Shocked!

[firebirdman55]

Guys and gals, I just sold my Scott and Fetzer Sanitation System on eBay. I had awoken to find the ending bid! I am so shocked. I had no idea these were worth this kind of money! Started at $50.00.

 

[gj3476]

$1,825 + $41.76 = $1,866.76!!!!! Wow that’s a lot of money for a 90 year old vacuum! The last time I saw this on eBay it was around $151 I think.

 

[rowdy141]

If you're mailing it, make sure your courier hasn't excluded it in their non-permitted-items list. Some couriers say 'No antiques, No electricals, No machinery...'.
Some UK couriers will kick a parcel around, then claim it must have been inadequately packed. Photos while you're wrapping it will help there.
You'll want to make sure this is fully covered by insurance.

 

[firebirdman55]

Thank you for the advice! I will do exactly as you said.

Yes, it is a lot of money. I was expecting around $200-300 after it was said and done. To say I’m surprised is an understatement.

 

[justjunque]

Nate,

Congratulations!
That must have been a pleasant surprise!

Barry

 

[dysonman1]

That's an awesome sale

Congratulations. Has the buyer actually paid yet? If yes, then a second congrats is in store.

 

[firebirdman55]

Yes

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

It was at $152.50 with 25 hours to go. I bid to $152.00 with 3 days to go. I was a bit surprised but a 510 sold for $2100 and this vacuum is far more desirable than the 510.
Congrats on the sale. If you want a rare Kirby your going to open up the vault.
Les

 

[davevac]

Wow !!

Merry Christmas to You !

If it had the original bag, I was going to bid maybe up to $ 500....

Yikes !

 

[kirbyklekter]

Wow, that's amazing

Good for you! Can you tell me what the model number or letter for this machine is? My knowledge of pre-war vacs is limited, my oldest Kirby is 505, thanks. Congrats! Bill

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Firebirdman55

Nate,

That is so cool that you racked up a lot of money from selling this old machine!

~Ben

 

[firebirdman55]

Re: Number

B400075

This is the only number on the machine.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

considering the two things that make these machines the most valuable, the bag and cord, are not original to this machine, i also wonder why this sold for so much. the bag isnt even a newer era kirby bag, but a vacuum shop bojack

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

The bag isn't bojacked bag. It was on model 516-560. I have the same bag.
Led

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

The main part of the cord (gray with red plugs) we're seeing is indeed from a model 516 to 518 or, if it was 32 feet long, a 519 to 561.

I looked at the bag more closely and yes, like Will said, it is indeed aftermarket because if it were a genuine Kirby replacement bag, in the '60s it would have had the official Kirby circle or oval logos all over, and we don't see those (but the circles have a big "K" inside them)... here is an attached picture (by eurekastar) of what a genuine Kirby replacement bag for models 505-561 looked like in the mid-'60s/early-'70s.

But it still puzzles me as to why a machine that is not all original would still sell for this much. I'd guess it went for this much going by the fact it was produced in the late '20s/early '30s, and vacuums of that era are indeed becoming harder and harder to find now, especially if it runs at all.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 12/2/2018-03:02]

 

[bnsd60m9200]

that bag has little circles with "k" on them and is NOT kirby. its most definitely never was a kirby bag and was never original.

attached is the correct bag for the era you mention.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Will,

The original bag for the Scott & Fetzer Sanitation System, in 1930, was black in color and had said text (in an Old English-looking font) plus "NEW SANI EM-TOR FEATURE" in red and gold. The very last ones said, against a gold banner, "NEW SAFETY SWITCH."

Therefore, that bag would be the correct one if the one Nate had also had the safety switch in addition to the Sani Emtor. In the attached picture below, does there appear to be a safety switch?

~Ben[this post was last edited: 12/2/2018-03:24]

 

[firebirdman55]

I found this vacuum locally and purchased this machine and another old Kirby together. It’s been sitting in my front room for two years now. I decided to clear some space and start selling a few things off. Like I said, I did not expect to sell this machine for this kind of money. Before I went to bed, the bus was around $260. I expected it to end in the 300-400 range and was surprised when I awoke two hours later to find this. I am very glad the machine is going to a good home where it will be cared for and treated for the rarity it is. I am by no means an expert on vacuum cleaners, but I do buy a lot of vintage machines and do not sell most of them. I’m happy with the outcome and I only hope the buyer is too. I doubt I will ever find another. It was very fun to own and show off. I only plugged it in and ran it once and it did run. But as stated in the auction, it doesn’t sound healthy. It will definitely need some work.

 

[kc_kirby]

Why did it go so high?

The reason it sold for such a high amount is because it is extremely rare. It has the switch in the handle, like a Model R Kirby. There aren't many Scott & Fetzer machines around like that, so that is why it is worth so much. I'm surprised no else noticed that.

Chad