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Report: #11427

Complaint Review: Kirby Vacuum Cleaners - Nationwide

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Saraland AL
  • Author Not Confirmed What's this?
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  • Kirby Vacuum Cleaners Nationwide U.S.A.

Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Company charges unbelieveable interest !

*General Comment: Rhino Associates Wayne, MI - My experience!

*Consumer Comment: Love my Kirby...BUT........

*Consumer Comment: Love my Kirby...BUT........

*Consumer Comment: Love my Kirby...BUT........

*UPDATE Employee: Sorry for your bad experience!

*Consumer Suggestion: any more rah rahers?

*UPDATE Employee: take responsability for your own lack of knowledge

*UPDATE Employee: This is in response to "False Claims"

*UPDATE Employee: You didn't get scammed you're just not listening

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: This may help others in the future-brand new outta the box kirbys $535.00 insider secret!!

*UPDATE Employee: Rhino Associates (Kirby Vacuum salesmen Wayne MI)

*UPDATE Employee: False claims

*Consumer Comment: If so reputable, then

*Consumer Suggestion: Love my Sentria!!!

*Consumer Suggestion: Love my Sentria!!!

*Consumer Suggestion: Love my Sentria!!!

*Consumer Suggestion: Love my Sentria!!!

*UPDATE Employee: "KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

*UPDATE Employee: "KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

*UPDATE Employee: "KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

*UPDATE Employee: "KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

*UPDATE Employee: Kirby interest not insane

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: to Darrin - Oil City, Pennsylvania

*UPDATE Employee: Nobody See's the Big Picture

*UPDATE Employee: Not an investment?the MOST SELF MADE millionaires under the age of 28 than ANY other company in the WORLD.

*Consumer Comment: Hey Nathan he'll still be paying for it

*UPDATE Employee: GLAD TO SEE PEOPLE STEPPING UP.

*Consumer Suggestion: Minumum Payments If you continue to make the minumum payments, you'll be paying on the vacuum for the rest of your life

*UPDATE Employee: Be careful who you blame.

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: 4 years since I cut my teath with Kirby,, now in B2B sales

*UPDATE Employee: slave labour

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Good Vac ,way overpriced

*Consumer Comment: very satisfied with my kirby vaccum and the salesperson

*UPDATE Employee: Kirby is a very reputable company

*UPDATE Employee: Independant Dealer

*UPDATE Employee: Kirby is just like any other company

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Beware Of Kirby Salespeople

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I have owned my unit for four years. We are very unhappy with our unit and with the company's customer service policy! Our unit hasn't performed as it was demonstrated to us. We were convinced through the salesman's pitch that it was a deal not to be refused. After four years of payments ranging from $42.00 to $52.00, the principle has remained at or around $1699.00. After four years the principle has not decreased by any noticeable amount! When we further investigated the issue, we were appalled at the 29% interest rate, obviously we did not aggree to. All our attempts to remedy the situation have fell short. We are seeking some form of legal action! This isn't the type of obligation any person would responsibly accept. My wife and I can only define this situation as a credit scam! We would gladly return the unit if there was an agent in our area!

Milton
Saraland, AL

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/13/2002 12:00 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/kirby-vacuum-cleaners/nationwide/kirby-vacuum-cleaner-company-charges-unbelieveable-interest-11427. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#37 General Comment

Rhino Associates Wayne, MI - My experience!

AUTHOR: Poweranimals - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I've expressed an interest in working with "Rhino and Associates" in Wayne, Michigan. First of all I just wanted to say it was a very torn experience. Today I went to the first day of a three day training proccess. The girl who introduced us to the company and the Centuria(sp?) was Della a very nice lady. She seemed as though the company would be very patient for those who are trying to learn.

My only concern is that I have heard some negative statements and I'm not really a salesperson. I'm quite shy. However I'm open to giving it a shot. I just don't want to end up completely wasting my time because they made an oppurtunity seem too good to be true. I know it probably won't be easy but I'm willing to work through it as long as I'm going to be paid for my time.

Any advice from past employees would be appreciated.

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#36 Consumer Comment

Love my Kirby...BUT........

AUTHOR: Courtney M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, March 14, 2009

I absolutely love my Kirby. I especially love how it can be a shampooer too, help with room in my closet. I was disgusted with all the mess the salesman vaccuumed up with the Kirby from my 4 MONTH OLD carpet. None-the-less the salesman did a good job convincing me. I didn't have an issue buying it then because tax time was approaching so I knew I could pay it off as soon as I got my return. If the begining wasn't coming so soon I wouldn't have even bothered because there was no other way I could afford it. Well once I got my refund I called the finance company to pay it off. At first they told me well you already have a schedueld payment in two days you can't pay it off yet until that payment goes through...I was like um....ok i've never heard of that before just subtract that payment and that should tell me how much the pay off is...but whatever. So I called back a few days later, and then I was thrown for another loop. Ok, the purchase price for the Kirby was $1800. I had made 3 payments of like $67, but they were telling me if would cost OVER $2000 to pay it off. How is that possible? Then the woman continues to tell me that there was this "Finance Charge" of $641.16, which in turn makes the total price $2441.16. I told this woman that she was completely out of her mind I was not paying that! I asked the salesman about this area of the paper before I signed it and this is what he told me " the finance charge is the interest you will pay in the end if you continue to make payments on it until it is paid off." I did tell him I was going to pay it off in January and he didn't so know that he didn't tell me ANY consiquences or extra charges for early payoff. So after fussing this woman out she said ok you can get half of the finance charge back and i'm still confused at this point, because I shouldn't have to pay ANY interest for payments that I haven't made, I made 3 payments so therefore I should only have to pay interest for those 3 payments. I was so frustrated with this woman I wanted to cuss at her, but I realized she's just an employee and doing her job, so in the end my payoff amount was $1796, thats rediculous that I only paid $4 of the principle I jsut left it at that and hung up and I plan on looking further into this because its crazy and criminal that companies do this so future Kirby buyers, if you finance it beware of the Finance charge!

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#35 Consumer Comment

Love my Kirby...BUT........

AUTHOR: Courtney M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, March 14, 2009

I absolutely love my Kirby. I especially love how it can be a shampooer too, help with room in my closet. I was disgusted with all the mess the salesman vaccuumed up with the Kirby from my 4 MONTH OLD carpet. None-the-less the salesman did a good job convincing me. I didn't have an issue buying it then because tax time was approaching so I knew I could pay it off as soon as I got my return. If the begining wasn't coming so soon I wouldn't have even bothered because there was no other way I could afford it. Well once I got my refund I called the finance company to pay it off. At first they told me well you already have a schedueld payment in two days you can't pay it off yet until that payment goes through...I was like um....ok i've never heard of that before just subtract that payment and that should tell me how much the pay off is...but whatever. So I called back a few days later, and then I was thrown for another loop. Ok, the purchase price for the Kirby was $1800. I had made 3 payments of like $67, but they were telling me if would cost OVER $2000 to pay it off. How is that possible? Then the woman continues to tell me that there was this "Finance Charge" of $641.16, which in turn makes the total price $2441.16. I told this woman that she was completely out of her mind I was not paying that! I asked the salesman about this area of the paper before I signed it and this is what he told me " the finance charge is the interest you will pay in the end if you continue to make payments on it until it is paid off." I did tell him I was going to pay it off in January and he didn't so know that he didn't tell me ANY consiquences or extra charges for early payoff. So after fussing this woman out she said ok you can get half of the finance charge back and i'm still confused at this point, because I shouldn't have to pay ANY interest for payments that I haven't made, I made 3 payments so therefore I should only have to pay interest for those 3 payments. I was so frustrated with this woman I wanted to cuss at her, but I realized she's just an employee and doing her job, so in the end my payoff amount was $1796, thats rediculous that I only paid $4 of the principle I jsut left it at that and hung up and I plan on looking further into this because its crazy and criminal that companies do this so future Kirby buyers, if you finance it beware of the Finance charge!

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#34 Consumer Comment

Love my Kirby...BUT........

