We had some friends over. He saw my collection of vacuums and appliances. He has since dropped off a gas stove and two vacuum cleaners. One of the vacuum cleaners is a Royal from the 1920's.
DO YOUR PARENTS THINK YOU'RE NUTS BUYING THIS OLD STUFF?
- Thread starter g3bill
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tennblondie78
Well-known member
My parents have learned to just not pay it attention most of the time. My friends, on the other hand, all think I'm a nut job. I get picked on regularly about my penchant for vintage everything. I just tell them to kiss my ass and go on about my day. 
People who don't understand it just don't, and that's that...
People who don't understand it just don't, and that's that...
My father (still around and going strong at 87) accepted my urges to acquire 'old' stuff years ago. He's even picked up a number of cool vintage items that he knew I'd like. My brother, Jack, who I haven't spoken to for decades once said, "You'll wind up broke wasting all your money on that old crap". He's the one who's up to his ears in debt and scrambling to make it to the next paycheque, though, not me....
firedome
Well-known member
I just do my thang...
and ignore the naysayers... old cars, old boats, old radios, old stereos, old appliances, old furniture... it works for me, and if not for others... tough titty!
and ignore the naysayers... old cars, old boats, old radios, old stereos, old appliances, old furniture... it works for me, and if not for others... tough titty!
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Be grateful if your parents are still around
Amen, Joe!!
When I was a kid back in Cheektowaga (suburb of Buffalo, NY) we used to go out the night before trash day since that's when all the folks in the neighborhood would put their trash out. It was most appropriately called "garbage picking" and we kids loved it. We came home with all kinds of treasures, though many of them found their way back into our Wednesday night pile at the curb eventually! If nothing else, it was cheap entertainment!
Chuck
Amen, Joe!!
When I was a kid back in Cheektowaga (suburb of Buffalo, NY) we used to go out the night before trash day since that's when all the folks in the neighborhood would put their trash out. It was most appropriately called "garbage picking" and we kids loved it. We came home with all kinds of treasures, though many of them found their way back into our Wednesday night pile at the curb eventually! If nothing else, it was cheap entertainment!
Chuck
Chuck,
That's funny. I did that all the time. I remember pulling a portable DW across the street, much to my mothers horror. I may have blocked her car or something. I was probably 9. I think it was a Mobile Maid. It was a bitch to get the wheels off the curb lawn.
I guess my folks aren't surprised anymore. I am a seasoned veteran of junk.
That's funny. I did that all the time. I remember pulling a portable DW across the street, much to my mothers horror. I may have blocked her car or something. I was probably 9. I think it was a Mobile Maid. It was a bitch to get the wheels off the curb lawn.
I guess my folks aren't surprised anymore. I am a seasoned veteran of junk.
gusherb
Well-known member
I don't think my parents share my interest in quality items, vintage or new, but they do respect my hobbies and interests so I never hear a peep whether they like what I do or not.
Usually I'm talking them into not buying that cheap piece of shit they saw on sale somewhere (they're more worried about price then anything, and assume anything new will work just as good as the old good quality worn out one they're replacing) and have to tell them what to get instead of that.... They either tell me to go to hell or they do what I said (depends on the price). If they tell me to go to hell then I'll usually be sitting there laughing 6 months later when it all falls apart.
Usually I'm talking them into not buying that cheap piece of shit they saw on sale somewhere (they're more worried about price then anything, and assume anything new will work just as good as the old good quality worn out one they're replacing) and have to tell them what to get instead of that.... They either tell me to go to hell or they do what I said (depends on the price). If they tell me to go to hell then I'll usually be sitting there laughing 6 months later when it all falls apart.
Well...it certainly helps if you started young. And I was quite fortunate, the principal at my elementary school also ran an auction business and would hook me up with the odd Edison lamp or "worthless" 50's TV...much to my father's chagrin. Keep at it and eventually you wear 'em down : )
With regards to today, frankly, I don't have time for closed-minded people. Smile and nod, smile and nod....
