Kirby Vacuum Cleaners Reviews

It is now June and I still have not received credit for the return. I called the number they gave me many,many times. I was told they would get back to me, which they never did. I would like the credit of $1,400.00 returned to my charge card or I will take further action

I have been charged a fee from my credit card co. I have taken time out from work to call a number of times. Loss of money, Loss of credit.

I called back on the 11th to check in and see if I got the job. They answered as East West Enterprises... But it was said very quickly, much like in my interview. I'm not sure if that's the name that was used during the interview even. Cheney said it very quickly and immediately moved on to mention that NASA is on their payroll and does their ventilation...

Hours were very vague. She said we could pick our own days off each week, but was vague as to when we'd get there and how late we'd be there.

Also, she said this was the #1 branch in the country or something. For being #1, it sure is a ramshackle dumpy little building. I suppose they're all number one when an orientation is going on?

She also mentioned that they've never had a lay-off, etc etc. Well when everyone helping your company are actually self-employed DEALERS, you don't really have any employees to lay off, now do you? I'm especially glad that I found THIS bit of information before I wasted more time.

I'm very glad that I went with my gut feeling and did some research. I have no idea how I will be paying my bills next month, or if I will even still have a roof over my head. I have wasted far too much time, and these past few days with Kirby have not helped the situation. But it's better than wasting even more time...

Moral of the story would be to never answer a vague ad. I stay far away from the ones screaming EASY MONEY JUST VISIT THIS WEBSITE... So it surprises me now that I actually responded to this one just because it had a phone number. Don't second guess yourself- trust your gut, as it tends to be right in these situations.

tore up driveway by spinning tires throwing gravel all over

Nothing was ever said about warranty or repairs by the sales person, nor did my mother think to ask. My father passed away in October and always handled financial matters, of this nature. It irks me that my mother was taken advantage of due to her age and vulnerability.

Having been in sales myself, I know a hard pitch when I hear one and I called them on it. They kept saying, we can do something for you, like, buy it on credit (90 days same as cash 20% interest) which I absolutely refuse to do. I asked them the price outright-I'm sure they wouldn't have told me. They would not take no for an answer, and I found myself defending my right to say no. They asked me how I pay bills, and I said my husband does, and the sales girl said, Oh, does your husband make all the decisions? I found this insulting and I was almost at the point of tears, but I held myself together. They had promised to clean the entire carpet but as soon as I refused to buy the Kirby they immediately stopped shampooing my carpet. The demonstration took two hours. Ed tried to finish my carpet but his boss was right outside so he couldn't.

I tell you, I would not want to work for them. They are a hard sell and they intimidate people into buying something they can't afford. It's amazing how those pads pick up so much dirt, but the reviews on the Kirby are not so good. I believe I read somewhere that those pads are specially treated with dirt or something. They finally left reluctantly after a half hour of refusal. I told them don't try a sales pitch on me I have done sales, and it doesn't work on me. I told them paying my mortgage is more important than buying an overpriced vacuum cleaner.

With all those pads lying around with all that dust and cat hair, I could feel myself wheezing. I asked Ed to throw them out and he refused, saying his boss had to see them to make sure he did show me I should have thrown them out. They sat there for a good hour and half before they left. They laughed at me and said, that's what's in your carpet, but I can tell you that having it out in the open is far worse. Luckily I recovered. These people are very intimidating and should not be allowed to go around and lie.

Finally I gave in and all but one guy left and he showed me the vacuum cleaner. I told him I couldnt purchase one and he started packing up. He ask for a drink and I walked about 20 feet to my refrigerator to get him a mtn dew and he drank it and left. My problem is he took a ten dollar bill I had just left on my husbands wallet for his work tomorrow. I had just put it there when they came in and I put his cap over it as not to entice the young man.

After he left, I had gone to bed and it dawned on me that ws the only time I left the room and I went to see and he had taken the 10 dollar bill and left the one. I put the one there also because my husband has trouble getting large ones cashed at work. I am very upset. I cant believe he did it. I will tell everyone in the town of leeds about this if it is not returned. The BBB will also get a letter.

The guy proceeds to put the Kirby Vac together, explaining how great it is. I know the machine is good, I sold Electrolux and was qualified as a repairman for Kirby, Hoover, Electrolux, Eureka and Oreck. Two hours later after telling them numerous times I have to leave, they just kept on showing the equipment. I actually wanted a Kirby especially after seeing it at work. It started out at 1698.00, finally got down to 1500.00 with a 390.00 down payment and 1500.00 financed.

I signed the contract, postdated the check for 1 week and they finally left. They did not take my trade in Vac and after they were gone (the salesman wanted to take th boxes but I said no, as I have 3 days to cancel the contract if need be. The box has the MSRP prices on it. I totaled up the prices for the Vac with accessories, a zip brush, shampooer and floor finishing kit and it was 1697.50, 50 cent less that my starting quoted price but included the zip brush and floor finishing kit? I checked on the Internet and boy what a surprise all the negative things about their techniques.

I called them the next morning and ask about the MSRP and they said that is only the suggested prices. I told them I did not get a warranty card and that after further inspection of the Vac, it was not new, had damage to the hood, deep scratches and machine was not clean. This was not a new machine. I also told them about all the accessories I could have bought for less money. They offered to give me the additonal accessories and ask what price I would pay for the stuff. I told them I had stopped payment on the check and I was cancelling the contract under my 3 day option.

I paid 22.00 to stop the check, 16.50 for Express mail so I would know they receive it with in the 3 days and also called the finance company. The sales people did not call as requested until I had stopped the contract. They offered to come get the equipment the next day at 5:00 but then called back to change it to today at 12:00. I am going home at lunch and give it to them, I will request a receipt that they now have the merchandise and will not give it to them till I get my down payment check which they should bring with them.

I will follow up on this complaint site after we see what happens. It took the girl to get in the door, the salesman to show it and the manager to approve the paperwork all during this time they are in and out working other houses in the neighborhood. I am only one of thousands of complaints and while Kirby to me is the best machine out there, I will buy a new one off EBAY for 5-600 dollars not 1698.00. I just won't get the Kirby 3 year warranty but this machine will last a lifetime with only minor repairs, I know, I use to repair them. Sorry to James Kirby, such a good machine, but such sorry salespeople. I do know there are good salesmen/women out there that do a good job and do not pressure the customer, but think about it, the reputation of the other sticks on you too.

I have one and my sister has had the same one for 50 years and the warranty is still valid. She has had everything redone at one time or anohter. How's that for quality? I worked for Kirby in their Cleveland plant until they went to Texas. They have high standards and meet them. The Kirby Cleaner isn't cheap but it can be bargained down. It is cheap for a cleaner that lasts forever.

The girl was sweet, though a bit of an airhead perhaps, the guys were very polite and pleasant enough. When they started their demonstration I just knew I was in for a long time. Ultimately he cleaned maybe a couple of square feet of floor (it did look pretty dirty, I have to admit) including some baking soda that he poured on the floor first. The vacuum seemed to do a tremendous job. But then the sales pitch.

