crazykirbydude
Well-known member
I found this Bissell sticking out of a trash can a few months ago. Nothing's wrong with it and it wasn't even that dirty. It kinda smelled like wet dog, but a few dryer sheets fixed that problem.
Wasteful America...
- Thread starter crazykirbydude
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luxkid1980
Well-known member
Someone probably ditched it for something newer or the latest "double helix super sonic vortex" machine 
Great that it still works and you could fix it up.You rescued it from the pressing fate in a trash truck!
human
Well-known member
Yeah, when I used to live in an apartment complex, I rescued many perfectly good vacuum cleaners from the trash. The most any of them needed was a bag, a belt and a good cleaning. The nozzles were almost always caked with that vacuum-killing carpet fresh crap. I sold a couple of them, gave some away, donated one to my church, which they're still using, btw and kept the absolute best one of the lot—a lovely Kirby Gsix—for myself.
<p class="MsoNormal">On any given Saturday I see many of those cheap Walmart Bissell Powerforce vacs and other brands at the flea market. It seems like people buy a new vacuum every couple of months or when the filters clog or the belt breaks. </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It seems very few people are willing to do simple repairs. This escapes me because now people can just Youtube or Google the answer. It’s extremely wasteful. My theory is that we are at the age of instant gratification and people don’t want to invest the time in repairing an appliance when a new one can be purchased cheaply.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have the same problem in my workplace and classroom. Students want instant gratification instead of researching the problem on their own. It’s a very selfish attitude and I just don’t get it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems very few people are willing to do simple repairs. This escapes me because now people can just Youtube or Google the answer. It’s extremely wasteful. My theory is that we are at the age of instant gratification and people don’t want to invest the time in repairing an appliance when a new one can be purchased cheaply.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have the same problem in my workplace and classroom. Students want instant gratification instead of researching the problem on their own. It’s a very selfish attitude and I just don’t get it. </p>
real1shep
Well-known member
College kids and apartment complex young adults are notorious for throwing perfectly good items in the dumpster on their exodus. Ya know, the ones that are supposed to be eco-conscious...lol! We have a private university here that has a lot of 1 percenter kids. What they throw out is criminal. I can't bring myself to do it, but their dumpsters & campus street corners are full of valuable stuff. They make no attempt to craigslist it or use the virtual yard sale service we have here....our future leaders.
Kevin
Kevin
luxkid1980
Well-known member
Yes, it is sad indeed the things people toss out that are either perfectly good or can made near perfect with a simple fix.
Preventive maintenance goes a long way in my opinion, especially with vacuum bags, belts, filters, etc. I like to do things myself, and would always attempt to repair my vacuum before taking it to a repair shop; though I have this mentality with anything that I can read about or find out how to fix (toaster, hot water heater, hvac unit, lamps, etc.). As someone else mentioned, youtube and google have a wealth of information and someone has probably already had the same problem and posted about it online somewhere. Parts can be had inexpensively too in some cases. I think some folks do not want to take the time to even look up how to do it.
Preventive maintenance goes a long way in my opinion, especially with vacuum bags, belts, filters, etc. I like to do things myself, and would always attempt to repair my vacuum before taking it to a repair shop; though I have this mentality with anything that I can read about or find out how to fix (toaster, hot water heater, hvac unit, lamps, etc.). As someone else mentioned, youtube and google have a wealth of information and someone has probably already had the same problem and posted about it online somewhere. Parts can be had inexpensively too in some cases. I think some folks do not want to take the time to even look up how to do it.
crazykirbydude
Well-known member
The thing is.. it wasn't near a college dorm. It was in a standard suburban neighborhood. In fact, I just sold it for $25 a few minutes ago.
vexorgtr
Well-known member
Parents need to teach their next of kin to fix things..... My dad taught me how to fix Vacuums, Lawn Mowers, Household electric and plumbing... nobody wants to get dirty anymore.
marks_here
Well-known member
Oh I do!!! I love getting dirty LOL livin in the country dirt is everywhere
real1shep
Well-known member
<a name="start_33629.365935"></a>The thing is.. it wasn't near a college dorm. It was in a standard suburban neighborhood. In fact, I just sold it for $25 a few minutes ago.
Oh, it's not limited to college campuses and young adult apt complexes. My brother is a semi-retired doc down in North Dallas. When he gets tired of stuff, they just go into a large trash bag and out to the alley trash. And I'm talkin' primo stuff. When I lived down there, I would routinely go through his garbage when I'd see overflow in the alley. I still have stuff today that was his in the 70's.
Kevin
Oh, it's not limited to college campuses and young adult apt complexes. My brother is a semi-retired doc down in North Dallas. When he gets tired of stuff, they just go into a large trash bag and out to the alley trash. And I'm talkin' primo stuff. When I lived down there, I would routinely go through his garbage when I'd see overflow in the alley. I still have stuff today that was his in the 70's.
Kevin
real1shep
Well-known member
<a name="start_33629.365953"></a>Parents need to teach their next of kin to fix things..... My dad taught me how to fix Vacuums, Lawn Mowers, Household electric and plumbing... nobody wants to get dirty anymore.
It's beyond that now as we live in a total disposable society building products that aren't meant to be fixed, but replaced. I had one son that always followed me around and learned to fix everything. I have another son who didn't care about that stuff and lives in Brooklyn now. A fair amount of his income is spent having other 'experts' work on his stuff. In the last few yrs I've walked him through repairing his DD bicycle. That was like a trial by fire;sending him specialized tools, walking him through how to use them by text or the phone.
A few yrs ago I sent him a 1205 with floor attachments...he doesn't need a PN yet. Fingers crossed, but so far he's only managed to ruin the hose. Anything that goes wrong with that motor and he won't hear it....it will catch fire or die first..lol.
Kevin
