Kirby

[nycwriter]

And ANOTHER thing ...

... driving bigger homes: the demographics of the new "sandwich" generation.

We're living longer, but not necessarily healthier.

Builders tell me that one of the most-requested amenities these days is the second master bedroom suite -- preferably on the first floor -- more commonly referred to as the "mother-in-law suite".

With Baby Boomers entering their golden years and living longer than their parents, an unprecedented number of Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers will be facing having to house older relatives in failing health -- while still raising their own children.

Again ... it's how we now live.

 

[marcusprit]

Thank heavens we don't have room for my mother in law to live here! Haha

 

[sebo_fan]

And yet most of the young generations in the U.S are now beginning to see the light with robotic vacuums.

 

[marcusprit]

Do you like Robotic vacuums Sebo fan?

 

[sptyks]

Whirlpolf - You are full of BS!!


 


NYCWriter - You hit the nail on the head!


 


As far as Kirby goes - They will continue to produce the Rolls Royce of vacuums that are best suited for the larger homes in the US and Canada! Kirby has always been a very profitable company because they know their demographics very well.

 

[nycwriter]

And one more thing ...

... really, I promise.

As far as the demographics of American consumers is concerned, consider that the vast majority of Americans living in small homes -- homes so small and tight that the Kirby would be considered unweildy -- generally are unlikely to be in a financial position to buy a $2,000 vacuum anyway.

 

[marcusprit]

I thought Whirlpolf made some good points.

 

[sebo_fan]

To be honest Marcus, I can see a lot of worth in them, particularly for people in wheelchairs where they might not be able to grip a vacuum cleaner. Also for people who may not be able to use a mains vacuum cleaner.

I don't think Im of that time in my life where I would like a robotic vacuum cleaner. I see their worth but not for my home. Plus, its not exactly a means to an end when robotic vacs can't get clean above the floor line, plus what would you do if you require to clean out the car or remove pet hair from furnishings?

 

[marcusprit]

Yes i can see a use for disabled, elderly etc But not for me. I actually enjoy vacuuming.It would take all the fun out of it

 

[kenkart]

RE newer Kirbys

I just bought a G-5 at the Goodwill for 5.00, really looks like new,so after this thread I decided to try one!

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Congratulations

Hans I think you made an amazing purchase I hope you enjoy it I sure love mine and all the G series .

Dan

 

[kenkart]

I see them

All the time ,here a Kirby is very popular, in my hometown we had a dealer who was a fine honest person, his wife did all the repair work, and she taught me much about the repair of vacuums, I used to have my Mother drop me off at their store on Saturday morning, and she would show me how to fix things and let me go thru the trade in room, wonderful people, Buell and Janet Pearson, He passed away and She retired, they started selling D-50s when he retired from military service in the mid 60s, by the 80s they had won all sorts of trips, Cadillacs, they had a gold Kirby in the office!...Wonderful people, when I was a teenager and in my 20s I would do their repair work when they went on vacation..

 

[kenkart]

But I still...

Think they could make it lighter and narrower!....I remember Janets take on which machines were best, She said a D-80 was more reliable than a D-50...that an Omega had motor problems early on, and the blue one with the switch in the headlamp was dreadful!!!" I cant remember what the blue one was called, And the Classic , and Classic 111 were about the best along with the D-80....they sold thousands of D-80s!

 

[nycwriter]

D80 here ...

... and lovin' it!

I even have it retro-fitted to take disposable bags.

 

[tolivac]