He pleaded with me to help him out to get to Vegas. (What's the big deal?) I told him I don't buy stuff like that, at the spur of the moment, he subsequently told his boss and he was out of there quickly enough. It interrupted my dinner, but my 5 year old son was quite fascinated. He didn't clean any carpet worth mentioning, but he was quite pleasant and friendly enough; you could do worse wasting an hour and a half I suppose. The product looked really good, but the price of $1920 (with a $120 discount, quickly dropped further to $1500, still far from the actual price of $800) is beyond what I would pay to get rid of some dust, at least right now.

So when it was time to clean my carpet he said he wanted to show me numbers first he cleaned about a two by three foot area on my carpet and then did numbers when I told him that I could not afford the payments!!!! He packed up his stuff left my bed unmade and about twenty little white filturs with all the dust and all my baking soda on for me to pick up and remake my bed!!! I had no idea that the kirby cost over 2,000.00 dollers!!!! When I told him I could not affored a extra 40.00 a month he said so if your electric bill went up forty dollers you would have to move??? I think that is very rude and very bad business manners!!!!!

As soon as I saw it was a Kirby salesman unpacking his vacuum I proceeded to tell him that there was no need. See, when i was younger i remember someone trying to sell my grandmother a kirby he was there for over three hours and made her feel very uncomfortable so I went to her house. I saw the demonstration and frankly for the price there was no way plus this guy just wouldn't leave.

So now years later there is a Kirby Salesman in my home. He proceeded to ask if he could demonstrate and I said No...I'm sorry I was very kind but persistent and he begged and begged me tell me that if i just let him show me that he would get money and a trip. I still said No. He was clearly agitated with me but I was not having it. Not only for the fact that i knew if he didn't leave now it would be hours before he left and also. WE JUST LAID BRAND NEW CARPET! Which i told him but he still wanted to show us!

He finally left...but I had to wonder who exactly was this person in my house that just saw all our valuables in our living room and that I just angered? You think there would be some sort of background check on these people who are being sent out into peoples homes. Psh....I knew of a guy a friend of a friend of a friend who sold Kirbys ...lets just say one more strike and he was a FELON. So BEWARE these people could have nothing to loose with a very unclean history. I think this was the most unsettling feeling after this man left. I told my husband to not be so nice next time. Just be careful and don't answer the door.

Yes, we are in a contest to win trips. Yes, we do ask people to help us win by buying. This is how we make our living, by selling the vacuumes. Yes, our machines are available, only through in home demos ( Not on E-Bay, these are not authorized sales and are not backed by the factory warranty). Yes, our demos take a little while, but how are you going to know how well it works, unless you try it and see it for yourselves. This is the only way that can happen.

Kirby has been selling their machines this way for over 90 years. Yes, our in home demo is the one and only time to buy from the guy whose doing all the hard work showing the machine.Yes, we do try to make it affordable. Yes, we do work late hours. No one is home early in the day, so we go out after noon, so we can catch the home owners at home. These vacuumes are the real deal. They really do work.

This guy is very polite and acted innocent and begged to get this so he can go to the companys all expense paid vacation. At the end he called his boss and that guy came and pressed me hard and told me tat he can offer the appliance for $1000 and I refused to buy and he was keep on telling me that I am risking my familys health for $1000 and what will I do if my son get asthma due to the dust, etc and he was very rude, offensive, impolite, agitative.

I have never seen any sales people in my life with these kind of behavior. I told him I do not wish to be pressurized buying something very expensive so I need some time to think, he told me that I was lying, I may not buy his product I told him to stop his verbal abuse and leave. He told something bad about me in Spanish to his other guy and left me home after 2 hours of ordeal.

My carpet is not very clean and I am thinking of purchasing another vacuum from Walmart. At least they vacuum the carpet.

After ten minutes, it was clear they weren't leaving so I called 911 (obviously, to clear them out)...they STILL refused to leave and one Nigerian? guy tried to tell me I wasn't the man of the house and I didn't have the right to throw them out!

I am really upset and I have been reading about salemen from this company abusing elderly people and I want them out of business or in jail where they belong!

He was nice to start with and pulling the whole you need a Kirby because look at all the dirt and dust your vacuum is missing. I was refusing to buy the vacuum and he went to as low as a price of no down payment, and $30 a month. The total for everything would have been $800. I still said know and he wanted to know why. I didn't want the vacuum and I couldn't afford it with other bills I am paying. The boss was getting pushy with trying to get me to buy it and almost guilting me into it. The sales person was trying to win a vacation or prize of some sort. I was getting upset and irritated with the way the boss was acting. I've never seen a sales person that rude before. I wouldn't buy, so the boss was all short with me and telling the rep to pack up and leave. His demo took a good hour to do. All the more reason I wouldn't buy a Kirby.

The estimate is for $782.93 from a local company. Doug wants to pay the company direct and dI don't believe I should have to do that, I am the consumer and he should pay me directly, I can fix the floor on my own.

This was on a Friday and over the weekend, I decided that it was a ridiculous amount to spend on a vacuum and I just couldn't justify spending it with baby #6 on the way. So the very next business day (Monday), I called first thing in the morning to cancel. It was the next day until someone contacted me and it was the same guy and his manager who stopped by my house to offer me an ever better deal to keep the vacuum - the price was lowered to $1200. Still ridiculous and I declined. They packed up the vacuum and left.

Come to find out, my credit card had been charged the same day I cancelled. Merely one day after the purchase - not the 3-4 days I was promised. Their contact states that funds will be returned in full within 10 days. It took me SIX WEEKS to get a refund of $1500. I insisted on them refunding my finance charges on my credit card due to their neglect.

Well, the finance charges were finally refunded, but ANOTHER month later, I am STILL waiting on my other $75. I have called numerous times, each time being told that I just took care of that the other day or some other BS. I have been given numerous case numbers, but I still don't have my complete refund. I even contacted the 800 number and supposedly they forwarded my complaint but that was about worthless. I don't care how good their vacuums are or what price I am offered, I would NEVER deal with this company again.

At this point, I am still out $75 for nothing. Which may not seem like a lot, but for a family of 7 (soon to be 8) it is.

I told him to stop and he gave me the story about needing to shampoo the carpet in order to get paid by the company. I said fine, I'd say he did the job but he needed to go. He just kept vacuuming and showing me the little samples of how dirty my carpet was. Eventually I unplugged the vacuum and told him to leave. He called Veronica back and she tried her hard sales pitch, something about going to Cancun. .

No sale. What deceptive practices. Beware!

In one occasion the kirby representative came to my house to offer i accepted because I also needed guidance in how to use the vacuum that i bought from previously. During the time the representative was at my home he went to use the rest room and I took advantage and saw the box and it had printed on the box 300.00 and I asked him why when I bought the vacuum I didn't keep the box? and he showed me why! he showed me the side of the box and it showed the prices. And he said That's why we don't let the customers keep the box.