With regards to today, frankly, I don't have time for closed-minded people. Smile and nod, smile and nod....
i remember watching the washing machine go around as a child and getting ran off with the broom so to speak. One of my aunts was quite a bit more accepting and would hand me a load of laundry and say have at it. Now a days, people ask why do you need that? that is so inefficient. My husband (god love him) just says OK. My answer to anyone that asked? "because i can". (last time i checked we pay the bills here). People even look cross eyed at me for newer things i buy or change frequently. I quite frankly don't have time to care what they think.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Don't Think....
....That non-collectors "get" the economics of collecting at all.
I remember years ago, when my mom passed on her Lady Kenmore 30-inch smooth-top to me. The range was an expensive one, but it had for several years been the recipient of Mom's Special Care Program, which alternated extreme neglect with outright abuse. For that reason, the control panel glass was in bad shape, with some delamination of the paint on its back side. I decided to replace it and made the necessary trip to Sears Service, which in those days had parts in stock.
When I was through with the needed spa treatment, Mom was the first to admit that the range was looking spiffy again, but then she asked what the replacement glass had cost. I told her - around $40. She said, "You're crazy to spend that on a piece of glass! Throwing money around!"
I did not have the heart - or the cojones - to remind her that she'd paid over $400 for the range and had gotten something like three years out of it before deciding to replace it, not least because it was looking pretty scabrous.
....That non-collectors "get" the economics of collecting at all.
I remember years ago, when my mom passed on her Lady Kenmore 30-inch smooth-top to me. The range was an expensive one, but it had for several years been the recipient of Mom's Special Care Program, which alternated extreme neglect with outright abuse. For that reason, the control panel glass was in bad shape, with some delamination of the paint on its back side. I decided to replace it and made the necessary trip to Sears Service, which in those days had parts in stock.
When I was through with the needed spa treatment, Mom was the first to admit that the range was looking spiffy again, but then she asked what the replacement glass had cost. I told her - around $40. She said, "You're crazy to spend that on a piece of glass! Throwing money around!"
I did not have the heart - or the cojones - to remind her that she'd paid over $400 for the range and had gotten something like three years out of it before deciding to replace it, not least because it was looking pretty scabrous.
g3bill
Well-known member
Shes 92 and still dictating, Throw it OUT!! ?
Venting I guess...My mom said today if I dont get rid of all that junk I'm calling a junk man to haul it away
It scares me cause I live a mile away and things could be gone in an hour. Its a mentality I guess thats meant to be super neat, her older brother was the same. I came back from service in '70's and she kept bugging me to let her get rid of my dog before I returned, I caved in and she did. Later after I returned I found a wood box was missing, maybe two with many parts for my American Flyer Train set, who know what that would cost to replace. The only reason the washer, dryer & dishwasher are still in use is my efforts to keep them alive saving lots of money in repairs & new machines. Same goes for the old frig and electric stove I rebuilt but even after all my work the next time theres a repair needed she says I guess its time to get a new one. Makes me feel like everything I repaired was for nothing. Nag Nag Nag and thats why I ended up selling my '64 GTO in '78, Stupid. Talk about generation gap
Venting I guess...My mom said today if I dont get rid of all that junk I'm calling a junk man to haul it away
It scares me cause I live a mile away and things could be gone in an hour. Its a mentality I guess thats meant to be super neat, her older brother was the same. I came back from service in '70's and she kept bugging me to let her get rid of my dog before I returned, I caved in and she did. Later after I returned I found a wood box was missing, maybe two with many parts for my American Flyer Train set, who know what that would cost to replace. The only reason the washer, dryer & dishwasher are still in use is my efforts to keep them alive saving lots of money in repairs & new machines. Same goes for the old frig and electric stove I rebuilt but even after all my work the next time theres a repair needed she says I guess its time to get a new one. Makes me feel like everything I repaired was for nothing. Nag Nag Nag and thats why I ended up selling my '64 GTO in '78, Stupid. Talk about generation gap
brib68
Well-known member
If my dad were still alive, he'd get it, and even be proud. My mom isn't real sentimental about 'things', but she knows where I get my nostalgia gene from.
