Visiting Tom and vacs and more vacs

[rugsucker]

I just typed a reply to a thead many of you may have seen that that disappeared just as I pushed the button to post.As my post was not negative to anyone and included personal factual experience of visiting Tom and seeing vacs and more I will repost my thoughts as time allows.--More later on positive times I and others have had in MO with Tom and others.

 

[cleaningbuff]

Looking forward to the convention in June. I have been to the museum twice, but this will be my first convention.

 

[unimatic1140]

Hi Jimmy, no your post was just fine, there were other issues with that thread, it was best that it was deleted. So please do re-post about your visit when you get a chance.

Thank you!

 

[rugsucker]

Visiting St Louis area

As many of you saw a collector went from Canada to the St Louis airport intending to visit Tom and the Tacony Museum.It seems that when he was not met with a car and driver he returned home.I have had a postive opinion of this person,who I have not met,as one with a serious interest in vacs.I would also imagine that he has traveled and would be familiar with airports,car rental,interstate hiways,Mapquest,etc.
What I do personally know as fact is the experience I and others have had on at least 3 visits to Tom and others.After a bit of planning and communication(the old way with voices on phone)I have found Tom to be a great host as his work schedule allowed.When Tom was working we were told of places to visit with directions.When Tom was available he drove us to many places including a huge 2 story antique mall and 'Colonel Custards'ice cream parlor.We have eaten in diners as well as take out pizza in Toms kitchen.We also had ample proof that Tom is an exellent cook.We saw vacs in both Tom and Stan Kanns basements before the museum existed to house them and more.As others had commented on the now gone thread my positive experience was not unique.
There are many vac 'sights' including manufacturing,museum and other.But from what I hear,but have not yet seen,the Tacony facility has to be No 1 in US.I am sorry the other person did not see the museum and more in an interesting part of the country.I would not hesitate to visit Tom when circumstances allow and would advise any here to put it at or near the top of your travel plans.

 

[electrolux137]

That was a nice writeup. I really hope I have the chance someday to visit the Tacony museum. If only my financial picture wasn't so perpetually bleak.......

 

[dysonman1]

Thank You Jimmy:

I try to be a good host. When people come to visit, I always make time to take them around the factory so they can see vacuums being made. I think the treadmill and testing rooms are fascinating, in that vacuums are put through the torture test to insure quality products coming out of the factory. I make sure to spend as much time as anyone needs, to answer questions, get out instruction manuals, run the machines, etc.

I've always been the type of person who opens his home to fellow collectors. If someone is on a tight budget, I have a guest bedroom so they won't have to pay for hotel fees. There are also many things to see and do in St. Louis (it's about an hour and a half drive from the factory into St.L). Not to mention several St. Louis collectors also have vac shops that are fun to visit. Going to dinner with the local collectors is also always fun. It would be important for someone to have their own transportation so they can do other fun things while in town.

I encourage any collector to visit the Museum. St. James is directly off the highway. From the airport, there are only three roads you have to be on. GPS will easily have you here in no time.

 

[cleaningbuff]

Tom,,

Wonderful host, excellent cook, great personality, funny and the best vacuum resource, information, and parts. What a great guy. And the museum is the best showroom of everything old and new and whats to come. Thanks Tom for everything.

Robert Clow

 

[eluxca]

Although I am not a frequent poster, I am a frequent reader of this forum. I was disappointed to see the related thread deleted yesterday. I would like to have seen the thread remain and truly offending entries removed as deemed necessary. There was a powerful lesson to be learned by this train wreck of an excursion to a vacuum mecca. Regardless of who's right or wrong, the situation was full of assumptions, unmet expectations, and naivite. I have always gone by the old addage "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail." This is such a tragic ending to what could have been a great experience, and both parties lost. I hope a everyone on the forum will se this not as a he said/he said situation but as a lesson