The salesman was very nice and acted a little embarrassed that he was sent to our house so late. He demonstrated as quickly as he knew how. He said it usually takes an hour and a half! So the lady lied. After the demonstration, which lasted probably 30 min., the salesman said he had to call his manager. He wanted to use our phone. I assumed it was an 800 number so I gave him our phone. The call wouldn't go through. I realized he was trying to make a long-distance call and we can't do that on our phone. So I let him use the cell phone. We then had to sit and wait on the manager to come and pick him up. The manager was a nice enough man, but we really needed them to get out of the house so we could get the last kid down. (We finally got the two older ones to go on to bed)

He came in and sat down without being asked. He proceeded in small-talk and finally got to the point. He did some figuring and showed them to us. The first price the salesman had given us was $2198. This price was $1100! Isn't that funny! They came down $1000 just like that! I wonder if they would have done that if we would have been interested? Anyway, they FINALLY left after 10:00pm! If I had wanted a Kirby before, I sure don't now!

Because I had a working vacuum cleaner (Rainbow) that worked very well, I decided not to purchase one at that time. Several years went by and I was in need of a new cleaner. I considered a new Kirby by reputation and experience. I was unable to convince my wife that spending $800 on a vacuum was a necessary thing so we bought a $125 cleaner from a large mart. A few months later, it was not working well. A short version of the next few years includes four different vacuum cleaners ranging in price from $125 to $200. When the last of those broke, we bought a Kirby. That was about two years ago. AWESOME machine! It has the BEST suction. Its only downfall is that it weighs more than the cheaper, all-plastic machines. Weight is not a concern once the power is on though. High pressure sales is bad. I do not approve of it. I do however pass on the word from my mouth that there is no better vacuum cleaner for any dollar amount.

My mother is 78 years old, only has use of one arm and can not push the KIRBY around the house. She is so upset about buying this KIRBY she kept it hidden from me until it was too late to do anything about it. She is on a small pension with hardly any money in the bank. Now most of her pension goes to pay for this $5000 vacuum.

I was beginning to be annoyed at the fact that he was holding me captive in my own home. I felt intimated by the man's unwillingness to leave my home. Now I have to warn my 25 friends, whose names and numbers I gave out as referrals, to tell them to tell Kirby to take a hike!

There's more to my story. I worked for them for nearly 2 months, I didn't mind the hours though I felt like a hypocrite ... having my own number on the national "do not call" list. I got sick and spent a week in and out of the hospital. I still wasn't feeling well. I have documentation to ALL of this. I returned to work on a Friday and worked 2 days, but I had to ask for the coming Monday coming because my husband was getting a cardiac catheter and could not be left only in the care of our children because of the anesthesia. They told me sure, no problem, you can have the day off--and just make it up on a day time shift. Tuesday morning I checked my voice mail. It was my training manager asking me to call back before coming in that night. I was terminated for absenteeism.

So let's see, I've read all the reports of the awful treatment to potential customers at the hands of the reps, and I testify that our scripts required us to identify ourselves from Kirby and to offer a free room of carpet cleaning. We were also trained to push the people on the phone to schedule for the next day or two and offer to do another room of carpeting at no cost or obligation if they could help us with our scheduling. I see LIES, DECEIT, POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES, AN OVER-PRICED MACHINE (but an awesome machine), MORE LIES FROM MANAGEMENT TO EMPLOYEES, AND UNFAIR TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES.

If someone calls you from Kirby, HANG UP! If they come to your door, CLOSE IT AND LOCK IT. If they persist at ringing your door bell, CALL THE POLICE. Also, even if you tell the telemarketers to put you on the do not call list... THEY DON'T DO IT! Put your name on the national do not call list, https://www.donotcall.gov/. The page explains your legal rights if they continue to call you.

Physical damage resulting from their unfair treatment of employees... loss of my job has caused a severe financial hardship on my family and at this point I have to turn to public aid programs to even get gas money to search for a new job and I'm not even sure we qualify. Yes, I do know that Illinois is at will hire/at will fire but let's be reasonable here shall we?

Some of their equipment was left behind in my house, so was put out at the curb. One piece of equipment was missing and was turned over to Tulsa County Deputy Charles Gudd who made a report. A second report was made at my neighbor's house where the sales man grabbed for the door handle, but my neighbor lady --- locked the door. And a third Owasso police officer who lives two homes west said they attempted the same at his residence..

A report was made to Tulsa County DA; charges should be pending on the above subjects.

When 2 employees were late for the so called morning meeting (already mentioned you do not get paid to be there), they were told if they were late twice and had any bonuses due to them, they would not get them. They are like a cult who expect 7 days of work out of approx. 12 hrs per day ann expect you to also attend out-of- state, all-day meetings--again without getting paid, but with the offer of free lunch. OH WOW!

This is the worst company to ever be employed with. There only interest is to pressure consumers into buying the Kirby without any regard for either the consumer or their employees. So beware when you receive the call for a free carpet cleaning or floor buff, and remember nothing in life is free. Just say "No". And last but not at all least, to all of you who paid between $1300.00 to $1600.00 or more, if you held out a little longer you have paid $995.00 like most do. BUYER BEWARE. EMPLOYEE BEWARE EVEN MORE!

I phoned John the following week to ask if he received my cancellation. He informed me that he hadn't been back to the office but remembered speaking to me and was sure it was there. He told me they hadn't planned to return to my area but would be returning within about a week and would bring me a check for my refund when picking up the Kirby. I spoke to him again on the morning of 2/26 and was told the same thing. I called again on 3/5 and was given the same answer. On 3/10 I sent an e-mail directly to Kirby per their website and received no response.

On 3/11 I called Customer Service at Kirby to inquire if the distribution company was a valid distributor and was told it was. I explained my situation to the Customer Service Representative who asked if I'd sent the cancellation notice by return receipt or certified mail to prove I'd mailed it. I had not but told her that I'd spoken to the individual at the phone number for the distribution company so he knew I'd mailed it, even though he hadn't been back to his office to receive it. She told me that they would send the distributor a fax and follow up with a phone call if they didn't hear from him.

Additionally, when I spoke to the distributor on 2/19 he mentioned that the machine should self-propel...I informed him that it did not. I also asked if I hadn't purchased the machine if it would be used at the next demo and he told me we don't throw them away. So, if I was the 10th person to see the demo but the 1st to purchase, that means this machine had been used for approximately 20 hours prior to my purchase therefore it is NOT a new machine and should not have been sold as such. The salesperson should have gone to the car and brought me a brand new, never out of the box, Kirby. According to the cancellation policy my money was to be returned within 10 business days of the date the notice was received by the distributor and if the machine was not picked up within 20 days of the date of my notice, it was mine to retain or dispose of without any further obligation. Both of these time frames have passed and I neither have my money nor has anyone picked up the machine. At this point I think the entire deal was a scam, the notice of cancellation is a farce and I will never again trust anyone selling a KIRBY vacuum.

