Keep Those Operating Manuals

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I go to a lot of estate auctions. It is rare for an appliance or a piece of shop or yard equipment to have the original operating manual with them, even though they were very likely purchased new. When they do, the price they bring seem a bit higher.

Keeping manuals isn't difficult. Just put a large shoe box in a closet and put any manuals you receive in it.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 01, 2000

Answers

I agree. Auction prices are higher when there is an instruction manual accompanying the item.

It is a good idea to also keep instruction manuals and warranty information for items around the home. When you sell a home the new owners will thank you many times over.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), October 01, 2000.


Some people go as far as to keep a whole house manual. Besides operating instructions and warranties, there will be a page for each room with a paint dab and the brand, where bought and specific color or mixing code. Same thing for wallpaper with the specific name and product number. For a new owner, perhaps the name, address and telephone number of workman who have done satisifactory work for you in the past.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 01, 2000.

Keep those tractor manuals! I just bought one for my dad on ebay. It was a decent price, but some are so expensive! My dad has 10 Case tractors, 1929-1950. He knows lots of folks who wants these manuals. Keep old pick-up truck manuals. Guys like the originals!

OEM manuals are usually available. Check your auto or tractor parts dealer if you are looking. They are not collectable, but they can be handy!

Ken, we are one of those who keeps track of paint formulas. It did indeed come in handy when we sold our house. One client was thrilled! According to our realtor, the lady felt we must have taken such good care of the house since we could provide such details! She never noticed the squeaky stairs, old rug, etc.

-- Christina (crublee@homer.libby.org), October 02, 2000.


We keep ours in archival plastic sleeves in a ring binder. Paper these days contains so much acid from the manufacturing process that it can nearly self destruct in 20 years and this helps protect them plus keep them organized and easier to find without handling the whole batch.

On some things, manuals are still available from the manufacturer. I have a late 40's early 50's Maytag wringer washer that had no instructions when I got it. I called their customer service number hoping at best for photocopied information. The lady told me they keep such manuals for people like me and best of all, there was no charge.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), October 03, 2000.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