New Filterqueen $1199 & Kirby $1295.

[maytag142c]

misconceptions...

"I can assure you that Costco/Sam's Club shoppers are loaded to the gills."

"Those are stores where you buy in huge bulk purchases of a massive amount of stuff for a huge price and nobody bats an eye."

I am a Costco and BJ's member and can assure you that I am not loaded to the gills, I am comfortable but definitely not even close to loaded. Many people shop and buy in bulk because it is actually smarter and most of the time less expensive to pay wholesale for a product in bulk as it is for someone to purchase something at retail. For example, I am a vegan, for me to buy Tofu it is less expensive to buy it in bulk, at 2.19 per container retail VS $6 for 5 containers it is actually less expensive. Appliances that are exclusive to wholesale clubs a lot of the time actually have either more features or something is completely different about the product vs something you'd buy at walmart. Keep in mind too that a lot of wholesalers will also carry products that are limited edition, and or also products that aren't normally carried in stores like Walmart, Target, etc...

 

[luxlife]

Well said Maytag142c !

I’ve heard good things about BJ’s from friends in Skaneateles. Wish we had them here in Texas. Costco can be unbearable on the weekends with the food samples on every end cap and I swear it seems like so many people only go there to graze on the freebies. [this post was last edited: 11/4/2022-18:03]

 

[maytag142c]

I cancelled my Bj’s membership, people say the gas is cheaper but I disagree, if I go to a “Delta Sonic” with their membership card, it’s almost 30-40 cents less. Besides, I like Costco more. As for the food samples, I can’t eat 98% of what they show so I just get what I need and go.

 

[kloveland]

Well said Maytag142c. I agree as well!

 

[lesinutah]

When

Your in costco on tasting day ho a many carts are full. If you see 8 registers open your going to see atleast 3 people spending over a grand. I don't use a cart. If you can't carry it you can't buy it. If you use a shopping cart you spend 3 times more than no cart.
If you see someone throw a block party you bet the farm there buying items at costco/Sam's club.
Dyson have sold at costco forever. Sir dyson is a billionaire and he used Costco as a selling platform.

 

[huskyvacs]

I do not buy more than I can eat on a weekly basis so I have no use for some giant bulk-buy store nor do I need the fire hazard of filling my house with 100 packs of paper towels and toilet paper that will take 5 years to use. I get all my groceries at Dollar Tree. Also you restated literally what I just said.

 

[troopersam]

I just accidentally discovered that Filter Queen is selling direct from their site when I went to buy a part.

Then they emailed me a deal to buy a new machine for $899. Couldn’t say no.

I guess the old FQ will live in the RV, LOL!

 

[juju93]

still havent seen

Any kirbys pop up on the costco website or even filter queens. But what I have seen is an inflation price for the avalir 2 on kirby's website. The base package which was the machine and attachments went up from 1600 to 1900 The next step up which includes the shampooer and zipbrush also went up from as well and as well as the ultimate package which includes everything plus 6 bags. Now breaking it down indivdually. The multi surface shampooer went up to 350 from the regualr 250. The zipbrush also went up $30 and the turbo accessory went up from 99 to 149. Any one know why these prices jumped, especially for a 33 year old machine.

 

[human]

Welcome to the 21st century...

...and good riddance to the door-to-door sales model. That has needed to go away for a very long time. I remember reading once on this site about somebody who had to show the sales goon to the door with a .38 in his hand to get the point across that he wasn't interested and wasn't buying. Kirby is smart to be putting the machines where the buyers are.

I could even see Costco coming out with a Kirkland Signature line of bags and belts for them--in appropriately humongous quantities, of course. I also have to wonder whether the Costco machines would have the same warranty as those bought directly through the company or an authorized sales center. That could be one way to get the cost down. Costco sells Interstate car batteries at a discount, but they have a different warranty (three years prorated, only through Costco) than those purchased from an Interstate dealer (two years free replacement and then three years prorated). They also might not offer the factory rebuild program for those machines. Of course, they still could also leave a little meat on the bone for the local sales and service centers by not offering accessories like the carpet shampooer through Costco. Please understand, this is all supposition on my part as I have no insider information.

The bottom line still remains that Kirby's biggest competitor is itself in form of the second-hand market. Who in their right mind would want to pay well over a grand for a brand new Kirby when a gently used one can be found in the same price range as a cheapo plasticrap vac at a thrift store or online. A couple of years ago, I got a very gently used Sentria with all the accessories, including a carpet shampooer, for $50 at a thrift store. It's essentially the same as today's Avalir although I understand the carpet shampooer may have been improved. Even though I am a Costco member, I have no intention of purchasing a Kirby there, if and when they ever actually show up at my local warehouse.

 

[kirbyg6]

I’m hopeful this is the year that Kirby launches a new model I think this is a smart move from them

 

[juju93]

They have to launch something even if its another color scheme (god forbid thats the case) I mean the avalir 2 (sentria 4) is going to be 5 next month. Thats just as long as the OG sentria with a 6 year production run and thats basically the same time that sentria 2 and the originally avalir (sentria 2 had 2 years and avalir had 3 years) being produce together. I mean I get there an inflation throughout the country but I can't see kirby justifying the 300 increase on all the combo choices that they offer and its not like theres a shortage of G-series machines out there lol.

 

[panasonicvac]

Honestly, the Avalir 2 might be the last Kirby we'll ever see. They may go out of business in the future but I hope not, I'd love to see Kirby stick around. But why would I want to pay $1,900-$2,500 for a Kirby where I can just buy a used one for WAY less or even better for free? That's what they're struggling today is the used market, I agree with Edgar on this. Another thing they're struggling with today is the competition from other brands. Most consumers want newer technology like something that is bagless, cordless, swivel neck, lifetime belt, cheap, etc. And last but not least is where they're buying it from. Door-to-door has become a thing in the past nowadays, vacuum shops are dying, and most people would just want to shop online or at least at their local department store. Good luck trying to sell a very expensive vacuum at Amazon or Costco.

 

[dysonman1]

They're doing it. Costco machines are in the hands of consumers. Vac Shops like mine are selling the bags and shampoo and belts. We are an authorized Kirby warranty center, so the 3-year Kirby warranty is honored. Personally, I do not think there will be any 'new' Kirby unless Right Lane Industries finds a buyer with the money to invest in engineering and brand-new tooling.

The Kirby looks sold fashioned in its sturdiness, so sitting with the plastic crap vacs is actually a good thing.

 

[kirbyg6]

The AV2 has been out for to long now

 

[canisterman]

As much as i would like

For things to go back to the way they were 60 years ago, Its not going to happen, No more does the Electrolux man who comes to your house , have a card certifying he is a bonded representative, I sold Rainbows in the early 80s, you could get in a house then, No way would i try it now, If Kirby and Filter Queen and Rainbow etc intend on staying in business, they will have to do it the modern way, I dont buy anything on line, but im old and set in my ways, most people are not,Just as I truly think gasoline cars are going to be extinct in 30 to 50 years, so i believe the door to door salesman will be gone in 20 years.