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.
 

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