What happened to the UK members?

[mixman]

I have read many of the old archived posts and noticed there used to be many UK members posting here. I noticed as of late very few are still posting. Coincidence? I happen to think they give a different perspective on vacuums relating to the UK and Europe.

 

[sebo4me]

Yes it's a shame they very rarely post on here anymore

 

[turbo500]

A combination of factors really. I guess the biggest thing is that there's a UK specific Facebook group up and running which gets a lot of posters.

Also bear in mind the UK is very small in comparison to the US, most of the UK collectors now know eachother in person and tend to keep in touch as we would with other friends and meet up fairly regularly.

Another factor is that peoples lives have changed. For example Jack (DysonAnimal, previously VintageHoover) was a regular poster for many years and kept the UK posts up, but since he now works in the industry, he's unfortunately not in a position to post here anymore. A brilliant thing for Jack, but not so great for us lol. Personally, I've been here 10 years now and my life is very different to what it used to be. I just don't have the time to post here as much as I'd like to, but with the Facebook group, it's on my phone so very quick to post to.

And lets not forget, Nar (SeboFan) who was a regular UK poster passed away last year very suddenly and unexpectedly.

I think the combination of all those factors has resulted in a decrease in UK posters.

 

[dyson89]

Im still here.....

Hi.

Turbo500 has hit the nail on the head.
When I first discovered Vacuumland I lived at home and worked part time.
I now have my own house and work upto 7 days a week.
I frequently check the site but rarely post.

The uk Facebook group makes posting really easy, just point and shoot with the camera and the post is made. To post here I have to forward the pics off my phone onto the PC and then upload in spare time.

I enjoy learning about US machines (I have 2 myself I use with a transformer)I hope you guys across the pond enjoy our UK machine as they do differ slightly.

 

[turbo500]

Hey Matt - I'm the same! When I joined here, I was still a student and had way more free time. I now have a house, partner and career to think about. Hobbies often take a sideline and the convenience of Facebook being on my phone makes things easier.

Plus, I don't know about you, but I find the Facebook group a little more personable. There's a person associated with it, not just words on a screen and a username.

Chris

 

[turbo500]

Prime example...Matt just had to message me and ask if it was me who posted on this thread! Lack of identity, I guess. Although maybe some people will like the anonymity, it doesn't really happen with the UK collectors as we all socialise outside of the internet now. Both the joy and the drawback of social media.

 

[sebo4me]

Personally I think this site is dying a slow death

 

[sebo4me]

If you have time to socialise with all the UK collectors you can't be as busy as you make out

 

[turbo500]

You're damn rude Marcus, you know that? No wonder the UK guys don't post so much anymore with comments like that.

The UK meet up's tend to happen a couple of times a year and then smaller, more local meet up's happen at various times. There's no set schedule, just whenever people are free. Not that it's any of your business but between work, family, friends and then collector friends, my time gets pretty full up. I'm also studying part time as well as working full time at the moment, so I haven't had as much time for friends lately as I'd like.

Think about it, what would you rather do? Meet up with people in person or just chat with people over a forum? Even at the meet up's now, the chat is never focused on appliances as the majority of us are friends and involved in eachothers lives, so it's more now like meeting up with friends that just getting together for vac-talk.

As for it dying a death, it still seems as popular as ever, just with less UK/EU postings that there used to be.

 

[sebo4me]

Rude me? I have impeccable manners

There's not as many posts on here as there used to be. But I still enjoy reading the people that still do post.

 

[mixman]

Nar's passing

I did not know about Nar's passing. I missed that in reading the archives. Wondered why he suddenly stopped posting. That explains why he never answered when I took a couple of jabs at Sebo's high prices here in the US.

I am not sure I would say the site is dying, I do however notice a decline in posts and responses even from last year with the most obvious difference being the decline in the U.K. members posting.

 

[sebo4me]

Mars passing came as a big shock to me. I miss his posts on here.
You cud have a good argument with him. Haha

 

[sebo4me]

Nars. Predictive text

 

[mixman]

That's actually what made me notice, when Nar failed to respond to my jabs at Sebo, I then saw that not only he, but a lot of UK members were not posting anymore.

It was actually videos by he and Roger(sensotronic)that convinced me to get a Felix.

 

[sebo4me]

Haha yes I got a Felix after seeing Rogers video. I'm slightly going off Sebo uprights now though.

I do like the new E series cylinder. I will be getting one soon.

 

[jmurray01]

I'm still here! Although I class myself as being in Scotland rather than the UK (but that's a whole other political story we probably shouldn't get into!), I am of that region nonetheless.

I first joined this forum in 2011 when I was 16 years old and didn't have a job, so I had every minute of every day to myself and spent hours browsing and posting here and fully appreciating my collection (albeit then rather small). The "good old days".

Fast forward 6 years and I have a full-time job which is currently pushing me to the limits of my depression and anxiety, insurmountable money problems and other issues I'm not prepared to discuss. Basically, my life is not in a good place.

Sometimes I come back on here and it helps to distract me, but more often than not I can't even look at the vacuums let alone check the forum.

Mostly I just log on to see the "miscellanea" and "household" areas for any personal news from the members whom I converse with, but nothing about vacuums per se.

 

[matt8808]

I'm still kicking about... just LOL

I browse this site most days if I've got time to kill, I just rarely post.

Not a member of the elitist private Facebook group as I no longer use Facebook... So if I find the desire to post anything vac related it will be on here

 

[beko1987]

I rarely post here anymore, it's just too american. Which isn't a dig at anyone per se, but it means that any UK content gets pushed off the first page quite quickly.

