Query about an Electrolux Model V

[electrolux137]

Here's an email I received yesterday, and my response to it...

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Hi Richard,

Thank you for your very informitive site! Nice work. Unfortunately I did not see it before I became one of the eBay victims and purchased a Model V.

The local Aerus dealer told me the Model V had a "bounty" on it for "$5,000" and if I ever came across one not to hesitate to buy it and that he would help me sell it to the corporate office. For some reason, that being he was a 35 year Lux Man, I thought his information was reliable and placed the winning bid for the above mentioned Model V. I spoke with Corporate and they offered a generous $200 but only if I secured 6 other models (XII, XIIa, XX, XXX, AE and the LX I believe) and then it would be $600 total!

Am I writing just to tell you my "woe is me" story. No. I am trying to unload the machine now and thought you might know someone who would like one. It does not have hoses or attachments (strike two) and I paid with shipping $320 (hurts to even admit).

Of course I would like to break-even at least. I sell homes not vacuums and would never have ventured into this arena if not for the "helpful" Aerus man. Maybe if I leave it to my children it will one day recover its value.

Any leads of course would be appreciated (for the vacuum that is).

All the best,
James Bisbee

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Hello, the only Model V that an Aerus person would consider worth $5,000 is the one that =they= were selling.......

I have seen a few of these get sold over the years. The highest that I've ever seen one go for was $750 and it was in immaculate, complete, all-original condition. So "just the machine" is not likely to do any better than that, obviously.

That being said, the person at "Aerus Corporate" who said he'd be willing to pay $600.00 for the six listed models is talking out of his bee-hind. I'm sure he would be THRILLED to pay that amount for them.

If this set of six machines came up for auction on eBay and they were all in excellent condition, I could see the lot going for some serious cash --- although there's nothing at all rare about the XXX, AE & LX. They're still around in great quantity and show up on eBay very regularly. The kicker would be the Model XX which is scarcer than hens' teeth, scarcer probably than the other rare bird, the Thrift Model which I am surprised was not on their list.

At any rate, your best bet to sell your Model V would be eBay. Whether or not you get back what you put into it cannot be predicted. But I'd say most likely you would not.........

Good luck,

~
CRL

P.S.: Who's Richard??

 

[electrolux137]

The guy just wrote again and said the man he got the Model V from has the following machines, that he wants to sell as a lot for $5,000.......

Model V - 2
Model XI- 4
Model XII - 4
Model XIIA- 2
Model XX- 3
Model XXX - 7
Model T - 8
Model LX - 2
Model AE - 2
Model G - 1
Olympia - 1
Silverado - 1

Floor Polishers -
B6-1 - 2

Uprights

Hoover H Master Deluxe

2 trash bags of hoses
Tons of metal attachment poles

10-15 different heads / nozzles

Plus there are some random items like a photo with "60 years of Electrolux" showing all of the models to that point.

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I responded:

Well, it's not that some of the machines aren't valuable but selling them as a lot is not a "good business model" and I doubt the seller is going to find anyone who can buy them all.

Few people (including me) would have either the financial means or the storage space for so many vacuums. There are one or two that I'd like to have, depending on the condition, but have little or no interest in the rest of the lot.

I'd like very much to see photos and a good description -- condition (cosmetic & mechanical), completeness, etc. etc.

A brand-new-in-the-box Model XX, untouched by human hands since it left the factory is one thing. A rusting, cootie-infested machine that someone pulled out of Aunt Gertrude's septic tank is another thing.......

I know they say in real estate, "location, location, location." With vintage appliances, it's "condition, condition, condition."

 

[s31463221]

Model V

Charles,

I saw that eBay auction, the first time it was listed at $400 and nobody bid on it. The seller re-listed at $300 and based upon the message you received, I think we know the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say! I was actually surprised that an incomplete model V would sell for that but I now understand why. I wish this guy the best of luck in unloading it, but I'm afraid he will be hard pressed to break even on it!