Complaint Review: Ultimate Technologies - Kirby - Knoxville Tennessee

I accepted this job to give a good future to my young child. when I accepted this job I went into a room with a good number of other employees to watch a demo of the Kirby vaccum. Later, after I was hired, I was promised that this was a job to make good money, which I knew sounded to good to be true. We were informed that it was a guaranteed $400.00/week plus commision. Also, the hours wer suppose to be starting at 9:00a.m. and getting off no later than 7:00-8:00 p.m.. My first day in field training was horrible I rode in a van from house to house all day trying to sell a $2,000.00 vaccum cleaner. What was worse the team-laeader gave out dishwashing liquid to get us in the houses, then if the customers wouldn't allow a demo in their house, they took it back. After the first day, which turned out to be almost 16 hours, I never wanted to go back. But I did for the pay I thought I would be getting at the end of the week. After about a week riding on the van from door-to-door I decided to to the appointments. I knew up front that I had to pay for my own gas, but since I was expecting the guaranteed $400.00/ week, I figured it would make up for it. While doing this, I was told that the appointments had already been set, but I later found out this wasn't true. After driving to different places,all over town, when I finally reached the customers house, about 90% did't even agree to the cleaning. The other 10% of customers that had agreed to the appointment, had only been promised a free carpet shampoo, they had no ides I was there to sell a $2,000.00 vaccum cleaner. Many of the customers I had were very upset they had been lied to in the first place. And, I was upset driving to most of the houses only to find out they had told the appointment setters when the called they didn't even want a carpet shampoo, not to mention a salesman trying to sell them such an expensive vaccum. The worst thing though is the guaranteed money each week wasn't right. You only get that if you do 30 demoes every two weeks. And how are you gonna get that many if 90% of the appointments they send you to don't want you there at all!!!!! In my opinion this should be something you are told at the time of the interview. Not something that is promised then changed at the time payday comes around. For three weeks of work I brought home about $300.00 for about 71+ hours a week plus all of the money I spent for gas and food going to so called appointments that hadn't even been comfirmed by the customer. I could have made more working in fast food for less hours a week. Plus I wouldn't have to worked for someone who knocks on doors, gives out dishwashing liquid, then takes it back if the customer don't let a salesman in the door to demo a Kirby vaccum cleaner.

It's very interesting to see that things haven't changed much in 30-some years. I worked for a Kirby dealer back in 1973, or thereabouts. When I called the number in the ad, the receptionist just answered "Good morning, how may I help you?" The initial interview was held in an office building, as were the training sessions, and we never spoke to another salesman until the first day on the job. We were never told we'd be going door to door from a van, and weren't even warned that we'd have to eat lunch on the run, working from early morning until well after dark. If the people couldn't afford to spend (then) $400 for a vacuum cleaner, we were told we didn't sell it right. I developed nervous allergies trying to sell Kirbys, and the day I quit was one of the happiest days of my life. After a month, I had made two sales, and quit immediately after the second one. I agree that the Kirby is the best on the market, I've owned 3 in my life, all purchased used, but it isn't worth the exorbitant price they're asking. You can buy a decent vacuum for less than $200, so it's like trying to sell toothpics for a dollar apiece.

