All Generations Kirby Vacuum Sales Mistreated and ripped off Belittled & refused to exchange for a working vacuum Phoenix Arizona

This comment is to the overall practice of Kirby Independent Sales Distributors.  While I can not speak as an advocate for all, I can certainly share a personal experience that I think speaks to the integrity of the Kirby corporation.  Sales is a tough business, but there's more benefit when it is done honestly and with respect and integrity.  I think there's more to be said about the integrity of a company who relies on independent distributors to market their products and that company does not hold those independent distributors accountable.  Afterall, this is your brand that is suffering harm.  My mother is a senior citizen with dementia.  She received an unsolicited visit from a Kirby salesperson while I was away from the home.  This salesperson not only had my mother sign documents, he/she left absolutely no paperwork to indicate this transaction was done.  I only happen to find out about it when one day she pulls out this machine from a back closet.  I was surprised to see the it first off all and then became quite angry about the trickery and complete disregard for her state of mind.  I was able to find out the financing company by pulling credit history information to see who recently ran her credit.  I immediately contacted Kirby customer relations and all I've been told so far is that they have no immediate interest, but will simply try to mediate the problem with the distributor.  That is simply unacceptable!!  More should be done than just "mediate".  I am waiting to see what the final outcome will be. I've told the finance company they can expect to have this account not be paid as it clear this entire sale is voidable as it was done with someone who clearly lacks the capacity to conduct or make financial decisions.  Kirby, if it is a company of integrity, should do more to prevent the risk of their brand suffering damage all because of a few shady, bad apple, sales people.  We are all experiencing the hardship of our current economy, why make it worse for anyone when we are "all" in this boat together.  Business done the right, honest, and respectful way will always result in more sales.  Hopefully, this matter can be resolved without having to get attorney's involved.

First off, I'm a 72 year old woman so, no I'm not a salesperson for Kirby, nor am I associated with them in any way. I do however own a Kirby and have for many years. We all have the right to our own opinion so you can say what you feel. Just remember your (ALL SALESMEN ARE THUGS) the next time you go to purchase a cell phone, vehicle, house etc. All companies have a bad apple, but that doesn't mean that the company is a bad one!!!!!

You must be a Kirby salesperson to write such a comment, Verna. The tactics they use are intimidation, threats, along with pressure. They are lucky I was not home when they came otherwise it would have turned nasty. Like yourself, sales people that come to peoples houses are a JOKE, as you can go online or to a store and purchase what you want without the threats, the lies, the "perks" and the commission driven thugs. Unless you have a felony in life, it is not worth being a Kirby sales person. You would do better at being a Burger King representative and I don't mean going house to house to sell burgers, Verna.

I am a salesperson myself (not for Kirby Vacuums), but I was looking to purchase one and ended up on this site when I googled Kirby. Just a bit of information... You say they have shady sales practices and are taught to lie and manipulate potential customers. I feel (as a salesman myself) that for whatever reason you are just trying to bash this company. Their sales tactics are not any different from the ones that are used when you purchase a vehicle, furniture, etc. There is always a "Mr. Miller" person. Sales jobs are not easy and it takes a very hard working, dedicated, individual to hold a sales job. At least we are not at home collecting unemployment and welfare thats funded by other hard working individuals tax dollars. Just saying......

I am a salesperson myself (not for Kirby Vacuums), but I was looking to purchase one and ended up on this site when I googled Kirby. Just a bit of information... You say they have shady sales practices and are taught to lie and manipulate potential customers. I feel (as a salesman myself) that for whatever reason you are just trying to bash this company. Their sales tactics are not any different from the ones that are used when you purchase a vehicle, furniture, etc. There is always a "Mr. Miller" person. Sales jobs are not easy and it takes a very hard working, dedicated, individual to hold a sales job. At least we are not at home collecting unemployment and welfare thats funded by other hard working individuals tax dollars. Just saying......

I had a Kirby salesperson come to my door, she said it would take to long to show me this great product that has the foaming shampooer. I allowed her to demenstrate on an area in my hallway. I was not impressed at all. When I say I dont want the machine she calls her boss/owner to ask whats the best deal because she is already giving up her commision and all she wants is to win this bis trip to Hawaii. He was right around the corner waiting. She said he happens to be in the area 10 minutes later he was here. I still refused the machine. Of course she did the whole lets see how dirty your mattress is trick. I dont buy it. I think they came down to $1800 no way I would spend that. I have had a kirby before and it always needed something fixed. I threw it away. This lady was here for 3.5 hours I asked them too leave they were taking up to much of my day. My carpet where she did the demo smelled like wet dog. I had to have my carpets re shampooed. I do not have pets and my house was just built 8 months ago. So the only thing I can assume is the vacuum was used somewhere else before they got here and whatever was in the machine went right into my carpet. GROSS.