I'm not sure my dad was ever more proud of me than the day I emailed him a photo of the mid-50's Grundig console radio/phonograph that my husband and I got for $25-full of old records-and literally carried home from the store down the road.
I'm not sure my dad was ever more proud of me than the day I emailed him a photo of the mid-50's Grundig console radio/phonograph that my husband and I got for $25-full of old records-and literally carried home from the store down the road.
polkanut
Well-known member
Bill,
If you live by yourself away from her, tell her that it's none of her business. It may sound harsh, but you need to stand up to her and tell it like it really is. My parents only live 2 blocks away, and my dad has told/suggested things that we should or need to do around our house. I told him that until his name is on the deed, insurance bill, and tax bill he needs to just butt the hell out of how we maintain our property. It sounds cruel, but my dad is one of those people who needs to be told point blank to mind their own affairs.
If you live by yourself away from her, tell her that it's none of her business. It may sound harsh, but you need to stand up to her and tell it like it really is. My parents only live 2 blocks away, and my dad has told/suggested things that we should or need to do around our house. I told him that until his name is on the deed, insurance bill, and tax bill he needs to just butt the hell out of how we maintain our property. It sounds cruel, but my dad is one of those people who needs to be told point blank to mind their own affairs.
g3bill
Well-known member
TIM I KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT BUT....
I tried what you said years ago and only worked for a short time. Now more than ever I have to walk on egg shells cause lots of my things are at her house and two years ago put all the ptoprties in her name for tax and transfer reasons for when she dies, if she ever does... I envy many of the members here for having such good and understanding parents in there youth and beyond.
Note; My birth dad was great but moved out and devorced when i was 10, that tells something right there. He taught me how to fix most anything, helped me build a small boat when i was 13. He worked in refigeration repair in the 20's-30's converting ice boxes for example (still have his old propane torch with wood handle) then was a trouble shooter for north american aviation in ww2. Had many special tools for aircraft I remember, then returned to Roar aircraft as an engineer. He used to say Frigidaire was the best frig made at the time, I think cause of the motor?, can't say much for Frigidaire now days. My dad never collected old things but taught me how to take care of tools and keep what I have in proper working order, when he saw something I bought like a coke machine he'd just smile and say its a good looking machine, no negitives.
I don't know how I became a collector of so many different collectables, guess I appreciate there mechanics of the time for one thing and simplicity of design & function?
I tried what you said years ago and only worked for a short time. Now more than ever I have to walk on egg shells cause lots of my things are at her house and two years ago put all the ptoprties in her name for tax and transfer reasons for when she dies, if she ever does... I envy many of the members here for having such good and understanding parents in there youth and beyond.
Note; My birth dad was great but moved out and devorced when i was 10, that tells something right there. He taught me how to fix most anything, helped me build a small boat when i was 13. He worked in refigeration repair in the 20's-30's converting ice boxes for example (still have his old propane torch with wood handle) then was a trouble shooter for north american aviation in ww2. Had many special tools for aircraft I remember, then returned to Roar aircraft as an engineer. He used to say Frigidaire was the best frig made at the time, I think cause of the motor?
, can't say much for Frigidaire now days. My dad never collected old things but taught me how to take care of tools and keep what I have in proper working order, when he saw something I bought like a coke machine he'd just smile and say its a good looking machine, no negitives. I don't know how I became a collector of so many different collectables, guess I appreciate there mechanics of the time for one thing and simplicity of design & function?
oldwasherguy
Well-known member
My folks are gone, my kids are grown and in college, and my wife left me for another man. So, I can collect whatever I want with nobody to complain. This is my most recent find. A 1948 ABC wringer washer.
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