Frigidaire Unimatic washer and dryer

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Duke,

 

What you're dealing with are collectors that wish to keep or see the right people adopt their machines.  I have more monitor top refrigerators than I will ever use.  I would be fine with selling some to reasonable people.  I flatly refuse to sell off things to people that wish to have a kegerator or need a fridge for their porch.

 

I cross the line from hoarder to extreme collector daily.  We all have our comfort levels in giving and selling things.  I have given and sold off lots of things.  The key is to be ready in your mind to let it go.  I have had collectors mention they would like something and I respond with I'll let you know.
 
I haven't chimed in so far because I figured it is pointless to do so. Anything I would have to say would be viewed as unfeeling and possibly rude. I just think Jesse was born way too late to pick up what he is wanting for the price he could pay for them. Unless of course he gets one of the older collectors to put him in the will to get their collection when they are gone. Many are older now and a few have passed on already. They certainly can't take it with them! Another place to start looking might be at estate sales of older people. Look at the set that was just found this week and for $50!!!!!
 
He's in the same boat I am in. No pick-up truck. I still regret selling mine, but, I just wasn't using it like I once did. I have to borrow one whenever I need to move some machines, however, it's just as well. I no longer have any business trying to wrestle machines around too often.

Jesse, on the other hand, is young and maybe he can buy an old "beater" truck to use.
I just know the Pennsylvania countryside is full of cast-off Frigidaires just waiting to be discovered. When I was new at collecting I left no stone un-turned. Estate Sales, Appliance Stores going out of business, Appliance Repair businesses liquidating, parts houses liquidating, thrift stores, etc. The best of the best are when you can find a warehouse that belonged to a long-time repair person being liquidated. That's cherry-picking!

If Jesse puts his mind to it he will find what he wants. But, he is going to have to do the work.
 
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  Another place to start looking might be at estate sales of older people. Look at the set that was just found this week and for $50!!!!! 

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EXACTLY! When is the last time you went to an estate sale, or a garage sale? Or an old junk shop, in the wrong end of town?

 Last year I found a set of Hamilton 800's at an estate sale. Some people here more knowledgeable than me said they might be the only set left anymore. Ya know what I did with em? A good friend and collector contacted me, and he gave me what I paid for them. And I drove the few hours to his house, and delivered them. Helped put them in the basement. And ya know what else? THEY WERE UNCHECKED! Can you believe it? People actually buy things the way they are! Unbelievable, eh?

 There's another friend and collector who lives a lot closer to you, Duke, than he does me. I've GIVEN him probably 20-25 machines over the years. 63 Kenmore 70 series set, Lady Kenmores, belt drive portable washer, etc. ALL UNCHECKED again. The deal is, I get a few I know he would want, he says OK, and then he arranges transportation. I meet his truck, move machines from my truck to his, and they head south.

 Call me a hoarder, idiot, whatever makes you feel better. I'm going to continue to do what I do. Whether anyone else approves of my ways, or not.

 
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Although you may find an amazing $50 set at an estate sale, consider the gas used to get there. Okay big deal, but what about the *dozens* of such sales one will likely have to frequent before getting a shot at something desirable? It adds up and why paying more up front might save you in the long run and you get to enjoy the machine that much sooner.
In vacuums, when a collector puts a machine on EBay he has painstakingly restored to near perfection after a long initial search to locate the vacuum and needed parts...well the price you will pay is a bargain. That person made pennies an hour for their skilled labor.
I have to think the same applies to washers and dryers. The mint ones are stupid rare...but are out there and deserve a sizable finders fee.An average one, brought to mint condition through many hours of skilled labor and cursing also deserves fair compensation to the owner.

Although as already expressed above, concern for the home the machine is going to will likely often out weigh the possible monetary gain. Or in the case of a fixer, the confidence the new owner will be able to be successful in bringing the machine back to top shape may be the necessary ingredient to getting the current owner to let go. And don't forget, 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.'
[this post was last edited: 2/7/2017-23:01]
 
I do not have a problem with buying things that need to be fixed or cleaned or unchecked.

My family members that leave me put the things in their house do not like me spending money on something that is not guaranteed. They get very angry and yell. They thing that anything that is not in working order is worthless.

I strongly disagree with them but my hands are tied because if I cannot say that the thing is guaranteed to work they simply say "well you can't bring it into my house then."
 
After talking with Travis last night and thinking about things today,My mind is a little clearer on being a collector vs someone who can't stand to see a classic trashed and therefore rescue's it. Kenny,I apologize-Duke
 
Jesse,

 

I sympathize with your predicament.  One of my grandmothers was like that.  I can't tell you how many rotted cords she snipped trying to protect me from getting shocked.

 

You might just have to wait until you have your own place.  All of this old stuff is old and can be a bit unpredictable.  I am sure you've read various posts from other members about the work involved to get a desired machine repaired.  I don't think I have ever gotten anything that didn't need repair and that includes things that I bought as "restored".
 
It does take time to find things..

I waited about 20 tears to get a Apex Strato Cleaner, over 30 years to get a 58 Ken Kart with a powermate,but keep on, you will get what you want eventually.
 
Thanks everyone, I really enjoyed getting some of this extra info. I get really frustrated with my family over this sometimes because they think that old things in general are going to be damaging to the house. I am continuing my search for unimatics, filtrator and 1-18.
I also now understand the difference between a collector and a person who saves the classics. I would label myself as a collector because everything I obtain I plan on making work as it would have originally. I spend my weekends at my aunt and uncle's house where the newest appliance is the 1986 whirlpool time master microwave. I have most of washing machines at that house but they are the same as my parents in the way that it must be functioning before it goes to their house.

Please leave me know if anything turns up!
Thanks,
Jesse
 
Apology accepted, Duke.

 My dad was a repair guy his whole life, owned a couple of businesses, and sold new and used appliances. This is not lying when I say this stuff get's in your blood. I get frustrated when I see vintage things get scrapped, or destroyed. I know ya can't save them all, but I'm doing my part in trying!
smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif
 
What Kenny said..

I got in an argument on the phone with a friend of mine today.  He told me that if someone called him with a dozen monitor tops he would tell them to scrap them, since he has one.  I replied that he better not need parts with that attitude.  I told him that someone had to save the stuff so that folks could get their ONE unit.

 

I am trying not to save it all, but I do like to see it all saved.  I want to visit Hans.  You've got some cool stuff and lot's of it!
 
DON'T LOSE FAITH, JESSE.....

I have been collecting a lot of vintage things, and
I too at times thought I may never find an item I
was searching for, but eventually it does show up.

Enjoy the thrill of the hunt. It's not just the
destination, but enjoying the journey along the way.

I will keep an eye out. If I find one, I will let
you know, and I will hold onto it till you can work
something out. Good Luck : )

Best washes,

Louis
 
And ALWAYS!!!!

If I see something I hate, but is rare, like pushbutton or AMP Maytags, don't pass them up if at all possible,someone will want them BADLY!
 
Jesse,

 

I am sorry you're having difficulty.  You might have to wait until you have your own space.  I can remember really wanting various things when I was younger and my parents said no at least 30% of the time.  I recall an ironer on the curb.  It was too big, too heavy and too far away to push home.  They said no and it didn't come home.

 

I do also recall really upsetting my mother at age 9 when I brought a GE mobile maid home one morning from across the street.  I worked hard to get it over the curb, but no keeping that either.
 
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