The neighborhoods,schools and others in the area here are fine-some people aren't moving to the larger "move-up" homes becuase their salaries or job status hasn't increased.Some of my neighbors are getting old enough where they no longer want to live in a house of any size-they want to move to a retirement home.Retirement homes are not for me-but for some older folks-thats what they want.In a way can't blame them.Homes of UNDER 2000 Sq Ft are the prime sellers here-thats what my realator neighbor is saying to me.And the developments here feature smaller homes rather than larger ones.You can figure housing DOES vary from area to area.The "empty nesters" I know don't want a larger home anymore.They get tired of the housework,having to heat and cool it,and the extra maintenance.The relatives no longer visit.-So the extra space would no longer be needed.I would love a bigger place-but simply can't afford it.So I will live in what I have.The neighborhood I live in is kind of interesting-Most are older folks that have lived in it since the housing district started in the 60's and early 70's.The older guys are the ones looking at retirement homes.Then there are some younger folks just moving here.Some are renovating their home they moved into.I plan to stay for awhile.And in the neighborhoods near me are two abandoned homes.One closest to me--the older owners died.Weeds growing around the place.A tree is leaning on the end of the home.Neighbors try to mow the front yard.In another neighborhood near me this "move Up" places a house sits abandoned-others around it occupied.This place has been abandoned for over 20 years.The story was it was owned by a lawyer.They divorced-and the home went to the lawyer.For some strange reason he packed up and moved out.Its erie and spooky-the table is set.Some furniture is in the place.A vacuum wand and powernozzle sit in the living room floor beckoning someone to use it-and its needed-and there is mold growing on the walls.Neighborhood kids have broken into the place.The backyard plastic tot pool has frogs living in it.The swingset sits unused.It a sad place-the home WAS worth 255K.Some neighbors want it torn down.I like to do ocasional "urban explorations" but this house is scary-and there are numerous holes in its roof.Bet raccoons,possums,birds,and who knows what other critters have moved in!The siding on one end if falling off.Again weird-this is in a high end neighborhood.And "Condemned building" signs are on the place-plyywood boards cover the garage doors.Sometimes neighbors mow the yard.Sorry I have strayed-this was about Kirbys!that place will need more than a Kirby to clean it up!
Kirby dealers just don't do well in Greenville-they sell some machines---then go out of business.Have bought out a couple of them.Bought their proof books-demo kits,and sales books.And three "G" machines-factory rebuilt-G3,4,5.Work well.The "lux and Rainbow places do well.Rainbow has been here the longest.The other vac store here sells Meile,Sebo,and Serena.They can order Sanitaire and Royal if someone wants one of them.He is the Jukie sewing dealer and he repairs sewing machines besides vacuums.

 

[super-sweeper]

Man114, I'm a Kirby lover by ANY and ALL Stretches! 

 


Kenkart, You and me both! To the Drive-In!!!! 

 


A new D-80 would be the master of home-care! whoever said it above, you're right, Kirby never needed Self-Propelled if they didn't decide to design a 25 pound vacuum! the weight has been a constant turn-down for many years, Kirby needs to see the light. lighter machines = more sales, combined with a form of on-board attachments and you have a winner! Why not put attachment-holders on the bag? The hose could clip behind the handle. I should join Kirby's design team at this point! 

 


oh, and whoever said big cars were a bad thing? There's nothing like power-steering a land-barge down the highway! until Kirby adds power-steering, it won't be the same with the Generation series! 

 

[vintagerepairer]

Back on topic...

In all of this, what seems to have been missed about Kirby in the UK is that no matter what size the machine is, no matter how well suited to the needs of the purchaser it is, no matter how well built the cleaner is or isn't, the fact is that the salesman has to get the homeowner to part with the best part of £2000, end of story. That is the salesmans task.

He is not there to discuss the needs of the homeowner and then find a cleaner to match, he is there to take the order. Chances are, most homeowners he calls at are not going to be interested in anything he has to offer anyway, so when he gets that person who invites him in, he knows he's already part way to getting the order. And that's when the sales pitch kicks in.

Let's say that a Kirby salesman has been able to "covert" a homeowner and gets them to make a purchase; what would be the benefit for Kirby to get the homeowner to choose the cleaner they want? A sale's a sale, money in the till, wrap it up, please.

Were Kirby planning on entering the vacuum cleaner market as we know it, THEN they may have to start producing a range of cleaners, so as to compete with the other brands. But they'd have to shave at least £1500 off the price before we ever see the day.

Think about it; Kirby do not have any competition in the UK as no one else sells a vacuum cleaner door-to-door, nor is there another which sells for that kind of money. It's not about selling cleaners, it's about making sales.

 

[super-sweeper]

only fools pay $2000 for a Kirby, the smart walks up to the distributor, says they want a (Current Model), and they will be paying in cash. watch what price they give you, and use your negotiating skills! 

 

[vintagerepairer]

Super sweeper, I read and I learn about how things are done elsewhere. I find it very interesting.

Here in the UK, it is not quite the same story when it comes to Kirby cleaners. For a start, you'd have to go a long way to find someone who actively sought the purchase of a Kirby. Typically sales are made when a salesperson arrives on someones doorstep, either randomly or by prior invitation as a result of a flyer the homeowner got which told them they had 'won' a 'free' carpet clean.

From my many years spent repairing cleaners, I did note it seemed to be either the poorest and the richest members of society who would by a Kirby; your average UK home owner would not usually have a Kirby. As to why it was the case that the two extreme ends of the social class scale were targeted, there could be many reasons, in both cases quite possibly the perceived status of owning such a machine, and the payment terms offered would be a great incentive to someone who did not have a lot of money. It does also rely on someone who is impressionable too.

 

[super-sweeper]

wow, Kirby sales must be poor across the pond. shame!