Here's how I feel. Kirby was the worst job I ever had as far as money. I stayed for almost 2 years,becuase I was good at it, and won a cruise just about every three months. So,like I said I made next to nothing,and worked long hours, I was young and naive. But the Experiences I got,the knowledge I gained from spending at leat an hour each with 3-5 families per day,seven days a week for 2 years is priceless!! It helps me to this day,in getting the upper hand everyday in every possible situation. Just got a TON of people skills is what I'm trying to say. Should you work there? NO NO NO! I would not do it over, I did have to make sacrifices for this lying,backstabbing,company. They do not care about there employees no matter how long you are there. You think with such a high turnover rate( noone and I mean not a single person besides the "boss" and 2 "crewleaders" aka guys who drove us around(HI ABE), out of thousands of potential sales people was lasted longer than a few months,out of orentation classes of anywhere from 10-50 per week,maybe 1 or 2 stayed for a couple days) would value a full-time commited employee? Not the case. I won't go into my specifics,but lies where told. I have to disagree on something else also. Not all Kirby's are the same? If yours was truly a stand behind there product,don't rip people off,honest company,then you where the minority. Went to about half a dozen conventions in the great state of Florida. Companies from all 50 States and the Bahamas where required to come to 2 of them. The norm is: who is the biggest bullcrap artist, do you know the 5 page list 0f about 250 rebuttalls to give to customers?, how to do a great acting crying job when telling them about your "contest" ie fake college tuition prizes etc... That about sums it up,I'll end with this the reason I won the cruises and didnt make money is a fact that could help many consumers: You have to sell 30 Kirby's a month for three months to win a 3 day cruise,an impossible task,especially with a $2500 price tag. until i found out that the "boss" kirby cost was $350(as a salesperson your cost starts at $1200 and if they finance at a any price you might get 50 bucks maybe),only cares about numbers,and himself,so he'd make the 100 bucks,selling them at $535 out the door. NEVER NEVER NEVER pay more than 600 dollars for a kirby,and this doesn't mean you get a demo model make them give you a new one,if you press them enough they will deliver it to you,just takes some backbone,get free bags before they leave,just gotta press,there is no new store opening, I promise,they scoped it out,found a empty spot in a plaza and will tell you they just aquired the property! The kirby is the best vacuum i have ever seen,as well as my mother who cleaned houses for 23 years so i def recommend it. what i also suggest is to decide you want and A) go the office with a check and tell them you dont want any "shows" and you can either walk out with a brand new kirby and a years supply of bags ,and carpet cleaner for $500 plus tax about,about $535 or I can just walk out.B) wait for them to go to your door,when you realize what is going on Speak only to the individual driving the trnsportation and tell him/her the same as the office setting. This may take some time but you will get your kirby no matter what they tell about maybe thats how they do things here or NOWAY! the price tag is 2000! press them and you will win I PROMISE

I wasn't brainwashed and the people that work there are so arrogant that they have to try and defend themselves. They think they are right and everyone else is wrong. Read some other kirby reports-the employees are a-holes.

It's so sad to see that some people would actually defend the Kirby company who rips off both young and old people by using harsh sales tactics. I know, I was there. Why are you letting yourself be brainwashed into thinking that it's YOUR fault if you didn't sell a vacuum? Something that you did wrong? A piece of the sacred training that you forgot? Man, they really messed you up. Have you read the countless reports of how many employees and customers have been ripped off by this supposed "great company" as you say? If I had done a little research on this company before I actually went for orientation, I would have never shown up. It's a waste of time and causes you to lose your morals. A lot of the letters defending that hellhole sound EXACTLY like the brainwashing tape and overly excited managers that you are forced to listen to everyday. It's obvious that it works on some people. Please don't value your self-worth on how many vacuums you've successfully suckered someone into buying. It's pathetic. P.S.- This reputable company who still refuses to mention their name in the misleading ads they place in the paper EVERY week are hiring again! Surprise! They are once again disguising themselves as looking for "appliance assemblers" or "carpet shampooers" or something. Oh and of course they list different phone numbers to various lines in the office for each ad they place. Sound like the tactics of an honest company? With a weekly turnover rate? You Decide.

