Own a Kirby vacuum? Opinions please...

[triciajenn]

If you own a Kirby vacuum, I'd love to hear about your experiences, good and bad. I'm considering purchasing one. During the demonstration, it picked up so much more than my vacuum, and I thought I had a good one (Ricaar $500).

Tricia

[crimson_gray]

I don't know much about Kirby's, but while you're researching you might compare it to Rainbow's and other high end vacuums before you decide which to purchase. Then, once you've decided, you could try placing a want add for the vacuum you want. I know of several people who've done this with the Rainbow vacuum and saved over $1000![:0]:)

Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
Pacific Northwest
http://trainerkayla.blogspot.com/

[MommyRose]

I own a Kirby. We bought it second hand (it's the model before the one they are selling now). Kirby's have always been in my life! It's a good machine...but, I got tired of buying bags. I'm currently enjoying the Dyson! We bought it as a 2nd vacuum to use one up and one down but I like it so much and haven't gotten new bags yet that I haul it upstairs to use! :D I also like the quick hose usage on the Dyson. Good luck!



~Rose

DayBreak Certified PCT
rose@pile.us

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zachariah age 3
Proud homeschooling mom of 4 very interesting boys!!!

[Lori French]

I have never owned a Kirby, knew they were expensive, but not how much. So I Googled kirby vacuum price out of curiosity. Lots of interesting links to read. We own 2 Dysons, have also bought one as a gift and will eventually own a 3rd one for our cottage. I can't imagine a better vacuum......

[u]Lori</u>

[homerun]

We owned a Kirby. It was good, but got replaced by a Dyson. It was heavy, and IMO, too much effort for all it said to do.

Karen Seraphine
T-Tapp Trainer, CA (TWO, MORE, HTF, and LadyBug Certified)
HomeRun Personal Training, LLC
Gilroy, CA (Garlic Capital of the World)
karens@t-tapp.com
www.homerunpersonaltraining.com

[audra]

my mother and i have had kirbies for over 20 years. when she had her carpets replaced the guys that ripped up the carpet couldn't believe how little debris was under the carpet/mat. i've always sworn by kirby, however the dyson commercials have been catching my attention. especially since my mother can no longer do any lifting or heavy work due to herneated and degenerative discs. and, my both of my father's shoulders have torn rotary cups. i want to get them something light weight because i live three hours from them.

i agree that changing the bag can be a little annoying. i have a lot of attachments, to include the shampooing system, but i never use them. my only real complaint is that it doesn't lie down flat enough to get under my bed. i've had friends that had rainbows and i personally think that emptying that water is pretty disgusting and probably heavy. however, inspite of the price, kirby is a solid purchase and does everything and more that it claims and you will probably never have any problems with it.

i think i will strongly consider getting a dyson after seeing how other kirby users have made the switch. if something can pull you away from kirby it must be pretty darn good....



If eating a frog is the worse thing you have to do each day, then you might as well get it over with . . . . Just keep Tappin'--EAT THAT FROG! ;)

Re-started: 3/23/08
40 yrs old; 5'4"; combo; size 18W aiming for 10 (hoping for 8)

Progress Report Updated: 5/26/08
size: 18w &gt; 16w
weight: 208 lbs &gt; 198
inches loss: 13.75


". . .I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. . . ." Phil 3:13

[Judybats]

I bought a dyson after they first came to the US and thought I loved it, until a Kirby guy came by our house last year. I was impressed. It kicked Dyson's a$$. We got him to finally come down to $700 so we bought one. I LOVE it. It really does make the carpet look like new. I use it without the power drive too and it really fluffs the carpet.

Here is a great comparison to Dyson too to give you an idea of the quality:
http://www.greatvacs.com/KirbyDysonReview.shtml

If your sales guy will not come down, get a refurb on ebay from a reputable dealer with good feedback. Some even offer warranties from their shops.

I am a bit of a traitor too, as my dh sells dysons and miele and sebo, lol.

[2bthinagain]

I had the top of the line Kirby and hated it...It was heavy and bulky. I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

Cheryl


If you work T-Tapp, T-Tapp will work!

[brngckn]

My mother (now 68) has owned two vacuum cleaners in her adult life, both Kirby's. Really good longevity in an age when most products are made to be throw aways.