AUTHOR: Courtney M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, March 14, 2009

I absolutely love my Kirby. I especially love how it can be a shampooer too, help with room in my closet. I was disgusted with all the mess the salesman vaccuumed up with the Kirby from my 4 MONTH OLD carpet. None-the-less the salesman did a good job convincing me. I didn't have an issue buying it then because tax time was approaching so I knew I could pay it off as soon as I got my return. If the begining wasn't coming so soon I wouldn't have even bothered because there was no other way I could afford it. Well once I got my refund I called the finance company to pay it off. At first they told me well you already have a schedueld payment in two days you can't pay it off yet until that payment goes through...I was like um....ok i've never heard of that before just subtract that payment and that should tell me how much the pay off is...but whatever. So I called back a few days later, and then I was thrown for another loop. Ok, the purchase price for the Kirby was $1800. I had made 3 payments of like $67, but they were telling me if would cost OVER $2000 to pay it off. How is that possible? Then the woman continues to tell me that there was this "Finance Charge" of $641.16, which in turn makes the total price $2441.16. I told this woman that she was completely out of her mind I was not paying that! I asked the salesman about this area of the paper before I signed it and this is what he told me " the finance charge is the interest you will pay in the end if you continue to make payments on it until it is paid off." I did tell him I was going to pay it off in January and he didn't so know that he didn't tell me ANY consiquences or extra charges for early payoff. So after fussing this woman out she said ok you can get half of the finance charge back and i'm still confused at this point, because I shouldn't have to pay ANY interest for payments that I haven't made, I made 3 payments so therefore I should only have to pay interest for those 3 payments. I was so frustrated with this woman I wanted to cuss at her, but I realized she's just an employee and doing her job, so in the end my payoff amount was $1796, thats rediculous that I only paid $4 of the principle I jsut left it at that and hung up and I plan on looking further into this because its crazy and criminal that companies do this so future Kirby buyers, if you finance it beware of the Finance charge!

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#33 UPDATE Employee

Sorry for your bad experience!

AUTHOR: Talada - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I'll just lead in with I'm an independent dealer of the Kirby Company. For the people saying no money can be made within Kirby you're a little off. You have to be able to do it. Some people can't do some jobs. I work part time with Kirby running appointments off of referrals on weekends. During the week I work on phones 40 hours a week. I don't work full time as a dealer because of family life.

The product is great. You might not agree but since I started with Kirby I've had the opportunity to use the offices machine in my home as well as obtain one for myself. Sleeping at night is easier. I don't cough until I puke at night anymore. Which is wonderful. The price of the machine is built up to a value. Do you think a new pickup is really worth $50,000? Of course it is or else it wouldn't sell. The Kirby vacuum cleaner is built to last with the ability to actually clean.

You financed and ran into problems. You got in over your head with a finance company. As a honest Kirby dealer I never lie to a customer. If you get someone who isn't honest I'm sorry. To say that Kirby salesmen are con artists is just funny. They are salesmen, they are trying to get you a product they believe in as well as make some money. A good friend and Kirby success story makes $4,000+ a month. The managers and supervisors around him do make money off of all of his sales. But it's business!

It says it on the box. We represent quality, reliability and performance. I wish you would have got a worker from the office I work through. You would have had a great guy or gal come into your home. Clean it from head to toe and asked you sincerely to get the product. If you think that Kirby is a scam consider the benefits. Humor me and sit through a demonstration sometime. You'll see that the machine does the job we say it will do. If it didn't I wouldn't try to sell it and I wouldn't be using it in my own home.

Also as far as customer service goes I always leave them with a few numbers. First the number to the office. The place to get bags, shampoo and all those goodies. I also leave them with the number to my supervisor so that they can contact the man above me if they feel the need. As well as my cell number. I give them my cell number and tell them they can call if they ever run into problems with the office. I don't get calls complaining about the customer service because our office does a great job. I just offer my number because I know the people, I spent time with the people, and chances are I got along with them if I was willing to sit down and fill out paper work.

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#32 Consumer Suggestion

any more rah rahers?

AUTHOR: John Smith - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 20, 2008

seems like they got everyone from the sarasota early morning rah rah meeting to come on here and "pad" the positive comments.

bottom line: Kirby is a scam,working for kirby an even "bigger" scam!
Don't buy one, don't even think of buying one,if your at a party or at church or at the mall and you hear the word "kirby" leave immediately in the opposite direction! don't set up an appointment for a free carpet cleaning,and by all means NEVER let a so-called kirby salesman into your house!

buy a wind tunnel or a broom,hire a maid,rip out your carpet or move to the himalayas. Take the word "kirby" out of your human vocabulary.
In the long run the goal is to make your life easier.


john

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#31 UPDATE Employee

take responsability for your own lack of knowledge

AUTHOR: K. Brown - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, October 19, 2008

I am very and disappointed to hear this comment. We sell the machine we demonstrate with each time so that the customer knows that their machine is the one that did all the work and works properly. If you are having problems with the efficiency of the machine you probably do not have something hooked up properly, like the belt. The interest rate is high but it is not a revolving account. when you finance the machine, you are set up on a payment plan (30 payments for $75.00 for ex.). This mean you pay 30 payments of $75.00 and then your machine is paid for. There are no hidden charges, unless maybe you were making your payments late. All customers know what the finance charge is when they purchase the machine because not only do they get a copy of the contract that THEY HAVE TO SIGN, but they also have to talk to the finance company so the finance company can go over the contract with them to make sure all the figures are correct before they pay the Kirby Co. on it. I would definately Know what my finance charges were before 4 years into the contract. Im sorry you are so upset about your purchase, but it isnt fair to downgrade the Kirby or Kirby company for your lack of knowledge. Thanks

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#30 UPDATE Employee

This is in response to "False Claims"

AUTHOR: Kimberly - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Allright folks, some of this stuff is just ridiculus. To the guy talking about Filter Queen, you have got to be a friggin idiot. If you did work for Kirby for anytime at all you would have added that Canister Vacuums are the worst to own. The fact that they were never really designed to clean carpeting was left out. Any, I repeat ANY upright vacuum is better than ANY canister (Filter Queen, Rainbow, Electrolux) A cheap Hoover for $50 has better suction (on the floor) than a Filter Queen.

Oh, and a Filter Queen is now $2200.00 for just the vacuum, not to mention the air purifiers that are sold with them. I just had a customer that her husband purchased the vac and 1 air purifier for $3200.00 two years ago. A Simple baking soda test showed how terrible that very very expensive crappy vac really is. It left 90% of the soda in the carpet. It's not rocket science. There's no smoke and mirrors to a Kirby demo, just good old fashioned common sense. And just for the record, a Kirby filtration bag filters down to .03 microns, the best filtration found on the market (you must not have payed attention in training). You either haven't been in Kirby long or don't or didn't do very well.

I love Kirby, I love and respect our customers. If you sell with good morals and ethics, and actually care about the people you demo to, then the sky is the limit in this business. I have been in Kirby 10 years and own one of the offices, so I certainly know what I'm talking about.

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#29 UPDATE Employee

You didn't get scammed you're just not listening

AUTHOR: Jenbeth - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, June 26, 2008

You say that you didn't sign up for a 29% interest rate on your machine. You also state that you have paid for the machine for four years now. I have two things for you:

One. Read your contract that you got when you paid for the thing four years ago. It will say that upon signing you agreed to the interest rate, and it will say that you agreed to the four years.

Two. You are not getting scammed, you're just the kind of person who buys anything and everything that comes through your door and then insists that you didn't agree to it when right there, you signed the papers and you said you would pay for it for the price you are currently paying.

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#28 UPDATE EX-employee responds

This may help others in the future-brand new outta the box kirbys $535.00 insider secret!!

