Complaint Review: Kirby Vacuum Company - Milwaukee Wisconsin

I used to work for kirby in colorado. there is nothing wrong with it but it was not a company for me. before i took the job i knew that i was not going to get paid till after the end of the month (or do at least 60 demos) and did not have a problem with it. a problem i did have with kirby was that they told me that i would be going to people's houses that had already set up appointment. not going door to door with air fresheners and try to get them to let me show them a kirby. after one week of going door to door i only did one demo and base on that i could tell that i would not be able to get my 60 demos in and i wouldnt get paid. but there is nothing wrong with the kirby as a whole just how they pay the employees and how they bend the truth a little. my dad has being buying kirbys before i was born and he swears by them. just that the way the economy is going people are not going to spend $2000 on a kirby. One more thing, yes most of the people i worked with had a criminal history and a couple of them are in half-way houses. but kirby was the only job they could get and they really are trying to get their life on track so dont judge too hard on them.

I have read so many complaints about the "Kirby opportunity" as well as rebuttals from current Kirby employees/distributors. I worked for Kirby in the greater Philadelphia area about 15 years ago while in between my sophmore and junior year of college. It was definately a learning experience. During these eight to ten weeks, I learned a lot of basic sales techniques, basic sales priniciples, and general work ethic skills that were very valuable as I graduated college and pursued a career in marketing / sales. In addition to these skills, I gained a book-load of stories that were always great discussion topics / ice breakers when on job interviews later in life. The job also taught basic conversation skills that I may not have learned in any other job. The office that I worked for was a family owned business and I created as many long term relationships as I did short term relationships with my bosses and co-workers. There were no problems with ex-convicts being employed there, never any drug use (that I was aware of during work hours), and never drinking and driving. We certainly would go out after work to a bar (the hours were long and we were all college aged individuals). I made good money (not great) during my eight to ten week Kirby career. I think I earned approximately $4,000 during my tenure there. I did win a Kirby scholarship ($500.00 towards my college tuition) and did take part in a trip as well. Although the job hours were long, I definately enjoyed my summer. I never looked at the opportunity as anything more than a summer job. I could see how someone could work their way up to become a distributor and earn a lot of money. I just knew that that was not what I was going to a four year university for. More power to the people who have succeeded in this line of work. I was quite surprised to read as many negative stories about the company. I did not have that experience at all. In my opinion, the majority of the branch locations (that I cam in contact with) were full of good people offering a unique opportunity for the right person. Sure there are bad apples out there as there are in any industry. I worked for McDonalds while in high school and the manager was a drug addict. I did not blame McDonalds for that or assumed all McDonalds managers were addicted to drugs. I do feel bad for anyone who was mistreated or "tricked" into coming in for an interview. I do wonder what people expected answering a very vague employment ad seeking individuals with no experience and no education but promising to earn a fortune. The reason the ads are vague and that they give you limited information is because it is a hard sell unless you actually see the product and the demonstration. Most people do not actively seek out door to door vacuum sales opportunities. If you were expecting to be paid hourly, did you not think it was odd that you did not fill out a W2 form or fill out an I9? Before I would categorize this as a "scam", I would really think about how nieve one must be to fall for this scam. The opportunity is not for everybody (including me after my eight to ten weeks) but I would definately not call it a scam. I also find it humorous to read all of the rebuttals attacking someone's credibility for quitting after a day or two. Most of the "Kirby business owners" that post messeges on this board have zero intelligence to actually run a business. This is so appearant in the name calling and slamming of individuals who were not successful. Like any MLM, there are only a few millionaires but a ton of people who believe that they will become one if they follow the process. I do not think a year of work experience qualifies 99.9% of people as capable of running a million dollar business. But as long as they believe it will, they will continue to make the people at the top a lot of money.

I think it is amazing how brainwashed Kirby can get these people working as independent contractors, and they don't even pay them enough to rub two dimes together. That is beside my point. I am 100% positive that Kirby Dealers DO NOT process background checks on their employees. I am aware of an individual that works for Kirby that is a convicted rapist. If I was a business owner, I would NOT allow a convicted rapist into someone's home. But then again, I do know what ethics ard morals are.

TruthIsFreedom is DEFINITELY a company shill !! Either that or the THOUSANDS of similar complaints are all lies and he is the ONLY person telling the truth......yeah, right !!!!! Kirby and Shwan's are probably the two WORST companies to work for in this country ( no, I have never worked for either, but have friends who HAVE ). Do they lie to their employees ? Does a fish swim ????

It's laughable that you don't see the foolish thinking. Jeez are you brainwashed ? Here's your video from work.......Are you in it ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmQ6c6o20P8

Don't know when you started working for the company but ALL Kirby offices are required to run background checks. It's the primary reason we have everyone fill out an application as opposed to bringing resumes. Most resumes are doctored anyway, spend a little time looking over hundreds of them and you'll know what I'm talking about. It is an entry level position and great opportunity and value is taught to all prospective employees. Within a short period of time, thirty days, we can teach you how to run your own business, which is what the distributor wants. Promotion is a critical aspect of what he does; promoting people. As with all entry level positions you have to kiss a LOT of frogs before you get a prince, but the opportunity is available to all equally. Success takes many different forms. Some take off and succeed immediately with this program, some take a little longer but it all works for those that work hard, are dilligent, and learn the simple concepts put before them. In fact, there is nothing WRONG with the Kirby opportunity. Everything about it is right. There are different business owners who offer their interpretation of what this deal is, but when you find a typical office with typical, hard working people you have a winner. You can work your way up the ranks in this business to become a factory distributor within a year. Factory Distributors are the shining stars of Kirby and they make millions a year. With or without an education that's tall cotton for an entry level position. I don't know why you failed in your opportunity and actually I don't have a problem with your post, anyone can say what they want in this country. If you aren't on the path to make a million dollars in whatever chosen field you are in, I invite you to look at Kirby again. Car dealers, the rock stars of the automobile sales industries are closing at an alarming rate. Kirby has never had a work stoppage, strike, or layoff. You couldn't find a better opportunity in this economy right now than Kirby.