Asking for opinions

[justjunque]

Hey all,

I know, ultimately, the decision to purchase any vintage vacuum, and how much you should pay for it, is a personal one. I have other factors to take into consideration as well, such as room for more vacuums.
But, I'm just looking for some of your opinions on this particular case.
Someone local to me has a light blue Hoover Decade 800 for sale for $40.
I haven't yet seen it in person, but I'm trying to make that happen today. I've corresponded with the seller a few times. Supposedly, it works fine, and just needs a little cleaning up.
He's absolutely firm on the price. And, in fact, is now asking twice as much for it, because that's what they seem to sell for on eBay. Because we had communicated before the price increase, he said he'll still let me have it for the $40.
Obviously, I'll make the final decision after looking it over in person. But, if it's truly as he described it, I'm just wondering what you guys think of that deal. I normally don't pay that much for a vacuum. But, it also doesn't seem like Decade 800s show up every day.
Thank you for your help.

Barry

 

[blackheart]

Depends

It really depends on how much you want it. $40 is high for a vintage machine I think but considering what they have been listed or sold for I think it's not terrible.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

I ve  paid more  than  40  including shipping  for my lux  Olympia one 1401  b  but works  like brand new .  It  just needed a polish  on the top and came with a new vinyl hose .  As far  as  i  know   ,  the hose alone is close to a  100 i say go for it 40  what ya got to  loose  .

 

[huskyvacs]

I don't think $40 is bad. The days are long gone when you could walk into a Goodwill and find dozens of them sitting around. More and more mom & pop vacuum shops are closing down as well, which further eliminates them from recirculating.

I think I paid that much with shipping for my Decade 80 on eBay but this was way back in 2019.

 

[justjunque]

I'm starting to wonder if the reason he raised the price wasn't entirely based on what they sell for on eBay, but possibly in part, because he doesn't really want to sell it.
Our last communication was me, asking for the address so I could go look at it.
After saying that he would be around pretty much all day today, he never responded with his address.
I understand, unexpected things can pop up. If I don't hear back from him by tomorrow morning, I'll reach out to him again.

 

[huskyvacs]

Sounds like your typical Facebook/Craigslist seller.

 

[lesinutah]

Wow

I love non responding buyers or sellers.
I'd say buy a different vacuum cleaner from someone who wants to sell to you.
The worst case is he contacts you later. You then say I found one local for$20 and your going to look at it that day. He'll offer his for $20 or you'll find another vacuum.

 

[durango159]

I wouldn't fret over $40 for a Decade 800. They are a fun, great cleaning machine and easy to service. Go for it. I have two Decades.

The Decade 800s feature:
Long cord
4 height adjustment
Dual headlight bulbs
large capacity Hoover A bag, available in HEPA
Hoover Beater bar well reknowned brush roll
6.5 amp motor
Power Surge

 

[justjunque]

Well...that didn't work out.
The guy got pissed at me because something came up, and it would have taken me like 45 minutes to get to his house instead of five minutes.
So, he says he texted someone who was willing to pay him $75 for it, and I could go have relations with myself. He said he'd rather throw it away than sell it to me.
Sounds like he's either a child, a scammer, or it was just about trying to get more money out of someone all along.
Oh well. I hope he's happy with his $75. Life goes on.