I used to work for this company a few years back. This company works because of deceptive, misleading and flat out dishonest sales practices.
For Example this company actually teaches its salespeople to flat out lie!! They will come into your home and take up 2 to 3 hours showing you allot of tricks to make your house, bed and vacuum look bad.

The worst offender of their little tricks include the "PHONE CLOSE". This is used on every sales call; after the sales person wears you down with multiple offers, he or she will remind you of this big contest to win a truck or Trip somewhere and how a promotion rides on this sale! Then they call the office asking for the big boss, Often MR MILLER. There is a memorized script that is taught to every new sales person on what to say to the big boss. Its said loud enough for the customer to overhear on purpose, We'd say "Oh Mr. Miller These people really NEED this Kirby there is SO MUCH DIRT HERE!" and "I Really need this one sale to win this Contest to Hawaii!" "Cant you work some special deal out for these folks JUST THIS ONE TIME!"

If the sales person is a seasoned pro he will call the office and PRETEND to speak to a big boss. (That's right pretend, Fake, or completely mislead). I know; I used to teach kids how to do this myself and spoke many a times to a hold button trying to pressure someone into buying. we would lower the price of the vacuum with offer after offer until you are offered a price that's usually less than half of what they started at. This is done EVERY TIME!!!!

Don't buy from these people, Don't set up an appointment to see one, Just AVOID this company altogether and try to spread the word.

I would have responded to this alot sooner if I knew it was here. I was a new employee for All Generations when this situation accured and happened to be right in the middle of it. I was in the front office asking my manager a question when this lady walks up to the door and right away starts complaining about the smell (they were remodeling the office, so there was a slight smell of paint and cleaning products)she said that she had spoke to Mr. McDaniel about picking up a vacuum since she cancelled her purchase. She said that he told her he works out of the office alot of the time and that she should call first so that he would make sure to be there, but she just happened to be in the area so she decided to stop by. She was very rude and upset to find Mr. McDaniel not there and started to throw a fit using fowl language. At that time my manager called Mr. McDaniel and had him on speaker phone so he could hear how wild this lady was being. She said that they were a peice of _____ co., and that she couldn't beleive that we did our own painting instead of hiring someone to do it. She said that she refused to pick out a machine because of the paint smell and that she was better than that. She said that all Kirby people are losers and don't make any money. As she walked out she called my manager a B----. First of all she didn't tell anyone she was comming, and second of all my manager kept trying to contact her to pick up the Kirby because her credit did not pass for any of the finance companies they use. I think she was just mad because she wasn't able to keep the Kirby. It took such a long time to finally get our product back from her that her machine ended up being donated to charity. We did offer her a machine of her choice which she was fine with until the paint smell. She was so awful to all of us at the office that whe was no longer aloud to come to the office. Another Kirby Distributor let her pick out one of their trade-ins instead. I just want to say that I loved working there. Everyone is always so positive and happy. They treat everyone with respect and do the best they can to fairly resolve any issues wether it be with and employee or a customer. I think customers just take the "Customers always right" thing a little too far, especially if they know they are wrong and their not getting the response that they want, but don't deserve!

Just an update for interested readers. The Arizona AG's office recently filed a lawsuit against two Kirby Distributors, one of which is All Generations.

The lawsuit was filed in approximately May or June 2004 and accuses the companies of engaging in deceptive business practices.

Not sure if press release is still available on AG website, but the website is www.agaz.gov

You can't judge by a few rotten apples, there are agreat many honest to goodness Kirby dealers who are trying to make an honest living for themself, and there family,s.It,s not if they are selling drugs,or on walfare. Every business has individuals who don,t measure up to worthwhile and honest sincere employees.So please don't be so critical,especially when you don't have the slightess idea what it takes and the effort that is required to be a successful salesperson. Belive you me it's not a peice of cake.I can't tell you how many times I have been ridiculd and belittled by prospective clients.you don't see us going on the internet complaining about it. We rise above such insignificant. We ignor negetivity, it can be so distructive,we preferr,and maintain a constructive resolve. thank you so much,and I hope you have a wonderful day