After a very long TWO AND A HALF HOUR demonstration, the manager came in thinking I was actually willing to purchase the product when all I wanted was for all of them to LEAVE MY HOUSE! When I explained to him that the price was too expensive for myself, a college student, to be purchasing a $2300 vacuum, he commented on my Race, and how they normally refuse to sell to anyone who is from India or Pakistan. His exact words were, "Normally if I knock on a door and someone of your kind opens the door, I just tell them sorry, wrong place and leave, because I know how you people are if a company wishes to excel in anything!"

Then they should learn how to become ethically correct! Because of these comments, I would never purchase this product or recommend it to anyone else! I'D RATHER USE MY ORECK! I was very offended by this!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WASTING YOUR TIME, BEING INSULTED IN YOUR OWN HOME BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE, BEING FRUSTRATED WITH PEOPLE WHO JUST WON'T LEAVE, AND BEING PRESSURED INTO PURCHASING SOMETHING YOU'RE REALLY NOT INTERESTED IN OR ABLE TO AFFORD, THEN OPEN YOUR HOUSE DOORS FOR KIRBY VACUUM SALES REPS! THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES I'VE EVER HAD! NEVER AGAIN!

Of course, the salesman and his manager gave me the whole 'win a trip to Disneyland' routine which I simply ignored. Two hours later they were on their way out the door--but not before they tried to convince me to finance a vacuum cleaner for 24/36 months! I couldn't believe they actually had the nerve to ask me to do that. Even though I did not buy the thing, I still felt violated. I called the number that was left on the note in my door, and the number has been disconnected. WOW! Man, those people do believe a sucker is born everyday....

I do, however, have a twist on my story that I have not seen yet: One of the salesmen, Jesus, offered me a special price, but it was only offered to women, and only when their husbands weren't home. Really! That, and when he shook my hand, he didn't let go, and he said, "Is your boyfriend jealous? What would you do if he came in right now and saw our hands?" I pulled my hand away in mock demonstration and laughed, just to get my hand extricated -- and at this point I really began to question my judement in letting this man into my house. He told me I have pretty eyes. Thanks, but that compliment ain't worth $2,000.

One of the reps came and retrieved the Kirby a few days later and was talking to my husband, telling him that he was dissapointed and that he would have to come back and egg our house. My husband had told him this is not my home. I don't know if they were joking but the rep that picked up the Kirby said he would bring back our old vacuum by the next night. Well no one showed. This was on the 11th of Feb 08.

So I had called the JWL Enterprizes and they said they would have a rep return my property later that day. I waited till the next day and still no one showed, so here it is the 12th and I called JWL again and I talked with this Trevor and he said I should recieve my vacuum no later than the 15th and that if I don't hear from anyone by Friday the 15th to call him back. I waited over the weekend and called Monday the 18th and got their answering machine and left a message for Trevor to call back and waited another couple of days with no returned call. I called again on the 22nd and got the answering machine and again left message with no returned call. Then called again on Monday the 25th of Feb, finally talked to Trevor, and he told me that they had mailed my vaccum on Saturday the 23rd and that I should receive it no later than Tuesday the 26th. Now here it is Wednsday the 27th and I have still not recieved my property.

On there notice of cancellation it states. IF YOU CANCEL< ANY PAYMENTS MADE BY YOU UNDER THE CONTRACT OR SALE< AND ANY NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY YOU WILL BE RETURNED WITHIN 10 DAYS. We had until the 9th to cancel, which we had canceled on the 7th and sent the cancellation notice overnight on the same day the 7th and they recieved it on the 8th at noon. They came and got their property by the 10th and here it has been 20 days since and I had not received my property from JWL Enterprises. I just want my property back, it's not like I can just go out and by another vacuum, I can't afford it.

He also signed a contract that was a bunch of goobaly goop. It turned out to be a contract saying he was a contractor for Kirby and he will be working independently. My son does not understand the legal part of being an outside contractor. He went to orientation and training and spent about 10 hrs on that. Then the next day went out for 12 hrs. door to door in not such a very nice neighborhood after dark. (9:00am to 9:00pm) And was left to go do this by himself. He called me in a panic at 7:30 pm scared because no one has picked him up yet after his rounds of door slamming. He had been waiting there for 1 1/2 hrs. I went to check on him and could not find him. Seeing the irresponsibility of the management of this company and how they treat people, I had him quit. A few days later he called his boss to ask if he could get paid for what he did. He Made 3 appointments and 2 call backs. He was told he was not going to be paid anything that he was a contractor. THIS IS CHEAP LABOR! To treat people like this. I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM KIRBY!

My son desperately needed a job and was enthusiastic about it. He has bills to pay. And this WASTED TIME put him back further.

I'm elderly and I should be smarter than a young, high pressure salesperson, but evidently not. They talked me into paying a high price for a product that is much too heavy and not at all user friendly. I wouldn't have another one if it were FREE, yet I paid double price in cash.

Read reviews and comments in ConsumerAffairs before making purchases. I wish I had taken time to read before making this purchase, my bank account would be much larger.

There have been several people around the area questioning me about a vacuum that I supposedly stole...he has really brought my name down, and people who once trusted me now don't.

This young man would not take no for answer. He kept trying to presuade me and kept trying to persuade me. He even made me feel guilty that my kids were sick w/ colds now because I did not have one of their vacuums. And then he went to put on surgical gloves and mask and went into my kids' and my bedrooms, tore off the blankets and pillows from my neatly-made beds, so he can show me the filth we were sleeping in-again, making me feel like an un-fit mother. I continously kept saying no. He then called in his boss/co-worker, where they both were trying to persuade me and even getting my kids in on it-to back me in a corner & cave-in! They made a mess of my living room with all the dirt they picked up, and placed those dirt-filled sheets everywhere. When I was concerned about cleaning it up, he would say why? What is the big deal? That was in your carpet anyway. Who cares if it goes back in, right? He got that dirt everywhere--on my leather couches, my coffee table, etc. He went over board on it, and after almost 5 hrs. later (5:30pm-10pm!), I caved-in. Once my kids started getting fussy that they were hungry and tired, they still wouldn't leave! They said they would wait until I fed my kids so they can finish their sale! It was very frustrating, and I was miserable! I never thought to call the police! They did bring the price down from $1945 to $980 for me, but they probably do that all the time.

Every time I said I want to talk it over with my husband first and if I can just call them, they said it doesn't work like that--buy now or never. But they did let me know that I cancel within three business days. So like I said, I caved-in, it was like no other choice so they can finally leave! They took my old vacuum and my $61 check to cover the taxes, they said, and left the vacuum they used to demonstrate with! So I'm paying for an expensive vacuum that isn't sealed up and that they have used on other homes. And I also noticed that Abel dumped the dirty water, full of dog hair, from the shampooing of my carpet, down my kitchen sink! What a mess he left me to clean up! I felt violated and like they took advantage of my situation of the fact my husband was deployed.

