Thread Number: 20469
Kirby early C, ebay NIGHTMARE! 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 229166   4/20/2013 at 01:59 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        

cb123's profile picture
I got this off of ebay, and it took two weeks and one miserable day - on a slow boat from China to get it.

Post# 229169 , Reply# 1   4/20/2013 at 02:53 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Can't do nothing, but TEAR stuff up!

 cb123's profile picture
The fine gentleman I got this from had an uncanny, backward sense to completely break it down, wrap it in thin plastic grocery bags, and packed it like trash into the smallest, most undersized box that he could find on the side of the road.

Post# 229172 , Reply# 2   4/20/2013 at 03:10 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
USPS goes postal on a Kirby!

 cb123's profile picture
After he finished up shoving everything in - he used the Kirby bag as lose filler for its long and argues journey from the Northern icy Dakotas; where alas some hard working and over compensated postal person tossed it upside down to the frigid concrete floor - smashing the handle hinge on the cast aluminum!

Post# 229174 , Reply# 3   4/20/2013 at 03:25 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Needless to say

 cb123's profile picture
I gave him a stern talking to, and a little negative feedback doesn't hurt either - and of course a little J B weld and carbide splints drilled directly into the cast aluminum hurts even less than throwing it away - Heaven Forbid!

Post# 229175 , Reply# 4   4/20/2013 at 03:31 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Life after I don't know how many deaths!

 cb123's profile picture
This is how the fix looks now, just a hairline.

Post# 229176 , Reply# 5   4/20/2013 at 03:45 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Then after the stormy long dark night

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The sun broke forth and shone!

Post# 229178 , Reply# 6   4/20/2013 at 04:05 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Kirby Early C

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I could not send her back to that monster!
Post# 229179 , Reply# 7   4/20/2013 at 04:13 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Close up

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of logo
Post# 229180 , Reply# 8   4/20/2013 at 04:17 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Close up

cb123's profile picture

of tag
Post# 229182 , Reply# 9   4/20/2013 at 04:33 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
After the body work

 cb123's profile picture

I liberated it from its red wheels and bumper. However, I reused the bumper after I sanded and boiled it in Ritz black dye, which cut the red a shade or two. Then I painted it with flat black paint, and all I need now is save two black wheels, and the big mamma will be ready to go.
Post# 229183 , Reply# 10   4/20/2013 at 04:37 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
close up

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of belt cap
Post# 229185 , Reply# 11   4/20/2013 at 04:57 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Kirby C motor

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Runs strong
Post# 229190 , Reply# 12   4/20/2013 at 07:07 (4,017 days old) by kenkart ()        
Ive gotten a little

 Hesitant to buy anything off ebay, people are dumber than a hoe handle when it comes to packing!!

Post# 229193 , Reply# 13   4/20/2013 at 07:32 (4,017 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)        

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Wow , That is the most beautiful Kirby I have every seen 
Post# 229257 , Reply# 14   4/20/2013 at 13:25 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
I know what you mean,

 cb123's profile picture

 but once that eeebay mull kicks you in the chest and if you can find the where-with-all to get back up - you have to grab that bully by the tail and start plowing that hard field again, and then just maybe you can find a diamond in the rough. I'm glad that you like it, and here's an overview shot of the machine. Thanks once again 
Post# 229276 , Reply# 15   4/20/2013 at 14:21 (4,017 days old) by d-jones (Pittsburgh)        

This beautiful old machine is further proof that nothing sparkles like a well polished Kirby. Is it just me, or do choirs start singing Hallelujah for everyone else when they look at these photos?

 

By the way, that small crack that remains from shipping could be welded up and filed smooth to the point that it will disappear completely. There are folks out there that can weld an aluminum beer can back together, so a crack like this would pose no problem to them.
Post# 229310 , Reply# 16   4/20/2013 at 16:46 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Amen brother,

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and thank you for all the kind things you said. I too hear Glory, Glory, Glory, and I can almost hear the flutter of angles wings. Here's another pic of the bag, which was so egregiously misused as packing material - perhaps one of the nicest examples I've ever seen.
Post# 229318 , Reply# 17   4/20/2013 at 17:19 (4,017 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
You sure went to great lengths to receive and then patch up the damage caused to this Kirby C.

~Ben

Post# 229329 , Reply# 18   4/20/2013 at 20:39 (4,017 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
You got that right!

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Here's one more photo.
Post# 229337 , Reply# 19   4/20/2013 at 21:30 (4,017 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Hi cb123,

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Wow, I wish my Kirby 1-C or 2-C looked that great.
Alex Taber.

Post# 229338 , Reply# 20   4/20/2013 at 21:32 (4,017 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
To Paul.

 caligula's profile picture
That my friend, is the signature of, James B. Kirby.
Alex Taber.

Post# 229353 , Reply# 21   4/21/2013 at 00:24 (4,016 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh boy, do I ever feel your pain. I've had more than my share of eBay horrors too. Some people are just clueless about packaging large, heavy items. I know that some collectors balk at leaving negative feedback about shoddy packing and I wish they would not hesitate, because sharing Packing Horrors with other eBay buyers can serve as a warning to them.