AUTHOR: Gosteelers - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, June 03, 2008

As a former ashamed and embaressed salesman of Kirby Vaccuums,I have been eager to share the following info. I can see how this unfortunate incident happened. First of all,we would spend a minumum of 1 hour evry morning learning different rebuttals,"puns" as they were called in that world. So don't feel bad that it felt like the deal of a lifetime. ANyways here's my offering: All kirby's are financed at outrageoulsy high interest rates. The amount you put down,or have to put down depends on your credit. TO get a Kirby with no Money down WOuld require a perfect credit score. The problem is that Kirby makes an excellent vacuum,maybe the best out there,the way it does deep clean your carpets. They will in fact help out with dustmites and things they do help families with allergies. But upwards of $2,000? Hardly affordable!! So for those of you interested in a kirby but scoff at the price... DO NOT FINANCE!!! Either wait for a salesman to show up at your door or call your local office. I am not saying that this will be easy,but with a little hemming and hawing and a backbone you can get er done! Each kirby office is a seperate enterprise. The head office sells Kirby's to these Managers at rate of ABOUT 300-400 hundred dollars. In turn When people have been patient enough to listen to all the garbage they can have got a brand new kirby for $535 and this includes tax. Also no new store is opening(if you've had the demo you know what I mean) so hit them up for some free bags!! they will tell you no at first keep pressing,take the deal off the table numerous times if need be! ALso don't let them tell you you have to take the demo model,which they will def. tell you. The bottom line is that it's a numbers game,the big bosses really do have chances to win "prizes"and they also make About 100 bucks from the sale, with the salesperson killing themsleves day after day for nothing!! so yeah im a little bitter,but i have the right,i worked hard for them and didn't even get respect in return! so here ya go america,if you pay more than $600 fora kirby just know you coulda done better,to those for whom it is to late, i am truly sorry i didn't find this site earlier. thank you and goodnite

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#27 UPDATE Employee

Rhino Associates (Kirby Vacuum salesmen Wayne MI)

AUTHOR: Curtiswcc - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, May 29, 2008

Okay I just got a job working for Rhino Associates selling Kirby sentria vacuums, I have only started here, and am aware of complaints about other distributors of said vacuum.
I know from customer complaints that our selling script sounds the same, but when i asked the person running our orientation she reassured me that they are not affiliated with the other distributors and that we do not go door to door selling the vacuums we follow up on people who expressed interest in a demonstration.

According to the lady if we sell 6 vacuums we get a free one, and after we sell so many we get a trip somewhere undisclosed... It sounds fishy, but i want to give this a try incase it is the for real deal and we actually will make the 10 dollars an hour, because i really need the money.

What i want is feedback from past employees of Rhino Associates or people who have had demonstrations from this particular branch. I want total honesty not someone trying to put one over on me. and another questions is that I heard they put marks in the crowd basically being the naysayer and saying "I worked for -so and so- and I had to purchase items and I don't want to go threw that again." Does this sound like a familiar experience from anyone who has worked for any of the distributors.

Thank you for your time, I'm just trying to look out for myself and my brother.

-Curtis R

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#26 UPDATE Employee

False claims

AUTHOR: Davinski - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 28, 2008

For those that are working for Kirby, it i famous for making false claims. I work as a contractor for them, and I refuse to lie for them. Know your product and your competition. Kirby is NOT the only metal vacuum cleaner on the market (Filter Queen is still made of steel and Aluminum Alloy, same materials Kirby is made of). Kirby does NOT have the most suction (Kirby Sentria rated at 27.5 cubic inches of water, reduces to less than 5 within 15 minutes of use with filter or bag due to air not bing able to flow through the dust inside the bag or on the filter. Filter Queen Majectic rated at 94 cubic inches of water, does not reduce until canister contains 2.5 gallons of dirt). Kirby does not have the best filter. The Kirby Micron HEPA is rated to filter down to .3 microns, roughly the size of an adult dust mite. The Filter Queen Activa filter is rated to filter to .1 micron, smaller than the cold virus germ.

They both sell for about the same price.

Where Kirby has the real advantage is in the carpet cleaning foam treatment, something nothing short of a professional steam cleaner can match.

The Kirby Sentria is actually sold by he manufacturer for $175. The manufacturer makes a profit on this price. Many distributers will opt for a program to add to their costs to put money into a program that pays them back the extra money at the end of the year as a "bonus". This is why you will see Distributers paying up to $350 for a unit - their savings program.

So, now that you know a bit of the product value and pricing, is it still an "investment" worth $1000 to $2400?

If you are selling them, the answer must be "yes", because if it does not sell for that price, comissions can't be paid. There are 12 levels of commissions to be paid on every sale, and sometimes they skip the person that sold you the machine.

Retail, the Kirby could profitably be sold for about $250 to $300. If they advertised in comercials well about the benisfits of the foam cleaner and used the .3 micron HEPA as a selling point, they might even be able to retail for $400. Because of the increased numbers of sales, Kirby would make more money, but hundreds of thousands of salespeople would be unable to profit in between.

BTW, not one, I repeat, NOT ONE of Kirby's "self made millionaires" made a million dollars selling Kirbys. They made their money by investing in MANY companies, and Kirby and its parent company are two of them. They will say whatever they need in a 20 minute presentation video to get you to go out and make them some more money in their Kirby investment.

Last, KIRBY DOES NOT SELL VACUUM CLEANERS TO THE PUBLIC. They sell them to the contracted independant distributors. Kirby is a manufacturing company, not a sales company. They have no employees outside of their Cleveland plant.

Don't be fooled. The Dust Meter demonstration is impressive. Require you demonstrator to leave the same dirt pad (coffee filter) in for more than ten minutes with the machine running, then test it for suction with a piece of confetti. What happened with the suction with the dirt meter will happen with the bag. Kirby is not sold to clean. It is sold to make a sellect few people at the top of a 12 step chain rich.

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#25 Consumer Comment

If so reputable, then

AUTHOR: Tom - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, November 18, 2007

why are they so slimy? If this is such a good vacuum, why do they have to resort to these selling practices? I remember when I was a kid my Mom signed up for a demonstration because they were offering free stake knives. Someone called beforehand and said it would be no longer than 20 minutes for the demonstration. The lady was there for 3 hours! And my parents wern't even interested. Later a friend had someone from church call who wanted to "practice" her demonstration and that they were under no obligation to buy.

Well, when she got there the screws were put to them, and she even called her distributor repeatedly with the same guilt tactics. I've heard nothing but bad about kirby sales practices from many former distributors (I've noticed many only stick around until they realized they've been conned), and from former friends and relatives who have tried to "practice" their demonstration. It would seem to me they could sell just as much or more without resorting to unethical business practices which appear to be encouraged all the way to the top.

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#24 Consumer Suggestion

Love my Sentria!!!

AUTHOR: Volumeman - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, August 20, 2007

I love my sentria, however thats because i am a relatively clean person. When i clean i now can get the dirt out! With the pride i take in my home, i dont have to compromise with dirt. not when its so quickly and easily removed with a Kirby. i find it odd that anyone would complain about such a great product.

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#23 Consumer Suggestion

Love my Sentria!!!

AUTHOR: Volumeman - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, August 20, 2007

I love my sentria, however thats because i am a relatively clean person. When i clean i now can get the dirt out! With the pride i take in my home, i dont have to compromise with dirt. not when its so quickly and easily removed with a Kirby. i find it odd that anyone would complain about such a great product.

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#22 Consumer Suggestion

Love my Sentria!!!

AUTHOR: Volumeman - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, August 20, 2007

I love my sentria, however thats because i am a relatively clean person. When i clean i now can get the dirt out! With the pride i take in my home, i dont have to compromise with dirt. not when its so quickly and easily removed with a Kirby. i find it odd that anyone would complain about such a great product.

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#21 Consumer Suggestion

Love my Sentria!!!

AUTHOR: Volumeman - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, August 20, 2007

I love my sentria, however thats because i am a relatively clean person. When i clean i now can get the dirt out! With the pride i take in my home, i dont have to compromise with dirt. not when its so quickly and easily removed with a Kirby. i find it odd that anyone would complain about such a great product.

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#20 UPDATE Employee

"KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, June 30, 2007

I am just responding to all this non-sense about the Kirby being over priced and hearing about the finance company ripping people off!!!........

