Sightings today

[fan-of-fans]

So today I went to two thrift stores plus two flea markets. First I drove by a yard sale, I didn't stop, but I seen a Kirby, probably G4 or G5 and attachments, plus a teal Kenmore Progressive canister 2nd gen.

At the flea markets I just saw a bunch of bagless Bissells. At one thrift store I saw a blue Oreck with an orange cord. And next to it was a Kenmore upright, the kind that was similar to the Hoover Concept One. And it had the attachments. I think it was also the model with a cord reel. It was $25.

Plus I made another stop at Habitat again. There was that blue and white Convertible still for $4.50, and I saw another Convertible too or $6. This one was metal base, with white and a yellow/gold colored hood, no headlight. I might go back to get that one next week when it's less busy. Since I kind of want a vintage Convertible, and they can be broken down and stored easily.

 

[superocd]

I told myself to KEEP OUT of thrift stores...

...but relapsed when I was out getting a new garden hose (since I hit it with the weedwacker by accident after a mild panic over a couple of bees swarming around me, which I'm allergic to). Since Home Depot was in close proximity to Goodwill, I figured, what the heck, I'm going to get this out of my system--but NO BUYING ANYTHING unless it was a very old Kirby (like Sanitronic or older) in order to cure what may be the first signs of a hoarding problem, lol, even though all six of the vacs I have (three Kirbys, one Sanitaire, one Royal metal upright and soon after it is restored, one JCPenney Hoover Convertible), plus my wifey's Dyson Ball Animal thingmagig, are all hidden and tucked away neatly in the closet under the stairs.

Well, I didn't buy anything, because there was just the usual bagless lineups *but* there was evidence of a Classic Omega lingering around...oh no. Not good. Potential dilemma here. The brushroll nozzle and box of attachments of a Classic Omega laid upon a shelf. My endorphins were running high--the thrill and the possibility of running into a complete Classic Omega machine were very real and the rest of it could very well have been right around the corner. Well, that was not the case--there was no complete Omega machine to be found at all--so lucky me ("lucky" as in not being able to say NO!, rescuing and bringing home another vacuum and getting in trouble with my wife, lol). Unlucky me because I like the look of the Omega (even though my Heritage II Legend is basically the same machine as the Omega from my understanding, only with different colors and a slightly different design).

I wondered what would I have done if there really was a complete Classic Omega just sitting there, even though I said to myself "I am buying NOTHING unless it is an OLD Kirby" (like Sanitronic or older) as I walked through the doors. If there was a Classic Omega sitting there, I would have justified my way into taking it to the front counter to buy! Oops!

It's going to be hard to stay away, knowing that something like a Classic Omega (or some of the parts of it, anyway) showed up. Curiosity turns into a lure. At least I'm not going to garage sales of auctions, and eBay prices are a little steep for things that are often in rough condition.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I see Kirbys fairly often at thrift stores here. I haven't gotten one, because I don't have space for the machine + attachments, and I don't think I'd use it. I do like the look of them, especially the Classic Omega with that woodgrain and gold theme going on. I also really like the looks of the G3 as well as the Sentria and Sentria 2. And who wouldn't like a vacuum with a N and D shift pedal?

 

[superocd]

I have a Sentria and an Avalir...

Since they are basically the same machine, I slightly prefer the looks of the Avalir. I think that I will give the Sentria away to someone who will appreciate it to make room for the eventual DS50/DS80/500 series Kirby, if I find one. Failing that, I'll either sell it or keep it. I have a 2500 square foot house so I have plenty of room and lots of closets. The only thing is that my wife does not understand the point of collecting vacuums (or old computers, which is another thing that I collect).

I actually don't use Tech Drive on the Kirbys that have it. I actually removed the belts since I can push the machines with no sweat. The belts were probably due to be replaced and I didn't bother replacing them, so I just took them off. Since the lifespan of Kirbys are measured in decades, I will probably change my tune once I hit my 60s/70s, but that is a looooooong time from now, lol, and I'm sure that I can pick up a TD belt in the future since Kirby parts availability is historically pretty good and it looks like the G3 design will probably continue on for at least another decade. I'm sure that the Avalir II won't be the last of the third-gen Kirbys, lol.

 

[huskyvacs]

Take the belts off? Just push the pedal to neutral.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Wow Superocd, I thought I was

the only Kirby owner who doesn't use the tech drive that much or at all. It just seems to me that I get a better rug plate to carpet "seal" with it turned off.I would probably opt for using it if I lived in a larger place. Sorry to hear you fell off the wagon, this is a great support sight but probably not for compulsive collectors trying to refrain! Here's the rub, I'd say 80% of the Kirby's and all the accessories I have CAME to me from family and friends who would stop and pick up said at estate sales, yard and garage sales, flea marts etc. I think they really used that as an excuse to do their own picking. My step brother came over with about 40 boxes of Kirby accessories brand new he bought from a retiring distributor. A friend left a message, "Billy you need to come get these vacuums (6) out of my garage, it's getting hard to park the car in there!" I think most of the people I know got the message that I've had to curtail my collecting due to a space shortage.Unless...

 

[panasonicvac]

Questions about the Kenmore

What color/colors was it? Was it self propelled? And was it a Twin Fan or was it one of those uprights that were made by Whirlpool like this one for example?

 

[fan-of-fans]

It was the Whirlpool made one like the one in your picture. I think it might have been the self propelled version, but I didn't look that closely. Early 90s with the hose port on top.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Going into a thrift store and not buying anything? Good luck, as I can never do that! I wish I could as I am so low on space...

Someone might have got the vacuum and either did not see or want the attachments.
When I saw my G6 at Goodwill several months ago, I saw no attachments and I got the vacuum. I went by there the next week or two in search of something else, and found the huge box of attachments for it far away from where the vacuum was. Just had to get those, too... Had everything but the hard floor nozzle.

 

[superocd]

I never went to thrift stores...

...because of my OCD (germaphobe tendencies) and the fact that even if I wasn't a germaphobe, I always assumed that there was never anything there I'd like, as the small appliances section mirrors that of a Walmart and the thrift stores in my area never have any vintage computers. January of this year was probably my first time stepping into a thrift store in years, and my original find was a Kirby Sentria for only $25, with all attachments. Ever since then, it has been an urge to see "what's next", and that's how I found my Royal 884, Heritage II Legend, Avalir and JCPenney Convertible. I've gotten over the gross factor of taking used vacs home as I clean the hell out of them. It helps to have a truck. I'd never transport a vac inside of a car.

 

[broomvac]

"...It's been an urge to see 'what's next&#3

Can relate. My problem is the same that many others here may have: my vacuum storage closet is full! I have allocated myself one closet to keep vacuums, and I have over 20 (yes, that's right) plus bags, belts, filters, and spare parts in there! I don't really like to keep vacuums out in the open. Too much clutter and too much self-consciousness around guests.

I've had to exercise great amounts of self control in the thrift stores and at the local recycling center.

 

[panasonicvac]

There were two different models. There was a white one and a grey one. The only differences between the two other than the color was that the grey one was self propelled. I've been after the grey one for many years now since that is one of my favorite looking Kenmore's of all time.