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I hardly ever go to thrift shops any more because it's so rare to find old vacuum cleaners. And the ones that you do find are usually ridiculously overpriced.

However, there's an enormous thrift store not too far from the estate sale that I went to the other day, so I decided to stop by. I hadn't been there in quite a while.

You really have to see this place to believe it. It's as huge as a warehouse with room after room of stuff. There's a large section of old pianos and electric organs. Huge men's, women's and children's clothing departments. Electronics. Appliances. It just goes on and on.

I was surprised to see a half-dozen vacuum cleaners -- mostly plastic uprights -- but there was also a Kirby G4 in really nice condition. The Kirby was priced at $15.00!! There was an issue with it -- someone had sucked up a white sock or something (hopefully not a pair of "unmentionables" ewg!!). It got wrapped around the brush roll and broke the belt. I haven't done any exploring to see what's in there.

It runs perfectly -- the power-drive transmission works smoothly and effortlessly.

As I was wandering around the store, debating whether or not to buy it, an announcement came over the loud speaker that they were closing at 12:00 and would reopen at 2:00 for a storewide 50% off sale! I took the Kirby up front and said if they would hold it for me I'd definitely come back for it. They agreed to, and I did come back for it after taking a long, leisurely lunch.

So I paid the lordly sum of $7.50 for this beauty!

I've already found a new home for it, someone who likes newer Kirbys. I offered to sell it for the $7.50 I paid for it plus shipping. It'll go out this week!

It almost felt like the Good Old Days again!

P.S.: The long line in the last photo is people waiting to get in for the 50% sale.