ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS - Please Read This...

[lesto]

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here!

 

[lesto]

Congradtulations Robert, and kind Thank's! Retired life is the best!

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here!

Congrats, Robert. Thank you for all yoir hard work for the past 25 years. I'm so glad you aren't leaving the site and I'm looking forward to all your future videos on Facebook. I hope you enjoy having more free time.

 

[subzeroajo]

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here!

Robert, thank you for all you have done, and enjoy retirement!!

 

[golittlesport]

Thank you Robert for all you have done for our community over the years. Not only creating and managing the websites, but hosting wash ins and facilitating many worldwide friendships. I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person and know you over the years. Wishing you all the best in the future! Your legacy lives on!

 

[rinso]

Robert, I have lost count of how many years I've been following your web site. Thanks for all of your work and dedication. The new site seems to be just fine. Here's hoping you will have a great retirement.

 

[sanc]

Congratulations on your reply Robert! Thanks for all the hard work! I renewed my membership through PayPal on 5/28 but it has not shown up as renewed. I had renewed my Vacuum Land membership on 5/21 through PayPal and that is reflected correctly. I think I must have done the Automatic Washer renewal while the upgrade was happening. Please let me know how to correct. Thanks, Scott

 

[Unimatic1140]

Congratulations on your reply Robert! Thanks for all the hard work! I renewed my membership through PayPal on 5/28 but it has not shown up as renewed. I had renewed my Vacuum Land membership on 5/21 through PayPal and that is reflected correctly. I think I must have done the Automatic Washer renewal while the upgrade was happening. Please let me know how to correct. Thanks, Scott

Hi Scott, this afternoon I let @Alan know which members to check to see if their upgrade was counted during the transition. You're name was on the list I sent Alan.

 

[firedome]

I'll add my thanks and appreciation to all the others, best of luck and enjoy! Roger in NY

 

[washerlover]

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here!

Congratulations on your retirement and am happy you will still be present on the site. Cheers! Todd

 

[Dr. Strabismus]

Hi everyone, so about a year and a half ago I had mentioned in thread postings on both aw and Vacuumland that I was thinking about retiring from running the websites. I first launched Automaticwasher in 2001 (originally as classicappliances.com, renamed to automaticwasher.org in 2004). Vacuumland followed in 2007, and Automatic Ephemera in 2012.

Now, after nearly 25 amazing years, the time has come for me to pass the torch. After considering several options, I was approached by Groupbuilder—a company that specializes in managing forum-based websites. They bring the tools, infrastructure, technical knowledge and team needed to support and grow the sites well beyond what I could do on my own. GroupBuilder has been so very nice and have impressed me every step of the way, and I have full confidence they can carry our washer and vacuum communities forward for many years to come. Frankly, if something terrible had happened to me, the sites would have gone offline within a couple of months—but now, their future is secure, and believe me they’re in very good hands. It’s very important to me that all the work I have done over the last 25 years to share the history of automatic washers, other appliances and vacuum cleaners, etc. not die out with me.

But I want to assure everyone that this isn’t a goodbye from me. It’s been a true joy being your webmaster, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be active here just as I always have and on other social media appliance groups, making washer videos from my collection, producing new reproduction rubber parts, and diving into new creative ideas to enhance our shared passion for vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other appliances.

If you’ve enjoyed our websites over the years, I hope you’ll keep supporting them just like you always have. So, with that, I’m now officially retired. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Alan—I couldn’t be more excited about our new administrator. Thank you all again—a big hug to everyone here!

I want to thank you for all that you have done. I've been a member for fifteen years now. I fully support your decision, as you deserve the best that life has to offer. I'm happy to hear that you'll remain active in the club.

Larry

 

[egress]

I'm going to go out on a limb and be cautious about this. I don't appreciate seeing community forums like this be snatched up by a corporation with dubious intent and possible shady motives. I understand that robert wanted to retire, but selling the forum to a company? not a good move IMO. We will see how this pans out.

 

[maytag85]

I'm going to go out on a limb and be cautious about this. I don't appreciate seeing community forums like this be snatched up by a corporation with dubious intent and possible shady motives. I understand that robert wanted to retire, but selling the forum to a company? not a good move IMO. We will see how this pans out.

If Robert didn’t sell the forum off to someone who would keep it going, the site would have died off and lots of useful information would have gone up in smoke. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned by going through the archives, even re-reading various threads in the archives in regards to the Whirlpool belt drives and Maytag HOH’s.

It will probably take some getting used to the ‘new’ AW site, might return to the old layout or something reminiscent to the old site in time.

As much as I don’t like change in life, it’s just the reality of life. If nothing ever changed, would be extremely boring, no wisdom or life experience would be gained.

 

[DADoES]

I'm going to go out on a limb and be cautious about this. I don't appreciate seeing community forums like this be snatched up by a corporation with dubious intent and possible shady motives. I understand that robert wanted to retire, but selling the forum to a company? not a good move IMO. We will see how this pans out.

Robert publicly posted his intention to retire from running AW, as he states in the OP of this thread. Anyone who wanted to take it over had ample opportunity to contact him about it. Perhaps some did but found it's more than they were willing to take on. There has been no info offered-up about who is now financing the hosting, if perhaps some of the original founders of the group (before it was online and then was on Yahoo groups) are involved, or if it was "sold off to a corporation" ... although there's no responsibility for Robert or the new head-honchos to do so IMO.