Kirby Vacuum Cleaners Reviews

I wish I had known or thought then to call the police. They had about 6 sales people working the circle that we lived on. It was a very disturbing experience.

The next time I visited my mother in Belleview, Florida (a very small town near Ocala), I found she had bought a Kirby. She had a Kirby that was about 40 years old that had been a good vacuum. She was 81 at that time and said she kept telling the salesman no that her old Kirby was fine. But she said the only way she could get rid of him was to buy the new Kirby and they took her old Kirby as trade in.

My mother lives on Social Security and interest from a small savings (about $750 a month). She couldn't afford this. I found the Kirby web site and sent an e-mail expressing my anger at their sales methods and preying on my elderly mother. I never received a response. The new Kirby is now inoperable (3 years old).

In defense of Kirby, I would like to state that many of these anecdotes are representative of individual mistakes, errors in judgement, and lack of charachter. I can attest to the fact that none of the practices listed below are sanctioned, trained, or encouraged by Kirby. That is not to say that they don't happen, but that these sad situations are isolated incidents, not representative of the way the Kirby buisness is meant to be, and most often is run. Any large company will always have problems with individuals working there, and I can assure you that the types of people described by members of this site will not survive very long in a business whose sole source of advertising is word of mouth.

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.

My mother cannot even operate the thing as her hands do not work. She cannot safely bend over to work on it (she uses a walker and is very unstable), and shouldn't be lifting one foot to operate the on/off (foot operated) switch. She doesn't even know where to get replacement bags (they gave her 3) ("she told me where, but I don't remember....) It is unconscionable to prey on the elderly in such a manner.

Kirby has been rated #1 for over 90 years for its performance, reliability and quality. Maybe not for its price but please ask yourself why you should get a cheap price on a vacuum with multiple uses and that is also much more health improving. Once again we will continue to enforce these demos in your home and if you don't buy it, then that is totally fine with me. There is no obligation. But just like a car salesman, he brings you to a car and says there is no obligation to buy. But then he sits you down and runs his never ending sales pitch to intice you to buy.

I finally had to say, "Please pack up your things and leave my home." My next step was going to be to call the police and have them removed if necessary. Their high pressure tacks were disrespectful and aimed at my mother, who is on a fixed income. They seemed to think if they could "prove" to me that I could afford the machine, I would buy it. They did not seem to grasp at all that I didn't want it and especially not after their rudeness and disrespectful attitude toward my mother and then me. I attempted to find a website or address or number, but have been unsuccessful.

I was over at a friend's house playing some games on the computer when some salespeople (3, two men and a woman) come to his door asking for the homeowner. My friend (whose house we were at) answered the door. They actually asked him if he was the homeowner, and they were serious about it, it wasn't a ha-ha, just kidding kind of joke (I believe this gives further proof to the underage entrance stated by a woman already).

But that's not the big point. His father comes and tells them he's not interested, I didn't exactly hear what went on seeing as he went outside and closed the door. About 5 minutes later my brother comes and knocks on the door telling me some people are over and my mother wants me to interpret (my parents are both deaf and a bit naive and gullible I'm sad to say, and as long as I've known my parents they've always said "no thank you" to sales pitches so I was surprised this was a different situation).

Anyhow they told me they would give a free carpet cleaning demonstration and so my parents accepted. Well the two associates left the one (male) to clean our carpet, he got a bunch of things out, there was definitely assembly required. He introduced himself as a Kirby sales associate, the name Kirby sounded familiar, but from where I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Right before he started to demonstrate he told us about this filter thing that shows us how much dirt he is going to pick up. Then I immediately remembered that "filter". I believe I saw it on a Dateline NBC special news report special. It was a while back telling about how Kirby is a dirty business and pretty much stated everything that all of the other people have said.

I told my mother and father through sign language it wasn't a good idea and that I had seen them on the news and it wasn't good. But of course, who listens to their child, what do they know? But anyways, he cleaned the vent and etc. And my my, I was extremely impressed. i thought they had maybe changed their dirty business into a respectful one. He started to clean the carpet, that took a long time with starting, stopping, replacing the filters, and starting the process over. Wow, we had so much dirt, it was unbelievable.

After a while the Kirby sales associate told us about this "contest" where they could win a trip to New Orleans I believe it was. Then I started to be doubtful about Kirby. Then when we started to dabble in a bit of discussion about pricing (after he made a phone call to collect his "points" and talk to his boss). He made it seem like $2 a day was nothing (which monthly would be $60 of course) but my parents are in a bit of a financial situation so they most likely wouldn't be able to afford a Kirby.

