Well, scratch one Kirby...

[human]

So my ex girlfriend, who has had my Kirby Heritage 1HD for the past several years moved into a new apartment a couple of weeks ago and when I went to see her new place today, she informed me she'd "accidentally" left my Kirby behind at the old apartment. Ironically, she had a couple packages of spare bags for it in the back seat of her car. They went directly into the trunk of my car, even though I don't have a Kirby that uses the Type 1 bags with the oval openings. I may have four other Kirbys but I'm still sort of pissed about it. It's just a matter of respect--or lack thereof.

 

[lesinutah]

Bright side

Hey
That sucks about the Kirby. If you married her you would of got a divorce. If that happened you would loose slot more than a Kirby.
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

I'd go there and ask the tenant or landlord if they seen it or have it, and leave a note on their door. If they are human beings, they might give it back to you, but by law, it's just forfeit so they can legally keep it if they wanted to. If they don't have it, I'd just go there and look in the nearest dumpster, it may have been tossed out and ended up in there, as most people think a used vacuum like used underwear now and don't want anything to do with it. Most people today don't even know how to work a Kirby, as every vacuum now has an onboard tool assortment.

 

[human]

@lesinutah: I know that all too well. I got divorced about 15 years ago. I held a grudge for years about a nice Eureka canister she made me get rid of that had been my grandmother's.

@huskyvacs: I drove through the complex this morning on my way to work but I didn't see it by the dumpster, nor was I really expecting to, considering she vacated the premises almost two weeks ago.

It's really just the principle of the whole thing. It's emblematic of a general lack of respect.

 

[crazykirbydude]

These hoes ain't loyal

 

[kirbyklekter]

human, I'd call the manager of the place

and inquire. I cleaned the apts. where I once lived and people almost always left something behind. Something like a Kirby we'd definitely put aside in the store room until we got confirmation that it wasn't left by mistake. I'm really surprised if they didn't try to reach her or the other way around.Worth a phone call. I bet they kept it for cleaning apartments, they are commercial duty.

 

[madman]

Ya'll seem to be working on the assumption that she actually left the Kirby behind and didn't keep it for herself or give it to someone else. Or throw it away out of spite.

 

[human]

I just got off the phone with the folks at the apartment complex and they said everything she left behind--including my Kirby--was disposed of. Bummer.

 

[human]

I'm finding my self struggling with this. Part of me wants to "replace" that machine, which is totally illogical since I have too damn many vacuum cleaners and certainly don't need another one.

One thing's for certain. She gave me a couple items of hers to list for sale on eBay and when they sell, she's not getting one dime of the proceeds. I hate to be that petty, but there you have it.

 

[blackheart]

Sometimes

We form an attachment to a particular machine and it becomes special to us in a way. If you did by all means go find another they're not too hard to find, usually.

 

[human]

Yeah, if I were to find one inexpensively around here, I might pull the trigger on it but I'm not inclined to pay ridiculous eBay prices for one. I just rarely see anything like that around here.

 

[huskyvacs]

Wow that sucks.

What sucks more is that eBay and the USPS raised their shipping charges recently (early spring 2019) for large packages that are very wide or tall, so buying a Kirby off eBay is not cheap anymore. I used to get one every couple months on eBay for +/- $32 shipping in 2018...not anymore. It's now about $55-$70 for shipping, or the sellers do not bother and just put local pickup only and you're out of luck.

I have not seen a Kirby at any goodwill in my area since I got my Classic 1CR in....2010? They rarely appear. They rarely break and they cost so much, people don't get rid of them like a Dirt Devil or a Bissell. (But for whatever reason people will trash a Dyson when it gets just 1 clog and you find them in the trash all the time so I have no idea on that logic).

I'd just keep checking online sales sites like offerup, or possibly ask local vacuum shops if they have any derelict Kirby vacuums that have not been repaired that they would sell for cheaply.

Or you could buy one of eBay in chunks too. I got the complete lower motor and base for a G3 Kirby for $15 once. Just need a handle and brushroll and power cord.

