Ian
Murray,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
I spent about two weeks trying to sell Kirby vacuum cleaners, and let me tell you, it's a hard sell. The Kirby is a great piece of machinery, but hardly worth nearly $2k. The sales tactics are silly at best, the markup is highway robbery, and the financing is a joke. I must say that I have had a "Factory Reconditioned" Dirt Devil vacuum for three years with no problems out of it. It cost me 75 bucks at Freds Super Dollar Store. If you really want a Kirby, check flea markets and yard sales, you can usually get one in great shape for about 20 bucks and repairs are relatively cheap, if needed. Beware, however, if you take a used Kirby to a "Kirby Authorized Dealer" for service because they'll offer you an excellent trade-in value for it...HA!
Ian
Murray,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
I spent about two weeks trying to sell Kirby vacuum cleaners, and let me tell you, it's a hard sell. The Kirby is a great piece of machinery, but hardly worth nearly $2k. The sales tactics are silly at best, the markup is highway robbery, and the financing is a joke. I must say that I have had a "Factory Reconditioned" Dirt Devil vacuum for three years with no problems out of it. It cost me 75 bucks at Freds Super Dollar Store. If you really want a Kirby, check flea markets and yard sales, you can usually get one in great shape for about 20 bucks and repairs are relatively cheap, if needed. Beware, however, if you take a used Kirby to a "Kirby Authorized Dealer" for service because they'll offer you an excellent trade-in value for it...HA!
Ian
Murray,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
I spent about two weeks trying to sell Kirby vacuum cleaners, and let me tell you, it's a hard sell. The Kirby is a great piece of machinery, but hardly worth nearly $2k. The sales tactics are silly at best, the markup is highway robbery, and the financing is a joke. I must say that I have had a "Factory Reconditioned" Dirt Devil vacuum for three years with no problems out of it. It cost me 75 bucks at Freds Super Dollar Store. If you really want a Kirby, check flea markets and yard sales, you can usually get one in great shape for about 20 bucks and repairs are relatively cheap, if needed. Beware, however, if you take a used Kirby to a "Kirby Authorized Dealer" for service because they'll offer you an excellent trade-in value for it...HA!
Ian
Murray,#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
I spent about two weeks trying to sell Kirby vacuum cleaners, and let me tell you, it's a hard sell. The Kirby is a great piece of machinery, but hardly worth nearly $2k. The sales tactics are silly at best, the markup is highway robbery, and the financing is a joke. I must say that I have had a "Factory Reconditioned" Dirt Devil vacuum for three years with no problems out of it. It cost me 75 bucks at Freds Super Dollar Store. If you really want a Kirby, check flea markets and yard sales, you can usually get one in great shape for about 20 bucks and repairs are relatively cheap, if needed. Beware, however, if you take a used Kirby to a "Kirby Authorized Dealer" for service because they'll offer you an excellent trade-in value for it...HA!
Joe
Colorado Springs,#6Consumer Comment
Sun, July 23, 2006
Just 3 days ago these people sweep thru our neighborhood. I actually invited them in (curious about how good Kirby actually was), they told me it would take 45 minutes. Well 100 pads, shampooing, and 3 hours later (small area) they pulled the old "let me call my supervisor over". This young scantily dressed girl comes in and starts with her sales ploy. My wife wasn't home and I repeatedly told her "spending 2G's without spousal approval is grounds for divorce!" She then passed me a cell phone with her bosses on the line and he dropped like 1100 off the price, no thanks. She then wrote down a lower figure and handed it to me as she was walking out. Not a bad price, I inquired with the demo person if they have new kirbys in their van, he stated yes. I thought about the price and called them back after again asking if they had a NEW kirby in their inventory, "yes". When they showed back u8p the girl stated she couldn't give me a new one for the price she wrote down but would sell me a prior used. I was pissed, stated I don't want a vacuum that's been used on someone else's crap and asked them to leave. Don't get me wrong the kirby product did an amazing job (though the carpet shampoo'r looked nice, but the stains came back after 2 days). Why does Kirby not sell directly and use scum bags to distribute their product?
Stephen
Vancouver,#7Consumer Suggestion
Sat, July 15, 2006
Ariel...never, ever, allow ANYone into your home without an appointment...not the power company,not the kid selling magazines,the Kirby folks, or anyone else. A quick foray around the internet will show you many examples of serious crimes committed by direct sellers, or even working under municipal "authority". If they want to invade your home...insist they call first, and check to be sure the company they represent knows they are there. Insist on I.D. and make the person[s] aware you went to the trouble to let their company and your family know they would be in your house for the allotted time only. Because so many folks have been ripped off or become the victims of crime in their own homes, many people like myself believe that any business that brings itself right to your doorstep be held accountable for the actions of their employees.Good luck.
Jamie
Loveland,#8Consumer Suggestion
Sat, July 15, 2006
I am sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with Kirby! Please be assured not all employees are like this. My husband has now been employed with them for a month, and ALWAYS is straight-forward and honest with the customers he shows the product to. Two weeks ago, he went to a house (from a referral of a friend) and was told by the lady that there was absolutely no way she could buy one of these, especially when she found out the price! (I admit the price is a bit steep). He said he understood, and gave her the free shampoo because that is what he promised her when he made the appointment. Yes, he had an appointment. He DID continue to point out all the great things that the vaccum could do, but that is required during the demo. Unfortunately, the demo's do take a long time and this is why my husband makes sure that the customers have ample time before he comes over. He always cleans up the dirt and disposes of it, and never pushes the customer if they refuse to buy. I apologize to you on behalf of all the good, and decent salesmen that are in the Kirby business. If we didn't live more than four hours away, my husband would offer a free cleaning in your home, no pressure or rudeness added, to give you the decency you deserve