Complaint Review: SILVER CIRCLE DISTRIBUTING - KIRBY VACUUM - TOM PETERS - Newburgh New York

Kirby is indeed a remarkably powerful machine, but sales training and tactics involved leaves employees more questions rather than answers.

We are constantly being told by our trainers that even the latest Electrolux or Dyson cant live up to the highly effiecient Kirby - yet its occured to me that no one where I come from (Melbourne, AUS) even owns a Kirby. We're a country dominated by Dysons, Hoovers, Electrolux and the like.

 Why?

We are making customers pay a little over $3000 Australian dollars for the machine, and are charging them more for the nifty little gadgets (brush head, etc..) My fellow coworkers were shocked themselves, but our trainer assured us that it was worth it - "you get what you pay for".

Our trainers explained that Kirby didnt advertise on tv since they didnt wanna spend $100000 for 30 seconds of advertising, but would rather spend that money to train us. None of us new recruits got our paid training.

I see that most of you had to sell this door-to-door? Well over here we had our appointments pre-booked for us, but then we were made to travel to houses by our own vehicles with the promise that out petrol/gas would be reimbursed though tax benefits. Those who didnt own a vehicle were driven around in the company van.

The contract stated we were being paid $30 for each demonstration, but the manager only said $25. The contract also stated we would be paid $300 for an actual sale, but the manager only promised $250. ?????????

Did I also mention the multiple pages of script we had to rehearse over and over again? We were told that the script was written by psycologists and marketers who claimed that it was one of the most essential methods to guarantee a sale. But I found it by far the most repetitive and patronising thing I had ever read. We're trained to think that most customers are gullible and would give into anything.

Our training room was adorned with posters of Gold Club destinations to Fiji and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. This was meant to motivate us, but its occured to me that even our manager has never made it to any of these promised places.

The number of employees seemed to drop day after day. I initially thought they were plain lazy, but I guess they realised the deceit before I did.

Most vacuums are designed to break down after 2 - 3 years, but Kirby would be highly hypocritical to look down on them - Kirby's dishonest sales tactics are just as bad.

I find it quite hypocritical that you claim people who take action against others are simply angry, yet you just sat here and told all about some inside drama at your place of employment which had nothing to do with you at all....

And then claim that no one needs the drama.

Please tell me, why then, as Human Resource Manager, "Real Barbara", that you would go to my place of prior employment after my leave of absence from Silver Circle, and proceed to tell a completely fabricated tale to people I worked with how Silver Cirlce had issued a warrant for my arrest on Grand Larceny charges??? That is a very serious accusation. You have that company thinking very little of me, and your own company apologizing to me for your actions at every opportunity.

I have done nothing wrong to slight the company, but as a very important representative of this FORTUNE 500 owned by SCOTT FETZER, you have made a slight against me as a person, and regarding my character that I have no intentions to forgive. At this juncture, I personally feel that you have no business claiming that you have ANY class or tact whatsoever, because if you did, you would not have been so grimey as to make up stories about me to someone I once worked for.

Hello Everyone: This is the real Barbara. You may have read some things about the company that I work for and my name was signed to it. However, please allow me to enlighten all of you.

As every American company, there is what we call the office politics. Yes the office Silver Circle Distributing where I have been working for the past 2 1/2 years has experienced. "Hell's Fury,! Like a Woman Scorned ".

Things are written on this web site, which I can't believe that one women's hurt and anger could make one be distasteful and vengeful as well. Actually to all the women out there I can relate cuz in past relationships I've been pissed off myself, however I guess I just have A LITTLE MORE CLASS as to dealing with those things.

Anyway guy has wife, he works for our company, gets caught cheating, she thinks we all knew, girl can't do anything with herself, three kids, no job, no work history, he abuses her, she feels she only has him to survive. Yes folks ! Run on sentence, but that's all it is. People who don't come to work to work. Drama! Seriously who needs it.

Things were written about this company let me set all straight. I am Barbara. I am the Human Resource Manager. In other words, I interview and train all new employees.

Silver Circle Distributing is a division of the Scott Fetzer company. The Scott Fetzer coming is owned by Warren Buffet. We are a Fortune 500 company. We are the nineteenth wealthiest company in the world. A single share of our stock trades for $100,000.00. Our products all all American made, nit to mention being an owner of two sentria's. just are the moist awesome things in the world. Our products have been around for 100 years and guaranteed for life. Just ask the Oprah show!!! Or 60mins! Or the News!

All employees are out through a five day training program, which i feel is extremely important. Due to the fact, that you gain extreme product knowledge and earn money immediately. What else could you ask from a company in these economic times.

The coming has many ways of advertising, from a telemarketing department all the way through a canvassing department. All the employees are placed due to their skills and comfortability level.

Best part is!  There is a base salary, with extra incentives for production. So the person who goes above and beyond has a great chance to extend their salary.

It be crazy to sell yourself short to think you cannot due it. If you have strong work ethic this is for you. If you don't! Well Good Luck! The Real Barbara