We all know local thrift shops and pawn shops are more often than not way less exspensive to buy older collectable sweepers from than buying them online. Easily you could buy 2, 3, or more for the price of one reconditioned sweeper online. But what in your opinion is the better investment? Spending the bigger bucks on something in presumeably better condition that's been gone thru, cleaned up, and repaired, vs rolling the dice on someone that works but no ones givin any love to in potentially a long time? This is all assumeing that your funds are someone of average income.
Online vs thrift shop opinions
- Thread starter icee
- Start date
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Craigslist should be on the list as well. I vote for saving the money and reconditioning it yourself.
You know it will be done correctly and is a great learning experience.
People's definition of "reconditioned" can vary greatly. Shipping costs is also something to be considered.
One recent experience,
The motor in my daily driver vac Electrolux LE recently had a failure of the armature.
I was able to find an Ambassador III locally to take it place for a reasonable amount of money. (Advertised as canister only)
I saved by not purchasing another motor for the LE and re-using the hose and attachments from my LE.
The Le motor was refurbished by me last year with new bearings and brushes, but the vac had a hard life.
The previous owner had used it as a shop vac, and the motor was very clogged.
You know it will be done correctly and is a great learning experience.
People's definition of "reconditioned" can vary greatly. Shipping costs is also something to be considered.
One recent experience,
The motor in my daily driver vac Electrolux LE recently had a failure of the armature.
I was able to find an Ambassador III locally to take it place for a reasonable amount of money. (Advertised as canister only)
I saved by not purchasing another motor for the LE and re-using the hose and attachments from my LE.
The Le motor was refurbished by me last year with new bearings and brushes, but the vac had a hard life.
The previous owner had used it as a shop vac, and the motor was very clogged.
delaneymeegan
Well-known member
Buying on line doesn't mean that it's been reconditioned.
Buying at a local store, doesn't mean that it's in bad shape.
When using the internet to shop, you are simply gettng more coverage area, vs. being limited to a relatively small geographical area.
Buying at a local store, doesn't mean that it's in bad shape.
When using the internet to shop, you are simply gettng more coverage area, vs. being limited to a relatively small geographical area.
I realize not all online sellers are going to sell "reconditioned" goods, I just see alot out there that are. That's what I was more mainly curious about was thise sellers. But I agree really going locally and finding things at much lower prices is usually most cost effective and best way to go. Just wondering what others thought
vacerator
Well-known member
icee;
Of course, as always, caveat emptor, or "buyer beware" but one advantage at a resale shop is up close and tangeable inspection. You can plug it in to see if it runs and what it sounds like.
E-bay does guarantee buyer satisfaction on purchased bids even though the seller does not offer a return. I do not exactly know what that means.
Your budget also has bearing on what you buy. An already reconditioned item or one in fine survivor condition will sell for more.
So, if you want to be able to afford more of those, buy ones that are rough. Clean them up, make repairs, then flip them on E-Bay or Craigs list. Then save the profit for one you desire.
People also do this with cars and houses.
Of course, as always, caveat emptor, or "buyer beware" but one advantage at a resale shop is up close and tangeable inspection. You can plug it in to see if it runs and what it sounds like.
E-bay does guarantee buyer satisfaction on purchased bids even though the seller does not offer a return. I do not exactly know what that means.
Your budget also has bearing on what you buy. An already reconditioned item or one in fine survivor condition will sell for more.
So, if you want to be able to afford more of those, buy ones that are rough. Clean them up, make repairs, then flip them on E-Bay or Craigs list. Then save the profit for one you desire.
People also do this with cars and houses.
human
Well-known member
Yeah, what vacerator said...
I have to concur with the previous post. Buying locally at a thrift store, pawn shop, yard sale, classified ad, etc. can have some serious advantages over eBay in that you can thoroughly test drive the item and can get it for a cheaper price.
Case in point: I bought a pristine Kirby Gsix with a full set of attachments at Goodwill last spring for $50. The same machine in the same condition on eBay could easily have brought at least twice that or likely more—and don't think the idea of flipping it for a profit hasn't crossed my mind a time or two. Conversely, had I been able to physically examine the Kirby G5 I bought on eBay last year, I probably would have kept on looking.
That said, the main advantage I see for buying on eBay is finding what you want more quickly and easily, especially if it's fairly esoteric. For instance, you could spend years looking for a 1950s vintage Lewyt canister locally without any luck but you could probably find at least one or two on eBay—for a price—any day of the week.
I have to concur with the previous post. Buying locally at a thrift store, pawn shop, yard sale, classified ad, etc. can have some serious advantages over eBay in that you can thoroughly test drive the item and can get it for a cheaper price.
Case in point: I bought a pristine Kirby Gsix with a full set of attachments at Goodwill last spring for $50. The same machine in the same condition on eBay could easily have brought at least twice that or likely more—and don't think the idea of flipping it for a profit hasn't crossed my mind a time or two. Conversely, had I been able to physically examine the Kirby G5 I bought on eBay last year, I probably would have kept on looking.
That said, the main advantage I see for buying on eBay is finding what you want more quickly and easily, especially if it's fairly esoteric. For instance, you could spend years looking for a 1950s vintage Lewyt canister locally without any luck but you could probably find at least one or two on eBay—for a price—any day of the week.
