Kirby salesperson worst nightmare

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I think the worst nightmarte for any vacuum salesman-not just Kirbys-is the client you just demoed the vacuum to doesn't have the credit to buy it-honestly-the customer wants it badly- You the salesman knows he wants it-but no agency will lend him the money to buy-so sadly you have to pack the machine up-this happened a few times while selling TriStars.
I have both a Patriot and a Miracle Mate-'fraid my Kirbys kill them everytime I try on my carpets-BUT-the Patriot or MM kills the Kirby when you use them as hand tool or bare floor tool canisters over the Kirby's "canister".-and no worries with the MM or Patriot if you pick up that coin,pebble,or nail with the hose.I can make use of BOTH types of machines.
 
No lie on the half an inch. Mostly dog hair. The Kirby was plugged in, and I'd never have believed it if I didn't see it. The carpet was a dense pile manufactured wool area rug in a dining room. The carpet hadn't been vacuumed in a bit, the lady admitted she had been too busy to move the table. She owned two Kirby's (Ultimate G and Sentria) and said she knew how the demo worked since she had two Kirby demos done before. So she put a fresh bag in using the Ultimate G and proceeded to do the end of the carpet that stuck out, and even lifted the carpet and vacuumed underneath it. She thought it was pretty clean so my wife who was doing the demo (as I mentioned before my wife and I sell them part time as a team because my wife believes it helps he asthma, and despite what I believe is an insane cost having paid $20 at a thrift store for my E series she insists it is worth full price) for her put the test cloth on and literally as soon as the powerhead was turned on, she pulled it back three inches and you could hear that it was clogged, and really there was half an inch of dirt, albeit mostly dog hair. She then of course wanted to vacuum the whole rug, which looked fantastic when she was done, the mud on the bottom of the rainbow pan was literally 1/4 inch thick. It was quite impressive, even owning two Rainbows and maybe 5 Kirby's myself I was quite surprised. I imagine if you had a newer Rainbow the Kirby demo will be much less effective.

Now we have done test demos at home for practice using Kirby's, Fantoms and even Rainbow vs. Rainbow, you can still pull test cloths even on two identical machines, a lot of that is what sells the buyer but no one ever reverses the demo in a home and does it.

The moral here is the better the vacuum you use the less likely the Kirby demo will be impressive.
 
Additionally the Kirby was in excellent condition and it did not sound like it was bogging down. If anything it sounded like the brush was too aggressive like it was really pounding the carpet.
 
Those who claim to have killed a Kirby

Are missing the scope and intent of the thread, or at least the literal way I am reading it.
Lets go back and read the thread heading together.
"Kirby salesperson worst nightmare"
I second that the worst nightmare is doing a two hour demo and then they don't have the funds or ability to purchase.

Now the text of the OP:
"So imagine your a Kirby sales Rep you go into a demo and there vacuum is just killing the Kirby what vacuum is that ?? "

Now my contention is for Man114 and the others.
In a KIRBY demonstration the homeowner's present machine is the machine that goes first. (remember the one that goes first loses). The Kirby then goes after the homeowner has made 30-50 passes, and in some cases you may help them out and do another 25 or so. Then the KIRBY rep will make One pass forward and one backward and show the dirt that was remaining. Kirby won the KIRBY demo. In order for the Kirby to be Killed as I posted previously would be if they pulled an absolutely clean pad, meaning the previous machine left nothing behind. This is not and rarely is the case the Kirby will always win in a KIRBY demonstration.

Not detracting from Kirby, or any other machine out there, it is simple physics and vacuum efficiency. A carpet can hold 1 1/2 time is own weight in dirt. No vacuum is 100% effective, some better than others, but none are 100% there is always going to be something left behind.

Many who are operating a machine, be it Kirby or otherwise do not use the machine to it's greatest efficiency. I have seen Kirby users adjust their machines in many manors other than the correct one where you go one step after the motor changes tone. I have seen some, like my sister, that just adjusts it all the way down "So it will really deep clean." In effect shutting off the suction completely. OR Too high, in which case they are just wasting electricity.
 
not killing but impaling

What I am hearing is what everyone says Kirby's are smoke and mirrors pure and simple the use of basic physics is what makes this possible that Kirby is the most wonderful machine so one could argue my worlds largest retail bought bissel is just as efficient lets not go into specifics on the title after so many passes what vacuum made the Kirby pull its unusual lightly dusted pad.
 
Actually that is what I said in my post, the last vac to pull wins because dirt is always left behind. The Rainbow demo is the same and it always wins. If the vac it is up against isn't maintained it makes matters worse. You could do the test with a Kirby and pull a cloth with the Fantom. My contention was what would make the Kirby seem less impressive in the demo, that would be a higher end competitor, I used Rainbow as an example, but you can substitute any number of other high end vacuums.
 
