Walked away from a Kirby (Vacuholic Victory)!

[human]

It's usually a challenge for me to walk away from a Kirby in a thrift store, kind of like an active alcoholic walking past a bar. But last night it was easy. I was walking around a Goodwill store, killing a little time, and saw a Kirby G6 with its tool kit and a shampoo system. I actually noticed the latter before I saw the vacuum itself. Everything seemed to be in nice shape, except there were a couple of empty spots in the tool kit. I didn't investigate too closely, because I then spied the price tag--$150!!! One Hundred Fifty Dollars!!!

Okay, I'm glad someone at Goodwill recognizes that a Kirby is worth more than a bagless plasticrap vac, but dang! While that wouldn't be a bad price on eBay, I've never seen a vacuum that expensive at a thrift store before. The last Kirby I bought with all the trimmings like that was Sentria for $50. Granted, that's been a couple of years, but still.

The other reason I walked away from it is I already have four Gsix Kirbys. It feels like that must be the single most plentiful G-series Kirby out there, and I have way less than $150 tied up in all four, probably less than $100, so it was easy to walk away from that one with no regrets. That package had nothing to offer that I didn't already have. It feels good to finally be able to give myself permission not to buy every machine I see.

 

[paul]

Good for you! I agree that at times it's better to be selective than "collective".

Such a high-priced item is indeed unusual for a thrift store, but I know that some of the managers use online auction prices to determine theirs. It's a good thing for the charities that many support rather than being a collector's bargain. A non-collector, though, would still most likely get a deal.

 

[justjunque]

I did one today too.
I'm trying to find a way to thin my collection. So, I'm really trying hard not to add any more.
I had a couple of moments of weakness with two Orecks recently.
But, I haven't been thrifting for a while, and I gave in to the call today. No vacuums at the first store.
But, at the second one, there was a temptation. A sort of emerald green Hoover Encore Supreme Soft & Light. It was covered with dust, but it looked like it would have cleaned up mint.
I don't have any Hoovers of that style, and I don't know anything about them. But, it looked like it was all there. It had the hose, a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. The only thing I didn't specifically notice is the extension wand. But, I'd be willing to bet it was there too. Aside from the layer of dust, it looked really well cared for.
They wanted $15 for it. I was very tempted, but I walked away.
The question is; will I cave and go back tomorrow to see if it's still there?
I don't know what style bag they use. Is there a HEPA option available for them?

 

[justjunque]

I don't see them often, but I saw a partial Kirby at a thrift store today. It was a Heritage II.
What was there looked in good enough condition. But, the nozzle was missing, and it had the hose attached. There was a tool on the hose, but I forget now if it was a crevice tool or an upholstery tool.
They were asking $14.99. I passed.
At a different store, I passed up a toy, battery-powered Dyson ball for $2.99. Actually, it's senior discount day there, so I would have gotten 30% off!
I don't imagine they're worth much, but I've never seen a toy Dyson in a thrift store. And it looked clean and complete.
I've given in and bought a couple of toy Dirt Devils over the years, but I passed on this one. I may regret it.

 

[human]

Amazingly, someone did buy that Kirby. It stuck around for a couple of weeks, but it was gone the last time I was there. If they got the full amount for it, good for them. I'm just glad I wasn't the one to shell out that much.

I might have taken a chance on that Heritage II for $14.99, even if it was missing the nozzle. Those are easy enough to come by. Interestingly, I found one a few years ago at Goodwill for $15 that had the nozzle, but was missing the cord. The thing was in like new condition otherwise. I went online and ordered a cord as soon as I got home with it. I paid $5 more for the cord than I did for the vacuum, but I feel it was still a good deal.

 

[justjunque]

Well, I didn't go back for the Kirby, but I did go back to see if the toy Dyson was still there. It was, so I bought it this time. For $2.99, I said why not.
I tried looking for some videos or something, to see where the batteries go and such. I found some videos, but none of the vacuums looked exactly like this one. It's not colorful; it's solid light grey. Then, by searching eBay, I discovered that it was apparently exclusive to Pottery Barn. I'm guessing it was made by Casdon. Aside from the color, it looks exactly like theirs.

