What will the CCP Virus mean for Kirby?

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abcvacplacentia

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I was just thinking about how this nationwide lockdown has shuttered certain industries and realized that this must be really tough on Kirby, as well as other vacuum brands sold in-home. It will probably be difficult to restart their sales once everything is lifted since customers will be very hesitant to let strangers into their homes.

I hope I'm wrong about this, but I can't believe that in-home selling will ever be the same again. Is there a way for Kirby to overcome this? Or, will it force them to dramatically downsize or even alter their sales model?
 
That's a very good point. I could see Rainbow altering their sales strategy. They are still innovating their vacuums and other products. Kirby seems way too stubborn. They are still selling a design that is 30 years old. And Kirby sales associates have been in the news a lot over the past two decades. And not for good reasons. Lots of stories of high pressure sales, salesman refusing to leave, and taking advantage of the elderly. This could be the end for Kirby. I don't own either a rainbow or a Kirby and I certainly don't mean any offense by saying this. But it just seems like Rainbow has their act together better.
 
It's a great question. If Kirby won't be able to do home demonstrations either because prospects don't want strangers in their home and/or don't feel they can trust someone wearing a mask over their face, it will have to change the sales model. Maybe Kirby will now be sold on-line or in stores?
 
I think Kirby needs to stop with all these boring colour changes stop designing the same boring machine over and over again and actually do a total redesign this design is 30 years old Kirby you need up your game and stop designing the same machine over and over again and design something that’s user friendly.
 
I wondered about Kirby and the like, too.

I think masks will be "commonplace" well into the future. I'll be wearing one, once the college is reopened.
Kirby(s) are big, heavy, and expensive machines. I have TWO here for sale.
A lot of vacuum companies keep "changing" designs, etc. I've stood in the K factory and have seen production.
Although Kirby vacuums are not for me, I'd hate to see another American company go under.
 
I'm Sure In-Home Sales Have Been Decimated

For the time being and some companies might go under.

As far as a redesign, Kirby would have to be careful not to foul up the top performer that already exists. Remember the Porsche 911, Chevy Camaro/Corvette, and Ford Mustang? With some exceptions (i.e. the dark 1970's for American vehicles), these models (especially the 911) held onto their respective basic formulas. Major improvements only came after decades of small tweaks. Only now has the Chevy Corvette moved its engine placement.

Kirby's last major step forward was the installation of the tech drive which makes the G series much easier to push on pile carpets. But Kirby hasn't been merely sitting by the wayside spitting out varying color changes, statistically significant performance improvements have occurred, albeit slowly.

 
Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great presentation! Although, Hoovers are all I have, need, or want, YOU have done your research and homework.
A very clear, concise, and polite demonstration of clear facts.
Good for Kirby, and good for you!
Now, if you're interested in a nice Dial A Matic........................:)
 
@abcvacplacentia
I'm part of the" helpful hints " Kirby salesman Facebook group.

I can assure you they started knocking on doors as soon as a stay-at-home order was issued in their state. These people don't care about anything but selling they're ruthless. They continue to go door-to-door and continue to selling vacuums.
I'm not for government intervention. But in this one case I believe Kirby sales do need to stop.
 
Not sure about Kirby

But I talked with my Aerus distributor and they are allowing a non-invasive system of sales. In other words, they will handle any payment matters over the phone, and ship the vacuum straight to the buyer’s door. Obviously not ideal for the door-to-door selling method, but these times call for adjustments if a business wishes to survive!
 
I wanted to show the screenshots of the Kirby salesman continuing business during the pandemic.

I don't see any of the precautions that should be taken done here.

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Kirby isn’t going anywhere

Kirby (and the other DTDs) might have to change their sales methods, but they won’t go away.

Why? Kirby is a division of Scott Fetzer, a well-diversified conglomerate with multiple divisions. In turn, S-F is a division of an even bigger conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. As long as Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are in control of Berkshire Hathaway, Kirby will be fine.