Kirsten, the Travelin' T-Tapp Trainer from Texas :D

Senior Trainer, Trainer Mentor, Habit Formers Leader, MBA
**Certified to instruct all T-Tapp forms **
Success Story: www.t-tapp.com/success/kirstentucker/default.asp
Teaching Schedule: www.boxofpolkadots.com/ttapp.html
Trainer Mentoring: http://www.boxofpolkadots.com/mentoring.html
Email: kirsten.tucker@earthlink.net

[QE3]

we owned a Kirby (from '87)....The belt would slip off ALL the time. DH is an engineer so he could fix it but what a PITA. I bought a Dyson 3 years ago and love it~! It's sooooo much lighter than a kirby too.

<h5>Kate -:¦:- Queen of Everything plus 3 boys! -:¦:- </h5> Trainer in Training, Houston
http://www.myspace.com/k8stertexas

"We are so often caught up in our DESTINATION that we forget to appreciate the JOURNEY, espeically the GOODNESS OF PEOPLE we meet on the way. Apreciation is a wonderful feeling; don't overlook it." (Thanks everyone~!)

[pamelaw]

I used to work in a cleaning service and they had a Kirby and it was a PITA. I hated it.

I am currently saving up for a Dyson and in 3 years can probably afford it.;) We're currently doing our own Money Makeover, so many things have to wait for now.

Pamela

[searcher]

I just got rid of our Kirby. The motor burned out after less than 10 years. It did a good enough job, I guess, but it was really heavy, as others have noted. I wouldn't buy another one.

Right now I have a Miele, which I love for hard floors but it isn't so good on carpet.

Have you checked out Consumer Reports?

Betsy

[farebear]

We've had a Kirby for almost 4 years, and I still really like it. There are a few drawbacks, but for picking up dog hair and dirt from carpet, I don't think there are many vacuums that can keep up with a Kirby. I don't like that I have to take it apart to attach the hose for edging, and I don't like how heavy it is for taking it up and down the stairs. Other than that, I love it. I've had to replace the belt on the brush once already, but our salesperson gave us an extra, so that wasn't a big deal. Its coming up on needing another belt, so I'm going to have to buy one this time but I can't imagine that it will be very expensive (still have to check).

We did have a Hyla salesperson do a demo for us a couple months ago, and if I could afford it I'd probably switch to a Hyla (still have to do more research before I make that jump). But I can't afford it, so I'll stick with my Kirby for now. I just don't think a Dyson could get up all the dog hair (we have two white, short-hair dogs that shed a lot) like a Kirby can. I guess it depends on what you need your vacuum to do!

That's my two cents. :D

[u]Farah in CO</u>
My blog about how I'm trying to lose weight with my own hodge-podge plan: http://farebear.wordpress.com/

[pamelaw]

Farah, my sister has 6 indoor cats and a dog and a Dyson and she loves it! She says she's never had cleaner carpets.

Pamela

[Ollie]

I live on a farm in the country - no sidewalks. Dust and dirt galore, especially since all the boys with dirt bikes and quads use our fields to ride them on! Currently, I only have a Bichon. But, at one time I have had two dogs and three cats, along with my family of 5. I've had a Kirby, a Rainbow, a Thermax, some crummy bagless dirt devil and now my Dyson. By far, if I could afford it, I'd go with the Rainbow or Thermax. They both are water tank vacuums. Yes, the water is disgusting, but you really feel like you've cleaned when you empty it.

The Kirby was too bulky, too heavy and, yes, a PITA to be able to use the attachments, and the belt always came off! My Dyson is a very close second to my water tank vacuums. I feel like I've cleaned when I use my Dyson. The only thing I liked better about my water tank vacuums over the Dyson, is that if we had a flea problem, I never needed chemicals to rid my home of them. I simply vacuumed them into the water and they drowned. I had to be persistant with it, but when I was pregnant, I didn't have to breath that crap. So, far with my Bichon (9 years old) I haven't had to deal with fleas. (I think most of my flea problem was from my neighbor's dogs bringing them to my yard. Now their dogs are fenced in and they don't have horses any more.)

I think you really have to "test drive" a few models. It's all in what you need your vacuum to do for you and if you'll be lugging it up and down the stairs. I understand that Kirbys have improved since we had one 25 years ago. Especially how heavy that they used to be. But the bags can be pricey.

Good luck in your search.

Michelle