Kirby R
I too had been watching just to see what the final price would be. My thoughts were 600-800. Never dreamed it would see 1200 dollars.
I would say there are some out in the country in barns, attics and basements. My guess would be not many. If they
were selling against all the lux salesmen, Hoover and Royal.
The model 12 Lux in the mid 30's that my Aunt had in Canada, was
perscribed by her doctor due to allergies. Before that a vacuum in the average home was an upright for sweeping carpets. Then Lux comes bagging on the door and shows people
in their own living rooms. How a cylindar vacuum can do so
much more. Dusting the blinds, the hard floors, the car etc.
Plus selling them on the idea of "no cloth dusty bag" out in the room spewing dust and germs back into your home. As well as cleaning around all the carpet edges as you vacuum.
It is my doubt that the trained sales man and the knowledge
as well as the word of mouth, was just getting a good start
with Kirby
Hoover had magazine adv.as well as Eurka. 10 day free in home trials, etc. The
door to door Kirby person, became more highly trained and motivated
to sell the machine after the War. Urban people as well
as small farm folks went to work in the factors during the
war. The auto industry was coming to life big time with credit. So credit I am sure is what sold so many Kirby's
after the war. I remember my Mom in 1954, sitting at the
living room desk writing out the monthly payment on our 1953
Air Way(66) and turning me and saying. If your father had not bought this for me. I would have never bought it (because of the Price). The cost was $79.00 and payments were 6 or 7 dollars a month. She said to
me "when the vacuum and the Sears bill are paid" (Wringer washer). "That's IT, NO more credit purchases !" She did keep
her deptment store charge for clothing purchases for those timely holidays and back to school for me !
Just my thoughts on the timing !
Norm
