SELLING OLD VACUUM CLEANERS ON EBAY - A REALITY CHECK

[electrolux137]

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A friend emailed me today, telling about a huge and totally unexpected financial mess he's currently facing. He is thinking about selling some of his old vacuum cleaners to raise some funds, among them a beautiful, complete, mint-condition Electrolux Model XXX. He wanted some idea as to what he could expect to take in on it.

I replied with the following:

The trouble with the Model XXX is that there are still so many of them around. During any given week, there can be as many as two-three dozen of them on eBay -- granted, in varying conditions and most far from complete, original or mint as is yours. But there are just so many that I don't think people realize how scarce one as nice as yours is.

Another factor is that eBay seems to have gone soft on old vacuum cleaners. I see people listing really nice, beautifully restored machines that they put high opening bids on, and the machines don't sell. That wasn't the case a few years ago -- great machines usually got great bidding.

However, the last few I sold, among which were some really nice, very old machines, fell far short of my expectations. So I haven't been listing any more of them. It's just not worth the trouble.

I think part of this is that older collectors (who tend to have the deepest pockets) aren't buying any more vacuum cleaners. Either they have all they want (way more than they want, in many cases) -- or perhaps their pockets aren't as deep as they used to be.

Another factor is the shipping. UPS and Fed-X rates have gone through the roof in the past couple of years, and bidders tend to balk when presented with realistic shipping rates. For coast-to-coast shipping on your Model XXX you'd be wise to set forth at least $60-70 if you don't want to lose your shirt on the shipping.


 


I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using eBay -- I'm just offering a reality check in terms of reasonable expectations at the present time.


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[stricklybojack]

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I agree, the cost of shipping is too damn high! And killed off my interest to do so.
I think metal vacs are fading as along with those that remember them from their younger years.
Victrolas? Meh, vintage high-end gear brings the bucks.
So, all in: yeah, like you said Charles.

 

[davevac]

Discouraging

Yes, shipping is too high..
another factor is that just about all antique and vintage items are not in demand due to lack of interest by younger people. We collect antiques and have seen prices fall over the past few years. Auctions are filled with people older than us with virtually no young people in attendance. My daughters have absolutely no interest in anything we have.....they definitely do not understand or appreciate old items. I think many, such as myself, may have the money to purchase but resist knowing that when I'm gone, the items will most likely be out on the tree lawn.
Well, on that upbeat note, keep on collecting !
dave

 

[vintagefox]

There are few of us "young people" that do indeed love antique items. Some people have an interest in various things such as, cameras, radios, record players, clocks, etc. Its a bit of shame that not too many have an interest in old vacuums. Personally I believe the build quality to be far more better than a majority of the new plastic junk we have today. You also have to remember that not too many of us have deep pockets. Being 22 and working on our family farm I barely make ends meet. Not to mention a lot of people seem to list their items way to high for us to begin to touch it. Yes some items demand a premium but there are also a ton of people that think their basement flooded LX is worth $150+
Whenever I do begin to get on in age I'll plan on selling or give my machines to anyone that'll appreciate them. It's all about preserving history and passing it on for the next generation to enjoy/preserve. We're all merely the janitors to these items.