Kirby Vacuum Cleaners Reviews

I had Kirby show up at my door and I immediately knew who it was when they offered me a free carpet shampooing. I told them I was not interested but they kept trying to come in. I told them I’ll be right back and closed the door. I came back with my Kirby I already owned and said, I’m not buying your Kirby. Leave my property. They kept trying to say “Well don’t you want to upgrade your old Kirby to a new one?” I said for the final time, “Get the ** off my porch!” They immediately left. The Kirby sales tactic is absolutely disgusting. Especially in the times we live in with COVID-19. Bottom line, don’t answer the door for Kirby and if you want one, get a good used one or a rebuilt one from one of the several websites that sell ones that are reconditioned and such.

At around 2:30pm that day I had not seen/heard from them. I called and she didn't know who I was, said they were in an accident and hung up. She called back and says, "You are in Manchester right?" No. About 150 miles from there in fact. At 5:00pm they come and she tried to get me to keep it for $1000. Oh wait!! She says, did I say $1000? I meant $995. That $5 almost swayed me haha. The next day when I checked to see how long it might be for a refund, she tells me 3-5 business days.

That time passed, so on April 15th, I call and again she tells me, it has been sent. The bank processing times vary. I have never had much of a wait time before, so on April 16th I call to find out when the refund was sent and while ringing, he calls me and this is where I take issue. Daniel ** (manager/distributor) calls me with an attitude and tells me he has sent the refund, he does not control how fast the bank processes, he understands car issues (because when pestered as to why I didn't want it I said my car repair bill is more important) and needing the money back, but it is out of his control now. He then says he has screenshots of when he refunded. I said, great. That is all I need to know, go ahead and send me those. I hung up.

He calls me back. He tells me the bank has up to 14 business days to refund. Fine. "When did you send the refund?" He tells me had I paid in cash I could have had it in hand that day of the pick up. He also tells me most people don't buy things and change their minds. He begins saying, "I can't hear you. Must be when you hung up on me before or the phone cut out, the service got bad." I asked, "What was the date you authorized the refund?" He goes off an another tangent from when I had asked why it wasn't on the contract about specific time periods to save customers any anxiety and to save himself from uncomfortable phone calls. Every time I am now screaming into the phone, "WHEN DID YOU SEND THE REFUND?" He says he can't hear me. I said,"You can hear me," and he says, "No I can't". I reported him for this disgusting exchange. All I want is my money back and an answer from him to a simple question.

For a company that has been around for so long, I would think that you were more responsible and honest. I need to someone to get back to me about returning this vacuum and this distributor needs to stop harassing my friends as well. My friends are constantly calling me to tell me how they won't take no for an answer! I will be putting in a complaint with the Federal Business Bureau.

Anyway, fast forward to today, a sales rep came to our home at the scheduled time. She was very nice and demonstrated the product very well. It took a couple of hours but that’s to be expected due to all of the moving parts and the things this system can do. We were impressed enough that we wanted to buy. She handed us a laminated sheet with the total price of $2995 and a break down for payment options then called the lady in charge. We told her that the options on the paper weren’t in our budget so they asked for our ideal payment arrangement. We told them and just like that they agreed! They even told us they’d lower the price to $1700. I was thrilled because I felt like I was getting a deal especially since I knew this particular product was used.

The rep made a statement of how they use disposable filters so that they don’t carry dirt from house to house using the bags that you would normally attach. We agreed to finance for 36 months at about $65 a month with $100 down. Everything was all good until I saw the suggested retail price on the side of the box....$1749. Ultimately, we were about to pay full price for the product. That, however, was not the problem. The issue was in the fact that I thought they were giving us a discount when in reality they were gouging the price in order to make us think we were getting a discount. Mind you, this was a used product. One that has been used probably on several houses daily for demonstration purposes and you were going to try to sell it to us for full price.