I did cancel the very next day, by calling the Finance Company, as well as sending back the Cancellation notice (w/ a LONG letter, explaining what they did to me) certified mail. They recieved it the very next morning and by that afternoon, the boss from that night was at my doorstep with my old vacuum and my $61 check! Though he couldn't help to tell me by saying I can't believe you wrote that letter. That letter got me into a lot of trouble. Well, I explained to him or had to remind him the hell I went thru that night because they wouldn't take no for an answer. That salesman never apologized for any of it either. I hope not another salesman, esp a Kirby salesman, takes one step on my front step again! I hope they don't take money from my checking account.

I am so shaken up by the whole experience and felt very threatened. I had to cancel my appointments for the day and have had a sizable financial loss.

I was wrongly charged for the Kirby which then put my checking account over its balance and subsequently I was charged an overdraft fee. United Consumer said they would have to contact J&K Distributing and talk to them about how to handle this situation. Someone from U.C would then contact me and work on sending me a check for the fee. But no word on the overdraft fee I was charged due to their wrongful charge.

Salesman also gets frustrated because he got 49 demos completed, and he needs one more to be done to get paid. If not, he will start from the beginning of the month again. (Do a lots of walking from house to house, wait for car to pickup, skip lunch, dog beaten, physical and emotionally exhausted.) From those hidden mystery facts, it will become a predictable result. Most of the time, it was a disaster. Kirby selling strategy: Lie to customer about timing for demo, and force customers to buy the vacuum. My question: Is there another motive behind this kind of sales tactics? Why make an American product look so bad with these kinds of sales strategies? Who set up these plans? Who is responsible for doing this? If you are an American customer, then you can feel something is wrong about this. Don't be trapped in by free gifts or free carpet cleaning. Do not hesitate to say NO. Feel freedom; be a happy American.

I however, I bought this Kirby with the information I knew both from my previous purchase and from the benefits stated.

I have to say I am very happy with the looks of my clean carpet as well as the clean smell.

I gave 2 referrals of friends who I know have been owners of Kirbys.

I hope this puts a different spin on all the negative that was posted on your website. So many times we take the time to complain and we take it for grant it when we are truly satisfied that everyone else was, too.
I will admit it was a very long time consuming demonstration, but was it necessary for me to be equipped with the knowledge to make my decision? I think it was.

I called Mr. E-Posada immediately after the two men left and tried to rescind the sale. He was rude and abrupt and told me he'd discuss it in the morning. He told me he'd call me at 8 AM. Of course, he never did. I called and e-mailed Kirby right away. They were disappointed about my experience, but did nothing. My credit card company, though it is obvious that fraud, duress should have been enough to cancel this sale, is siding with this unscrupulous businessman, because he claims the letter I wrote to cancel the sale got to him 3 days after the sale. I was given 4 different addresses/phone numbers for his official business address. It was not easy to track him down. He told me that he would refuse delivery of the vacuum, even if returned. Further, I am sure I was sold a demonstrator unit. You should see the bedraggled materials that came with the vacuum! The man has been so nasty, threatening and bellicose with me, I have no faith in him as regards getting this product serviced. I do not want it. I never did. I sincerely want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Kirby is a terrible company.

This Mike then told me that I was to be given a brand new Kenmore instead. It is in no way near the value of my Panasonic. It doesn't have the features that mine had. If I had wanted a Kenmore, I would have purchased one instead of the one I had. I was lied to numerous times, having been told that my original was on the truck. Not only did I not have the 3 days to make my decision, they were unwilling to hang on to mine for the 3 days. They get the tax write-off [or sold it for profit] for the donation of my vacuum. I totally lost on the deal of the demonstration free of charge. What a racket. My message LOUD & CLEAR: DO NOT EVER OPEN YOUR DOOR TO THE KIRBY PEOPLE UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO BE TAKEN!

I was out the difference of the price of the vacuum that I owned ($250), and the one I ended up with (<$100)...to say nothing of the value of my lost time and the consternation.

She then proceeded to clean my sofa, filling up these circle filters. At first she was having a hard time, she was not picking up much dirt at all. Needless to say, about 2 hours later she moved on to unmake my bed and clean my sheets, and then she moved onto vacuuming my bedroom and finally at about 2:45, she started to shampoo my rug. I let her know several times throughout the process that I needed to go and if it would take much longer. She kept saying about another 10 minutes, I need to show you another feature. I let her know about 20 minutes into the presentation that I was not working at the time, and had no intention of buying this vacuum. She continued to disregard my needing to leave. Finally at the end of her presentation, she called over her supervisor, who I told right of the bat that I was very pressed for time now, that I didn't think it would take this long, and that I am not interested in paying $2200 for a vacuum.

She still proceeded to negotiate with me until she finally got the clue. The girl doing the demonstration began to pack up and proceeded to leave me with a big mess to clean up. I rushed out the door right behind her. Upon getting back home, I discovered that my floor was damaged. She had left soap suds sitting on the floor along with spots on my bedroom carpet, a dirty tub that she used to dump the water from the Kirby, and a very dusty carpet in the family room. What a horrible experience. I felt like I had let these people in my home as guests, and they had long overstayed their welcome. I called the office that night explaining what had happened. After almost a week, one of the Supervisors that came that day came in and looked at my floor. She said she knows that the Kirby didn't do any damage and that they have been in hundreds of homes, and nothing like this had ever happened. I explained that I didn't say it was the Kirby, but the suds and water that they left sitting there.

Needless to say I got nowhere with her. I later asked her for her manager's number; she said she didn't have it, but I could call the office. Conveniently when I called the office and said who I was, nobody was available, they were all in meetings and didn't know when they would be back. I can't believe people like this are still in business. They should really crack down on a business like this. Damage to floor, lost 3 hours of my time, dirty floors, spots on carpet.

We are out $900.00 dollars and do not have a workable vacuum.

My shoulder is hurting more now. I cannot use it.

I am pretty mad that I wasted part of my day interviewing with them.

They took my less than 4 month old Kenmore in trade for this new product. I told the rep of my hesitations on simply discarding something that is almost brand new and not cheap. He assured me that I would have 5 days to try the new Kirby and if I didn't like it I could always have the previous vacuum back.

I called the manager at 8AM the next morning, left a message. The manager assured me that he understood my concern and that he would have that vacuum returned to me as long as I could give him something in trade. I still had a previous machine in the basement so I agreed. I have reached out to this manager at least 5 times today- NO ONE has been to my house. He stalled me past the 3 day right-to-cancel.

Knowing that this is the service that goes along with the Kirby name I KNOW this machine was a mistake. Its twice as expensive as the 4 month old vacuum that I can't get back.

