I had a Kirby years ago, I too got it from a door to door salesman. One thing I remember about it other than being very heavy was that I was constantly replacing the belt. I don't know what the deal was with it, it's the only vacuum I have had that did that. I worked with a woman for a short time who had a Hoover windtunnel and 3 dogs. She said it did a good job but she had the same problem with belts that I had with the Kirby. I wonder if every once in a while a vacuum has specs that are a little off and that's why they go through belts so fast. Right now I have a Eureka pet. It does a good job and it was only $160. It's demon is that it is very difficult to clean. It has these places in the top of the canister that are real hard to get to and get the cat hair out. I get a little bit of it and hope all of it comes out with the little bit that I am able to get a hold of.