PTA Enterprises Kirby Vacuum Exploitation of consumers. Pomona, California

A representative asked for a free carpet cleaning appointment to be done at 8 p.m. so they could get points for their employment with the company.  I agreed to the appointment.  When the carpet cleaner came it was actually a demonstrator for the Kirby vacuum.  He did an excellent presentation.  I told him my house mate needed to go to bed and could he come back the next day for me to decide whether I wanted to purchase the vacuum.

The request was denied.  He did move everything from the bedroom to the living room.  The asking price for the system was $2500.  I declined.  He then called a "supervisor" to get a better deal....the price continued to decrease with deals such as senior discount and trade ins.  Final price was $1900 financed with the "supervisor" doing the paperwork and I was told not to disclose the price to anyone since it was a great price.

Afterwards in speaking to a friend, she had the same experience but her price was $1190!  I investigated further with a gentleman who was a former Kirby salesperson.  The manufacture price of the unit is approximately $350 but the $1190 is reasonable after the product is distributed.  Online you can find the product on ebay etc. for as low as $250.

I contacted the BBB which declined a complaint and then pursued the ethics through the DSA (Direct Sales Association).  Both organization site the anti-trust laws, the price is determined by the company.  Even the Kirby company states the same thing.

The salesperson signed the papers as Dominic R.  When he gave me his personal information to contact him with any questions, the name given was Dominic Riley.  However, his email is domoboto@gmail and the name is Gomez.  I haven't questioned if the contract is legal with only an initial for the surname.  The date of sales is October 8, 2012.

An additional note, the company phone number is not on the contract or financial agreement.  I went to their website and the 800 phone number is no longer working. I did file a report with the Ca. State Department of Justice.