Let's talk about boxes!

[reo580]

Hello fellow collectors and enthusiasts.
Today, my Classic Omega parts (including the original Kirby box) I ordered on Ebay arrived. I was so excited when my housemate sent me a text saying a Kirby Parcel arrived. My excitement turned in to horror when I discovered that it the parts were shipped IN THE ORIGINAL BOX!!!!!!
Packing tape, shipping labels and dents galore! This box is ruined as far as I'm concerned!
I am not pleased. I specifically purchased the parts because the large box is part of the package. The box is now ruined, it is unsuitable as far as I'm concerned.
I'm going to have to cool off until tomorrow before I communicate with the seller- I'm too mad to deal with it in a calm, pleasant manner. I'm sure he or she meant nothing by it, but I wonder if non-collectors/enthusiasts understand how important the box is??
How do you guys deal with the issue and what advice do you guys have as far as shipping or packing instructions one should give to sellers when buying Kirby or other related items where original boxes are concerned?
I may be picky and exacting, but I would think it's common sense to double box!
Pardon my rant- I'm very annoyed at the moment.
What are some of your box/shipping related horror stories?

 

[reo580]

On that note.....

I wonder if it's posible to have the Kirby graphics scanned and printed true to size on some kind of clear film appliqué with the graphics in the proper beige/tan color?
I'm thinking of building a box the size of the origional large one out of wood, staining it the rosewood color and sealing it, then putting said appliqué over the finished product.
Yes, a sectioned wood box, felt lined so that the entire machine (taken down)can be stored properly.

 

[beko1987]

I normally ask if any boxes on the pictures come with the items, then specifically specify that the box can be used, but wrapped up in plastic/paper to protect it. That way, I have evidence for an ebay dispute if they don't do that.

I imagine your pain, sounds like a bad situation

 

[hoovercelebrity]

That has happened to me numerous times. For the past few years, if I win the auction, I will email the seller of the item prior to paying, asking them to acknowledge that they have received my email asking them to take precautions when shipping an original box (that it be double boxed, etc...). Same with packing. I am always glad to pay a bit more if the seller needs to go purchase additional packaging materials in order to keep the item safe. I've had more than one machine come damaged beyond repair. Once they acknowledge, then I pay. I've also sent emails prior to winning the auction, if time allows.

I usually also say that I am a collector and the box is part of the appeal of their auction; which should kind of go without saying with eBay -- but people who aren't collectors don't always get it.

At least with Kirby boxes, they seem to still be out there in good quantity. You might not find another tomorrow, but trust me -- there are still plenty out there.

 

[electrolux137]

"I feel your pain."

I could tell you some shipping horror stories that would curl your hair. Or straighten it.......

 

[superj]

electrolux137

Would you mind sharing all of those stories with us.

 

[caligula]

Hi reo580. I also feel you're pain.

A few months ago I bought a Kirby Classic 111 from a collector who posted it here in vintage. I sent him an email telling him exactly how to pack the Kirby (as we did in the Kirby office I usded to work in). I also told him to double box it, expecting to pay extra for the shipping. Instead he had the original box packed in clear plastic, thus the stickers were not on the box. As for the Kirby, it got here in perfect condition, and was packed exactly as I suggested. Needless to say, that Classic 111 is my daily driver!

I suggest that in future you specify that the seller shiped the boxes in clear plastic. It adds nothing to the cost, lets you see what you are getting and protects the box.

You might try a product called 'Goo gone' as it's designed to remove stickers from windows, and other places. I use it on paperback books to remove lables and it works great.

I'm sure there are other members who have the box you need. I might have one myself, but right now that's in storage in another state.

Good luck in your search, and I hope you can find a way to remove the stickers, try the Goo Gone.

Alex Taber.

 

[reo580]

I was able to get the stickers and the sloppily placed packing tape off using a heat gun. The box is all dented up and knackered. However, I found another one online that's in really good shape and has a later model vinyl Omega hose (really flexible).
Alex, You were a dealer during the Classic 3 era?
First off, I'm jealous. I would have loved to work on vacuum cleaners for a living then. Machines built much more serviceable than they are today.
Second, How on earth do you get the Rug Renovator assy to fit in its box properly?
cheers,
Derek

 

[caligula]

Hi reo580.