Hi,

<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi, I Strongly disagree the the Kirby is "smoke and mirrors" It's more than capable of deep cleaning a carpet <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: x-large;">better and quicker</span> than most vacs out there and with out damaging the carpets. If you look at the CRI (Carpet and Rug institute) to which Kirby got a Gold level approval.</span>

<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">To say a Kirby's no better than most of the crap out there is stupid.</span>

<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Yes I accept the Kirby demo is biased towards the Kirby but so is every demo whether it's by a Rainbow,Filter queen,Tristar dealer or every TV ad/infomercial for regular off the shelf brand. (Dyson,Hoover, Bissell etc.</span>)

<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">When doing a demo there was <span style="font-size: x-large;">no vac</span> we worried about coming across. Whether or not the machine was high end or low ends made no real difference. What brand another vac was generally made little difference to what showed up on the pads.</span>


<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">We would also keep pulling the pads till nothing appeared which depending how dirty the carpet was in the first place would depend on how may pads this took.
</span>





<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Regular daily vacuuming keeps the carpet cleaner than running a vac once a week. Getting the dirt before it gets ingrained in the carpet. Which most vacs leave behind once it's worked it's way to the bottom of the pile. Saying that I've seen some other machine struggle with surface litter!</span>


<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"> At least Kirby deep cleans. It's not a "miracle machine" it's just a well engineered machine the deep cleans quicker and better than most and doing this efficiently a possible. "Who goes last wins" is true but it doesn't mean a Kirby won't deep clean better than most.
</span>



 


<span style="font-size: large; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James
smiley-smile.gif
</span>
 
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Has anyone tried to compare the new Kirby Sentria vs older Kirby (Classic, Sanitronic, 516 etc)</span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I compared my Classic 1CR & TriStar CXL with VGII; & I filled the TriStar bag 100% full.  My guess is could that be because my Classic 1CR has a generic paper bag conversion?  My Classic came with the Eureka F & G style conversion bag</span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">When a Kirby sales rep showed the new Sentria, my old Classic 1CR outperformed the new Sentria despite the 1CR being equipped with generic conversion bag & 4-row brush</span>

[this post was last edited: 1/9/2014-22:55]
 
something we can all agree on.

Okay so we can all agree Kirbys are impressive machines but what vacuum or vacuums can we agree are a no demo nessasary sell most brands have a clunker what vacuums were major fumble present or past I honestly think the bissel powerforce is a pretty good example
 
Hi Kirbysthebest

The demo you speak of sounds like the fault of the office staff that booked the appointment, and you should never have gone to that house/apartment.


 


Each branch office is different and each A. D. (area distributor) can make his own rules, but even so, he has to follow certain rules set in the 1920's by James B. Kirby, who was not only a great inventor, but a genius when it came to designing the demo of his products.  While the demo changed to accommodate each new model, and attachment, the basic demo is still the same as that of the Vac-U-ette.


 


To start with, the person booking the appointment asks if one or both people are working, and gets the basic income. Next it is made clear that both need to be present, and are sized up by the Kirby person booking that appointment. In the conversation, the age, brand and type of vacuum cleaner they own is discussed, and are finally told. "While you are under no obligation to buy, the Kirby representative is going to try to sell you the new Kirby model---." 


 


If you were on a demo with deadbeats, showing them the machine could easily have lead to future demo's (with sales) by 'word of mouth,' and leads. If however, those leads were people in the same financial situation, then the fault was clearly in the person booking the demo, who didn't size up the prospects correctly.   
 
there is no smoke and mirrors

Any demonstration of any machine be it Kirby, Filterqueen, Electrolux, Fairfax, Tristar, Rainbow. The machine being demonstrated is the machine that is going to be shown in the best light.

Kirby is a superior machine through Quality,Reliability and Performance. If you are happy with a Bissell Power force, then that is the machine for your. However, I will challenge you to come back after that Bissell has cleaned a 3,000 sq ft home, daily for 40 years and tell me about your experiences with it. There are many Kirby owners that can do that and usually with no or minimal repairs.

My Kirby Omega was purchased new on May 30, 1975, though it went into semi-retirement in December, 2003 the machine is still running with only changes in the belt, brush roll and one fan (my fault). It even still has the original light bulb that is working.

Someday if I want to have the machine refreshed, rebuilt and brought back to new condition under my original purchaser agreement to rebuild I can do so for $49.50 plus shipping cost. Now I would call that a Quality machine that is repairable, Reliable as it is always ready for action, and it is versatile and Performs the job it was designed for flawlessly.

