Hi this is Dustin at Great Vacs.  We just got the following email from one of our customers and I thought the question was so good I decided to talk about it in today's blog post.

"Dustin, It sounds like you are the man!!  (meaning we specialize in Kirby's)

You have several reconditioned Kirbys listed at differing prices. I'm just wondering which one I want. I don't think I need a shampooer, but maybe a hand-held. I don't get around to using many of the attachments.
 
We don't have allergies, so the filter isn't a biggie. And I have a tool caddy that I really don't use now.
 
I have an old Heritage II Legend that still runs great. It is just that I'm tired of having to man-handle it! It was a used one from many years ago and I had another Kirby prior to that - a total of nearly 40 years. So you don't have to sell me on the brand, just the generation, I guess. I'll use my old one in the basement.
 
I really did appreciate the comparison with the Dyson. My daughter bought one of those because she has dogs. I tried it.  Thanks, but no thanks! it's about as bad as my old "push" Kirby and it didn't fit under the cabinets. I can't wait for an "auto" drive!!"

I thought this was a great example to talk about how I would go ahead and pick a Kirby vacuum that would be perfect for my situation in my home.   So this is what I said:
Thanks for the email :)  Yes I can help you with that no problem.   This is exactly why we have so many different kirby combinations.  Some people want a super loaded kirby and some people just want the basics because they dont use tools very much.

Now say you decide on a Kirby Diamond (using that as an example).  And you go search our Kirby Diamond model and you will notice a bunch of different ones and different prices (for the same model).  That is because the more loaded a Kirby is the more it costs us.   So for example one with a carpet shampooer attachment will cost more than one without a carpet shampooer.   The condition will always be the same.   So the price difference just depends on what comes with it. 

So if it was me this is what I would do :)   First I would decide which model I wanted to buy.    I would go to our article on that at

http://www.greatvacs.com/education/kirby-models.html

Once I decided on the Kirby model I wanted I would go to

http://www.greatvacs.com/vacuum-cleaners/kirby-vacuum-cleaners

and look at that model.   I would then look at the pictures of the vacuums and decide what tools I really needed and then buy that one.  You can usually add things months down the road (for example if you wanted to buy the carpet shampooer attachment in a few months) but its always cheaper to buy them with the vacuum.   So look at the pictures and decide which one you need and buy that one.    All of our Kirby's will come with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 5 year motor warranty.

Let me know if you have any other questions :)

Thanks Dustin