.First of all, as far as the quality of the Kirby it is the only metal vacuum cleaner on the market and it is not made of cheap plastic. Kirby is worth every penny , actually much more I have been with the kirby company for 8 years now as a representative and I show my customer how the machine saves the avg. family 10,000 every 10 years, the machine comes with "12 different units in one and is equiped with a LIFETIME WARRANTY that covers 100% of service and labor charges and it is in writing for our customers to read. Many of my customers complain buying a new vacuum every 3 years and spending hundreds each time, others hire a company to do year shampooing for them at $250 each time which is $500 a year and $2500 in savings with the Kirby just in 5 years alone!!! And if your vacuum is leaving dirt behind......DIRT CAUSES DAMAGE...if the dirt stays.....THE CARPET GOES, which costs thousands to replace.

The fact is the Kirby will not only protect your investments in your home, it should pay for itself in an avg of 3 years then it will start saving customers money by never having to replace your rugs, your vacuum, or ever hiring a company to come over and shampoo. Plus for people with back problems, The Kirby Sentria is the Lightest Upright Vacuum on the market right now to push on a carpet. I've been reading that some of the complaits think that Kirby targets older people that is ridiculous!! The reason so many older adults purchase a Kirby is because you simply cant find a lighter weight Vacuum on the market to push on a carpet than a Kirby, we are the feather weight of vacuums and they last a lifetime. I get calls several times a week from different customers thanking me for selling them a Kirby and how it was the best investment they have ever made.

When I went online to this site I was blow away by what I have been reading it is just crazy,also people complaining about the finaincing??? We offer a payment plan to customers who simply dont have enough money to buy the Kirby outright all the intrest rates and finiancing charges are VERY CLEARY PRINTED on YOUR CONTRACT so grow up!!! And if you hated the machine so bad and you think it is junk......then why did you buy it???? I certainly would never ever spend $1800 dollars in 3 hours on something I thought was junk!!! The Kirby demonstration is very informative and there is NO COST OR OBLIGATION TO BUY ANYTHING!!! IT WAS YOUR DECISION TO BUY IT!!! During my demostration I give my customers enough information while Im there to make an educated decision at the end on The Kirby, During the demo we show our customers everything top to bottom about the machine and then make the rug look awesome!!

And for the person who said they worked for Kirby and got ripped off on there paychecK?? All the Kirby offices I Know or have ever visited offer a very competitive salary that avgs about $500 to $800 per week. Weather the customer buys or not the Kirby rep gets credit ether way, so if you like the machine...GREAT...if not...thank thank you mrs. jones for having us in your home and keep Kirby in mind for the future, thats how it works coming from a Kirby Rep going on 8 years with the company who just turned 26. SO in closing dont let one bad rep ruin your opinion about Kirby for ever , it was probably so negative kid who did not take pride in what they do like many lazy college kids we hire who have been partying on mommy and daddys money for the last 4 years and think they are to good for Kirby , when in fact they cant find a job over 8 bucks and hour after college and then we seem to find these people applying for Kirby a year later after college and they are usually about 24yrs old, with no work ethic and live at home with mommy or daddy and these are the kids who dont take Kirby seriously and do the terrible demos that I have been reading about, and when they only work 3 hours a day and expect to get there weekly salary for doing 15 demos a week and they only have 5 demos for the week and no sales and recieve no pay check, these are the same kids who go back to MOMMY AND DADDY and say that KIRBY is a scam!!! and these are where 99.9% of these consumer issues come from. So any ways thats an opinion from a 26 year old person that has been in Kirby 8 Years..Thanks.

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#19 UPDATE Employee

"KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, June 30, 2007

I am just responding to all this non-sense about the Kirby being over priced and hearing about the finance company ripping people off!!!........

.First of all, as far as the quality of the Kirby it is the only metal vacuum cleaner on the market and it is not made of cheap plastic. Kirby is worth every penny , actually much more I have been with the kirby company for 8 years now as a representative and I show my customer how the machine saves the avg. family 10,000 every 10 years, the machine comes with "12 different units in one and is equiped with a LIFETIME WARRANTY that covers 100% of service and labor charges and it is in writing for our customers to read. Many of my customers complain buying a new vacuum every 3 years and spending hundreds each time, others hire a company to do year shampooing for them at $250 each time which is $500 a year and $2500 in savings with the Kirby just in 5 years alone!!! And if your vacuum is leaving dirt behind......DIRT CAUSES DAMAGE...if the dirt stays.....THE CARPET GOES, which costs thousands to replace.

The fact is the Kirby will not only protect your investments in your home, it should pay for itself in an avg of 3 years then it will start saving customers money by never having to replace your rugs, your vacuum, or ever hiring a company to come over and shampoo. Plus for people with back problems, The Kirby Sentria is the Lightest Upright Vacuum on the market right now to push on a carpet. I've been reading that some of the complaits think that Kirby targets older people that is ridiculous!! The reason so many older adults purchase a Kirby is because you simply cant find a lighter weight Vacuum on the market to push on a carpet than a Kirby, we are the feather weight of vacuums and they last a lifetime. I get calls several times a week from different customers thanking me for selling them a Kirby and how it was the best investment they have ever made.

When I went online to this site I was blow away by what I have been reading it is just crazy,also people complaining about the finaincing??? We offer a payment plan to customers who simply dont have enough money to buy the Kirby outright all the intrest rates and finiancing charges are VERY CLEARY PRINTED on YOUR CONTRACT so grow up!!! And if you hated the machine so bad and you think it is junk......then why did you buy it???? I certainly would never ever spend $1800 dollars in 3 hours on something I thought was junk!!! The Kirby demonstration is very informative and there is NO COST OR OBLIGATION TO BUY ANYTHING!!! IT WAS YOUR DECISION TO BUY IT!!! During my demostration I give my customers enough information while Im there to make an educated decision at the end on The Kirby, During the demo we show our customers everything top to bottom about the machine and then make the rug look awesome!!

And for the person who said they worked for Kirby and got ripped off on there paychecK?? All the Kirby offices I Know or have ever visited offer a very competitive salary that avgs about $500 to $800 per week. Weather the customer buys or not the Kirby rep gets credit ether way, so if you like the machine...GREAT...if not...thank thank you mrs. jones for having us in your home and keep Kirby in mind for the future, thats how it works coming from a Kirby Rep going on 8 years with the company who just turned 26. SO in closing dont let one bad rep ruin your opinion about Kirby for ever , it was probably so negative kid who did not take pride in what they do like many lazy college kids we hire who have been partying on mommy and daddys money for the last 4 years and think they are to good for Kirby , when in fact they cant find a job over 8 bucks and hour after college and then we seem to find these people applying for Kirby a year later after college and they are usually about 24yrs old, with no work ethic and live at home with mommy or daddy and these are the kids who dont take Kirby seriously and do the terrible demos that I have been reading about, and when they only work 3 hours a day and expect to get there weekly salary for doing 15 demos a week and they only have 5 demos for the week and no sales and recieve no pay check, these are the same kids who go back to MOMMY AND DADDY and say that KIRBY is a scam!!! and these are where 99.9% of these consumer issues come from. So any ways thats an opinion from a 26 year old person that has been in Kirby 8 Years..Thanks.

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#18 UPDATE Employee

"KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, June 30, 2007

I am just responding to all this non-sense about the Kirby being over priced and hearing about the finance company ripping people off!!!........

.First of all, as far as the quality of the Kirby it is the only metal vacuum cleaner on the market and it is not made of cheap plastic. Kirby is worth every penny , actually much more I have been with the kirby company for 8 years now as a representative and I show my customer how the machine saves the avg. family 10,000 every 10 years, the machine comes with "12 different units in one and is equiped with a LIFETIME WARRANTY that covers 100% of service and labor charges and it is in writing for our customers to read. Many of my customers complain buying a new vacuum every 3 years and spending hundreds each time, others hire a company to do year shampooing for them at $250 each time which is $500 a year and $2500 in savings with the Kirby just in 5 years alone!!! And if your vacuum is leaving dirt behind......DIRT CAUSES DAMAGE...if the dirt stays.....THE CARPET GOES, which costs thousands to replace.

