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Post by Cole D on Aug 9, 2020 11:41:59 GMT -5
I'm sort of in a dilemma here as far as ceiling fans. At some point I'm planning to either buy or build a house. But it won't be anytime likely in the next year or so. But I want new or NOS quality ceiling fans to put in. Mostly traditional or transitional stack motor, or large spinner motor fans. Casablanca Panama XLP, Minka Aire Supra, etc.
My fear is, most of these fans are either ending production, or the supply of discontinued older stock is drying up.
By the time I have the house, I fear, there will be no longer any fans in production like I'm looking for, or the supplies that are available are gone. I'm already seeing that happen now. Hardly any XLP Panamas left (and those that are are very expensive), Kichler Frysts are all sold out now, etc. Almost all Hunter Paramount XP sold out too.
I could "hoard" fans now while I have the money, but I don't really have the space to store them until/if I can actually install and use them. And it's almost too late because most of the stock that was available a few months ago is now sold out already. But again I don't know what to do because by the time I'm ready, there won't be anything to get. I only have one XLP Panama and that's it.
It's really hard to even buy used fans now, as collectors don't seem to be offering them for sale like they used to. Seems most selling happens at the Fanimation conventions now. EBay prices on used fans are super inflated with shipping too.
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Post by Parkman on Aug 9, 2020 14:35:44 GMT -5
I'm sort of in a dilemma here as far as ceiling fans. At some point I'm planning to either buy or build a house. But it won't be anytime likely in the next year or so. But I want new or NOS quality ceiling fans to put in. Mostly traditional or transitional stack motor, or large spinner motor fans. Casablanca Panama XLP, Minka Aire Supra, etc. My fear is, most of these fans are either ending production, or the supply of discontinued older stock is drying up. By the time I have the house, I fear, there will be no longer any fans in production like I'm looking for, or the supplies that are available are gone. I'm already seeing that happen now. Hardly any XLP Panamas left (and those that are are very expensive), Kichler Frysts are all sold out now, etc. Almost all Hunter Paramount XP sold out too. I could "hoard" fans now while I have the money, but I don't really have the space to store them until/if I can actually install and use them. And it's almost too late because most of the stock that was available a few months ago is now sold out already. But again I don't know what to do because by the time I'm ready, there won't be anything to get. I only have one XLP Panama and that's it. It's really hard to even buy used fans now, as collectors don't seem to be offering them for sale like they used to. Seems most selling happens at the Fanimation conventions now. EBay prices on used fans are super inflated with shipping too. This is a very good post Cole. I was in the same situation as I collect however when I lived at hoke I had limited space and when I had my apartment I had storage but there was also a lot of what if’s with my house because I didn’t know what exactly I would have.. I would say this with the current market we have to be reaching peak industrial style I mean the studf that was big in the 2000s leaf blades, antlers, etc are out of production but it seems that some traditional fans are staying as the companies have thinned out a lot of models and are starting to take those models and update finishes and more specifically blade finishes to what’s in style. With that said I think if something you really want comes up or you get a super deal get it. We’re at the point the K55/XLP stuff is becoming rarer look for a new XLP Panama they quit production in 2013 you can’t fine one anywhere brand new. However the High performance traditional fans you have to hunt for I have two Dixie Belles in my new house.. a little pricey for what it is yes however it’s excellent. The Supra they say is being discontinued but it’s in 2020 minka catalog and from what I’ve heard they’re still selling a bundle so I’m curious to see how that turns out I hope it’s not so. Emerson is scary to think about as they got bought out will the quality stay that’s to be determined. I think no matter what we will be able to find them but it’s gonna get harder and the cheap hole center stuff is a good chunk of more of that will go to the trash then goodwill or habitat because I think with a good chunk of quality fans people update it for decor reasons and a lot feel guilty about throwing something that works out so they donate it to justify it where a lot of the stuff made today is actually trashed because there’s no reason to donate it when it fails. Anything thing is bearings I know Jordan went through a bearing season where everything he touched and encountered had bad bearings I Recently had my first stack motor fan get bad bearings so unless you can live with the noise or can replace them that’s another thing as it sits there waiting for use they dry up. Anyway a lot of random thoughts of mine but I’m glad to see a new thread 😁 |
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Post by Cole D on Aug 9, 2020 18:30:34 GMT -5
