[jacko]

I have the chance to purchase a Kirby Gsix complete with all accessories and manual. I understand it is in good condition and working order. Six years old - apparantley cost £650 new. Going to see it tomorrow - how much do you think i should offer for it?

Also can you get them serviced and repaired without going through Kirby? (I've heard they charge a fortune)..

[*paul_moss]

He he

[Joe H]

Gather you not into Kirbys Paul?

Lets be helpful.
If you go onto Ebay there are a few G6's for sale, obviously auction running so the bids are still on the up. Someone started bidding at £200 but got no bids yet, another with buy it now price of £250.
G4's (slightly older) in good nick go for about £150-£225
Start low (£100) and work up.
Has it been serviced regularly by Kirby or an agent?
Guy on Ebay services Kirby for £65 exc parts. You get it to him but the £65 includes return post which can be £20-£25. Gives it a good polish as well so it will look good.
You can get the bits off Ebay, bags are cheap, Google Kirby and you will see there is a Kirby club with some useful tips.

From G4 onward I know they had the TechDrive power assist so moving it was made a lot easier.

For the bigger jobs I would like a Kirby. Too heavy, IMO, for every day jobs in a "normal" domestic. Certainly move the pile about.

[*paul_moss]

Joe they were ok 10 years ago but even with the G series they are still too heavy and a bit old fashioned. Most are on 2 motored machines now.
I prefere to use a vac that customers dont recoqnise as they are usually only availble to pro trade.

[Joe H]

Understand where you are coming from when you sy prefer to use a vac customer does'nt recognise etc
but at the end of the day its the quality of the vac job that really matters and, although it is some time since I have used one (still recovering), I believe it does a very good job. But I would only get to use on the larger areas.

[*paul_moss]

They do, do a good job and ive had a few of them over the years.I now find the others more powerfull but more than that easier to manouvre. Kirby just dont seem to have moved forward as quick as the others, yet they are double/treble the price 

[Mike Halliday]

 I like the Kirbys, well built and solid, they are heavy because they are made from stainless steel, if you want light buy a plastic machine, but be careful throwing it into the back of the van.

I'd back it against most twin vac machines, you can feel the carpet vibrate through your shoes with a Kirby the brush action is so thorough. the brush on the Kirby is slightly offset so this causes the vibration.  the Kirby salesmen will tell you that this 'shakes' the dirt loose from the carpet.

I'd pay £200 for it is its in A1 condition

Mike

[*paul_moss]

Mike you hit the nail on the head
Its a £200 machine just the same as the others, not  £1000 machine.

[Joe H]

Yor right Paul, thats the daft part about Kirbys - the price, but thats more to do with the way they are marketed.
and who wants a vacuum cleaner that dries your hair, paints your car and moves 3" of snow.
Dont all shout at once!

[Mike Halliday]

I'd never buy one full price, no matter how far the vibration reached

the nice thing about them is stripping off the head and using them as a cylinder vac on upholstery,

Mike

[*paul_moss]

Not tried that. Nice idea Mike I have one still at the unit.I will try that at the week end.

[Mark Lane-Matthews]

Kirbys are absolutly ideal for rugs

                                      Mark

[robert stubbs]

http://www.worldofclean.co.uk/index.php?productID=434


Have a look at the Royal,had a demo at Steve Carpenter's house ,awesome machine.
This is my next purchase.

 Regards Rob

[*paul_moss]

Just a copy of the Kirby but a cheaper version. Again that camp just trying to reinvent the wheel  :

[jacko]

thanx for the replies chaps, i am considering the machine for when i do dry (sponges)cleaning - nightmare getting all the "sawdust" out the pile! Also for heavy rug vaccing.

Cheers...

[Joe H]

Actually Jacko, while we were "talking" I was "watching" a few on Ebay.
Someone only 12 mile away had a G5 with all the bits + manual on auction.
I emailed him with an offer of £100 and we agreed on £110, so just been out to pick it up.
Hope you do well with the one you are looking at.

[mark_roberts]

The Royal is NOT the same as a Kirby.  Ive got a Kirby and have used the Royal.

Its far better.

Mark

[*paul_moss]

The Royal is NOT the same as a Kirby.  Ive got a Kirby and have used the Royal.

Its far better.

Mark

Mark which is better the Royal or Kirby ?

[carpet guy]

" It beats as it sweeps as it cleans "                                                                                         

  Hoover advertising about 40 years ago.

 

[mark_roberts]

Kirby is better as it has the drive gear and is better built.

Mark