I can't believe how similar my story is to everyone else who worked for the Kirby Company which goes by several alias so I've learned. I wish I had done some research before I wasted a week of my life working for them. I answered an ad in a newspaper about working for a company who was looking to fill management positions but entry level paid $1600 a month. This was the worst mistake of my life. Never answer an ad that doesn't list the name of the company or address or the name of anyone who works there. I came to find out their alias was DDC Services in Calumet City, IL. And don't think you're special when they hire you on the spot, the turnover rate is so high they are constantly recruiting new groups of about 25 people, who quickly dwindle in number as the days go by. Check your local newspaper and you'll see that they are always running ads with slightly different wording. You'll probably be told you're going to be doing set- ups and displays of products...they didn't even tell us exactly what we would be doing until we showed up for orientation the next day. First of all you are expected to perform 15 demos on poor unsuspecting people who have been led to believe they are getting a free carpet cleaning. Yes you also work 6 days a week for diddly squat if you don't con enough people into actually buying this $2000 crappy machine. You have to lug it around with you everywhere and it weighs a ton! At the office where I worked, we drove our own vehicles to already scheduled appointments so it wasn't really door to door. Anyway, I quit after working for them for about a week. My back and knees were beginning to hurt from carrying that thing back and forth to my car. I hate intruding on people and trying to pressure them into buying something that is not worth it. Also the people in our office smoked constantly even though it's illegal to smoke in public buildings in Illinois. I am pissed off that I didn't get paid for that week that I worked for them because I didn't trick anyone into wasting money on one of those hunks of junk. Honestly, I'm glad I didn't rope any of the people into doing that. I can just take it as a lesson learned to never answer an ad like that again and also be thankful that I didn't waste any more of my time, or gas money to that horrible company. Also be aware that each Kirby company is independently owned so they disguise them by using different names. The one I worked for was called DDC Services. Being that I actually have a degree in interior design, I should have ran once I saw how shabby the building was. If you're wondering how I have a college degree and ended up working there, it's because the awesome company I used to work for went out of business in the end of January. Jobs were scarce and like I said, I answered an ad in a newspaper. I have learned to stick to jobs in my career field instead of taking a chance on some hokey print ad. I should have listened to my dad when he said that any company who has no experience or education requirements but lists in bold print how much you will be paid is nothing but BAD NEWS! You don't have any benefits, job security or growth potential with this company. You are just used as a pawn to peddle their wares! The "management positions" don't really exist. It's an incentive to try deperately to hang on to workers who generally quit after the first week. I wish I was like the other people who quit on the first day. It would have saved a lot of time and money on my part. Oh, and when you do walk in to quit, all of the supervisors who were so nice in the beginning all of a sudden turn on you like a rabid dog and try to get you to stay. I mean I could have cut the tension with a knife. Even the owner seemed angry that I was leaving and made snide comments about how I was making a big mistake by leaving. Then their little toady tried to remind me that I was walking away from $1000 by quitting. I told him the money doesn't matter if you're doing a job you hate. And believe me, you'll hate that job!

well... if you made it through the training i'd say you at least have some interest in the type of work it is... i'll be honest with you, it is very hard work. and it will take a lot of time out of your day. i had to leave for health reasons, and because my personal life was suffering. it's not for everyone. i think that the best people that have ever worked with ultimate technologies are working there now. if you are a hard worker and you have the character to stick to something and give it your all... go for it. cause you can be in management in just a few months... but a word of advice... if you honestly give it your all, and you do 3 demos a day and you don't sell your first FULL week... look at why. is it something you're doing? are you taking in all the help you can get from other employees and your crew leader? and if you're doing exactly what you've been trained to do and people just aren't buying from you... i'd say it's not for you. i've seen some crazy things, and people that you would NOT expect to last are top dealer for 3 months in a row, and then there are people that come in 2 days a week, sell 2 or 3, and take the next 2 weeks off... those don't last long, but they have the talent... and you've probably already heard jim say that he'd take someone who works hard and makes good personal decisions ANYDAY over someone that's got talent! so give it 30 days at least... do your demos! cause they're required to give you that guarantee! but you have to keep records of EVERY demo that you do! trust me on this one! it's the only way you're gonna get that guarantee... and LEARN TO KNOCK YOUR OWN DOORS!!! i was a pretty good canvasser, and i'll teach you my pitch if you want. it's different than everyone else in that office! trust me, and it works! but about the guarantee... sure, they'll tell you that if you're there for the guarantee it's not for you... they tend to burn people that way... by telling you that you'll never be any good like that... just do your job. you signed a contract remember? saying that you would do the demos for the guarantee. trust me... i was a recruiter! i know the ins and outs... but if after that 30 days you don't think it's for you, then move on. A BIRD IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN 10 IN THE BUSH! it's better to have a guaranteed paycheck coming to you every week than to be dreaming about all the money that you could be making... so keep that in mind. don't get discouraged... make up your own mind about it. i hope you do really well and have fun! cause it's a very fun job... and excitement will sell! i promise! you have to love the kirby and believe in the company and in yourself! good luck!

hey, i am just now starting the training at this kirby place and i was just wanting to ask you guys, should i stay or should i go? let me know cuz i dont want to be stuck somewhere i dont want to be for any amout of time but if i like this and do take it seriously then will it be better for me?