This is a very good post Cole. I was in the same situation as I collect however when I lived at hoke I had limited space and when I had my apartment I had storage but there was also a lot of what if’s with my house because I didn’t know what exactly I would have.. I would say this with the current market we have to be reaching peak industrial style I mean the studf that was big in the 2000s leaf blades, antlers, etc are out of production but it seems that some traditional fans are staying as the companies have thinned out a lot of models and are starting to take those models and update finishes and more specifically blade finishes to what’s in style. With that said I think if something you really want comes up or you get a super deal get it. We’re at the point the K55/XLP stuff is becoming rarer look for a new XLP Panama they quit production in 2013 you can’t fine one anywhere brand new. However the High performance traditional fans you have to hunt for I have two Dixie Belles in my new house.. a little pricey for what it is yes however it’s excellent. The Supra they say is being discontinued but it’s in 2020 minka catalog and from what I’ve heard they’re still selling a bundle so I’m curious to see how that turns out I hope it’s not so. Emerson is scary to think about as they got bought out will the quality stay that’s to be determined. I think no matter what we will be able to find them but it’s gonna get harder and the cheap hole center stuff is a good chunk of more of that will go to the trash then goodwill or habitat because I think with a good chunk of quality fans people update it for decor reasons and a lot feel guilty about throwing something that works out so they donate it to justify it where a lot of the stuff made today is actually trashed because there’s no reason to donate it when it fails. Anything thing is bearings I know Jordan went through a bearing season where everything he touched and encountered had bad bearings I Recently had my first stack motor fan get bad bearings so unless you can live with the noise or can replace them that’s another thing as it sits there waiting for use they dry up. Anyway a lot of random thoughts of mine but I’m glad to see a new thread 😁 I agree with you. I forgot about Emerson, I like some of their K55 fans and to me their DC motors are really good, so I might be interested in some of those too. Although their styling is a bit too transitional/modern for what I like. We'll see what happens now that they've been sold. I've just about given up on Casablanca/Hunter. After your experience with that spinner Panama, and their DC motor Panamas being the older style ones that aren't that good, I'll only consider one with an XLP. And that's what sort of started my frustration with this. I'd been thinking of getting one of those maiden bronze Panama XLP from Core Centric. They were about $270 which is a lot but compared to a lot of the ones on eBay and other sites that are still running $400 I thought it was a good deal plus I liked the light kid. But they sold out. So now my only option for a cheaper XLP Panama are the brushed nickel ones on eBay but they're still $119 and I don't really like the blades that much to be honest. I have one I got when they were a lot more expensive and just looked at the blades the other day to remember what they looked like. I just can't get myself to buy any more because it reminded me I don't like the blades enough. That's what I heard about the Supra was it was coming in a bundle also. I really liked the styling of those with the Emerson looking arms and blades and I liked the motor vents. They were an older model (I think went back to 2003/04) so I'm surprised they're still in production really. Most other than Gulf Coast doesn't keep designs for 15+ years. What you say about the what ifs is what's stopping me too. I don't know what I'll end up with or what size or how many fans I need or the style of house. So I could end up with a bunch of fans I don't end up using or liking once I do have the house. And then I'd have to sell and ship them online and probably not make much back off the purchases. And the house may already have decent fans anyway. I'm not really a fan collector but I've just bought a few here and there that were good deals on quality fans. I collect portable fans but I don't like having ceiling fans sitting around that can get scratched or broken blade arms since I don't have any way to really store them. I could rent a storage unit but trying to keep the costs down right now as much as I can. House prices have kept going up and I'm trying to save as much as I can. But I'm about to just give up and buy some land and have one built several years later if it keeps up. That's true on Habitat. Mostly I see 90s builder fans there or some Hunters. Currently there's a Casablanca Zephyr on display. I'd get it but I prefer 5 bladed fans honestly. A lot of the newer junkier fans I see just put out for the trash truck to pick up. |
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Post by Parkman on Aug 10, 2020 7:45:44 GMT -5