Now there are some requirements for keeping that machine in peak condition, actually this applies to all appliances, but we are speaking about the Kirby now. You must take care of it, maintain it like a quality piece of equipment. Empty the bag, on this machine it is recommended after every use. Change the belt when you notice the brushroll is not turning like it should. Clean the brushroll and adjust it on a regular basis. Don't use the machine for other than it's intended use i.e. cleaning out the fireplace or the aquarium.

You wouldn't purchase a Rolls Royce and then go mudding in the woods anymore than you would drive your red neck Pick up to a formal ball. Why would you leave your Kirby on the front porch in the rain?

Caligula:
When you had a pre-qualified appointment they were the best, but there were times you worked crew in a neighborhood. You may do 10 demo's a day for whomever would let you in the house. Those were usually the ones that loved the machine but couldn't afford to buy a Dirt Devil.

Surprisingly, and I have heard this from other dealers as well over the years. You are more likely to make a sale to Irma and Bobby Joe at the trailer park than you are to Buffy and Roger at Willow Brook Estates. Irma and Bobby Joe may see it as a status symbol, or a good long term purchase. Roger and Buffy don't care.
 
killing a Kirby

Having the carpets professionally steam cleaned and vacuuming regularly can make the Kirby salesman's job considerably more difficult.

So did any customers just say no to the vacuuming a spot 50 times? If I had the misfortune of a demo, I think I would refuse. It's a waste of time and misleading at best.

Regarding the Kirby pads, it seems like a trick given that the performance of the vacuum with pads will likely be better than the performance with an air restricting bag. It doesn't actually demonstrate how the Kirby will perform under normal operating conditions, so it is not a valid test.
 
Actually--the pads have a smaller surface area and are more restrictive than the bag when it comes to airflow. This is why we had another item in our arsenal The Baird Meter that allowed us to use a 24" square cloth to capture the dirt pulled from the carpet. Like I said I have pulled dirt from a brand-new-laid-that-day-carpet. It was not manufactured in a clean room, it was not stored in a clean room, and it was probably hauled in the back of a pick up before it was delivered. Then it was walked on by the installers while being installed. You can pull dirt.

Yes, even a new or newly cleaned carpet is not absolutely clean, there is still dirt that can be pulled.

As for them declining to vacuum, they do, so we would do it for them. And if they are savey they will say "no vacuum is 100% which is a fact, then we will show how much the Kirby continues to pull and do a series of 2 passes or a total of about seven new pads in the same area, each pad getting cleaner to demonstrate that yes the Kirby is not 100% but if you make the a week of just two passes you pulled all the dirt where their vacuum left Tada this much after 50 passes.

The Kirby is a direct air machine, it is designed to clean that carpet, and has been pointed out has a Gold seal from the CRI.

Cost???
Do some math.
You buy a $200 big box machine every year or two. In 10 years you have had spent $1,000 on these machines you threw away, the Kirby is still running, and can be sent in for a rebuild when needed.

The Kirby demo is not only about showing the performance of the machine but building the value of the machine.
How many things it can do, and the number of machines it can replace.
How much dirt it can pull, thus prolonging the life of your carpets and furniture,
How durable it is thus saving you the cost of replacing every few years.
How Reliable it is, solidly built, serviceable when needed/
 
"I'm betting my NSS Pig would put the Kirby to shame!"

Not likely, because the test is rigged for the last vacuum to win.

"Actually--the pads have a smaller surface area and are more restrictive than the bag when it comes to airflow."

Regardless, it is not representative of normal operation. In addition, you keep changing pads, so it is not like using bags.
 
Just to set things straight....

Ralph123:

It's obvious you have never used the Kirby Dirtmeter. Otherwise,you would know that the test pads are made of similar material as the bags and they most certainly do restrict the airflow! You can tell this by attaching the dirtmeter with NO pad installed. Then turn on the Kirby and place your hand underneath the dirtmeter and feel the powerful blast of air against your hand. Then turn off the machine and install a test pad into the dirtmeter and turn on the machine again and then feel the obvious reduction of airflow against your hand. So it is not so that the performance of the Kirby with a dirtmeter will be better than with a clean newly installed bag.[this post was last edited: 1/10/2014-12:41]
 
EH....

When it comes to carpet cleaning i don't believe the NSS could beat the kirby because it lacks agitation as a straight suction machine. Now if it were paired with a good power nozzle i'd give it a maybe.

As for the dirt meter yes it definitely does cause restriction i have two types of pads ones which came with the meter that are lower filtration and some that came with my Riccar/Simplicity meters which are very similar to the material used in hepa bags. to give an idea of how restrictive they are i used my G6 with it's hose and the baird meter.
With a new (or close to) new bag it's pulling a 6.5
With the meter in place and the lower filtration pads it's pulling between 4.5 and 5
With the higher filtration pads it pulls about a 4.5

With the lower surface area the air cannot flow as easily and it also becomes clogged up much quicker so you do have lower performance with the demo tools in place.
 

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