Thread Number: 40531
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Another bidder saved me from myself |
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Post# 430540   8/24/2020 at 12:52 (1,338 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Last night, I was dangerously perusing eBay when I came across an Electrolux UltraLux canister with a broken off handle and no hose or tools, just the canister, going cheap (by eBay standards) and ending in a few minutes. Even as I was watching the time count down, I was questioning my own sanity. The machine would have cost me a little close to $60 with shipping and sales tax, a price I would never have considered paying for it in a thrift store. But here I was, waiting to put in my bid in the closing seconds, which admittedly is a bit of an adrenaline rush for me. But it was like somebody else was driving as I typed in the numbers. Thankfully, another bidder wanted it worse than I did and I was outbid and saved from myself by a stranger. But it got me thinking. This is some genuine addict behavior. I've gotten better vacuums from the trash for nothing and here I was ready to blow $60, just for the fun of putting in the winning bid on a machine I totally didn't need. I guess it's good I recognize that behavior for what it is. I had a similar feeling earlier this summer when I bought a nice Electrolux Epic 3500SR upright for $3 at Goodwill. I was at once exhilarated at with my find but even at such a cheap price, I was thinking 'why the hell am I buying this thing?' It's a sickness, I tell ya, a real sickness.
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Post# 430573 , Reply# 2   8/24/2020 at 22:32 (1,337 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Post# 430617 , Reply# 4   8/25/2020 at 15:08 (1,337 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Real1shep wrote:
No way I'm paying 8.9% on top of the purchase price along with shipping. I reply: I'm increasingly leaning that way myself. North Carolina taxes Internet sales and eBay takes it a step further, applying sales tax to shipping and handling as well!!! Really!?! I don't have to pay sales tax when I go to the post office and buy stamps. I honestly have to wonder if they turn the entire amount over to the state or if they pocket the "tax" collected on shipping. While I haven't completely sworn off eBay yet, I am far more picky about my purchases. I also sell on eBay but sometimes I have to wonder about the value proposition there once eBay and PayPal extract their respective pounds of flesh. I do agree, that at $34 and change, plus about $25 for shipping, the UltraLux I bid on was a very good buy, at least by eBay standards, even with the broken handle. I knew I didn't need it so I intentionally made a low-ball bid and left the rest up to fate. I'm content with the outcome but I still question my behavior in considering a totally unnecessary impulse purchase that large. |
Post# 430653 , Reply# 6   8/25/2020 at 21:18 (1,336 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Jon, I completely agree with you. It's always easier to set boundaries up front and then stick with them. I've had more than one vacuum, usually eBay purchases, that ended up costing me far more than I originally anticipated. Once it turns into a project, I tend to get obsessed and lose sight of the bottom line. For some strange reason, have had better luck keeping costs down on my Electroluxes than my Kirbys. It's nothing for a $50 Kirby to balloon to twice or thrice that much or more by the time I fix all the 'little things' that need attention. But I have gotten better about it. I walked away from a $25 Sentria earlier this summer when I realized it needed a minimum of $50 worth of parts. On eBay, I always try to bid my maximum at the very end with no follow-up bids and no regrets so as not to get caught up in repeated—and increasingly irrational–bids. But every now and then, things just have a way of going sideways.
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Post# 430693 , Reply# 7   8/26/2020 at 13:50 (1,336 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 430737 , Reply# 8   8/27/2020 at 01:05 (1,335 days old) by ridgidwd0670 (se wood co ohio)   |   | |
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I was going to bid on a Electrolux Epic 6000 bcuz its blue body & beige trim (looks much better than my 2100; which is the other way [beige body & trim & blue top] looks boring)
Also the Epic 6000 has storage spot for the long crevice tool, which I prefer to use more than the short crevice tool that came with the 2100 Makes me wish I hadn't sold the Epic 6000 that I once had yrs ago; but that Epic 6000 had VERY brittle plastic (bottom had a crack & the rear end was held by tape bcuz it had the 'hooks' broken) I don't know why the 2100 & 75 anniversary Epic 6500 are still robust (1980s) & the Epic 6000 (1992-93) have more brittle plastic Why was the Epic 6000 made for a short time? |