The fact is the Kirby will not only protect your investments in your home, it should pay for itself in an avg of 3 years then it will start saving customers money by never having to replace your rugs, your vacuum, or ever hiring a company to come over and shampoo. Plus for people with back problems, The Kirby Sentria is the Lightest Upright Vacuum on the market right now to push on a carpet. I've been reading that some of the complaits think that Kirby targets older people that is ridiculous!! The reason so many older adults purchase a Kirby is because you simply cant find a lighter weight Vacuum on the market to push on a carpet than a Kirby, we are the feather weight of vacuums and they last a lifetime. I get calls several times a week from different customers thanking me for selling them a Kirby and how it was the best investment they have ever made.

When I went online to this site I was blow away by what I have been reading it is just crazy,also people complaining about the finaincing??? We offer a payment plan to customers who simply dont have enough money to buy the Kirby outright all the intrest rates and finiancing charges are VERY CLEARY PRINTED on YOUR CONTRACT so grow up!!! And if you hated the machine so bad and you think it is junk......then why did you buy it???? I certainly would never ever spend $1800 dollars in 3 hours on something I thought was junk!!! The Kirby demonstration is very informative and there is NO COST OR OBLIGATION TO BUY ANYTHING!!! IT WAS YOUR DECISION TO BUY IT!!! During my demostration I give my customers enough information while Im there to make an educated decision at the end on The Kirby, During the demo we show our customers everything top to bottom about the machine and then make the rug look awesome!!

And for the person who said they worked for Kirby and got ripped off on there paychecK?? All the Kirby offices I Know or have ever visited offer a very competitive salary that avgs about $500 to $800 per week. Weather the customer buys or not the Kirby rep gets credit ether way, so if you like the machine...GREAT...if not...thank thank you mrs. jones for having us in your home and keep Kirby in mind for the future, thats how it works coming from a Kirby Rep going on 8 years with the company who just turned 26. SO in closing dont let one bad rep ruin your opinion about Kirby for ever , it was probably so negative kid who did not take pride in what they do like many lazy college kids we hire who have been partying on mommy and daddys money for the last 4 years and think they are to good for Kirby , when in fact they cant find a job over 8 bucks and hour after college and then we seem to find these people applying for Kirby a year later after college and they are usually about 24yrs old, with no work ethic and live at home with mommy or daddy and these are the kids who dont take Kirby seriously and do the terrible demos that I have been reading about, and when they only work 3 hours a day and expect to get there weekly salary for doing 15 demos a week and they only have 5 demos for the week and no sales and recieve no pay check, these are the same kids who go back to MOMMY AND DADDY and say that KIRBY is a scam!!! and these are where 99.9% of these consumer issues come from. So any ways thats an opinion from a 26 year old person that has been in Kirby 8 Years..Thanks.

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#17 UPDATE Employee

"KIRBYS ARE THE BEST"

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, June 30, 2007

I am just responding to all this non-sense about the Kirby being over priced and hearing about the finance company ripping people off!!!........

.First of all, as far as the quality of the Kirby it is the only metal vacuum cleaner on the market and it is not made of cheap plastic. Kirby is worth every penny , actually much more I have been with the kirby company for 8 years now as a representative and I show my customer how the machine saves the avg. family 10,000 every 10 years, the machine comes with "12 different units in one and is equiped with a LIFETIME WARRANTY that covers 100% of service and labor charges and it is in writing for our customers to read. Many of my customers complain buying a new vacuum every 3 years and spending hundreds each time, others hire a company to do year shampooing for them at $250 each time which is $500 a year and $2500 in savings with the Kirby just in 5 years alone!!! And if your vacuum is leaving dirt behind......DIRT CAUSES DAMAGE...if the dirt stays.....THE CARPET GOES, which costs thousands to replace.

The fact is the Kirby will not only protect your investments in your home, it should pay for itself in an avg of 3 years then it will start saving customers money by never having to replace your rugs, your vacuum, or ever hiring a company to come over and shampoo. Plus for people with back problems, The Kirby Sentria is the Lightest Upright Vacuum on the market right now to push on a carpet. I've been reading that some of the complaits think that Kirby targets older people that is ridiculous!! The reason so many older adults purchase a Kirby is because you simply cant find a lighter weight Vacuum on the market to push on a carpet than a Kirby, we are the feather weight of vacuums and they last a lifetime. I get calls several times a week from different customers thanking me for selling them a Kirby and how it was the best investment they have ever made.

When I went online to this site I was blow away by what I have been reading it is just crazy,also people complaining about the finaincing??? We offer a payment plan to customers who simply dont have enough money to buy the Kirby outright all the intrest rates and finiancing charges are VERY CLEARY PRINTED on YOUR CONTRACT so grow up!!! And if you hated the machine so bad and you think it is junk......then why did you buy it???? I certainly would never ever spend $1800 dollars in 3 hours on something I thought was junk!!! The Kirby demonstration is very informative and there is NO COST OR OBLIGATION TO BUY ANYTHING!!! IT WAS YOUR DECISION TO BUY IT!!! During my demostration I give my customers enough information while Im there to make an educated decision at the end on The Kirby, During the demo we show our customers everything top to bottom about the machine and then make the rug look awesome!!

And for the person who said they worked for Kirby and got ripped off on there paychecK?? All the Kirby offices I Know or have ever visited offer a very competitive salary that avgs about $500 to $800 per week. Weather the customer buys or not the Kirby rep gets credit ether way, so if you like the machine...GREAT...if not...thank thank you mrs. jones for having us in your home and keep Kirby in mind for the future, thats how it works coming from a Kirby Rep going on 8 years with the company who just turned 26. SO in closing dont let one bad rep ruin your opinion about Kirby for ever , it was probably so negative kid who did not take pride in what they do like many lazy college kids we hire who have been partying on mommy and daddys money for the last 4 years and think they are to good for Kirby , when in fact they cant find a job over 8 bucks and hour after college and then we seem to find these people applying for Kirby a year later after college and they are usually about 24yrs old, with no work ethic and live at home with mommy or daddy and these are the kids who dont take Kirby seriously and do the terrible demos that I have been reading about, and when they only work 3 hours a day and expect to get there weekly salary for doing 15 demos a week and they only have 5 demos for the week and no sales and recieve no pay check, these are the same kids who go back to MOMMY AND DADDY and say that KIRBY is a scam!!! and these are where 99.9% of these consumer issues come from. So any ways thats an opinion from a 26 year old person that has been in Kirby 8 Years..Thanks.

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#16 UPDATE Employee

Kirby interest not insane

AUTHOR: Amber - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, April 06, 2007

I have read through the comments regarding interest or on Kirby Vacuums and have found discrepancies. First of all this is an unsecured loan so interest is naturally going to be higher, but.... when you see the interest rate on the contract (21-24%) this is considered simple interest. It is not compounded like a credit card. Example: On a credit card you make minimum payments and barely anything is applied to the principal, most of that payment goes to the interest that you have incurred that month for the balance on your card. So you will pay and pay never able to bring your balance down.

Vs. Kirby when you finance the Kirby you have a flat fee for a finance charge. Meaning if a contract is for 24 months (max is 36 month through major Kirby finance companies)and your payment is 80.00 your finance charge is already included in that payment. On the contract that amount is stated i.e. 328.00 that is the maximum finance charge you will pay IF it takes you the entire 24 months to payoff. There is no penalty for early payoff and you only pay for what you use of the interest. I.e. only takes 12 months to pay off you would pay about half the finance charge. YOU ONLY PAY FOR WHAT YOU USE!

LAYMEN TERMS IT IS ABOUT THE EQUIVALENT TO A CREDIT CARD WITH AN 8-12%RATE.

