Horror stories!

[ultralux88]

The more reputable distributors tend to work off of pre-arranged demos, so the person knows they are having a vacuum salesperson come do a demo, I know this is how Rainbows are sold these days, and Filter Queens. The Aerus guys are the only DTD people aside from Kirby that I talk to regularly that go out and knock on doors, but the owner of the store is a very honest guy, so I doubt their customers will be likely to complain.

 

[tolivac]

I don't see the "Everyone Hates Kirbys" most folks I know who have Kirbys Love them as I do.As a reminder--ALL DTD vacuum cleaner companies have had problems with their CONTRACTOR sales staffs.Go back to EMPLOYEE sales staff and the problems would go away.I wouldn't just pick on Kirby.The Kiurby manager I know DOES NOT ride in the van.He assigns the salespeople that go in the van for the salescalls.The manager has the office to run.The only time he delivors a machine is to the "collector" customers as me.

 

[danielsand]

Thank you gentlemen.

My original post was in reaction to the negative posts (and Youtube videos), about shady sales tactics of the Kirby "sales teams". I also found some positively toned posts, and people being satisfied with how they were treated, although it was very few of them. The vast majority was negative.

The post was not in any way against Kirby as a product, and like I mentioned before, some of the "drawbacks" (that consumers complain about), I actually like. Weight for one, no attachments "on board" being the second. IF I want to clean above the floor, I will attach the appropriate tool, and get on it, instead dragging all of that with me at all times. Having no attachments on board, IMO, makes the machine better looking, and less prone to damage. And don't even start me on plastic! Less plastic, the better (for me).

As far as "Dysonman".......his post about the hiring of the "sales teams" was right on the money. As I mentioned, I was once a part of something similar (advertising). However,....his biased opinion about the "hate for Kirby", I took as it is,....a biased opinion. Knocking down another brand, is not what I engage in,.....ever! When it comes to all kinds of products. We all have our likes, and dislikes, and it's a good thing. If we all fell for blondes (example), the world would be a bloody mess, and there would be a lot of angry women out there! LOL

And if I want an honest, and unbiased opinion about my Chevy, I will not seek it in the Ford dealership either.

I decided to let the Sentria go. And for better, since a G7 Diamond knocked on my door all on it's own, over the weekend. I stripped it down yesterday, washed, and disinfected everything, and today the sanding will start. The cord was damaged (and gross!), the bag was ripped, hubcaps wrinkled, and it needs a light bulb. All the parts are on the way, and I'll have it done mid week.

The space to keep all these is becoming an issue. I don't want to keep them in the garages, or barns. I also don't want to lock them in the closets. I like to look at them, and admire MY work, and the timeless design. I should not keep any more machines, and if some are given to me for free (like the last two), I might restore, and give them to friends, as presents. This design that some "other brands lovers" deem "obsolete", and "old fashioned", I like. Very much.

For some reason round, cylindrical machines (like Dyson, some Hoovers, even vintage Electrolux canisters) leave me completely cold. To me, Kirby looks like a vacuum cleaner should look, whatever that means. But the design surely strikes the "cord" with me. I also like old Royals, and everything else that looks that way (upright, with external bag, lots of metal, and minimal plastic).

"Everybody hates Kirby".......not so fast! People might hate the price they paid, and what they had to endure during the "demo", but I don't care how biased you are,....they work. And they clean,....very well, and for a long time. There are many other brands that clean as good (or better), and last as long. It all comes down to personal likes, and dislikes. I just don't understand why the demo of this machine needs to take 2-3 hours. Especially in this day and age of Youtube, and "how to" videos all over the web.

Since it never occurred to me in the past to buy the used vacuum cleaner (GROSS!!!), I never owned Kirby in over 50 years of vacuuming. Paying 2K+ for a vacuum cleaner, and have the "sales team" invading my privacy, is a complete insanity. When my first Kirby (Omega) was given to me, I originally thought of restoring it, and having it as a "display", or "conversation" piece, but not actually cleaning with it! ("used vacuum",.....GROSS!) After I cleaned it, scrubbed it, I HAD TO try and see how it works! And I was hooked. Now I am totally over this "phobia", and I clean with all of them!

 

[kirbysthebest]

DTD has a bad rap

No one likes being pestered at dinnertime, or in the middle of your favorite show.
Then to feel pressured into buying something they had not intentions of buying they feel gullible and used.

DTD salespeople, though not all, can fall victim to their own hunger and greed and give that extra push to get a sale through tipping their integrity in the process. This is why most states give a consumer a three day cooling off period for a in home sale.

When I worked for Kirby many a Generation back. We had an appointment setter that would set a confirmed appointment so the customer knew when we were coming and agreed to the demonstration before we got there. This allowed the customer to not feel as put out and pressured, and allowed me to do my job demonstrating the Kirby Cleaning System.

Abuse, yes there are some that abuse, like I said. Kirby, Avon, Filter Queen, Anderson windows, Tree trimmers. Any DTD can be unscrupulous. Unfortunately they give others a bad name.

What can be maddening about Kirby is that they take the "they are independent dealers--I don't care" position when something is brought to their attention. Well they have been successfully sued for their behavior and now do a slightly better job of at least warning their distributors, dealers to behave.

 

[fantomfan]

The way I see: It all depends on the user

Many people are not a fan of Kirby. I have sort of a "love-hate" relationship with Kirby. I LOVE how well they clean and how sturdy and reliable they are, but I HATE how heavy they are and how they are sold. Thus, I don't own that many Kirbys, and don't intend to buy a new one. But, I know many people that are happy with their Kirbys: 2 teachers at school, my aunt, my neighbor and my grandma's friend. It really depends on the person. It is possible though that they DON'T like it, they just don't want to admit it. I would never pay "retail" for any high end vacuum. It is just a waste of money.

 

[northwesty]

We just went through this, my wife was not amused

but it sounded kinda funny to me. So anyway this nice couple came to the door and volunteered to clean the stairs with the new Kirby, so my wife said okay. When her back was turned a totally different person brought in a bunch of boxes and started to set up a demonstration. When she asked where the couple had gone to she was informed that this was his show now...

SO my wife works very hard to keep our house tidy and as this salesman was telling how terrible things were she was ready to box his ears and throw him out but his comrades had left him there...

The funny thing is I have all this vintage stuff so the daily driver is this old Electrolux which is sitting there and also a constellation in plain view. My small kids are kinda entertained by it all and the salesman gets excited when he learns that we already own a Kirby too. The kids can't find it right away but eventually bring out my restored 1951 Kirby and the salesman can't believe it. SO the new Kirby and the 51 go head to head in the demonstration but the new one wins.

But the wife is fed up and when the guy asks to clean our mattresses she says no. So now he is completely deflated and just chit chats until the other guys show up. She was quite put out by it all actually.

The chances of my buying anything like that new are zero, so it is better not to invite them in in the first place...