 

[justjunque]

Another day, another exercise in self control. (Sort of)
Today's thrift store sighting was a Hoover Windtunnel upright, that appeared to be fairly late model. It was a very pretty metallic red color. And, the features sticker on the front of it mentioned the bag design. Maybe "Drop free" or something along those lines. I'll be glad when (if) I ever have a new, fully functional phone, so I can take pictures again. I believe they were asking $9.99.
If I had bought it, it would have been one more "for the collection". Being out of room, I can't afford to do that any more. Ive messed up and dragged home multiple Orecks recently. But, I do use them. And, I find them fairly easy to work on and clean up; even for a maroon like me. The last Hoover I brought home, I'm afraid to even try to take it apart. I can't even access the belt and brushroll. I love Hoovers, but the newer ones are just over my head.
All that being said; for the same $9.99, I dragged home a tiny little Bissell Featherweight stick vac. Again, it's something that I plan on using. My in-laws have one, and my MIL loves it. The downside of buying it from a thrift store, is that I didn't get the crevice tool that it came with when new.
It seems like a fun little almost toy vacuum for picking up light stuff from the bare floors and area rugs.
The filters are drying right now. But, it cleaned up like new, and I'm looking forward to trying it out!

Edit:
Forgot to mention, they also had a Dirt Devil canister vacuum. First time I’ve seen one. I believe it was called a Vision, but I couldn’t swear to that. I don’t know if it was complete, and I didn’t see how much it was.
It had a sticker on it that said maybe “Factory Remanufactured” or something similar.[this post was last edited: 11/29/2024-18:19]

 

[justjunque]

Went back to the same store today.
The Hoover was gone, but the Dirt Devil Vision bagless canister and the Kirby Heritage II were still there. The Kirby may have been half price today, based on the color of the price sticker, but I'm not sure.
In addition to the missing nozzle, I noticed today that the plastic collar on the end of the hose is broken where it attaches to the machine. Half of $14.99 would make it tempting, even though I'm trying to be more selective now.
I'm guessing that model is not self-propelled? It seems smaller than my G4, so probably easier to maneuver without the self-propel.

 

[human]

Correct...

The Heritage II and Legend II (both model HD2, same machine with different color schemes) were the last Kirby cleaners not to be self-propelled. The Tech Drive made its debut on the G3, which followed the Legend II, and aside from cosmetic changes, that is more or less the same machine they're selling today as the Avalir.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks, Edgar.
The latest update is; This one is a Heritage II Legend. And, for $8 on half price sale, I dragged it home.
I don't know if it's worth fixing up, or if I should just plan on selling stuff off of it. The outer bag looks in good shape. I should be able to get my $8 back from that.
If I get bored, I may see if I can hand polish the aluminum a little bit. And, I'll probably hand wash the bag. With no carpet in our house, I needed another Kirby like a fish needs a bicycle. But, it's been sitting there for weeks, I'm a sucker for a sale, and I love vintagey vacuums.
So, here we are. Now I have two Kirbys. Well...one point something. This one's not complete.

 

[windowsxp6112]

JustJunque

Do you still have the toy Dyson DC07 also I'm guessing that you have the purple and grey one.

 

[justjunque]

I do still have the all grey toy Dyson. But, that's the only Dyson I have; toy or otherwise.
My other two toy vacuums are Dirt Devils. I never really set out to colect toy vacuums. But, sometimes I spot one at a thrift store and bring it home, in a moment of weakness. I guess they're a fun little offshoot of the vacuum collection. Just not something that I actively seek out.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Human

Edgar,

Today, I managed to score an incomplete 1988 Kirby Heritage II Legend because the place I went to was having a closing sale.

~Ben

 

[justjunque]

Hey, Ben!

That’s the same model that I picked up, also incomplete, a little while back.
Mine was more complete than yours, but it also has a broken fan. So, while I did eventually find a correct carpet nozzle for it, it’s still out of commission until such time as I can afford to have the fan replaced by a shop. I’m not DIY enough to take it on myself, and I don’t have any friends in the hobby.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

There are TWO kirby(s)

leaving my house this summer... very soon, in fact. Plus, blue tools, and a box of vintage tools for , I believe, a Sanitronic.