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#15 UPDATE EX-employee responds

to Darrin - Oil City, Pennsylvania

AUTHOR: Bryan - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, September 25, 2005

Darrin, you sound like the many spineless people who went to work for Kirby for three days and haven't a CLUE what you're talking about. By FEDERAL LAW, the highest interest rate they can legally charge would make an $1,800.00 Kirby loan, $2,500 when the last payment was made. Unless the finance company is nice enough to allow you to make an interest only payment on a limit basis, then it will never be higher and the distributorship cannot set that up for you. You have to call and REQUEST IT. Secondly, FEDERAL LAW requires that they put in nice bold print what amount you're borrowing, what the interest rate is, what each payment is and the total of the interest both with and without the principal. In fact the print is so big that a blind person could see from the accross the room that the total of their payments, worst case scenario was $2,500.00 and it would come as no surprise whatsoever. You would have to purposely AVOID seeing it. Then there's even more FEDERAL LAWS that you must not know about, Darrin. Like the one where the finance company CALLS YOU AND GOES OVER EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR CONTRACT IN PAINFUL DETAIL WHERE YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT!!! Or the law where the buyer has three days to cancel the whole deal and owe nothing. But, Darrin, I guess you didn't bother to find out how much the customer is protected and how you can't, by any stretch of the imagination, not know what you're paying and when and what it adds up to. The salesperson, the company and everyone else has NO WIGGLE ROOM... business is done that way and it has been for a very long time. You, Darrin, have no idea what you're talking about and you have made yourself look very dumb.

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#14 UPDATE Employee

Nobody See's the Big Picture

AUTHOR: Alex - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, August 29, 2005

Greetings from the Sunshine division!!! Weeee are positive!!!

Ive been a kirby vacuum salesman for 3 straight
months now. If anyone is wondering I work for Mr John Lhin the #2 Factory Distributor in The whole United states. And we are currently #4 in the world. So I do work for a reputable and good office. If there is one thing I know, it is that you simply cannot please everyone. When someone says that the machine isn't performing as the salesman demonstrated, that tells me that either they do not use the machine properly or dont know why somthing is happening. Before I leave any house that I have sold to, I take minimum 30 min to show the custemor how to use and clean the machine. Saying it doset work the way u want it to is like buying a car an complaining that u cant make manuvers like you see on a commercial with a professional driver. of course I know more about the machine than you do. I know that if your trying to take out a stain from your carpet and you dont treat it the way I showed you, then its not kirbys fault. 90% of all mechanical errors in any machine are called OPERATOR ERROR.

Ok second. Finance charges. YES I KNOW THEY SUCK. Once again.... the Finance company has NOTHING TO DO WITH KIRBEY. They have a fixed rate depending on several things.

1. the cost of living and price of the machine depending on your area.

2. Your down payment. If you put NO money down and decide to get the kirby for free that day, its gonna cost you later and thats common sense.

3. The number of monthly payments you have! Its common sense. The faster you pay it off, the less intrest you pay. A 29% intrest rate usually comes from paying $0 down and over 30 months. $40 a month however is still less than a $1.25 a day.

My Average financeing with custemors is $200 down, 24 months of $65 with a 20% intrest rate built into the tottal selling price. I negotiate my machine on terms not price. If someone writes me a check for 1790 which is our price tag, then they will pay alot less. I often go to areas like Corona where people pay cash for there house. at $2 and less a day, the only person who cant really afford a kirby is homeless people. You cant even buy a latte at starbucks for $2! you cant even get a gallon of gas. For 24 months =2 years. You save $1000's on replacement vacumes, shampooing companies, and carpet replacement. If you are a custemor who absolutly cannot stand or are willing to pay finance charges, ask your sales rep for a SAME AS CASH option. But be aware this term dose severly cut his commision. Haggelig a bit is ok with me, but custemors who choke us down to wholesale price are just rude. We come in and clean your room for you, give you ALL the knowledge and information about the prouduct, show you a way to save money in the long run, show u a way to reduce allergens and nasty harmfull s**t inside your house and how do you thank us? "I'll buy it for $1000 take it or leave it." the MSRP price for the kirbey is $1550 average. You walk into a car dealership and ask for a mercedes below the MSRP price and they say "have a good day sir" they laugh at you if you think you can get a new machine for that price. Im just wondering, dose anyone here like to work for free???? (No) then what makes you think we do?!? Im not making squat at even $1200.
Some people think we are ripping them off. NOOOO everything in this world that is sold is marked up. Car's are marked up, houses are marked up, candy bars are marked up. But here we are knocking on doors in the hot sun for 6+ hours a day and then after 2-3+ hours of work and information...you guys get greedy. Com'on!

In the big picture, even after all the finance charges, you still save $1000's of dollers with this machine! Its the last and only vacuum you will ever buy!

Please you dont need to attack ME PERSONALY if you feel you got riped off somehow. Remember I did not build the machine. I did not sell it to YOU. My way of selling the machine is ethical and fair for EVERYONE. so you may ask me any questions or concern's that you like. Or hey if you love the prouduct then I am always happy to receive positive info =)

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#13 UPDATE Employee

Not an investment?the MOST SELF MADE millionaires under the age of 28 than ANY other company in the WORLD.

AUTHOR: Melisa - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 18, 2005

Perhaps had you purchased a Kirby to begin with, you would not have had to purchase yet another Electrolux so soon. Not to mention, what will you do in another 2-5 years when you "want" another vac? You may have your opinions about Kirby just as everyone else in the world do. Some love us, some hate us... BUT Apparently the ones who love us, out number the ones who don't.

You show me another company that has been in buisness as long as we have, still thriving the way we are, going door to door, working our asses off, NEVER had a lay off in the history of the company, has the MOST SELF MADE millionaires
under the age of 28 than ANY other company in the WORLD. So I suppose the people who buy them are not "investing" they are just blowing their money?

Funny you should say that since you replaced your 250.00 vac shortly after buying it. The sad part of that is, they are sold for much more, and you proved to us it isn't even worth the 250 you paid.

About the interest, not only is it in PLAIN view on the contract, in which the dealer and or manager explains BEFORE you sign it, it is also verified by the Finance company when the customer speaks to them. Is it our fault people read before they sign? Nope. I don't recall ever signing anything I did not read first. The finance charge has NOTHING to do with Kirby and or its dealers. They make their own charges, it's not our fault. Don't get mad at us! Not to mention most people want to finance for 30-36 months, everyone knows the longer plan you chose the more charges you will have, that's common sense.

I too, work as a DPS for Kirby and have done every other position imaginable therefore I understand the entire program and what is said to customers in homes. Not every customer is honest just like not every Kirby person is honest. We do not hold it against future customers if we have one who is not honest, why hold it against us because you ran into a bad seed of Kirby?

The way I see it is this, if you think we cheat our people out of money, don't work here. If you think our machine is a peice of s**t, don't buy it. If you think they cost too much and you know you can't afford it no matter what deal you are offered, don't sign up for it. All these things are just common sense. Kirby people are not conartist.

If people want it, we do what we can to make it affordable and get the deal approved, if they don't, we leave. Give us a break people. We are out there busting our asses 6-7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day to make a living for our families. So blame me for working like a dog to put my kids in the best schools in the city, blame me because I have the house you want, blame me because I have the car you want, and blame me because my bank account has more zero's than you can count, but don't blame me because you didn't read before you signed the contract!!!!

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#12 Consumer Comment

Hey Nathan he'll still be paying for it

AUTHOR: Cory - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, April 17, 2005

Kind of funny that you should bring up that 30 year figure. Cause he'll still be paying for it 30 years later with the interest rate you guys gave him. Bought an Electrolux vac from a guy I did business with. They sold for around $900 about 15 years ago. The guy said for every 10 vacs he sold, they sent him one off the books, he could do with as he pleased. He sold it to me for $250 cash. Couple years ago I wanted a new vac, my budget was $200. I'm at a home show where I tell the Electrolux guy I have a model xxx?. He says great, the new ones cost $1100 we can GIVE you $200 trade-in value for your old one. Went to s-mart and bought a new one for $149. It's a friggin vacuum cleaner, not an investment.

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#11 UPDATE Employee

GLAD TO SEE PEOPLE STEPPING UP.

AUTHOR: Nathan - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, April 17, 2005

Hi guys, Im in Chads Division over in the Oklahoma, and KS area as a DPS(for non kirby workers this mean s trainers).

