Complain about a product or service

Kirby Vacuum Cleaners

Warranty Service

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

Eva of Wellman IA writes (11/16/01):
Late spring of 2000, I took my Generation 3 Kirby into the Kirby store in Coralville for repairs.I was told, point-blank, that it would be "cheaper" to replace the machine than repair it. The business owner offerd to sell me a new model or he "just happened to have" another Generaton 3 on the sales floor, and he'd be willing to work out a "deal" w/ me.

Of course, I'd have to turn in MY Kirby, as it could be used for parts, etc. I had been scheduled to work for the US Census, but that fell through cuz there had been too many enumerators hired for my county. This made it impossible for me to pursue the situation due to lack of funds.

I explained this in detail, but this man wasn't hearing any of it. He wanted me to sign 3 post-dated checks, made out to HIM, then HE would work it out so that I'd have a vacuum cleaner. At one point, he even mentioned he'd be willng to "barter" or trade services. Apparently he'd helped one woman out by allowing her to "pay off" her debt by giving him massages! He even suggested I could do the same when he found out I have a background in Nursing.

He even said he'd be willing to trade for "guns", or any other items such as that. That's not only unethical behavior, the idea of trading for a gun is illegal! All of these suggestions made me very suspicious of his motives. Now, he has my Kirby sweeper & I have NOTHING! My ex-husband had bought that for me as a Christmas gift w/ all the accessories, including the shampooer.

After taking the basic machine in for repairs on the motor, which HE told me "wouldn't be worth the cost involved", I'm left over a year & 1/2 later w/ NOTHING! He has MY machine, which I'm sure has been broken down for parts. I checked w/ some other businesses in he area & leared that a re-furbished Gen. 3 Kirby will sell for $400 to $450, easily.

First of all, I'm out several hundred dollars, the cost of the machine, & the costs of going back & forth to Coralville, trying to track down the man so I could come to some sort of resolution. I've been very disillusioned, since my family has owned a Kirby since I've benn old enough to remember & we'e always been treated right -- until NOW!

I am disabled due to a severe migraine condition that is aggravated by allergies. I've been affected by the increased incidence of migraines related to the dust concentration in the house. I can't afford a new vacuun cleaner that worked as well as the Kirby as far as keeping allergens under control. I live on $733/mo, so that rules out many things.

Dennis of Clarksville TN (11/26/01):
About 4 years ago, we had an in-home presentation of a carpet cleaner. When they showed up it was a Kirby vaccum cleaner representative. They showed us what we thought was a fantastic machine. I decided to buy when the saleswoman stated that it had a lifetime warranty.

We had found out after 3 years that it was just a 3-year warranty and were told where to purchase the parts needed. I told them that I did not want to buy the parts because I was told that it had a lifetime warranty. The salesperson asked what was wrong with the vaccum. I told them that we used the shampoo part of the vaccum and after using it one time it did not work again. We showed them where the hose was breaking which was suppose to be replaced if it broke.

They did not honor any complaint. The one thing they did say was that they would take this G5 off of my hands if I purchased a newer model a G6. They said with my trade it would only cost me $800.00 I asked them why would I want to do that when I was told when I purchased the G5 that I would not have to ever buy another vaccum cleaner ever again. The G5 that we purchase 4 years ago does not work today. I bought a piece of garbage period. I would not recommend a Kirby to any of my friends or enemies.

Back to the top | Kirby Vacuum Cleaners