Kirby

[vintagerepairer]

Well you see, I was listening to a local radio show recently where they had a consumer phone-in (help with legal advice and so on, that school of thought) and for some reason the topic of conversation came around to door-to-door vacuum cleaner salespeople. The name "Kirby" was not mentioned, in fact they are probably not allowed to, but the radio presenter said "I know the brand in question...I didn't know they were still going". I have to say I too thought it had gone very quiet on the Kirby front in the UK. It seemed to be the 1980's and 90's when they were at their peak.

There were a lot of complaints in the UK media about alleged sales tactics and in some cases alleged abuse at homeowners. It could be that the reputation went before them for a long time, although as we used to say in the UK, "Today's news is tomorrows chip paper" (our chips used to be served in newspaper many years ago) and as such the historical reputation of Kirby would likely be unknown today. But again, it does seem very quiet where Kirby is concerned. I don't suppose being able to acquire one quite cheaply on Ebay would help matters either.

 

[sonnyndad]

The distributors' convention starts tomorrow!

I can't wait to see a sneak peak of the new Kirby! I remember when the Sentria II came out, someone whipped out their phone to take a picture or two. Maybe this year, we'll get to see some sneak peaks again.

 

[super-sweeper]

You fool! Now the security at the meeting while be even tighter thanks to that comment! They'll likely have to leave their phones at the front desk, Kirby keeps their eyes on us, you know! (But you've gotta love them!) 

 


I'd love to try to sneak my Polaroid in their, but no! Not going to happen! Have your check books filled out in advance, the line at the Kirby distributor starts next to me! I'm the first one here, too!! 

 

[super-sweeper]

Oh and P.S-they can search me all they want for a phone, it's at home on the kitchen wall! Somebody call 00Sanitronic7, we need a top-notch spy to get us our Kirby fix!! 

 

[kenkart]

SO!

When are we going to see the thing!! Im as curious as the next guy, I really hope its something new and not some re hashed Sentria...

 

[super-sweeper]

introducing....

THE SENTRIA III! Featuring tech-drive, and the NEW boat-anchor mode! 

 

[sonnyndad]

It'll probably be

A Sentria II Legend. In hot pink and chartreuse!

 

[man114]

I sincerely hope

They truly release something with major updates.

 

[kirbyg6]

I hope so too

 

[tolivac]

We will have to wait thru this weekend to get even a hope of a glimpse of the new Kirby.We will just have to be patient.

 

[cb123]

Kirby vs. Dyson, the American and English culture clash...very interesting! It's almost like rooting for your favorite sports team. The only question now is: Who will ultimately win?

 

[vintagerepairer]

Kirby vs. Dyson

Well over "this side of the pond" there isn't such competition between the two. In fact people don't decide to choose a Kirby or "brand X" when buying a vacuum cleaner. Buying a Kirby here is a different event altogether.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi,

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Benny, Just so you know there are other door to door vacuum cleaner brands in the UK.</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Rainbow,Tristar,Filter Queen and Vorwerk. There was also a few other less well know companies.</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Kirby are just the most successful. Kirby are still big in the UK. There's still around 20 UK distributors. Compared to Rainbow that have around 3 distributors for example.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Distributors I know and use to work for sold across the board. Whether the was on low wages or high and anything in between. Their are people who do go out and buy new Kirby's not that you would be able to run a business on that lol.</span>


 


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

</span>

 

[marcusprit]

If we are talking sales Dyson will win by a big margin. If we are talking build quality Kirby will be the clear winner. If we are talking performance between a Kirby and my new Dyson DC41 Mk2 their is very little between them and the Dyson is more user friendly.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

But...

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">But the Kirby will last longer and is more versatile...cough,cough,cough

</span>


 


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

</span>

 

[marcusprit]

Agreed

 

[turbo500]

The Kirby is also overpriced, oversized, overcomplicated, overweight and inconvenient.

 

[marcusprit]

As I've said previously if Kirby brought out a 12" or 13" Floor head Kirby I'd like to own one. But I didn't get in with my Ultimate G in my smaller sized home. No complaints about the build quality or performance it is top drawer!

 

[marcusprit]

But apart from that Turbo you like them? Haha

 

[kirbymodel2c]

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">There's nothing wrong with high price. Hoover pre war was OVER £1000 in today's market. They also had a salesmen. Even the Hoover 652 in 1959 would be just under £750 in today's money. Once their sales people went the price started to go down but so did the quality.</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">There quite easy to use once shown how to use it correctly. Weight is subjective. I had a lady in today who thought the SEBO was heavy and bulky, same as the DC25 and DC33 I shown her.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">There was the optional smaller nozzle for the Heritage to the Legend II but they did not sell in large numbers of them hence one of the reasons they didn't carry them on.</span>


 


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

</span>