I just wanted to say how happy i was to see that people arent just going to sit down and let people bash our great company(not meaning that his particular post was intended to do so). In our field of work we end up with some pretty sleezy fellows that do bad business. The result of that is we take alot of heat for others actions.

Glad to see that there are some people are wanting to tell other about some of the GREAT things that kirby has to offer. LEt me lay one thing to rest about the price. I do know that everyone has been saying that it cost too much. I believe it does as well to a certain extent. Ill show you why it is definatly worth more.

Fist things first EVERYONE knows that kirbys last for 30 YEARS right? if not just ask around and youll find someone who has a kirby that old and it still works. SO, here it gooes.

An avarage american household will buy a vacuum once every 2-5 years depending on how much you use it. Lets just say for our little test that it is every 3 years.

In 30 years you will end up buying 10 hoovers( or Dirty Devils or whatever) during that time. Everyone agree? And youll spend $150 on avarage for the middle-of-the-road machine.

Time for the math 10 machines over 30 yrs at $150 a piece is $1500. Now i dont think that you should pay that much, but the numbers are lagitamate. So, dont beat us up too hard on the price. You would have spent that money anyway on your future cleaners, and they wouldnt have done half the job.

FOr anyone looking for an answer from an insider. I would be more than happy to listen to gripes about the company, or changes we could make, just dont get abusive with me. E-mail me at kellertna@earthlink.net. My name is nathan and I am a corporate trainer for 3 offices. I try to keep it nutral on my advise. So feel free.

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#10 Consumer Suggestion

Minumum Payments If you continue to make the minumum payments, you'll be paying on the vacuum for the rest of your life

AUTHOR: Cory - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, April 06, 2005

If you continue to make the minumum payments, you'll be paying on the vacuum for the rest of your life. When you bought the vac you signed the paperwork and somewhere in the fineprint it stated the interest rate. You may or may not have seen it. Go to your bank or credit union and take out a term loan for only that amount and pay it off. You might get one at 8 to 12 % for 48 months. Don't put it on a charge card, you'll be back to where you started. Good luck.

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#9 UPDATE Employee

Be careful who you blame.

AUTHOR: Mark - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, April 06, 2005

I am an independant Sales Rep. for a Kirby distributor in central Kentucky. I have been selling Kirby Vac's for about 10 years. I am always amazed at how many people point fingers in the wrong direction when something doesn't go there way.

The first thread in this complaint blames Kirby for the High interest rate they were paying, when the truth is most likely that they have never sent a single payment to the kirby company or the distributor who sold the system.

The buyer has agreed to a 29% revolving charge account thru a secondary finance company. The account allows the customer to make a smaller payment each month with the option to pay more if they choose.

99% of the people who finance kirby systems will sign an installment sales contract. The contract states very clearly how much the payments are, how many payments, Intrest rate, and total of all payments. The first thread on this complaint "essentially" got a credit card at 29% a.p.r and then made the minimum payment for 4 years.

I am very sorry that they ended up paying so much for the Kirby system but it is a great lesson to all who read this, Be very aware of what your signing or the Cost may be Far greater than the price.
NOTE: United Consumer Financial Services does installment sales contracts with fixed intrest rates that are very affordable and consumer friendly.

On behalf of all the Kirby sales people who are doing fair and honest business i would like to appoligize to the customers who who have had to deal with someone with poor business ethics.

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#8 UPDATE EX-employee responds

4 years since I cut my teath with Kirby,, now in B2B sales

AUTHOR: Craig - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, February 25, 2005

I came to the site for a different matter, but I thought I would check on the old girl.

Not surprised with the banter, as with any company there are happy people and upset people.

Here is my unsolicited .02.

1. Yes, Kirbys ads are not the most "clear" but be honest with yourself, would you have come in if the ad said kirby salesman? No, and once your in its wither for you or not. I will refrain from going overboard on this point, but employee minded people, who like regular paychecks are not cut out for Kirby. The comment I saw concerning pre-carding and no getting paid, exemplifies the point. Employee's do not understand investment. Pre-carding was an investment. If you ran your Kirby career like a business you would see you pre-carding activity as required marketing.

2. The machine is expensive. Most things are. My house is expensive, so is my car. My life is expensive. But is my purchase an investment (there is that word again) or a liability? For me, I see the machines as an investment. Its patented to work and no other machine works like it. Bottom line folks, the dual motor technology and bell really does 10x the work of your adverage hoover and lasts 10x longer. I would look at the ultimate CEO of Bershire Hathaway as the best testemonial (Warren Buffet) Now is it worth $2000.00. Yes, would I pay it? No. I don't pay retail for anything. Since its sold direct you should negotiate and while I think selling it for less than $1000 (direct) is stupid. Paying that much for a demo'd machine may not be the best idea. Some people pay sticker or close to sticker at the dealership and some people go to the auction.

3. The sales tactics. Oh my god some of them are funny. Look the fact is Kirby gets people who don't want to sell vaccumes(sp) to people who didnt want to buy them when they woke up in the morning. Some of the skills are a little over the top, but have any of you ever known a sales organization that didnt have the high pressure guys? I always tried to bring value to my customer and today I could take you to most of their houses, tell you the story and feel proud to knock on the door and see if they remeber me. Some people can't say that. Its a shame, and its a shame in the loan business, the timeshare business the water softner business etc.

But most imporantly, regardless if you were a salesperson a customer or a reader of this post. Kirby is the best machine on the planet (IMO - please dont flame me on it, i'm sure there are other good machines out there) Their sales program made me love sales and taught me to really love people. Thanks Kirby for the school of hard knocks education.

For anyone who isn't happy with the job, I'm sorry you saw the ugly side of the business. For anyone who didn't like the work, don't consider Kirby a scam, some of us loved what we did and do and for us it was a saving grace. For anyone who is unhappy with their machine, please call Kirby Corporate and have them send someone to you. Its an awesome piece of equipment and often a quick clinic can rekindle the relationship.

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#7 UPDATE Employee

slave labour

AUTHOR: Jehan - (Australia)

POSTED: Friday, October 22, 2004

hello,
I joined kirby one week ago and was told I would be paid a retainer for every demo I did plus a commission if I sold. After a three day trainingg programme everything seemed promising until I was presented with a contract. According to this contact we are not employed by the distributor, we are independant agents. Another thing which caught my eye was that if I sold a kirby to someone who is a financial risk, I will not get commision for that sale. I felt pushed into signing the contract because they promised me they would compensate me in other ways. Also I later found out that the reatiner is only valid for one month and after that its 100% commision based.

Another thing that annoyed me was that I was told that working hours fininshed by 6pm at the latest, I was horrified to learn later on that we finish as late as 10pm. So I flet like an animal working from 9.30am in the morning till 10pm! thats was too outrageous for me.

But things get worse with this particular distributor. After the demos in the morning, we are expected to to knock on doors and promote the kirby by giving away free prize draw tickets. we do this for approximatley 4 hours non-stop and are EXPECTED to get atleast 30 names and numbers each, the you have to sit down for this part WE DON'T GET PAID FOR IT! So basically if we don't make a sale that day and are doinmg this, you have to ask yourself, what do you call a person that works for nothing? My answer is A SLAVE.

I'm resigning on Monday because this distributorship is far too greedy and feeds off vulnerable people like me who have no money. I have made a compliant about them and may take some legal action.

They don't even offer protective masks for their sales people since they are working in dangerous conditions breaking in so much rubish. I have had trouble breathing these last two days, it has affected me and I was on the job for three days only.

Can someone give some feed back on this if they have had a similar experience.

Thank You

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#6 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Good Vac ,way overpriced

AUTHOR: Darrin - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, May 11, 2003

I so have to agree with the other x employee I worked for kirby before & they do have kinda a tricky way of getting employes out of the newspapers, you can make great money ripping people off they will finance anyone anyway possible.

For example when I worked for them I've seen them sold to people on welfare ,S.S.I., & just about any type of fixed income but unless asked they wont tell ya that the vac. you thought you purchased for $1899.99 with the intrest rate is now ballooned into $4899.99 or higher depending on how low your payments are.

