Where do you get your vacuums?

[Klectrolux]

Where does everyone go to get their vacuums? I usually try my vacuum $hop, but it's more expensive than eBay, which is another place I go. I never thought about thrift stores or goodwill until I came on here. Where do you guys get them all!?

 

[kirbyklassic80]

I get them from, ebay, thrift shops, the trash if they are in ok condition, and once every month my good old friend Freed finds some rare gems to sell to me for about $10 and up. Depending on what make, for example hoovers, eurekas, kenmores, they are $10.00. Kirbies, bisons, orecks, and dysons, are $20 and up.

 

[Klectrolux]

I forgot to mention Kijiji and Craigslist, I found a Filter Queen 40th anniversary edition on there for $150. Power hose, but no power nozzle.

 

[ohio_tuec]

How often does your friend Freed find Bisons? I'd give $20. for a Bison in a second....

 

[petek]

I get most of mine at thrift stores like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Bibles for Missions, St.vincent de Paul or the Habitat for Humanities Restore. I've traded a few and I think I've only ever bought one from Ebay. Vac shops charge a high premium usually so I don't bother.
Honestly I've seldom paid more than $20-$30 for any of them and gotten some amazing finds.
Here's the rub!!!
You have to go almost EVERYDAY otherwise you miss out.

 

[vintagecanister]

I have a morning

routine. X-Large Dunkin' Dounuts coffee and then off I go the the Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Pete is absolutely correct. You have to go pretty much everyday. I've seen vacuums move VERY QUICKLY. Regardless of age or condition.

I just ran into this (I know it's not vintage, but still a great deal if you were looking for one) yesterday. It was tagged $9.99 at Goodwill. And in GREAT shape. It can only be a year or two old anyway. But.......$9.99 and a a great unit. I have the Blue Progressive, so didn't need it's baby brother.

 

[kirbyklassic80]

Ohio_Tuec,

Not very often.....I was just using as an example. He finds all kinds of rare vacs all the time. I never know what to expect every time I go. As soon as he gets on I'll let you know.

 

[kenkart]

petek is right

You have to stop EVERYDAY at the thrift stores,I have latched onto many treasures at thrift stores,we go to estate sales and auctions, often if there is more than one, Donald goes to one and I go to the other,then we can use our cell phone to inform each other whats there,also, if it is a tag or estate sale,be SURE YOU ARE AT LEAST 30 min to 1 hour early!! be in line first, then I usually go to the kitchen and Donald goes to the bedrooms or living areas, I also collect cookware and mixers etc,Donald collects only vintage Christmas lights, so we look out for each other.

 

[petek]

Another thing to do....
place a free ad on Craigslist / Kijiji / asking for "old vacs" .
Another place to put a want ad is on Freecycle.org
There's an online group in most cities.. usually you have offer something first before they'll let you place an ad to get something. IIRC I got an old Filter Queen and an old old Eatonia tank vac (Eatons dept store) from a guy who just had them sitting in his garage and wanted them gone. The FQ wasn't in good shape but the Eatonia wasn't bad

 

[Klectrolux]

Vac shops DO charge a premium, this is very true. The AP280 I bought, came from a shop. But everything is warrantied, which is kinda nice I suppose. Typical Canadians, loading up on warranties and insurance. Some of the prices I have paid have been pretty steep.

I don't see many estate sales going on, once and a while I will see it in the paper. I would goto one and love to pick up an old Maytag washer and dryer, but I still live with the folks, so, finding the space, or let alone, getting permission, is hard LOL. I'l try the thrift stores and good will places, and show you guys as soon as I find anything!

 

[collector2]

If you're planning a trip out west give me a yell. I have a basement full of spares I want to clean out.

Doug

 

[tolivac]

Out here-the only vacuum store in town is where get most of my vacuums-the Salvation Army store closed few years ago-and yard sales here are duds.Its slow going for appliance and vacuum collecting out here.The "swap shops" don't usually like to carry vacuums-only larger appliances.DTD vacuum dealers don't last long here.So far only Rainbow is in my area-and they are not very receptive to vacuum hunters-they would rather sell a new one to you.

 

[15brandon]

hey vintagecanister post some pics of your blue kenmore is it just like that green one

 

[eluxomarty]

I find mine at thrift shops and also swap meets. Pete is right, you pretty much have to go everyday. I go on my days off from work. I also trade with friends. I can't remember the last vacuum I bought on ebay though.

I am currently cleaning my display room and weeding out the herd. I'm not an ebay seller so I may try to sell some vacuums here and see how that goes.

 

[eurekastar]

My vacuums have come from a variety of sources too. Garage sales, the trash, vacuum store cast offs (that all were given to me), Ebay, and numerous vacuums that have been given to me by family and friends. I've only found one vacuum at a thrift store and that was a Tristar CXL in mint condition for $29.

 

[suckolux]

Friends, Sally's, yard sales.

 

[jodan3399]

Curbside mostly. I don't get out as much as I'd like to, but have found a couple of Tri-stars, a Kirby, 3 Orecks, a bunch of Hoovers, and a ton of others.

Most of them are normally a simple fix (belt mostly) or clogged, around here scrappers cut the cords off though, so you've got to be quick or you end up replacing the cord along with whatever else it needs.

 

[2011hoover700]

I get a lot of mine at thrift shops, garage sales, a few on ebay, carefully on the curbside, to name a few sources.

 

[kirby16]

Usually family, garage sales, and secondhand stores.