Saw an almost never used Kirby 100th

[gottahaveahoove]

anniversary vacuum today in a thrift shop near Philadelphia today.  It was the new 100th model... a guy had in his cart.  I saw the tools on a shelf and told him,  "you know, the tools for that are over there on a shelf".  He thanked me.  The cleaner was $23.00 and the tools were $18.00  I was dumbfounded.  The thing may hjave beenuseed once.  HOW DO THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN??  It boggles the mind!

 

[human]

How do things like these happen?

More importantly, how does Kirby stay in business competing with itself on the secondary market? Who in their right mind would pay full retail for a new Kirby when late model (barely) used machines are so readily available for literally pennies on the dollar? And I say this as one who greatly appreciates the excellent quality of their products.

 

[dysonman1]

At the Vacuum Convention two weeks ago, my friend Chase Stewart brought an almost new Avalir (which is NOT the 100th anniversary model - that won't be until 2019) that he bought at a pawn shop, complete, for $100.

 

[sharkcar19998]

Dysonman1

The Kirby Avalir is the 100th Anniversary Model hence the picture of a avalir handle down below. Kirby started making vacuums in 1916 with the first being the vacuette

 

[dysonman1]

You are very incorrect. Jim Kirby wouldn't even meet Scott and Fetzer until 1917. The vacuette was brought out in 1919.

 

[speedqueen]

Grasshopper stew anyone?

I thought not, but Jim Kirby's Grasshopper came out in 1912, pre-dating the Vacuette.

 

[sharkcar19998]

Sorry I've been in a retard mode the past 2 weeks. I just figured out that in 1914 the first Kirby would have been put into mass production being I believe the Ezee. So 2014 The Avalir came out marking 100 years.

 

[rugsucker]

Anniversary years--

--can be confusing.I think Regina claimed"since 1892"but that would have been for disc music players.Vacs came later with the ElektricBroom much later.Royal claimed "1905"but again I think vacs came a bit later.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'd certainly never

disput a vacuum cleaner company on their dates, patents, etc.  It's not my place to change history.  We all know the Hoover history,  and the facts tat Kirby and Regina have and state. To quote the great Johnny Matthis, "It's not for me to say". That only leads to trouble and sometimes embarrassment on some level.


  I was just amazed when I saw that thing in the aisle,  and then the wrapped up tools on the shelf.


  The man who bought it might have a store or something, as I later saw him at another store.  Or,  he might  just do his weekly scan as I do.


  This vac was immaculate.


   Shocking, in any event.

 

[dysonman1]

Sharkcar, you are VERY incorrect.

The Ezee was NOT made by Scott and Fetzer. It had NOTHING to do with them.
When I was President of the VCCC we used to publish a newsletter. In one of them, we had reprinted the original Ad for the Ezee. It was made by Frantz Premier in Cleveland in 1914. Jim Kirby's FIRST electric vacuum came out in 1910, also made by Frantz Premier. I kept all the old VCCC newsletters from 'back in the day' when the VCCC was VERY much different.

Jim Kirby was an expediter for the US government. He met Scott and Fetzer, who were making pistols (not vacuum cleaners) in 1917 and his job was to try and get them to make MORE, faster, as there was a war going on (WWI). Scott and Fetzer's first vacuum cleaner was the Vacuette of 1919.

While people may 'believe' that 2014 would have been the 100th anniversary model Kirby, people also 'believe' in all kinds of things that are not true. Like bearded white men in the sky who grant wishes.

Every once in a while, the Vacuumland 'vac of the day' will be an advertisement called "welcome your Kirby man" from Scott and Fetzer from the 1950's. You'll note the ad says "Sanitation for the Nation since 1919".

 

[kirbysthebest]

Point of order

Other than to just be contentious.  What difference does it make? 


 


Jeep is celebrating it's 75th anniversary, but Chrysler has only owned the brand since 1989, and Fiat has only owned Chrysler for six, so this could only be their 6th anniversary OR are we celebrating the design of the original GP General Purpose vehicle?


 


 


 

[this post was last edited: 6/25/2016-19:36]

 

[panasonicvac]

Has Eureka

Ever had a 100th anniversary model? I know there was one Eureka I saw before that was an 85th anniversary model but haven't found any other Eureka with their anniversary decal on them. I'm not too familiar with Eureka.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Perfectly put, Harley


Since I'm really not a Kirbylover,  I really don't care.


  However,   constant bickering over a point  really is pointless.


  But,  I'm not a Kirby guy.


  You've made an excellent point.

 

[fooseofhoove]

Why does Kirby have 100th anniversary on the Avalir handle now if the actual anniversary isn't for three more years?

 

[vacuumlad1650]

My guess is to sell more vacuums at a higher price

 

[human]

Yeah, same reason one of my Gsixes is labeled "2001 Limited Edition". There's not a bit of difference between it and the other one that's a year older and is labeled "Gsix Performance". It's all marketing gimmickry.

 

[kenkart]

Eurekas Golden Anniversary

Was 1959. I have a 260 upright with the gold trim.

 

[universaldave1]

I'd like to find

One of those Golden Eurekas one day. I really like the gold on them.