I asked the sales person why they were trying to sell us a product for $1200 more than the suggested retail price. Her response was, "My boss just tells me that we have to get paid somehow." I asked her to call her boss...the same lady who agreed to our payment arrangement terms...because I wanted to ask her myself and hear her give me that same response. She called her and it appears she may have text her prior to calling to give her a heads up but when she answered I asked her to put the lady on speaker the lady declined stating that her background was loud and I wouldn’t be able to hear her. This was funny because I felt like if the sales rep could hear her then so can I but, nonetheless, I continue to ask why they were price gouging and they kept giving me comparisons to cars and other items being sold in the store above the suggested retail price.

I proceeded to tell them that stores are not selling items for more than half of the suggested retail price. I know that this product is not even worth the suggested retail price but I hoped it would prove to be over time with a lifetime warranty. After going back-and-forth and seeing how unprofessional the lady on the other end of the phone was I decided not to move forward with my agreement to purchase the Kirby vacuum and instead opted to sign the bottom of the paper in order to cancel my agreement. I took it upon myself to also call the company that they reached out to for financing so that I could make sure they did not send me any documents or payment paperwork relating to this product. I let them know that I decided to sign the bottom of the application basically foregoing any agreements that were previously made.

I am upset because I feel like I almost made a stupid decision allowing someone to get over on me in order to fill their own pockets. And based on other reviews they make it very hard to get out of the contract even if you change your mind within the allotted 3 days. I work at a law firm that fights against this very thing...It’s unethical...It’s deceptive...It’s fraud! Times are hard enough in this current state and, as I’m sure others feel, we work hard for our money. We don’t want to feel like someone is getting over on us or taking advantage of us when we do decide to invest...especially when the sellers only concern is getting paid rather than focusing on client/customer satisfaction. I will be sure to discourage anyone I know from being tricked into buying this product!!

When I say the rep wouldn’t leave. He WOULD NOT leave until we let him “check” first to see if we were approved for Kirby's line of credit. Hoping he’s shut up and leave we allowed him. Of course he said we were approved and said the vacuum was only around $1,500 and we’d pay it off in 2 years. After feeling pressured and scared because HE WOULD NOT LEAVE. We broke down and just agreed on taking it. He left IMMEDIATELY after we signed and rushed us to not look over the contract form he filled out. 2 years ended February this year and we were still being charged. I attempted to figure out how many payments we still owed if any and their website was JUNK. Nowhere to find out our line of credit.

After a ton of digging I found our original contract. 1) it was a 36 month loan not a 24 month like he stated. 2) The total amount was around $3,100! We would NOT agree to a $3,000 vacuum. That’s literally double the price than the salesman told us. In the “sales rep contact info and distributer location” it wasn’t even filled out! So there’s no proof on what location or sales rep was responsible. There is also no phone # or website link for us to be able to contact. I also found out through these reviews that Kirby has a 3 day “cool off” period to return the vacuum. But even if we wanted to the sales rep filled out 0% of the information for us to contact ANYONE. I am EXTREMELY peeved that we were lied to so extensively. Do NOT buy from them. They use unsafe scare tactics to get in your home while refusing to leave. Threatening more reps if we don’t listen to them. They lie through their teeth on what you’re REALLY signing up for.

I now know that if you say no, the price keeps dropping until they sell it at what it should cost, the retail market value. I am going to Call Curtis in Sacramento and report this company. I am also going to stop paying for it and cancel the ACH from my bank. Premium Cleaning Solutions of Carmichael, CA can be found nowhere in any internet search. I will report them to the BBB and Department of Consumer Affairs. They were offering "free carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning." Nobody cleaned my carpet or upholstery. The sales rep only cleaned a circle of my loveseat (the size of his filter) and a strip of my carpeting (which I had to do myself).

I am so mad and I want this company to redo my contract, reduce the price to what is should be, and stop ripping people off. I was raised on Kirby vacuums. My mom always had one and it was a great vacuum, although much too heavy. All the bells and whistles are great but not the price I was cheated, fleeced, overburdened and ripped off in this case.