I know the feeling its like they make good stuff motorwise whether it be a builder fan or high end its just a lot of it has switched to contemporary and a lot of it looks cheap from the print on the blades or whatever. There select fans after having two are magnificent lookers and excellent quality. I get complements on them from people who don't even know I'm a fan collector. As have I. I've heard some good stuff about a few of the newer Hunter models that cost like $300 but to me if there other line is having problems (Casablanca) and I've encountered at least a half dozen with bearing problems for a several hundred dollar fan adios! $119 is still a decent deal when you figure what the motor used to cost alone.. However I would say be sure about what style color scheme you're going with. I mean if you love brushed nickel I'd say go for it and get another set of blades on eBay however if you're unsure then set the money aside until you find the fan that you know is gonna be the one. I never was one for oh you need to coordinate perfectly but take my office for example I put a 3 Speed Oil Rubbed Bronze Panama in my room and it looks perfect with the dark wood blades it matches and makes the room look 100% better. I brought a few fans from my collection just see if the color was right and it made the room look like throw up lol. With my furniture and my wife and my decor brushed nickel would look horrible and every fan our house came with was Brushed Nickel, I donated each one of them (plus three of them had bad bearings and they were all cheap fans that IMO would have been worn out one way or another within the next year anyway. I have two Supra's in my Garage my wife says they're too fancy for a garage but I think they look great especially with the more old school but modern look and the really dark blades. Thats a fan I would say stock pile at least one and you won't regret it. I'm amazed with Gulf Coast I mean I've purchased three Dixie Belle's from them and not one problem with any of them. I mean I get they aren't a stack motor fan and all but they are silent on low, paint/finish quality is excellent as well as the blades. I don't see that model going anywhere for a while because they do exactly what their purpose is. This was the first time I spent almost $300 on a fan and my wife had no problem with it she was so happy to get something that matched her kitchen and that the quality was good. (She also told me she was returning anything that was Hunter/Casablanca since I've had so many problems with them lately  ) I'd say if you can get a good deal on a Supra or Paramount XP go for it they always will fit in. For the higher end stuff its gonna be a little harder but a lot of the times when you're not actively looking you find something. Then there is also fans you'll never find. I've wanted a Casablanca Ventura since I was a kid. In High School I saved up to buy one however it just never worked out. (Oh and it had to be Antique Brass) here I am now 10 years out of high school still don't own one and one popped up on ebay for $400 used.. Its just not worth it, thats my thing some collectors can go with the all Casablanca house or whatever but to me its boring. I'd rather have some different stuff thats decent quality. |
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Post by Tais on Aug 18, 2020 15:07:40 GMT -5
One thing ive thought of since the beginning of my fan hobby, get as much as u can until u cant..
Ive managed to get a huge amount of fans during my period of collection and restoration, and due to the fact many old fans are thrown away like trash and scrapped instead of going to resale market, ive boosted myself in that activity, and hoarded as many fans as i could, until nothing is left to pick.. although i have huge storage issues with many fans and their parts stored in different areas, i feel like ive given a second life to the fans, only needing a restoration and having a new owner who would take good care of it as an antique product
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Post by ceilingfansmalta on Aug 22, 2020 11:01:51 GMT -5
Good idea to collect a large number of fans until they stop being found. In fact I went to the department store and spoke to the different departments to save the fans for me if they were thrown away. One fabrics department took it very seriously, and even asked for my contact details. In another department they told me that the old fans that are removed are used in the other outlets in Malta, which I think is not true, because nobody these days is installing ceiling fans in Malta, let alone second hand ones. If my dream came true about getting all the fans in the department store, it means:
1. Relite (Airmaster) and Havells fans and maybe Evernal and Westinghouse too
2. Enough Relite Rapide MKII fans to supply my whole house for 9 times. I could do lots and lots of research on the fans and maybe get this fantastic brand back to life!
Regarding fans in the future, I think that they must keep being produced, even if most people switch to air conditioning First of all there will still be outdoor restaurants and the like, which cannot put air conditioning, so will have to put some sort of fan. Sometimes there need to be fans even near air conditioners as KDK say in one of their advertisements.
However, I still am feeling the worry of the decrease in use of ceiling fans. Many people tend to prefer portable fans in Malta, rather than ceiling fans
One hope for me on the other hand, is that certain factories seem to keep manufacturing ceiling fans, like Crompton, Havells. Not only that, but also some companies like Crompton and Atomberg are even inventing BLDC ceiling fans (which are not my favourite to be honest), but at least there are some people, who, similarly to us in the forum seem to want to make the concept of ceiling fans last for some more time
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Post by Max C. on Sept 15, 2020 21:05:06 GMT -5
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