales, just pellets for the stoves along with wood deliveries. Some people up the mountain still don't have indoor plumbing but do have an out house in the yard. That's why I like it here so much diversity all around!

 

[dustin]

We have 3 shops in Jackson, and I've written off two of them. The first is rude and snooty, I've been in the place exactly twice. Once I bought a belt for a Filter Queen power nozzle, only after waiting for him to sell th customer ahead of me a brand new panasonic for over $500, and telling them their Dyson (newer model at the time) was worthless. I waited a good 15 minutes to pay $6 for a belt. The second shop I've also been in twice, once to be told a standard Sanitaire fan and vg1 brush strips would be nearly $50 (not installed!), and the second to apply for a job. Glad I didn't get it. The third shop carries all brands from Dirt Devil to Miele (some new, most refurbished to like new), parts for anything, and is friendly and fairly reasonably priced. I usually pay just over $2 for a belt. They also do free belt replacenments if you bring the machine in, and I've seen him replace a belt and unclog a vacuum for a lady for only the price of the belt. He doesn't pressure customers to buy a new machine if theirs is repairable. I haven't told him I repair/collect vacuums, but I'm sure he knows something is up, with all the different parts I've bought from him.

 

[delaneymeegan]

Mark-


Are you in FLA, or an Appalachian state? It has a certain appeal to it. How is the weather in the mountains?