If you think Riccar dealers actually get $1500 for a vacuum, think again. There's ALWAYS a trade-in. Always free bags and filters. The general population just won't spend that kind of money without an in-home demonstration that makes them feel filthy enough to spend the money. That's why door to door vacuums ($1500 and over) are financed.
It's obvious that almost none of you have ever actually sold vacuum cleaners door to door for a living. Offering more than one choice of Kirby (small head, large head, etc.) is impractical. In many instances, the salesman is dropped off from the van carrying up to ten salesmen - knocked into a house by the van manager, who has to demo until the manager gets back to close the sale. It's all about the close. That's why the van manager will use every tool in the book. It's not at all about the vacuum, it's about closing the sale.
I see thousands of people every year at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. An extremely small number come in looking to buy a vacuum. After talking to thousands of people, I've NEVER met one Kirby owner who shopped for the machine. I've also never met even ONE who would buy another Kirby after having owned one. The only good thing about a current Kirby owner (they ALL feel cheated by the salesman) is the fact that I can sell them an 8 pound Freedom without any problem. It's like going from a horse to a car.