I'm only on here today as I was reading turbopowerpaul's turbopower 2 thread (jmurrays actually, but TPP added lots of content), so posted up my latest haul, and am having a click around. But in a few minutes I'll have to stop procrastinating and get back to work, then go home and put children to bed. Then have dinner, do some washing and other boring stuff, then go to bed myself, although I really must get a dyson apart to refurbish and sell!

It's a shame really, as Hooverland was always very active over both sides of the pond. I scraped all the messages and photo's/files from it a few months ago to save incase yahoo binned the group off, keep meaning to pop them in the cloud somewhere, but I doubt people would be interested.

 

[thekirbylover]

Not a member of the elitist private Facebook group

this made my day hahaha. I think UK members dont post as much as quite frankly no one comments or replies on threads. I have to agree this site isn't what it used to be. lets hope it picks up

 

[alexhoovers94]

I still post here now and again...Since many members seem not to take much interest in the UK machines/threads I and others post about, I tend not to bother as much anymore.

Regarding the "UK facebook group" I have no idea what that is, I am pretty sure I am not in it, I don't think anyone wants me there, given what i have been lead to believe...I have one "vac friend" I talk to very regularly, who happens to be one of my best friends, I tend to just keep to myself these days.

I think this site is still a great archive for information but I do agree it is on its last legs really, it just needs some time spent on it, I think, to make it more user friendly and better formatted, however, it is still a good place for photos, information etc, plus all the collectors know about Vacuumland, it is what kicked it all off and put a lot of is at ease, knowing we are not alone in this wierd fascination.

Alex.

 

[sebo4me]

No-one wants me in it either but to be honest the feeling is mutual

 

[sebo4me]

Is it called the broom cupboard? A broom cupboard is the last place I'd want to be with some of them!

 

[alexhoovers94]

It is all bollocks really, if you have a differing opinion from someone, or they just don't like you, they fall out with you! I am not being specific to anyone.

To be honest, I keep what I think to myself and igrnore any sign of conflict because as I grew up and discovered different things in my life, I realised I have more important things to worry about than if Sebo is better or why Hoover went out of business, or if someone thinks a certain vacuum doesn't deep clean...I like what I like, buy what I like and I have my opinions that won't change.

You just have to realise that some people enjoy making you look like the bad guy, by keep subtly driving you to a reaction, sometimes publicly...That is the same in daily life too.

Long gone are my days of being involved in long winded debates on here, because, frankly, I just couldn't give a sh*t anymore. I like vacuums, here, that is the important thing.

Lol, anyway, that is my peace said...I don't know who put 50p in me!

Alex.

 

[sebo4me]

It's just a bit of fun Alex. I don't care what people I've never met (and very likely never will meet) think of me. I don't come on here to be loved I just come on here to give my voews. People are free to like or hate them

It's just a bit of harmless banter

 

[alexhoovers94]

Haha fair enough, but if you upset everyone then you won't have anyone to share your interest with, that wouldn't be fun...I am not really a sensitive person so can usually differentiate between what is banter and what isn't, even when someone is trying to be hurtful with their comments on my opinions or views etc.

I tend to be a tough cookie these days, men have hurt me so much as it is lol, I am ised to the abuse!

Anyway, regarding the thread...I am here, long serving Vacuumland member.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I, personally, alsways enjoyed the non-American posts.

It's always fun to hear English terms used so differently. Also, it's great to see the 'other' machines, etc. I've met a lot of people in here. Some, I'll never meet, and that IS quite alright. As far as thick skin: one needs it. Some like us, don't like us, hate us, bash us, etc. Some are those who really don't know us at all. We're disliked for liking one brand, and one brand only, OR for being very close friends with others whom they despise.(guilt by association). That doesn't bother me in the least. Often, people tend to bash us, what we do, where we go, groups to which we belong, etc. Yet, they seem obsessed with us at the same time. They hate what we do, yet, they seem fascinated at the same time.
It was great at Hoover's 100th b day to see Jack and others from 'across the pond' over here.
I enjoy seeing people's collections, hearing stories, sharing knowledge, and I get as kick out of some false info I hear.
I plan, one day, to go to Perivale and stand in front of your Hoover art deco building. I also hope to meet Jamie Murray. His posts are always great, as well as those from Italy, France, Africa, Australia, etc.
John

 

[numatic_boy]

Hi,I haven't been on here lately,I agree with the sentiment that the forum is more American centric.I also haven't had the time,I find it easier to post on the Henry face-book forums,youtube or Instagram.They are easier to use in my opinion.Ive also had issues with the aforementioned Facebook group above but last time I spoke up about it,it rustled their jimmies and started a mini hate fest about me which doesn't affect me too much as there's more to life then social media.Its just a bit silly that middle age men sit there roasting people behind there backs.Dont get me wrong,most people on there are decent,just a few are a bit elitist.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Someone else here now uses the username 'vintagehoover' & is from NJ

 

[turbo500]

Ha...it's so amusing that people who aren't on the Facebook group are bitter and bitching about it. It's a great group and worth being in just for access to the sheer volume of brochures & catalogues that are on there. The banter is about more free & easy rather than the more structured discussions that happen on here - not that that's a bad thing, it's just the nature of forums & social media.

If you were on the group and are no longer, there's usually a good reason for that. At least 2 of you were booted for being quite rude to other people for absolutely no reason. So if you find it elitist or pathetic or whatever...maybe you should look in the mirror. There's 70 odd people in that group and 1 of you. Figure it out.