The first three times we called no one answered so my husband left them 2 messages and no one ever returned our calls. Finally, on the fourth try, we got through and spoke to someone and asked if we could speak to Hunter Levell who sold me the vaccum but they would not let us speak to him. The person we spoke to said it was to late to return it and they didn't care that we got evacuated and weren't able to call. Even if we would have been able to call, no one could have come and gotten it anyways because it was a mandatory evacuation for Fallbrook, California. Now the main Kirby company is telling me that I am liable for this vacuum because I didn't call in time or mail in the cancellation form at the bottom of the contract. I was never told about the form because I was told to call the listed number if I wanted to cancel and that is what I would have done if I wasn't evacuated.

Because I did not have any control over the wildfires, I should not have to pay for this vacuum, which I would have returned if mother nature didn't interrupt my plans. I do not want this vacuum. Also, I live in a apartment complex, which is a no soliciting apartment complex. I did not know at the time because I am new here, but my apartment manager said the she has never given Kirby associates or anyone at Kirby permission to enter the property. So not only did I get scammed by Kirby but they were also tresspassing.Something should be done about this and someone should be sent to pick the vacuum up because I haven't used it and I don't want it and I am not going to pay for something that is a big scam.

When our Kirby quit running I called the Customer Service, which is a joke, and they told me I would have to take it to a repair shop and pay all the fees. I asked about the 100% guarantee and I was told that there is no such thing, even though I have the papers that state otherwise.

I later looked on the warranty card, and it reads that the Kirby is only warranted for 3 years and not the lifetime. I tried to cancel after three days, and they told me "No.". They lied to me to make the sale.

The sales people helped my husband come in the window because he lost his keys. He was just off the ship from a job, and came home in a cab. So, my husband let him do a promotion and vacumm the rug. It took 3 hours until 5:30. We needed to get to the bank but felt we needed to let them because they helped us.
We did not receive the payment booklet.


We are stuck paying $1500 for a vaccumm that does not work well. The rug shampoo cleaner is not working and the handle fell off the vaccum.

We just want to return it without ruining our credit.

I can't use the vacuum as it is. I need someone to come out to demonstrate the use of the machine.

When I went for training I was told I had to do carpet cleaning demonstrations as a way to advertise the Kirby and to get the customer interested in buying. If the customer was not interested I would still get paid the $400 as a base pay and if they did purchase the Kirby I would make a commission.

The manager asked if I was interested in doing practice demos for friends and family members. I would get paid $10-$15 for each demo even if I did not sell one. I just had to call my manager Ken a few times to let him know I was at the appointment and how everything was going.

I worked all weekend, did six demos that weekend, but no one could afford to buy the $2000 Kirby. That Wednesday when I asked about getting paid the $60, Ken told me he had to wait for his boss Russ to give him the OK. On Thursday I was then told that I should have done more demos and I did not have enough referrals to qualify for the $60, but they paid me $30.

I never did work 9:00-5:00. Some nights I did not get home until 9:30 or 10:00 and I never got paid. When I quit I asked when I could get my paycheck and I was told that Ken misinformed me, they fired him and I would not be getting paid like I was told.

Lost time and got no pay. wasted money on food bought at gas stations. Worked long hours wearing a tie in 85 degree weather 12-to-14 hours a day.

I have been sending e-mails to the web that was on the owners book. We purchased from a sales person and did not have direct contact with the store. I got the address and phone from the telephone book. We live in a new house and when I tried to use the vacuum it made lumps in the carpet. It was demonstrated as being very easy to use and what a fine job it would do in cleaning my house. I must say that it certainly is not.

My floors were damaged to the tune of $2500.00

1)We got a vacuum from an open box ,which we think is used. 2)the products and services which were a part of our agreement were never received. 3Poor customer service.

After many phone calls and a very non-responsive sales person I managed to locate the local outlet for Kirby, which in tucked into a rather dubious arcade in a rather nasty part of town, the person in charge of the store, who turned out to be the "regional manager", asked me a lot of questions regarding the Kirby that I had bought after I had told her that all I needed was replacement bags for the machine. When she opened the cupboard that contained the bags - to my surprise there were a total of three different types of bags all of which would fit the model of the machine.

The price of the bags were double the price that the sales person had said - R47 per bag - when I tried to fit the bag to the Kirby, the bag fell apart. When I tried to return the bag to the shop I was told that it is their policy not to exchange goods even if they are faulty, and she had not given me a sales slip and I didn't have proof of purchase. It appears that the bad sales pitch and after sales service is the same all round the world and not just in America.

It is such a great pity as the machine itself is really good but the attitude of their sales persons and the fact that the replacement parts are not as easily available as they should be make it a very unwise purchase. In South Africa the cost of the Kirby is a whopping R13 000.00.

I find it unfair to denounce the entire product for the actions of a few rude salespeople- there are corrupt and dishonest people in every company. I am sure that no one stops going to a doctor because a few are crooked. No one blames the police for the few of them that accept bribes. Surely no one has denounced their Catholicism because of a few men of the cloth who have taken advantage of alter (sic) boys.

Your "rebuttals" are clearly selected with bias, also. For you to suggest by omission or otherwise that one should buy a Kirby vacuum by some other means, while knowing that Kirby Co, does not sell them other than direct, is also a lie. This is like suggesting that so! meone should buy a Toyota from someone other than Toyota. Kirby does not sell them except through in-home demonstrations, and you know it. And anyone who is wondering can call the Kirby Company direct at 1-800-494-8586 or www.kirby.com, or are you afraid of competition?

Why don't you tell people that Kirby Company only sells direct? Oh, thats right, because then the people who advertise used Kirbys through you (while ommiting to admit that they are second hand) would not sell their "poor quality" machines. If you are so impartial, why not tell people these facts? I dare you to suggest to me a vacuum that cleans better and lasts longer than Kirby, with fewer repairs, and go ahead and point me to the tests that have been published to say so...I'm waiting...

The young salesman did his 2 hour pitch as to what the Kirby could do not even attempting to clean bad area. I kept asking him how much the kirby was (I wasnt going to buy one) he finally said $5,000.

Going into hour 3, I finally said "start cleaning". He attempted to, then stopped & did his spill again. When he finally realized I wasn't going to buy the Kirby, he said he was lying about the $5k, it was only $1900 for me.

I said I had had enough and he needed to finish cleaning. He wouldn't, so I finally got my husband, Bill. He argued with my husband - BAD call. Bill said, "get your crap and get out of our house". He said, "sir, could you just let me use your phone". Bill said "no". He said "sir, I need to call my manager, would you call him". Bill said "no, get out". He said "I don't have a phone". Bill said "NOT My problem, and if you don't get out now I am calling the police".

Just thought I was giving him credit for a demo which he said that is all he wanted and it wouldn't take long. I will NEVER let ANYONE in my home again for ANYTHING.

