Kirby

[marcusprit]

Why don't Kirby modernise their vacuum cleaner and bring it into the 21st century.
Also introduce a compact Kirby?

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Are you new

To this site ? Next week Kirby introduces a totally redesigned modern machine for their 100th Anniversary .

A compact Kirby would never sell people want a full sized vacuum to clean their large homes with I have a small home and think the current Kirby is the perfect size

Only a select few collectors want Kirby to go backwards and bring back decades old machines as new that will never happen Thank God

Kirby would go out of business catering to collectors .

Dan

 

[marcusprit]

I find the Kirby is suited to larger homes. If you have smaller rooms its a bit big and bulky to manoeuvre around furniture etc.
If they made a compact version I think it would open up a whole new market.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

My home is

Small I have zero problems with it if I have to move something it gets moved .

Sorry the select few who need a smaller vacuum will have to go else where or can buy a Royal Metal upright

Kirby will NEVER make a small unit .

Dan

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

To be honest, that is relatively poor business practice. The company giving the customers what they think they want, not what they actually want.

I think ease of use is very important with vacuum cleaners, but I cant imagine the kirbys are that easy to use in terms of quickly grabbing the attachments to do crevices and upholstery, although the customer would know this when they buy the vacuum.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing this new Kirby model, if they promise that it is a break away from what their model line up has been for 80 odd years. Variety is the spice of life

I just hope Kirby continues on their promise of quality and reliability. Some say they are not as well made or as durable as they once were, I wouldn't know to be honest.

 

[sptyks]

Kirby has been in buisness for 100 years now and they sell thousands of Kirbys every year so they must be doing something right.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

100%

Correct Stan I think they know what type of machine will sell by now .

This topic has been brought up many times yet Kirby keeps building them the same

Dan

 

[miskini]

Hey Dan, I think we are the minority's here. I'm like you. I want all new, redesigned and modern with all bells and whistles.

 

[marcusprit]

Why are Kirby so against given customers choice? The one thing about the Kirby that puts people off is the weight and bulkiness and the fact you need to wear ear defenders when you use them. So why not introduce a baby Kirby? Why dies it have to be set in stone?

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">The Kirby is still built to a high quality. Now as it has always been (Believe me I know). Also there are still lots of consumers who want a top performing,high quality,versatile machine when offered a choice. Kirby being what it is helps set it apart from the clones on the market today. So yes "<a name="start_27005.302158"></a>Variety is the spice of life."</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">May Kirby continue doing well as it is doing now and in the past.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[sebo_fan]

I don't think Kirby are so against their customers Marcus - they just aren't that bothered to sell anything out of the U.S & Canadian markets where statistically bigger homes in those countries are justifiable for the size of the Kirby upright in general.

I'm sure their argument could easily point to the existing Kirby design where several permutations can be taken from the existing design rather than design a far smaller model from the ground up.

The nearest upright I can think of that is available in the UK are either vintage Hoover classic uprights or the Sanitaire upright that came to the UK a few years ago. There isn't a huge market in Europe alone for a bagged upright in the form of a Kirby, sadly. Look at Oreck UK - not exactly a Kirby I know, but even their uprights are overpriced and not many takers, not helped also by the fact that their range is years out of date compared to the "home" country in the U.S

Spare a thought for the Americans though - their Miele and SEBO products are often price matched per specific models - they don't have a large network of optional cost parts whereby customising their German vacs are possible. Only some tools are available, but not all.

 

[marcusprit]

Listen I'm not knocking Kirby it's very well built does a fantastic job on carpet
I'd just like to see a compact model but it's not gonna happen so I'll leave it at that

 

[sebo_fan]

I think a small Kirby would be a great idea. Im not sure if there would be a market for it though.

 

[dysonman1]

Kirby has NOT been selling vacuum cleaners for 100 years. Their first vacuum was sold in 1919. Jim Kirby wouldn't meet Mr. Scott and Mr. Fetzer until 1917 during World War I.

The Kirby Company doesn't have to care about what customers want or don't want - because they sell their cleaners Door to Door. NO ONE wakes up and says "today I'm buying a $2000 vacuum cleaner". They buy one because someone shows up at their door, talks their way inside, and makes them UNHAPPY with their Current vacuum. The customers are sold the machine through a trick "he who goes first - loses". A spot is vacuumed with the current cleaner, and then the Kirby is used, the dirt that is removed be Kirby on the second vacuuming is promised to be "the dirt your vacuum missed" which isn't true at all.

In any event, no one 'shops' for a Kirby and compares it to other cleaners, then buys it. That's not how its sold. It matters not what kind of vacuum the 'old' machine is.

The Rainbow Company does the exact same thing, as does Aerus Electrolux, Filter Queen, Silver King, Hyla, Delphin, Pro Aqua, etc. Door to door sales offices are filled with traded in vacuums of every description. Kirby is traded in on Rainbow constantly. Rainbow is traded in on Kirby. In no case did the consumer 'shop' for the machine. They have one assembly line at Kirby and don't change models often - because they don't HAVE to.

Compare this to retail sales, where someone is selecting a vacuum because they ARE IN THE MARKET for one. If the Kirby was sitting next to all the other vacs at Sears or Wal-Mart - no one would buy it.

 

[super-sweeper]

Well, Tom, the first KIRBY went on sell in 1935! 

 


I also agree that a small Kirby would be grand. They had it right with the DS80! As much as I love Kirby, their newer models are clunky, and can be an issue in smaller spaces (Think furniture). Why not bring onto the market a machine equal to the DS80, but with HEPA bags and your choice of a '13 or '16 Nozzle? I know i would if i owned Kirby! Then again, if i owned Kirby we would still have the Handi-Butler! 

 


There is 3 ways to sell a Kirby,


<ul>
<li>March up to somebody's house with the latest model in tow, and say, "Hi! I would love to show you just how great this vacuum is!"</li>
<li>March up to somebody's house with the latest model in tow, and say, "Hi! your old vacuum cleaner is terrible, but look at this cool thing!"</li>
<li>Have somebody who appreciates Quality, Reliability and Performance pop into your shop one day and say, "Hello! I would like to purchase a Kirby! here's some cash, See you when i need bags!"</li>
</ul>
Kirby has cared, and hopefully still does. In 1969, when people bought shag, Kirby introduced the Shag Rake. In 1979, when people wanted Disposable Bags, Kirby introduced the Style 1 Set-Up for the new Tradition. in 1990, for whatever reason somebody at Kirby decided that the G series should weigh 30 pounds, they added Tech-Drive to make the Kirby actually usable. another issue is if the distributor cares, As in "Here's your bags, Mrs.McAllister, have a nice day!" or, "Oh that one is $1,700, buy it or get out"! 

 


Oh and Dan, you and I are counting down the hours!! 

 

[kirbyg6]

I'm counting down too can't waite to see it

 

[kirbymodel2c]

I..

I think most of us are interested to see what is coming....

Can't wait....


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[sptyks]

Alex,

Isn't the DS80 just a DS50 in another color with a different handle?

 

[joshdonnell]

I think they should make it Retro looking. I hope there isn't more plastic.