demmett's Full Review: Kirby G5 Bagged Upright Vacuum
Is It Worth It? Everyone has heard of the Kirby vacuum cleaner. Buying one can be a big decision for a person to make, and it's mostly because of their cost. The question most people ask first is usually, whether or not it is worth it. I have owned mine for four years, and my mother has had one for eighteen years. I hope I can give some pros and cons to help with the decision. The biggest concerns when a person buys a vacuum are: how high the price is, is the weight manageable, will the life span be long enough to pay for my investment, and is the suction powerful enough and how easy supplies are to access.
Price The price can be a big deal when purchasing a Kirby. Depending on what sales person you happen to get; people normally spend approximately $1000-$2000. This is a big investment for any person. I bought my first Kirby and paid $1800; I needed something to help build my credit. The loan added $75 dollars a month to my bills, and at the time this didn't seem like a lot. This is where most people screw up. In my opinion, I wish I would have haggled more with my salesman. I was only eighteen, and was excited about the new knives he gave me to get in the door. The man had me eating out of his hands, and even gave an extra set of knives to my mom. While I was paying for my Kirby, I often felt like I had been fooled. This was mostly because I had made the mistake of taking the longest loan period. Now that it is paid off; I am really happy that I did it, and I am extremely pleased with my investment.
Life Span A very important part about spending so much money is: if it's going to last through the years. My mother purchased her Kirby vacuum when I was five. It has vacuumed up spilt planting soil, and still worked after sucking up the pound of rocks. The vacuum has been through hell and still worked! I recently had it rebuilt for her also, and for less than two hundred dollars she got a brand new vacuum all over again. The fact that my mother has had her vacuum for eighteen years; I think speaks for itself. Because of how long my mothers vacuum had lasted; was my initial incentive to buy one myself.
Weight The weight of the older model Kirbys can be something many people worry about. My newer model, the Diamond Edition, is no exception. BUT the newer models have been made with a transmission. When you push the bottom into drive, verses neutral, it becomes practically weightless. This is an amazing new addition; especially since it weighs about 15 to 20 pounds. I think this is proof that the vacuum is heavy duty, but when using it there is no stress or strain. I would not suggest getting a Kirby if you are going to need to be packing them around a lot.
Suction The weight is most likely so it can hold the powerful motor. All of the salesmen that get through your door are going to give you the same presentation. They plug in their demo vacuum, and instead of using a bag they plug in a collection filter. By doing this they show you all the dirt your old vacuum is leaving behind. It will surprise you how much dirt you actually can suck up with this vacuum. I've been told you can even suck up bed mice. I own a cat and she likes to bring presents home; catches of all sorts. I have never had a problem cleaning up any of it with my Kirby.
Supplies and Parts Kirby parts and supplies are not sold in grocery stores; so when your vacuum bag is full you better have a back-up. If you live in a larger town, then getting supplies can be as easy as running to the vac shop. But if you live in a smaller area, then you better plan ahead. The only way to get any parts or supplies such as: Kirby shampoo, belts, or vacuum bags is to order them. You can order them in through the mail, and they are not cheap. Three bags can be as much as twenty dollars plus shipping. Even though they are spendy, they hold quite a bit so you won't be ordering often. So if you're shopping around for a vacuum and you're wanting something that will last long term Kirby is the way to go. They can be expensive, but the price paid is well worth it. Kirby is a heavy duty vacuum that operates great. You will not need to worry about passing over your room multiple times to get the job done. I think if you add the pros and cons as named: price, the lifespan, the weight, and supplies, and the parts; that you will see the pros are more valuable for this vacuum. Even though there are a few disadvantages the perks make this vacuum one that I would definitely recommend.
ONE (1) NEW KIRBY G4, G5 G6 (Since G4, G5 G6 Models are Basically Identical in the way they Hook up, Kirby no longer makes the G4 or G5 Book ) OWNERS ...More at eBay
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