She had us get our vacuum so she could compare and went through this huge spiel about If your vacuum only picked up 10% of the dirt, wouldn't it be dead to you? I thought that was strange, but then things got stranger. She took the cord of my vacuum and asked us to cut it with scissors (which we refused to do) and then took it and, in her own words, hogtied the vacuum because it was bad. Then she laid it down, told us it was dead, bowed her head, closed her eyes and asked if we wanted to say a few words over the vacuum. Then, get this, she started to hum Taps.

My husband and I were looking at each other in shock this whole time when she takes some dirt she vacuumed up with the Kirby and pours it over my vacuum, saying that my vacuum was now buried. I was blown away. When my husband told her we weren't interested, she ENDLESSLY asked him why not.

I noticed off the bat that Dolores loved to take her sweet time. I swear it took her and her husband a half hour to just take pieces out and put the actual vacuum cleaner together. So much for just a 10 minute demonstration.

She vacuumed the same small part of the carpet about 4 or 5 times and kept showing us the filters being absolutely dirty each time. I'm questioning whether the cleaner contained dirt on purpose to amplify the effect of the carpets being cleaned thoroughly.

She also brought the shampoo in and demonstrated that by putting some suds straight on our carpet. Didn't even bother to clean that stuff up.

From when they stepped in until they actually packed up, they were in our apartment for about an hour. They didn't bother to pick up the several dirty filters that they had used and left them on the floor for us to clean up. But we did get a $20 Pizza Hut coupon for our troubles.

On the plus side, they had only lowered the price of the vacuum once, and weren't really persistant when we said we weren't interested in buying the vacuum today. They just looked very dejected. Dolores even mentioned that if she made two more sales, her and her husband would get a free trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Overall, it wasn't a total nightmare compared to other people's experiences, but it was still quite annoying, and full of lies.

I have no phone number for Kirby Vacuums, & I don't know where they're located.

After a while it seemed as though he was casing my house looking for any alarm system but I didn't bother to question him. I told him many times that I was a housewife and we could not afford a price like that which was $1600. He made a deal with me to try it for 3 days at no charge and to see if I could convince my husband to buy it. I agreed and then asked to use my telephone so he could call his supervisor to come pick him up.

Later on that evening my husband came home from work and he said absolutely not, we could not buy it and he told me to call them back to pick it up that evening. I did call them and they said they were on their way.

The supervisor was the one who came to our door and he immediately started asking my husband how much he paid for his rims and tires on his truck which my husband didn't like.

My husband asked him to take the product and leave and to not come back to this neighborhood. The man proceeded to argue with my husband and told him that he would be back tomorrow and asked my husband what he thought about it. The man was extremely rude and was trying to fight my husband.

My husband told him that he would call the police if he didn't leave right away. The man said he didn't care and said go ahead. So, my husband called the police and the man left.

Our friend tried to do his demo and his manager kept interrupting. He often picked on our friend making fun of him and telling him he was making mistakes. He even went on to tell us the things our friend messed up at previous demos. He then cut him saying you’re too slow I am just going to do the speech because it’s late and he did not really want to be doing this at 9:00 at night. Well guess what neither did we. We had plans and that’s why the appointment was at 6:30!

I told him we would think about it and maybe we would like one. He said it’s a YES or a NO! So I said no we can not afford one right now. He started asking what our credit was and when I said to be honest if I bought one I could not keep up with payments. I was told that even if I don’t pay them, Kirby doesn’t care if you’re late and there are no late fees or anything! He said well I have to call the big boss and let him know. He said don’t be offended but I am going to BS the big boss and say some stuff ..I am just blowing off steam.

When he came back to the house with the vacuum cleaner and wanted to give us a demonstration, we said no. He was insistent about giving us a demonstration. We kept saying no until he angrily grabbed the box of baking soda and left.

I sure hope Kirby vacuum company doesn't encourage this type of 'pushy' sales technique, it's obnoxious.

I was in the other room and became involved when I could hear the young man, Jerome unpacking a box in our living room. I reiterated that we were not interested but he kept unpacking the box as if he didn't hear me or didn't care. As he was unraveling the cord, I told him that if he plugged it in, I would call the police. Even THAT didn't seem to deter him. He kept talking and unpacking. He switched back and forth from smiling and laughing to hostile and aggressive.

I firmly told him that I was not happy and he needed to pack it up and leave. Finally he said, Is it because I'm black?. Eventually he called his boss and told him that I had said I would call the police if he plugged in the vacuum and that the reason I didn't want him there was that he was black.

Although I sat there in my pajamas, halfway through my dinner, he took his time in explaining the finer points of the Kirby, despite our continuous efforts to encourage him to move along and get to the point (the price!). For the first 20 minutes, I half expected that his associate was casing the joint. We spent the next 30 minutes trying to get the salesman to leave. After repeatedly responding "no" to his requests to purchase the product, I politely asked him to leave, finally threatened to call the police, and my brother began transferring his equipment from our living room to the front porch, all to no avail.

This man was intent on a SALE with no regard to our evening or the "No Solicitation" sign in our neighborhood. After 90 minutes of this, his originally pleasant mood had turned to insulting and rude, even accusing us of treating him this way because he was black!, but he finally packed his things and left, muttering that he hoped we enjoyed living in dirt and dust mites.

We repeatedly said we didn't think that we would ever buy a vacuum for that much, so they kept lowering the price saying it was the lowest they could go, they ended up giving it to us for less than $900.00 including taxes, bags,and belts...it is a good vacuum but very unprofessional company.

I actually know someone who has worked for them and has brought along his very pregnant teenage girlfriend along while doing in home demonstrations, can u get any more unprofessional?

At this point, the second salesman was apologetic, but the first one became combative, walking up quickly and pushing his chest against my husband and trying to start a fight. He even spit on my husband! Then he threatened to sue US! He kept saying things like, I'm not afraid of you. Come on! Hit me! I'll sue you! and trying to force a fight.

My husband told him he was going inside to contact the police, and he told the second salesman that he should be angry at the first one for setting him up to come to the door like that. The two stayed across the street for a couple minutes before jogging away down the street.

We did contact the police and a report was made. Unfortunately, as the officer stated, these people come in from other areas of the state and are dropped off in a van to canvass the neighborhood. There is no way to contact their direct superiors to report their behavior, unless you can actually get their identification from them.

Since theee Kirby people come to our neighborhood almost every week, we are now putting up a sign, as directed by the police officer that states, No solicitors. Solicitors are trespassing. And we have been instructed by the police to call them every time that the sign is ignored by any Kirby salespeople.

Then, the lady asked if I knew about Kirby, blah, blah, blah. Then, she asked what room I use most in my house. No one should ask that if they don't know the person. My mom made a comment that it was too late to be soliciting, and that I had company, and the lady made a smart-alek remark about the lady of the house. It was pretty clear that she didn't care about anyone else, except for her vaccuum cleaner, and I told her that I was not interested, and that my 10 month old baby had just gone to sleep, right next to the door when she knocked on it, and that I was trying to get her to go back to sleep.

