questions about kirby factory rebuild?

[dustin]

I have 2 Kirbys (a classic omega and a g3 ) and my mom has an Ultimate G. the G3 is in good shape but could be better, the ultimate G is in good mechanical condition but bad cosmetically and the Classic Omega was factory rebuilt in 1994. I was wondering if I can send them in to be rebuilt and how much it would cost? my mom has owned the ultimate G since it was new in 2002 and mine were bought used. I would like to have the G3 and Ultimate G rebuilt, but i am afraid of the cost! and all the Omega needs is to be polished, it is perfect otherwise.

 

[eurekastar]

If you email Kirby, they will quote you a price. It is more expensive when you're not the original owner. I got a quote from them a year or so ago for a G4 we used to own. I think it was $279. I'm not positive on that price, but I remember it was expensive. I remember thinking I could buy a refurbished machine off Ebay for less money. With the rebuilds, they don't necessarily use identical parts either. So it may not look the same when it comes back.

http://www.kirby.com/Portals/0/rebuild_program.html

 

[thunderhexed]

Kirby

I emailed them today to ask about rebuilding my G5 as a non-original owner. They quoted me an ESTIMATED cost of $350.00 plus whatever shipping is in both directions. I'm thinking I may send it in after I get moved into my new place. I bought it "refurbished" from ebay, and have had issues with the transmission ever since. It's been in to service and a few parts where changed but it's still not engaging in reverse. The bag is pretty worn in places too, so I figure with the cost of a new tranny, and whole new bag assembly, it's gonna still be pretty high, so why not just sent it in for a professional overhaul from the very company that designed and built the machine? Since it's my daily driver I'm not too concerned about matching trim. They even told me in the response that the handle is not required when i send it in.

For being a "refurbished" machine, I was NOT impressed. I have figured out with a couple of my Kirby purchases on ebay, that these sellers that "refurb" kirbys use the same stock photo of their best "specimen" for each ad they place for that model. The G4 i purchased was polished to a brilliant shine, but the transmission was jacked up and the rug nozzle had a MASSIVE crack in it - you could see light through the gap, however, the seller replaced it at no charge. The G5, from a different seller has a jacked up transmission, worn hole in bag, and looked as if it were polished by hand. I also had to replace the horn gasket that the emptor fits over because the rubber seal on it was all cracked and worn to the point that the emptor would pop off due to being so loose. The photo used to represent the machine on ebay made it look to be as if it just rolled off the assembly line. The bumper was pretty scratched up too. So, if it says refurbished, ask to make sure that you are getting the EXACT vac that you see in the pic if thats what you are wanting. I notice subtle things on machines listed on ebay, certain markings or scratches on the machines, or condition of the trim, etc, and on both the machines I bought, they were not identical to the pics they were listed under.

Dunno - I guess my interpretation of the word "refurbished" is different from most others. I'm under the impression that refurbing a machine involves breaking it completely down and replacing and worn/broken/missing parts, not just polishing it up and wiping down the trim.

 

[joe22]

at the local kirby store a refurb is cleaned up and they put what is needed to make it work good, eg new belt, light. they always have a good number of heritage 1hds !!!

a rebuild to quote above *involves breaking it completely down and replacing and worn/broken/missing parts* new trim, bag, etc.

before i buy or bid on a vac i read all the feedback of the seller

 

[sanimatic]

I think it depends on who is doing the refurb. An authorized Kirby Dealer may be able to maintain it perfectly well without completely changing the original look of the machine.

Bought my refurbed Classic III twenty years ago as a teen from a Pittsburgh Kirby dealer when I first moved on my own. Periodic maint over the years at this same dealer has kept it in mint condition including the original fan. This includes 6 years when I kept it in an outdoor garage and it was barely functional (I know, I should should spend 6 years in an outdoor garage as punishment...)

Now this dealer calls me to schedule a spa treatment for the C3 as well as my beloved Diamond and they pick them up at my house and deliver them back at the end of the day. Looking, sounding and performing like new. Often I decline, but when they need sprucing up, I am never displeased.

Chris