Well I started out as a salesman in Dubuque, Iowa in the summer of 1975, and yes, I sold the Omega, however, that didn't last long. With my interest in Kirby, and love for teaching, I quickly became a training manager. The first branch office that I worked in as a trainer was Oak Park, Illinois (about 20 miles west of Chicago). I bought my first Classic 111 the week after it came out, in June of 1976, and worked for Kirby until the late 1980's.

In September of 1979, I was sent by my manager to fill in for the training manager in San Diego who took a stroke. While there, I fell in love with san Diego, and made up my mind to retire there. I did that in May of 95.

So I have trained the sales stff in a number of branch offices, and the stories of those years can be found in the archives under the thread "have you ever owned or worked in a vacuum shop?" If you need help finding it, look up Zig Zigler, he was a professional motovator, and I knew him personally. In that thread I tell a lot about the home demo. Check it out.

Actually, because I started training long before there was the V.C.C.C., I made the history of the vacuum cleaner part of every new class. As for trade-ins, a lot of them went home with me.

This was the V.C.C.C. museum in Naperville, Illinois back in the early 1990's. As for the Tradition with the Classic 111 bag, that was how I took it in on trade. Some customers have a sick sense of humor!!

Alex Taber.

 

[caligula]

The museum.

Another look.

The two men on the wall pf pictures are George H. Scott, and Carl S Fetzer.

Alex Taber.

 

[AudibleNectar]

I recently bought an Electrolux Guardian......

.....that had been demoed and purchased, then placed back in the original box and stored. It was pristine. It was as close to the Renny styled Guardians as I was likely to find in that condition, and I wanted to keep it that way.


 


I requested that the vacuum be packed in another slightly larger box with additional padding, as to protect the original from shipping rigor. The seller also packed paper wadding between the parts in the inner parts box to prevent movement and damage to those. The vac arrived in exactly the condition I hoped it would - I couldn't have done much better if I had bought it from Electrolux, except for the price, of course, which was considerably better.


 


So in addition to the gently used Lux Guardian I use regularly, I have a brand new backup in original packing that might be the best "warranty" available. I expect that I will not be buying another canister for a LONG time.


 


So yeah, I've been there and done that with good results - although I must admit that shipping a Kirby is likely to be a bit more of a challenge.

 

[caligula]

Our first logo.

This was designed for John Lucia and me in March of 1983 by Liz Krammes, daughter of Stacy Krammes the director of the Hoover Historical Center (birthplace of the club). The vacuum cleaner is a non electric pumper, The Baby Daisy of 1890.

Alex Taber

 

[caligula]

And here's a look at the actual,

Baby Daisy, on display at the Hoover Historical Center.

Alex Taber.

 

[s31463221]

Boxes.....

In many instances can be worth more to a collector than the actual vacuum or part itself. For example, I recently purchased an Electrolux XXX from eBay that had its original box included in the auction. I probably have close to 100 XXX eluxes, so the vacuum itself wasn't that big of a deal to me, but that cardboard box, now THAT was a different story. After I completed my payment, I emailed the seller and requested they ship it inside another box with appropriate padding of course and when my vac arrived the box was still in wonderful condition! I hate your Kirby box was ruined, but it is possible the logos can be saved as I have a friend with a sign company that does an amazing job recreating my logos and lettering. I rebuilt an XXX and used a wooden toy chest for a box and with the logos, it looks like it could have come from the factory like that!

 

[caligula]

Hi reo580

I found the thread in vintage archives where I talk in several posts about working as a Kirby training manager. That thread is #19312, and the exact title is "What was it like to own/work at a vacuum store?" My first post is #214202, and the date is January 15, 2013.

That was a lot of fun walking down memory lane, I hope you enjoy those posts from several of us.

Alex Taber.