And since both Buffett and Munger likely have hand-picked successors, things are likely to stay that way even after they’re gone.
 
Keep in mind that the door to door Kirby salesmen are not directly endorsed by Kirby. Kirby does not set rules for how to operate or what they can and cannot do. What happens is someone can apply to sell Kirbys as a franchisee, and then that person can hire sub-workers under him to go out and sell them door to door. Think of it as how a car dealership works - basically the same concept. They are paid the vacuums to sell by Kirby, and then they try and make back what Kirby charged them by selling those vacuums.

What happens is the employees get paid on commission and only after they have made a sale. If you do not make a sale - you do not get any money. This is why they are out there going so hard and are so pushy and rude to get the vacuum in your house. They have to make the sale or they don't get money - so they just wander around trying to sell people a $2,000 vacuum so they can make maybe 15% of that amount as a paycheck. I have no idea how people work like that and think it's a way to make money.

I do think Kirby needs to stop with the door to door sales method and they need to either sell their vacuums at retail, or online, or something. Door to door sales do not work anymore and haven't for the last 20 years.


Also PS: This Kirby salesman was charged with fraud for trying to con people out of money saying their Kirby vacuum was recalled and needed parts replaced. He would then take their vacuum and pawn it off or try and sell it to someone else.

https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/28/man-charged-vacuum-cleaner-scam/28072665/
 
Kirby will take a hit in all of this no different than any other organization. Long about the time Bars and restaurants, arenas, theaters and such reopen to full operation. People will let the Kirby sales man in if interested.

Some people will still stay in isolation by choice out of fear.

During world war II Kirby stopped production of vacuum cleaners. Keep in mind they manufactured and sold vacuums thru the Great Depression. And resumed business after the war. The factory that manufactured Kirby's turned to making munitions for the war effort. And they survived that. What we are faced with today is an inconvenience to our normal life style.
 
I love Kirby vacuum cleaners and own seven of them, along with a good assortment of tools and accessories but there is no way in hell I would let a Kirby strong-arm salesman through my door—no way, no how, not happening. COVID-19 notwithstanding, the two albatrosses around Kirby's neck these days are the aforementioned sales scum and an abundance of good, used machines that are readily available for maybe a tenth the cost of a new one.

Even if Kirby takes a hands-off approach to its independent sales force in the field, plausible deniability can only go so far. They are the face of the company, as far as the consumer is concerned and thus they put a huge stain on the company's public image. Kirby would do well to put an end to door-to-door sales as the artifact of a bygone era that it is and set about reinventing its sales formula. I have no problem with the idea of independent franchisees but the company the represent should hold them to a higher ethical standard.

As far as redesigning its core product, that would need to be approached with extreme caution to keep from sacrificing the things that make a Kirby uniquely a Kirby. Just how much plastic would a Kirby buyer tolerate?
 
I called the Kirby Distributer that I have known for several years.He used to work from Raleigh-now he is in Atlanta.He has been out of work for over a month.The salesmen that worked with him have quit.Both he and the Kirby company are trying to work out what to do.Suggested online demo and sales like what Thermomix is now doing.Thermomix makes a cooker-blender-steamer machine that is usually sold DTD by demo much like Kirby or other DTD vacuum products.The fellow I know is living this out and possibly going to look for other types of work.He can only put off car and house payments for so long.Since this virus thing has hit us its going to be another game changer like 9-11 was.Think we will now see an end to DTD product sales.Bet they will go do dealer sales or online sales.I did end up ordering my Thermomix online.I don't know how the Rainbow place here in Greenville is doing-I bought an SRX from them a month ago.-Same with the "Lux place.Know the managers of both.Figuring they can turn into walk in demo sales places.So long time ago--close to 40 yrs ago Both Electrolux and Kirby both had walk in places where you witnessed the demo and then bought the machine.Those did not do DTD sales in the DC area.Knew the manager of the Lux place in Embassy Row in DC-he didn't do DTD sales.The Embassies were his primary business-they called in what they wanted-he had someone deliver the machines.That place also served most of the DC downtown area.There was a smaller place in Suitland,MD not far from the Kirby place.
 