 

[kenkart]

Re She MADE me get rid of

Guys If someone tries to MAKE you do something you don't want to do GET RID OF THEM they didn't give a damn about you in the first place, Donald and I have been together 14 years , married 3 and we have NEVER tried to control each other at all, if he wants Christmas stuff He gets it and if I want old appliance stuff likely as not he buys it for me before I ever say anything about it.

 

[human]

Exactly, Hans--

That's why the woman I married now has 'ex-' ahead of her title because I 'ex-'ed her out of my life. The older I get, the less tolerance I seem to have for people who show disrespect toward me.

 

[human]

I make a lot of jokes about 'vacuholics anonymous' but if there were such a fellowship, I'd be calling my sponsor right about now. Lacking that, I'm going to use this space to process some of my thoughts.

I've been making myself crazy all week, poking around thrift stores in hopes that a Kirby--preferably mine--would magically turn up, but no such luck. My thrift store mojo seems to be that if there's something I really want, to the point of obsession, it's the one thing I won't find until I can truly stop obsessing.

I actually came very close yesterday to buying a white Oreck XL Classic at the Habitat ReStore for $10 but it just wasn't what I wanted. I want my Kirby back, dammit! Right now, I've got a Legend 2 on my eBay watch list that is reasonably priced (by eBay standards) but needs a little work.

But why? I've got like 20 vacuums at the house. Why am I even allowing myself to consider shelling out for yet another one? Will my life really be more complete and fulfilled with one more vacuum cleaner in the house? Wouldn't I be better off in the long run to save my money and take satisfaction in my already excessive fleet, in which Kirby is already well represented with a customized G5, a pair of Gsixes and a Sentria? What am I thinking?

Why can't I just convince myself that I've already replaced that machine several times over? Seriously, I bought my G5 in 2015 when I began to doubt I would ever get my Heritage back. Or maybe the Sentria--the only vacuum cleaner I've ever paid more than $100 for--would qualify. After all, it does sort of share the Heritage's gray and orange color scheme. The bottom line is I know I'm being ridiculous about this loss--especially since I haven't had this machine in my physical possession since about 2013. It's not that important in the grand scheme of things but just I can't seem to let go of it.

 

[human]

I done went and did it...

Shortly after I made the above post, I put in a 'best offer' on that Legend 2 and won it about an hour or so later. It'll arrive in about a week's time. While I feel like the proverbial monkey is off my back in the sense that I no longer feel compelled to stop at every thrift shop I pass, I still feel kind of stupid for having to make such a purchase to feel better about such a minor loss. Oh well, it'll give me something to do this fall and winter, getting it all shined up and pretty.

 

[rivstg1]

human

Well, as a fellow Kirby-addict, I see your listed collection of G series Kriby's, but you need a pre-G series too! haha. I applaud your Legend II purchase, I think its an awesome machine.....I feel your thoughts on having enough vacuums already.....but to get your or A Heritage back....well, its understandable. Its not a huge expense....but it would balance out your Kirby collection of mainly G series models. . welcome to vacuum-holies anonymous!!!!

haha
Kelton

 

[suckolux]

Sorry for your loss buddy, glad to hear you found one to fill that hole. I get it.

 

[human]

Yes, I'm starting to get a little excited about the Legend 2. The mini emptor is broken on it and I found a complete Heritage II bag assembly for less than the cost of a new mini emptor so I'll be able to slap the thing together immediately and put it though its paces, then take my time deciding whether to keep the H2 bag assembly intact, swap the mini emptor over to the red Legend 2 bag, or mix and match parts like I did my with G5.

Knowing my tendency to easily go overboard on things like this and given the large assortment of Kirby tools I already have on hand, including four complete sets of G series tools, I think I'll take a minimalist approach to accessorizing this new machine. I don't see the point of acquiring yet another full set of tools, even if they are color coordinating, when all I'll really need is a compatible hose to be able make use of what I've got.