Royal Prince in the box

[human]

After I wrote that subject line, it felt like the setup line for a variation on the old 'Do you have Prince Albert in a can? / Better let him out!' joke but I did find a nice, gently used light blue Royal Prince 501 handheld, in its original box and with most of its original accessories this afternoon at a Goodwill store across town. It was missing the dusting brush but had the hose, wand, wall bracket and all of its original paperwork, and even an extra paper bag liner, in addition to the one installed in the vacuum. The only real problem with it is the belt was broken but there was a replacement in the box. Unfortunately, it also snapped when I tried to put it on so I'm faced with a couple of choices: I could order a replacement belt (a two-pack of genuine Royal belts can be had on eBay for about $10 shipped or a four-pack of generics for $6), I could return it to Goodwill within ten days for a merchandise credit or I could probably at least double the $20 I spent on the thing by selling it on eBay. I already have two of these handhelds and don't really need a third but what can I say? I got excited in the moment. I'll post photos later.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

human

Edgar,

I believe the replacement belt that came with the machine had sat out for some time. I would have recommended buying replacement belts.

~Ben

 

[human]

Quick updatel...

So after posting the above, I had a flashback to when I bought my first Royal Prince 501 for the (dare I say it?) princely sum of $3 at a now defunct thrift shop. It also had a broken belt and I ordered some replacements along with an accessory kit for a Dirt Devil BroomVac, which was also compatible with the 501. All that had been sitting on a shelf, untouched for several years and upon opening the box, I found that I had a small supply of belts as well as the missing dusting brush. So I'm in business. The question now is whether to keep it or sell it. Knowing me, I'll probably keep it.

Now, where's that Vacuholics Anonymous meeting?

 

[human]

Ben,
You're right. That replacement belt was doubtless as old as the machine, easily dating back to the mid-late '80s. It had definitely shrunk and hardened over the decades. I noticed immediately that the one I pulled out of my supplies was softer and more supple. It went into place in just a few seconds and without a fight.

 

[huskyvacs]

Exact same happened to me. Bought one used, but well cared for with original box off eBay from locally. Had original sales receipt and manual inside too. There was a new belt with a post it note on it dated "new 5/14/84". Vacuum was received with belt inside snapped, seller told about it. Put "new belt" on from 1984 knowing it was likely going to break but did it anyway just because, belt snapped within 3 seconds of switching the vacuum on before I could even set it down!

Just buy a new belt and you're good to go.

The metal Royals are great little hand vacs for stairs and upholstery cleaning, as well as those annoyingly dense carpet fibers in SUV trunks.

 

[human]

That's exactly what happened except I didn't even get the belt fully installed before it snapped. It had just lost all of its elasticity. Fortunately, I had a small supply of belts in reserve, which I had frankly forgotten about, so now all is good.

I'm a big fan of these little Royal handhelds. This one is my third. There really isn't anything like them on the market today. The only thing I've found that even comes close is an Electrolux SideKick but those are a little less convenient to use unless I already have an Electrolux canister or upright out and plugged in.