Bad Kirby Dealer

[crazykirbydude]

So my Heritage II switch broke today. Well, the switch works but the plastic that the metal bracket holds onto is broken. Now the switch moves around and gets stuck. So I went to my Kirby dealer that I always went to, only to find they had closed down!! Luckily, there is another dealer in my town. So I went there. First impressions were good, but then I met the owner. He was dressed like a 1940's movie gangster, and was smoking cigars, which smelled awful. He had an overall intimidating and sketchy appearance. I walked in and he said "Waddaya need?" Um, aren't you supposed to say "Hello, my name is _____ and welcome to my Kirby dealership. How may I help you today?" The place smelled like cigars and stale urine. There were no windows and the place was grungy. The lack of decoration didn't help. There were tens of hundreds of Avalirs in boxes, and none on display. In the background, I could hear emloyees yelling and a Kirby turning on. I asked for an estimate, and it was $10.00 for the metal brackeet that is smaller than a dime! I said "Thank You" and walked out. I liked the other Kirby dealership better. Big windows, shampoo and vacuums on display and most importantly, a bright and friendly salesman. I like Kirby, but I dislike this dealership.

 

[tolivac]

Surprized he didn't try to talk you into buying a new Kirby.I also visited a crabby Kirby place in Manassas,Va.He didn't want to help you unless you bought the vacuum from him.So much for "friendly" service.These guys don't seem to realize that they cut off a customer-and the customer will spred the bad news.Be nice to "walk ins"---they MIGHT buy a new machine from you in the FUTURE!!!I just wanted to get some belts for a Kirby that I bought in Greenville NC.However--the Compact-TriStar dealerwas VERY nice to me and got me the parts I needed for my first TriStar I bought from the trade in pile at the vac shop in Manassas.I liked the TriStar place so much I invited them to come to my place and give a demo-Bought the machine-still have it!!!They gave me half off even though I didn't buy the other machine from them!Treat a customer NICE and you will get rewarded!!!

 

[human]

Yeah, with that kind of attitude, I imagine all those new boxed-up Avalirs will be gathering dust in his shop for a long while. Tolivac is exactly right. A small sale made with a friendly and helpful attitude can lead to a much bigger one down the line. It's called cultivating a relationship with the customer.