Ok 1st let me clarify that I didn't work for the Clinton outfit, but rather a distributor in Des moines. I will not say the name of the owner because I appreciated being given a chance.
Basically selling Kirby vacuums door to door is next to impossible, unless you have fancy clothes, slick hair and are a fast talker who is extremely persuasive. I would guess that most people who get hired end up quitting within 3 months, tops.
What they do is place newspaper ads week after week usually in the general section. The ads are extremely vague and don't mention what you will be doing. So then you call the number and they tell you to stop by to fill out an app. They claim a certain weekly wage as well as incentive trips. This is done because if they were TRUTHFUL about the job and posted it in the SALES section and included the words "kirby vacuums" and "door-to-door" nobody in their right mind would apply! Especially in cold weather. With that in mind, here's my experience:
I applied and then was called for an interview. The interviewer said I would simply be shampooing carpets and did NOT say I would have to sell the machines or get myself in the door! I asked about the pay and expected a response like "x dollars per hour" I was told "x dollars per week" I do not recall how many hours per week she said were required to make said amount. It sounded ok. They called me back and said I was hired and to come for training. They had us take apart and reassemble the vacuums and do sample presentations and gave a history of the company and had us take notes etc. Then we were issued a vacuum each to do "demos" for people we already knew to practice.After completing training I started by observing other employees knock on doors and try to get people to let them in. We did this 12 hours a day and after a while, I was "cut loose" and began to pitch people myself.
I tried this for about 3 weeks and never made a single sale. Every day we had a meeting at the office where everyone that made a sale told their story to the other employees. Many of these stories included words like "sucker" or "idiot" and they basically made fun of all the customers.This came as somewhat of a shock to me. There were a number of things about the job that didn't sit well with me.I walked into the owner/distributor's office one morning and voiced my concerns about the job regarding the price of the equipment, the fact that some places require a peddler's license to go door to door, the long hours, and the fact I hadn't made a dime. He then proceeded to show me handfuls of receipts from customers, adding that some even paid in cash. Then I asked about the possiblity of running out of neighborhoods to try. He claimed that over 50,000 people moved in and out of the city each year. I was not able to confirm this but it could be true. After 3 72-hour weeks I had enough and informed him that I no longer wished to work there. I didn't even make any money, I was starving-it was 100% commission with no base pay.
Bottom line; They don't give you the scoop on the job until AFTER you've been hired, you will work a ridiculous amount of unproductive hours, they will not take out taxes from any checks you may get and refer you to a tax preparer to learn how to file your own as a contractor. If you are not already a proven salesperson and you don't like walking for hours on end then AVOID THIS JOB AT ALL COSTS. At least at a fast food place you would have something to show for your time as well as documentation of hours worked, taxes, etc..If you are not real talkative you will fail...miserably.
Don't be fooled by vague classified ads...ask questions even before applying. If they insist that you come down there and fill out an app. don't even bother-it's probably something shady like Kirby sales, door-to-door meat sales, MLM, Quixtar,etc.
Why file a report here? Ripoff Report is a permanent record! Other complaint sites copy our content then remove reports for money.