I am so upset with these people, and they really make a bad name for their company by going out so late at night. I would NEVER support this company. ... I actually thought that she was going to rob me or kidnap my daughter. Anyone can carry a vaccuum around and say that they are from a company.

It is about 2 years old and should be under warranty.

He then used two neighbors names that had previously purchased Kirbys saying they were having their carpets cleaned that day, which was not true. He got my name and later untruthfully said I too was having my carpet cleaned to another neighbor, using my name as well as my neighbors without our permission.

Regardless of how great Kirby Vacuums are I would never buy one because of the poor sales practices we have experienced.

Unfortunately I caved and my friends had to put up with the harrassing phone calls and 2 of them even had the same 3 hour demos I had with the same results. I was so appologetic to them for that.

When he finally started to pack up, I turn my back and he stole my cellphone! I noticed 10 mins after he left. Police said they had many complaints this week of theft by a Kirby rep. Seems like the company keeps letting this happen.

As the sales person was leaving he asked us if we liked living with dust and/or cat and dog hair. Then he asked if we couldn't afford X amount of dollars, we said no, so he tried dropping the price 3 different times.

He wasted 3 full days of his time before they mentioned this. We were so disappointed. They spent all that time telling him how much money he would make and all about the benefits but never mentioned it was a sales job. Isn't it sad when you have to trick people into selling your product?

After the three days they sent them out to try and sell this $1500 vacum to friends and family. And you would not believe the tricks they wanted him to use to get this done. Needless to say he did not go back and they refused to pay him for the time he spent there. I don't know if anything they did was illegal but it should be.

They told me the carpet would dry in 35-45 mins but it did not dry until the next morning plus my carpet has shampoo spots all over it.

I asked for a card when they were here and they never left one so I don't know how to reach them.

Kirby are basically gangsters as are their distributors. I stayed for 2 months and this is how it worked. I had to work from 1o in the morning till 10.30 at nite, 7, yes SEVEN days a week. They told us to practice selling with family and friends before we called strangers, I did this and some of my family bought it, they were given a discount, but I am still embarrased at what I did, even now, but I didn't realise what they were doing.

I told them up front I could not afford it. He said it was not a sales call, so I let them do their pitch. Tony said he needed the sale so he could be promoted to manager at new office.

In the end I decided to buy it because they said I could pay it in monthly installments of $49 for three years on my credit card. Total was $1795.

Unfortunately there was nothing in writing and I now have a credit card balance higher than I would like. I am retired on a fixed income and cannot afford to make large payments to get the balance down. I agreed to buy only because he said I could do it in monthly installments.

When we told him that we could not afford to buy a vacuum for $2,000 he offered a financial plan with 25% APR. He also offered not to take sales tax out of the purchase. When I told him that was illegal, he said it was okay, that he would take care of it. For me, it sounds like a monkey business, very cheezy. Patrick mentioned also, if we will bought the vacuum today, he will go to Las Vegas for free. Why in the world do I need to pay for his trip and entertaiment?

But they didn't explain in order to get the $300 a week you have to do at least 12 demos per week or you basically won't have a check. And to get the vacations you have to sell at least 15 Kirbys a month, and that the commission you get from the deals is awful. I sold a Kirby to a woman for $1000 and got $25 commission. Then I sold another one for a little over $1000 and had $10 deducted because the lady had bad credit so it wasn't an "instant".

Then my supervisor had the nerve to tell me I wasn't dedicated enough for the job but yet I worked every day except Sunday, went in at 9:30 and didn't get home until 10 or 10:30 pm, walk around in the pouring down rain, or the hot sun for hours. If that's not dedication, then I don't know what is.

No damages, but there's no way I'm going to open my door to strangers bearing knives as gifts.

After one hour and 45 minutes I got up and went to the other part of the house and my husband had to get very upfront with him and told him to get his junk and get out of the house.

I tried to call Mr. B but the number has been disconnected. There is nothing we can do about this. I just wanted to register a complaint about this. Mr. B also said this was a new machine, it had never been used. After he left I was examining all the parts, the shampoo equipment had carpet fibers and string in the brushes, it had been used somewhere.

He and his boss said we were pigs and on the way out, they told us good luck with all of our dirt.

I explained I had a professional service, but they insisted saying they got credit just for cleaning an area. I was very upfront that I would not be purchasing a 'cleaning service' as I didn't need it. I had no idea that after 3 additional people came into my home, and they upacked a Kirby vacuum box, that they were going to try and sell me a vacuum.

I was honest and said I was unemployed and would absolutely not be purchasing anything from them and did not want to waste their time. They said, "Can't you afford $40 a month?" At that point I asked them to leave, and the main person called his boss in front of me, saying what I had said.

I've owned a Kirby and would NEVER buy one again. I think they're awful!

Then her next question was if I was home alone (?) I said no and at that point she said there was no point in demonstrating the cleaner and took the 2 samples back! I think those two people either wanted to rob me, or worse.

Three months later, I can't get anyone to answer the phone at Kirby. I called the finance company and their reply was, "sorry, three days were up a long time ago. Nothing we can do". I do not want to default, but there are no choices.

Damages: I will be stuck paying for this machine for the next two years and the machine is not worth the money.

My father's cell phone was stolen, and before it was realized, his cell phone bill was for $330 over two billing cycles. Typically his bill is around $50 per cycle. If we are able to locate these individuals, we intend to prosecute.

I told them I was in the middle of making dinner but they claimed it would only take a few minutes. The saleswoman started to vacuum sections on my living room carpet. Then they quickly started to shampoo a section of my living room carpet.

They told me about the THREE day return policy so I let them leave the thing at my house figuring I'd give it a shot to decide if I wanted to really keep it as an investment in my children's health. When I was ready to try to shampoo my living room carpet one of the most important components was not with the unit. It took TWO days to get that item to me and now I find out that another item needed to clean hardwood floors was not in the package.

I thought they were going to clean my house for free, because they said they would, but they never did. I was left with a $1500 albatross that I'm terrified of using because it costs so much. I didn't realize how overwhelming the price was until the loan company called and reality hit that I had just bought a $1500 vacuum. That was when I found a packet they left with a three day return policy disclosure. I was never told I only had 3 days to return it.

I reported these things to the store and they agreed that the vacuum is poorly designed but did not offer to make restitution for the damage that was done. It happened again the other day scraping the finish off my hardwood floor in the living room. To have hardwood floors refinished is over a $1000.

A-3 picked up the sweeper on Feb. 26, 2004 and said our credit card would be credited. That was never done. After many calls and promises, we gave up and wrote Master Card only to find out the 60-day window had passed.

We contacted the Michigan Attorney Generals Office. They wrote letters to A-3 with no results.

Then we contacted the UAW/Gm Legal Services. They sued and got a judgment for the original $1690 plus $250 as punishment. When the Sheriff's deputy went to serve the judgment, he said they didn't have anything to seize to satisfy the judgment.

Interestingly, the price kept coming down (to $780) each time I said no. The sales method gives Kirby a bad name.

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.