First of all, i also responded to an ad in the paper for employment. I was also disappointed that it wasn't what i had expected. I worked for Ultimate Technologies for 9 months, from May of 07 til just this month. Sure, i agree with you on some of the practices of EMPLOYEES of the company, and we all are a reflection of Ultimate Technologies, whether positive or negative. You have to realize that it's like a McDonald's... if you go to one and they get your order wrong, or you see an employee doing something wrong are you going to stop going to ALL McDonald's? NO! just that one. or report it to the manager, right? well, the Kirby Company is the same way. Every office is different, and every dealer is different. Some make good personal decisions and take their job seriously, and some do not... like some of the ones you mentioned. I absolutely DO NOT condone any of the behavior that you mentioned in your report. I COMPLETELY AGREE with your perspective! Although, in saying that, and being an employee for nearly 9 months i would say that i've seen more of the ins and outs of the office and their procedures and processes. First, the ad. I also was a DPS (recruiter and trainer) for Ultimate Technologies, and for Doall Enterprises (another office, under David Goins) and i saw all sides of the recruiting process. The ad that they place about "must like loud music" isn't necessarily a job description... does it ever say that it is? or that loud music is involved in a certain position? NO. It's more of a statement to get certain people's attention. Although they have a very diverse workforce, as far as age, race, gender, etc... they are marketing a certain kind of people with that ad, such as college students and more outgoing people. It got your attention and mine, right? You have to understand the logic behind why they say what they do. Would you have responded to an ad that said "Kirby company looking for people to sell vacuums that cost $2,000 for 12 hours a day"? i don't think so. and neither would i... it's called luring them in. the ad is to get you to call. whoever answers the phone is trained to avoid certain questions and only tell you enough to get you in for the interview. likewise, the interview is a brief overview, and to see if you would be a good candidate for the company. ANYONE CAN DO IT, BUT IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE. When you attend orientation; when everything is laid out on the table, you can make a more educated decision. I also agree with you about the orientation "hype". It really seems like it would be too good to be true... but from experience, it really is what they portray it to be. you just have to work hard for it. They tell you if you're there for the guarantee, it's not for you. Selling isn't that hard. They are an expensive product, i agree. But you have to get beyond your own opinion about the thing, and see what it really is. THE KIRBY IS A GREAT PRODUCT. AND VERY WORTH THE RETAIL VALUE! and when people see THAT they will love it, and they'll want it. The key to sales isn't being convincing... or finding the right people to buy... it's showing them what the Kirby does, and in such a way that you generate a want and show them the need. THAT'S IT. You can't do it if you have your own idea about how you're supposed to do that. I'm sure you've heard: THE PROGRAM WORKS... PEOPLE JUST FAIL TO WORK THE PROGRAM. That's very cliche but VERY TRUE. i know. i've been there. And as a former employee as a dealer, canvasser, and trainer THEY DON'T LIE. sometimes we just don't know the right questions to ask. The Kirby Company in general has a very high turnover rate. because it is very hard work. some people get the idea that they can take it easy sitting in the back of the van and the money's just going to come to them. It's a dog-eat-dog world! IF YOU WANT SOMETHING IN LIFE YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER IT. AND WORK HARD TO GET IT. IT WON'T COME EASY. Although there are people that are a negative reflection on Ultimate Technologies, JIM CHOSIE IS A GOOD MAN... and honest, and always did what was right. He's a man of his word, and he does what is right even if that means a loss to him! If you knew him at all you'd KNOW that. But he has little patience for people that are not willing to give it their all and work hard and hold the same standards for honesty, character, and good personal decisions. Although he has a lot resting on his shoulders he's always kind and takes the time to be encouraging to those who deserve it. I don't know what crew leader or what team you were with, but there are a few bad ones. i've seen those too. But in any job you're going to have supervisors that don't always do the right thing, and coworkers that aren't always professional. I'm sorry for your experience. I had a great one. Like i said, it's all relative. and i saw a few things that would have turned me against kirby if i'd seen it on my first few days... I really am sorry for your experience. I'm sorry to say that a lot of people are disappointed when they start working for Kirby... and the people like those you mentioned in your report don't last very long at kirby either. Cause they don't take it seriously. I've seen a lot of changes in the office even since i had been working there, a lot of changes for the better. sure, there still are people that do unprofessional things and make bad personal decisions... but it doesn't happen much. those people don't last. they're either asked to leave or they just don't make it.

the time period was the end of November 2006, not October.