I have always felt that you should be able to purchase a Kirby or Rainbow from a dealers store. Those of us that are familiar with the product don't need the demonstration in home.

As for the sales force it is the same mind set that is going on today with the hording of PPE, disinfectants and other items.

For many people the ability to purchase a good used machine and really decide if they do in fact see the value of it isn't a problem. Many people over the years have inherited or bought a used Kirby or other machine. That purchase led to a purchasing a new model. I started out with my grandmothers Kirby she bought new in 1959 when I was 3 years old. At the time it was fun to help and the pats on the back for a "job well done" Kept my attention on the Kirby and all the things I could do with it. As well as the recognition of it's true performance and durability of the product.

It has been repeatedly said that we have to reinvent everything in our lives. Then hear the complaints about products that fail with in a few years of service. This applies to other major appliances refrigerators for one. At one time they lasted decades. Now you only get 10 or so years before they fail. There is nothing wrong with upgrading to something that leaves a smaller carbon foot print on our environment. We only have one planet to live on after all. What happens to all the products that fail and can't be recycled?
 
Non recycle goods------those go to the LANDFILL where they could be discovered by someone later!On the way to there they get crunched in the trash truck compactor-then under the steel spiked wheels of a 200,000 pound landfill compactor-dozer!It goes back to the Earth alright in a different form!
 
@gregvacs28

Pretty much all those reviews are related to the salesmen and the forced/pushy sales pitching - as I stated was the main flaw the the company. They need to stop doing that and find a different way to market the vacuum. The vacuum itself isn't the issue, it's Kirby as a company. Cut off the door to door sales and give it some time and they will bounce back from it.
 
The machine is great, the sales tactics aren't. I have dealt with a few and it was fine in the end but a lot of wasted time trying to get me to buy a highly overpriced machine for a discount. The first guy ended up selling me a almost new Royal 413 canister as I truly needed a new vacuum for 200 a week or so later I still have. The second one was very persistent but polite enough even after I told him I wasn't going to buy. It was a really nice machine and the self propelled feature was cool but wasn't going into hock when I had two perfectly good Royal canisters including a newer 4650 I found for 25 bucks needing a hose. He asked me what I thought it was truly worth when he finally wrapped up and I told him 600 bucks. I think he was down to about 800 if I traded my Royal in. They should just set up more repair shops as dealers and let them deal with it as like said we all know what a vacuum does and they just have to convince us a Kirby is the best choice for the money.
 
Has

Kirby's in home demos are almost extinct since avalir platform came out. I do remember a few demos right around the 100th anniversary.
I think the demo team fields calls sales vacuum 800-1200. It has been like this for 4 years. There still around hanging on.
I know Kirby doesn't change but Warren buffet will not let that happen. If you don't change and lose money Berkshire Hathaway will sell or liquidate the company. They did it to Sears after Sears Kmart wasn't fruitful. Sears was the biggest company in the world. If he did this to them don't think for a second he won't do the same for Kirby.
I really don't know how there profitable. They will change or they will die. Imagine Kirby vacuum from trip. It would be like a boxier powercast vacuum.
I love Kirby and I hope something changes. We shall see since every company is losing money right now. This may be the beginning of the end.
Les
 
If you are a previous Kirby owner, they would still want to drop one off at your home and let


you sign the purchase agreement. I bought one like that and did not want another demo. That way


they register your purchase with the Kirby Company and give you copies of the factory warranty etc.


It also keeps them legit with Kirby's rules......Make sure you use an authorized dealer to do this......Kirby


website can help you find a dealer.


 


PR-21


Bud
 

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