We told him maybe in a month we might be able to afford it. So he told us that in order for him to earn his "points" the sale had to be made that day. Then I immediately knew it was a scam. They use that to possibly make people feel sorry for them. Not only that after shampooing our carpet, I myself didn't see much of a difference in before and after. Well he called his manager using our phone and he came and discussed a price, the price lowered and lowered and I did ask about a return policy and he said 3 days with a lifetime warranty. I told my mom it would be safer if we waited until after I did some searching.

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.

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!

The vacuum then later broke and they said we only had a 3-day guarentee so we couldn't return it, that we had to pay. Well my mom decided to pay her $1,200. Now they keep on sending letters about how we have to pay $1,700.

I thought Kirby vacuums were known for being good. What a disappointment. I finally could afford new carpet some 3 plus years later. After having the carpet for about a year, I began to notice flat spots in the pile. The salesman specifically stated that the Kirby would "bring up" the pile that was flat on carpets, but not the old carpet because it was too far gone and not quality carpet. By the way the carpet I have now is considered a very good quality.

After the switch broke on the Kirby I went to have it repaired. AAA Appliance had gone out of business, so I went elsewhere. Upon picking up my vacuum ($85 charge!), I griped to the repair man as he was the only one in the shop. He agreed that Kirby's very expensive to repair, their bags etc. cost too much, and they break down a lot (especially considering the initial cost of the vacuum).

These people let NO card, booklet or anything for her to give to me. When I called home and she told me they were there I told her to IMMEDIATELY ask them to leave, which she did. they took their time packing up their belongings, and they stood in my driveway for approx. 30 minutes before they finally let my property. Are there no any restictions on them entering a house without an adult present?

I was very upset to find out these people has been in my house without my knowledge and I do not appreciate them talking their way in on my daughter. I know she should have never let them in but she felt like she was doing something right by letting them "clean" the floor. These people got out of an "unmarked" red van and never offered a sales card or brochure or any kind of literature ensuring they were who they said they were.

I an very upset about this and consider my daughter very lucky that she wasn't harmed and I assure you she will NEVER let anyone else in my house no matter what their sales pitch is!

Two Kirby salesmen showed up to demonstrate their product days after they told my mom they would be there earlier in the day. She agreed to let them show her a demonstration on her carpet. We were amazed with the model G5. It was improved because it has a foot switch which allows you to go to a self-propelled setting. It really amazed us at how different and easier it was to use with this feature on. we were also amazed at how it could also sweep your bare floors, and for $200.00 extra you could get the carpet shampooer with it, which we thought was a good idea seeing the demonstrater looked like a puppy that had to go really bad and didn't know where the door was. He was jumping around and acting so smooth.

Well I ended up purchasing one because my aunt has one and she swore by it (so I thought). I told the guy I would take it and he borrowed my mother's phone to call to get me approved. I was not told of this 3-day trial period, unfortunately.

He sold me a demonstration model first of all, and charged me full price. I know all about that finance company thing too, they tell you it's 0% financing but it is really like a 28% fee with that company. What they should tell you it will not cost you anything for them to call their little special number. This number is like the special number at auto dealers. They call the number, give the person on the other end of the phone your life history, and that person shoots it out over the internet to basically find someone who will finance a $2000.00 vaccum cleaner.

That's right folks, $2000.00! Well I had to call to tell the people first off they charged me full price for a demonstration model, this person had been vaccuming in other people's houses. Second, remember the carpet shampooer I stated I didn't want, it was also charged to me, and instead of $200.00, it was more like $500.00. I'm very disappointed in my Kirby. I would also like to say to anyone reading this thinking of purchasing it, DON'T, RUN. You wil get the same result if not better with a $50.00 Eureka from Wal-Mart or some other discount retailer.

Approximately 30 minutes ago, I had a salesperson attempt to sell my wife this product. She was impressed with the product, however, the sales individuals in question and their phone sales tactics are quite questionable. I suggest that all Kirby sales indivudals should have one basic understanding -- "NO".

We have talked to the company and they say he signed the contract so he purchased the vacuum. He put it on a charge card. He can not afford this and I feel that the saleman and this company took advantage of man who is depressed with the loss of his wife of 62 years.

I know that we are going to have to keep the vacuum but I just wanted you to know about the company and maybe notify senior groups to watch out for this company and Kirby. Thanks for listening.

I am furious. This was an upsetting, deceitful scam. Thank God we did not purchase anything! Yes, there was emotional damage, certainly. Plus, we had to move furniture for this creep (we both have sore backs), and he probably ran up expenses on our phone bill.

We purchased a Kirby and after less than a week I noticed that my carpet had an oily residue and a brown film I then called the Generation 3 company that sold it to me and was told that their machines did not do that and that they would call me later that day to set up a time for them to come and take a look.