Birtman

[lesinutah]

Hey
Henryvacuumcompany (the sellers name is the reason I didn't add spaces). They are selling a 1920s Birtman electric company vacuum.
He first listed it I asked why shipping was outrageous and it was last night I sent the question.
He adjusted shipping but said they relisted the vacuum. It originally wouldn't turn on. It's hard to imagine why a vacuum almost 100 years old might have a bad cord. They used a new cord and it turned on.
I may be mistaken but this is a holy Grail vacuum.
The shipping was $150, now it's $50. I'm going to be bidding on it. I also may not win the auctioñ. I'd rather see a fellow collector get it if I don't.
I also noticed a few premier duplex vacuum. I also like these vacuums. They remind me of a Kirby tradition.
Well attaching link.
Les
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/283668903132


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/283668903132

 

[madman]

It's a good looking old machine.

 

[lesinutah]

Madman

Madman I thought your username was madmen like an older ganster movie.
I may be wrong but don't you have old Birtman handvac?
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

I bought from him before - and likely the heaviest vacuum you could ever imagine shipping - the first or second model Hoover Power Drive - and it only set me back $25 or so (I live not far from him so the shipping is cheap).

I am wondering why he jacked the shipping cost up so much on the items? Buying an item from a seller is a commitment and having the shipping charge being a slot machine gamble on if you will be paying a lower or higher cost makes me not want to bid on his auctions. For me I always look at the shipping cost first and if it seems too high I just pass over it.

When I first started vacuum collecting and looked on eBay in 2017 I seen a Federal Electric vacuum identical to this one. Passed over it in order to get a Hoover 700. Never seen another one again.

 

[madman]

Les - I was wondering how long it would take you to notice
I do have a Kenmore (Birtman) handheld vac, yes. Not sure of it's age, but it's probably post-war. It's painted wrinkle brown and has a motor driven brush. Bought it when I was but a wee lad. Still works great.

 

[lesinutah]

Huskyvac

I'm guessing he doesn't want anything broke. He fixed price which cut it drasticly.
Madman
I remembered you posted about you getting one. Less than a week later I put a low bid in and won it. Mine has grey and black checked bag. It has same meta hanger piece you gave advice on recently
They may go a little high but they are cheap items. It's cheques and balance.
I'm not sure how dare
Les

 

[davevac]

price

I saw it listed at 19.99 and it said it did not run maybe because of a bad cord.
I messaged him and asked if he tested it by plugging in directly to the two posts
on the top of the machine...he messaged me back that he did that and now had relisted it at 39.99.
I think the shipping was $80 originally and now it's down to $50 or 60.
It's a nice looking machine..not sure if I'll bid on it ...we'll see
dave

 

[madman]

Dave - you shouldn't have said anything! lol

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

I have a similar story. I told him nice vacuum. I said I bet you have a short in the cord.
He attached a new cord so it had nothing to do with the wired mounting.
If you read the description he got wired it with new cord old cord still comes with it.
I'm just glad he fixed shipping.
Les

 

[rivstg1]

I just clinked on the listing and the shipping is $90, so quite a jump in cost. :-/

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

It was double that so $90 is a little high but every vacuum I sale over the net and ship runs $60-$90 depends on size of vacuum.
I'm pretty sure packaged and shipped could get down to $50-$60.
Les

 

[bvac6]

I love the Birtman machines, I have a few of them. Among them is a Magnetic, I would love to be able to match it with the Magnetic handvac.