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Kirby Vacuum Cleaners

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Kirby Vacuum Cleaners • In-Home Demonstration • Three-day Return Policy • "Trade-In" Policy • Warranty Service • Poor Quality • Elderly & Infirm • Home Alone • Neighborhood Pests • U.K. Complaints • South Africa Complaints • Andrew's Kirby Adventure --- • Kirby Sweeps Up in West Virginia • Arizona Sues Kirby Distributors • Kirby Salesman Arrested • Salesmen Respond

Tracy of Solon, OH (1/10/06)
I bought a Kirby vacuum from Kris and she then asked me for some referrals, as obviously hers is a referral business. I gave her 10 names of friends and family. Since that time I have heard nothing but complaints about her behavior and rudeness to these people. I am frustrated because I don't know who to complain to (i.e. her superior) since she is an independent dealer.

Vanessa of San Jose, CA (12/14/05)
The saleswoman/manager (not the demonstrator) that we dealt with during my Kirby purchase LIED to us. She said that if we paid off our Kirby before 24 months, that we would get reimbursed for all the finance charges that we paid. She said, "They will send you a check".

That was the only reason we purchased the Kirby (otherwise we couldn't afford it).

I called last week to check the amount of the payoff and also ask about our finance reimbursement and was told they couldn't send us a check and that we should talk to the saleswoman we dealt with.

Damages: We are stuck paying for something we can't afford, not to mention that we would never have paid that much money for a vacuum cleaner.

Debi of Quakertown, PA (12/11/05)
Kirby saleswoman came into our home saying that she would shampoo a full carpet in one of our rooms for free just to demonstrate her Kirby vacuum. We were very impressed with the unit and decided to buy. Since they are very expensive we used their financing.

She suggested that we keep the vacuum she used for our demonstration, to avoid waiting for one to be shipped. She assured us that it was a brand new unit and only used in our home. We found out that this was not the case when we tried out the different parts and I found wear and tear stains on the inside of the bag cover (upright unit).

Damages: We ended up paying $1,400 for a USED Kirby and she apparently got my new one as a replacement! I'm now having mechanical problems with the unit and it will have to be sent in for repair.

Lou Ann of Bixby OK (1/10/04):
In the past week I have had 3 different Kirby sales people come to my door, knowing my name and telling me I have won a free carpet cleaning. The first young man was dissheveled and sloppy, the second was a young woman after dark and the third was another disshelved young man and he gave me a bottle of liquid Tide. I have turned them all away but someone else comes to my door. There is usually a car waiting in front of the house for them.

I contacted the Bixby Police and they said soliciters must have a permit from the city and only during daylight hours. They are using the excuse that they are not soliciting but giving a free carpet cleaning. The only consequence thus far is the annoyance of them coming to the door to solicit. I will contact the police the next time they ring my door bell.

Douglas of Richwood OH (12/24/03):
I have never ever let a salesman into our home. I had three people show up at our back door wanting to sell a Kirby vacuum cleaner. I have always wanted a Kirby so I thought it was legit and allowed them in to my home - two men and a girl who were very interested in a few items that where in my garage, a motorcycle that was my boy's and a couple of remote controll helicopters. They soon found out that we were going out of state and guess what came up missing when we got home.

Yes we contacted the sheriff and there is a case number but I never got their address or phone number. So if you ever have a salesman show up at your door make them provide their drvers license and get their license number from the vehicle they drive. My homeowners covered half of it plus a 500.00 deductible so I will never cover my loss.

Erin of Westland MI (11/30/03):
It is unbelievable to read all of the stories regarding Kirby Vacuum cleaner sales scum! I am sooooo glad that we turned around and walked out! My husband and I were on a quest to find a new vacuum cleaner. We decided to check out a neighborhood Kirby store (not knowing anything about the place) to see what they had to offer. As soon as we walked in the store, we were surrounded by sales people. The woman behind the desk shoved a card for a $1000 drawing into my husband's hand. I am assuming that this is to get our names, address and phone number. We were then told that she would find someone who could give us some more information.

We asked them where all of the vacuums were because the only ones that were out were a complete disaster! I was shown a vacuum that was so heavy I could not lift it, and shown the price tag of $1069! We tried to say that we were not interested, but like the others were promised a free carpet shampoo if they could just come to the house. They kept asking if we were going home now? I told them that it was none of their business, and walked out. As I was walking out, they kept calling out ma'am, ma'am...now how obnoxious is that? It was the most horrible experience that I have ever had to buy something as simple as a vacuum cleaner! I haven't even met car salesman who are that bad!

Maxine of E. Hartford CT (11/28/03):
Mr. Lamonica entered my home, on the day before Thanksgiving, to demonstate the new generation Kirby vacuum cleaner. After I made the purchase, and he departed, my husband arrived home and realized that his personal phone book and a few important business cards were missing. After searching high and low, evidence appeared indicating that someone had intentionally taken the phonebook (and therefore, the business cards as well).

That night, Mr. Cummings (the boss) was informed of the incident. He was advised that if the items are not return, then the sale will be cancelled. Mr. Lamonica was contacted by his cell phone, and he was advised as well. Within 30 minutes of the second phone call, Mr. Lamonica was at my door returning my husband personal phonebook that he had taken. However, he failed to return the important business cards (obviously stating that he did not take them). A police report has been filed of the events.

Ian of Vallejo CA (11/13/03):
I came home this evening to find a lady demonstrating a Kirby vacuum to my wife. She demonstrated how it extracted all the "bacterial dust" from the carpet and gave us the canned health sales pitch, and when it came to price I heard six payments of $30. Sounded good, but I decided to turn it down because I have more things going on I need to focus my income on. Shortly her partner showed up, I didn't catch his name, and he started his pitch on how great it is and was trying to continually sell it, I couldn't get them out of my home.

They stated Kirby doesn't deal over the web, or phone, they are door to door and they come by once a year, so I told them to come back next time and I might be interested then. He asks me how February is, I thought it was once a year?! Then I find out the price of the vacuum cleaner is $1795! I thought I was told 6 payments of $30! That's $180! A big difference! I start to decline and the guy wouldn't take no after I flat out told him. THEN he offers the vacuum to me for $1300, I say no. The he says how about $500, would you take it for $500? By now I'm thinking this is a big scam, or this vacuum is stolen because he just dropped his price by over $1000.

The girl stated earlier she needs to make a certain number of sales to be eligible to get a trip to Hawaii. She asked my wife to note on a piece of paper that this girl had given her presentation, and she signed it against my will.

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