Sad article in the Christian Science Monitor about a vacuum cleaner repairman that is closing shop since all the new vacuums are plastic junk that can’t be fixed. Some sad quotes:

"You can't fix half the new vacs," he says. "Everything's plastic now, even the lever that releases the handle that you have to step on every day.... They snap off. By the time I order the parts and charge labor to repair it, you don't want to do it. I'm just waiting for them to tell me they can't fix my car someday!"

And check out the vacuum cleaner museum link mentioned in the article. Sigh, People think I am stupid for riding 45-year-old Harleys. Well I can get cheap parts for every piece of it. I had my 92 Honda Accord electric window go out and the dealer just told me it was 362 dollars for the window regulator and 242 for labor. Total to get my window to close: $604 dollars. Plus tax. It mind as well be un-repairable. The “someday” that fellow fears is a lot closer then he realizes.