Post# 229362 , Reply# 22   4/21/2013 at 02:00 (4,016 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)        

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When I buy stuff from up country I arrange the shipping and packaging myself. I use a special shipping company that will fetch the unit unpacked from the seller, They then package it themselves. They use tons of bubble wrap and New heavy duty double core reinforced cardboard boxes to fit the machine in.

Yes it costs more but man its worth it. Considering that the machine I like to collect are vary rare with almost no chance of finding another one in SA I make sure they don't get damaged

Post# 229372 , Reply# 23   4/21/2013 at 03:21 (4,016 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
I agree

 cb123's profile picture

I would pay more to have it shipped decently. Here's a photo of the belt caps to the early C and 1-C.
Post# 229376 , Reply# 24   4/21/2013 at 04:07 (4,016 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Backside of

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the belt caps
Post# 229478 , Reply# 25   4/21/2013 at 20:38 (4,016 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Thanks Alex,

 cb123's profile picture

but your 1-C and 2-C don't look  bad by far - quite the contrary !  Here's a photo of my half of a 1-C and early C together.
Post# 229482 , Reply# 26   4/21/2013 at 21:23 (4,016 days old) by vacuumman206 ()        
shotty packing

 I have only once received a damaged vacuum by mail. Seller packed a d2 with hose, wands and pn into a box(not a small box by any measures) the thing he didn't take into account was the plastic dolly was no match for the metal machine. I don't remember what I got back out of that mess. I generally buy boxes and use a couple small-medium boxes, trimming and bending the cardboard to make custom boxes to fit the vacuum in it's most disassembled state. and then wrap it real good in bubble wrap and tape. I also put in big, bold, near idiot-proof letters Fragile: This Side up on every side pointing to the top. Haven't had a single machine arrived to the buyers damaged. Oh and yes, the choir does sing when a gloriously polished kirby like that is seen.

Post# 229487 , Reply# 27   4/21/2013 at 21:58 (4,016 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Vacuumman206

 cb123's profile picture

I sure wish you were there to wrap the Kirby for that nimrod. Now as it occurs to me , after I finished talking to him, I found him out to be all mouth and no mind - as I honestly told him a child could have done a better and safer job in packing such a thing. (Just because they cared!!!) -- ( WHICH HE DIDN"T) - SADLY!
Post# 229491 , Reply# 28   4/21/2013 at 23:12 (4,016 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
gsheen,

 cb123's profile picture

you wouldn't have any photos that you could post of  your vacuums - would you? If so I would really like to see them. Thanks Calem
Post# 229492 , Reply# 29   4/21/2013 at 23:19 (4,015 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
gsheen,

 cb123's profile picture

I would REALLY like to see a photo, and a little history on the Kirby 506. Thanks again, Calem
Post# 230063 , Reply# 30   4/26/2013 at 09:10 (4,011 days old) by kirbyfan99 ()        

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL KIRBY'S! I'm thinking of buying an early Kirby model c off of Ebay, though I'm wondering, will a 505 brushroll and belt work in a Kirby early c? if anybody could tell me that would be great!

Jack
Kirbyfan99
YouTube: jedi725

Post# 230135 , Reply# 31   4/26/2013 at 17:31 (4,011 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
I remember this story I heard once,

 super-sweeper's profile picture

From Charles Lester's website, Another story about Kirby packaging and nimrods...

 

I couldn't find the original article he wrote, So I'll just give you the run-down (What I remember):

 

Charles told an Ebay seller (Of which he was buying a vintage Kirby from, 500 series I believe) "DO NOT SHIP THE KIRBY IN IT'S ORIGINAL BOX!"

 

And you know what he did?

He wrapped the original box in PARCEL TAPE, and mailed the Kirby in it! And guess what happened then?

IT STARTED RAINING!

Poor Charles got home to find the Kirby, Box soaked, sitting at his doorstep.

 

-Alex.
Post# 230175 , Reply# 32   4/27/2013 at 00:06 (4,010 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Jack

 cb123's profile picture
From what I found the Kirby 505 through the 512 is a good enough fit. You might want to put a little elec. tape around the height adjustment screws for the brush roller - only if the rubber is gone from dry rot. All this will do is make the brush roll more stable - which is a good thing. I've posted you some photos, and I hope they can help. This is the original roller brush to my 512, and it fits O.K. on the Kirby C.

Post# 230179 , Reply# 33   4/27/2013 at 00:34 (4,010 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Another pic

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I would recommend using a well used belt on a Kirby C, because it will be easier to get on and off your belt pulley - not to mention, easier on the finger too. This is the 512 roller brush on a Kirby 1-C.

Post# 230180 , Reply# 34   4/27/2013 at 00:55 (4,010 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)        
Alex,

 cb123's profile picture
Thank you for the story, it would almost be funny if it wasn't so horribly, but often times the truth hurts. It makes me want to shout, DEAR MERCY, ALL THE INHUMANITY!!! If you squeezed their heads fudge would come out of their ears. What a bunch of ebay seller imbeciles, which suffer from some kind of arrested development once they greedily take our money! I too felt the sting of Charles' pain, and let me tell you - it doesn't feel good.


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