At that price you could buy a car? The Vac is good but not that good & they get sold to the companys for around $350.00 & the salespersons make about $300.00 per vac. It is a shame cause they do get tricked (the sales people) into big promises trips prizes & such.

But the big winners are the fat cats at the top who stick with it & get gulible people to answer the ads & send them out to do there dirty work for them.

What I thought was the absolute lowest was when someone said no & you were to call you boss (within customer earshot) And say thing's like, "Sorry boss they dont want it i guess im not doing a very good job". So as to guilt the customer into it.

It is my believe that they dont have retail stores for 1 reason to hide the fact of how much they cost & also Most people who are on fixed incomes or welfare wouldnt go in there.

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#5 Consumer Comment

very satisfied with my kirby vaccum and the salesperson

AUTHOR: Eric - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, May 08, 2003

i just purchased a kirby vaccum and i have to say it is the best one i've ever had. i had an orek for many years and as soon as the salesperson demonstrated the power of the kirby i new i had to have one, not to mention the shampooer and all the attachments . bottom line is you get what you pay for and in this case i got a d**n good vaccum for $1,300.00 which will last a lifetime. so all of you people who think it's over priced , simply don't buy one unless the salesperson is holding a gun to your head like some of you make it sound like. just say no and live with the garbage you paid for.

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#4 UPDATE Employee

Kirby is a very reputable company

AUTHOR: Freddie - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, June 18, 2002

First, Kirby has been around for close to 90 years now. They have always done all of their sales door-to-door so that right there should tell you that they must be doing something right. As for dirty distributors, there are some bad ones. But that doesnt always mean they are all like that.

Its true that salepeople can make alot of money. In my area they go for 1641 full price. we sell it below the factory suggested retail price which is about 1710. as for them being higher in some places, its according to cost of living in the area. it will be lower in south dakota than if it were in LA which if im not mistaken goes for 2100.

And as mentioned before, Kirby has nothing to do with finance rates. that is united finance co. not to mention if distributors have alternate finance companies also. Also the Kirby vacuum can replace several cleaning appliances and personal pleasure items in the home, which together including replacing those appliances would cost way more than owning a Kirby.

Not to mention all the wear and tear it can save a carpet. You could wait another 5-7 years before you would have to replace the carpet.

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#3 UPDATE Employee

Independant Dealer

AUTHOR: Clyde - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, April 03, 2002

First, I would like to say that as an independant dealer of the Kirby Company, I as a dealer pay alot more than $600 for a Kirby with all the attachments, shampooer, etc.

I would also like to point out that, when you factor in what it would cost someone to go out and buy everything the Kirby can do for someone and the fact they will have to replace all those appliances at least twice in a lifetime, even at $1899 the Kirby is a steal for anybody.

Now, as for "ALL" distributors being greedy, I would have to say that, that Tom had a personal problem with his distributor. I word for a distributor who has gone out of his way and bent over backwards to help my wife and I.

Since, Everyone in the Kirby Company with the exception of the Factory workers and office staff are independant dealers, we are all responsible for the level of our own successes and to point fingers at, area distributors, factory distributors, etc. And say that they are greedy, is just plain malarky!

I have worked for the Kirby Company for over 10 yrs on and off, and have worked for 4 different distributors and have never gotten anything but, support and advice from 3 of them. I had a personal conflict with one area distributor, but I don't blame "ALL" distributors or the Kirby Company for her lack of intelligence.

Now, when it comes to us salesman, since we are all independant dealers we are given a suggested retail price to sell the Kirby at. However, we are allowed to sell for whatever price we want to. Is it ethical to sell it at a higher cost? NO! and I do not believe in doing that! But, alas, I am not any of the other thousands of dealers out there. Some of them do but, for the most part 98% of the dealers in Kirby do not sell it for more than what they should.

So, if you ever have a situation where a Kirby salesman comes to your house to demonstrate the machine, feel him out and see what he's all about.
You may be surprised to find that he's just out making a living, just like you!

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#2 UPDATE Employee

Kirby is just like any other company

AUTHOR: tim - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 08, 2002

The Kirby company is a fine company which has the highest rating with the better business bureau.
I'd like to comment to the people who believe that Kirbys are over priced and the intrest rate is too high. The intrest rate has nothing to do with the kirby company.

My father is a distributor and no distributorship does their own financing that i know of. We use United Consumer Financial Services. The reason that the intrest rate is so high is that there is a FIXED rate of intrest for the amount financed for appliances. The reason that Kirby's have the mark up that they do is the same reason that cars have the mark up they do and computers and furniture hamburgers etc. A distributor must pay for the building the lights the water the furniture electricity etc. in his distributorship plus pay to feed his family.

They also pay for the salespeoples trips bonuses prizes and everything else out of there own pockets After all of their overhead a disributoe actually makes less money per sale than the actual sales person. As for the character of sales people or distributors: IT IS THE SAME AS EVRY OTHER COMPANY!

McDonalds doesn't train there people to spit in food, police aren't trained to beat the innocent and parents do not raise their children to be serial killers. As for distributors being greedy i take incredible offense to this. My father has a safety net of 400 per week to a salesperson provided they complete 15 demos or he pays commission. I have witnessed numerous times when he payed people that had absolutely nothing comming to them because he is a good person. He is not filthy rich he in fact makes less money than most of the people who are doing all of the complaining. See the bigger pictue, use some common sense and don't let one rotten tomato ruin the whole harvest.

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#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Beware Of Kirby Salespeople

AUTHOR: Tom - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, March 05, 2002

I was a Kirby salesperson from 1982 through 1989. First of all, the price charged for a Kirby is extremely inflated. When I last spoke to one of my old Kirby co-workers, he told me that the asking price was now up to $1899.00 and his cost was about $350.00 and the salespersons commission was $100.00 to $200.00 depending on what package was being sold. This leaves an obscenely huge profit for the distributor.

I do believe the Kirby product is the best on the market. Having sold them for several years, I encountered every other type of vacuum sold and not one could match the quality or performance of a Kirby. But, they are extremely overpriced. If you pay more that $600.00 including the hose attachments and the shampooer, you paid too much!

My experience with Kirby people is that the distributors are greedy, money hungry and willing to do whatever it takes to get your money. I have worked for numerous distributors and they all fit this description. Not only do they take advantage of unknowing consumers, they also take advantage of their salespeople. I remember every Friday when I would sit down with my distributor to get paid, he would always say, and I quote, "what reason can I find not to pay you this week?" Real nice! I Worked my butt off 16 hours a day 6 to 7 days a week and this jerk wanted his profit and mine too.

I purchased a Kirby that I purchased from a Kirby guy that I still keep in touch with. I bought the whole package including hose attachments and shampooer for $500.00. I feel it was a fair deal. You probably won't be able to get one for that price unless you know someone. You should not pay more than $600.00. If you are trying to buy one, but your local distributor won't sell it for that price, shop around, somebody will.

Another reason I don't like the Kirby company is the way they run their business. The distributors are independent and can get away with a lot of unethical things. They also do not employ the salespeople, the are independent contractors and are treated like dirt. They tell you how you are your own boos when it comes to buying sales supplies, and then tell you you better do things they way you are told or they won't alow you to work for them, and then they will balcklist you with the other Kirby distributors for miles so you can't work for another distributor. This was actually encouraged by the Kirby divisional manager when I sold for them.

If you do decide to buy a Kirby, make sure that the gold warranty card is filled out with your name in front of you, and that you get your copy. Also, if they promise you any free supplies to buy on the spot, make them give them to you before you sign anything. You should also check and read the entire contract before signing. A lot of Kirby distributors use some finance comapies that will accept buyers with marginal or bad credit, but the interest rates can be huge.

My advice is, if you are considering buying a Kirby, call your local dealer, tell them you do not want a demonstration and that you are willing to pay $600.00 for the system with the hose attachments and the shampooer, and not a penny more. If they won't do it, keep looking, one of them will.

Beware of in home sales people. The products are often good, but ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, Overpriced. People sell door-to-door because of the big profits that can be made, on unsuspecting people.

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