The vacuum itself is pretty awsome and gets up dirt deep within the carpet, but the cleaning mechanism is pathetic and made my floor a huge mess. When he was demonstrating it was even rough and I feel like he knew it because he lost his sociopathic smile during those instances. (He had great sales charm other than that, however!) It's so heavy and hard to use. You basically have to take the entire thing a part just to put on the hose, for example. It is very far from user friendly. Anyway, after those financial concerns come up I am honest with him and apologize that I need to cancel. Suddenly his response is "Make my life easier and take it for 1,000".

Any guilt or doubts I had vanished at that. Gotta be kidding me... I have never been so stupid and gullible in my life. He took advantage of me very obviously needing something because with what I had, I could not get my home in order due to pets. I mean, he did his job well, and it takes a sociopath to do this kind of work, of which I have no doubt he was. Anyway, when I was finally firm on returning his charm diminished and he developed the attitude of a mad 14 year old. Showed up made some snarky comments about it "obviously being used" (lol bro it was used when you sold it to me, don't try.) when I had TRIED to clean my floors with it but failed and gave up because the experience was terrible.

I cleaned the Kirby as best as I could before returning, minus some hairs in the vac... which he gave me this disgusted look over. I wanted to drop kick him into next Tuesday. That Kirby had been tested on multiple different households and had plenty of prior dirt and hairs. I kept my composure, he kept his (barely, but not without passive aggression) and overall I returned it. Got some dirt free carpets now though. :) Scummy company, and I'm an idiot. Plus side is if I was willing to be desperate enough to drop over 2,000 on something, I can go to Walmart and drop 200 on a vac and 300 on a carpet/floor cleaner.

Also don't push your way into someone home to make a sales pitch or keep pushing a product on a person who doesn't want it. I will not be bullied or forced to purchase anything I do not want. Calling a supervisor or manager will not change my mind. Having these people in my home and taking away time with my family on a product everyone was informed I did not want was irritating. When a customer tells you no, end the demonstration, pack up your equipment and politely exit the homeowner home.

A couple of months later another sales person knocked on my door and when I asked what they were selling they rushed over to their car and started to get a box from the trunk. As soon as I saw what the box was I told them to put it back in their car as I had already purchased one and it was rubbish. For the money I spent on this hoover I could have had a stress free vacation. I will not recommend anyone to buy one of these hoovers. They are a waste of your hard earned money. Maybe you should offer a 30 day money back guarantee then see how long you stay in business.

After he finally got the hint that we weren't interested and left I did some research on the company. To no surprise to me or my wife we found that the company has an awful reputation for exactly the kind of things that we experienced, and much much worse. I can't believe that this company has existed for 100 years. That to me is just a testament to how good they are at lying and brainwashing their sales people.

To further add to my annoyance three days after this happened another Kirby salesman came to my door. He gave me almost the exact same routine as the last guy (they even both commented on my shirt and tried to use it to relate to me somehow). Clearly they left no record on their own side that they had already wasted 3 hours of my time. The only purchase I made as a result of this was buying a "No Soliciting" sign for my front door. I would NEVER buy a Kirby vacuum, and my condolences to anyone that was tricked into doing so.

I have two lawyers in my family who will work endless hours to ensure this does not happen again and based on your reviews it appears to be common practice. All it takes is 3 people to start a class action lawsuit. Which based on your reviews above I can find many more. How dare your company make women feel intimidated in their own homes? How dare you have someone preying on young vulnerable women? Make no mistake Kirby, you woke up the wrong sleeping giant.

Upon using I found the vacuum does not work on our area rugs, is extremely hard to use. You have to take apart to use the attachments and vacuum is very heavy. I am 66 and by the time I was done cleaning, my back was killing and it took three times as long to clean. We contacted the company a few weeks later to express our issues (were not told about 3 day cancellation, and they told us not to vacuum for a week). After a couple calls from the manager of Hold Enterprises, he said he would get our contract cancelled and pick up vacuum. Made arrangements 3 different times and he never showed. Have tried calling his number, company number, sent messages, but no response. Drove to the company store and to our surprise, store is no longer there. So now We Have an expensive vacuum that is completely worthless to us.

Finally I call Kirby. They give me the number to Gc Distributors in Conyers, Ga. I called and spoke to them only to find out the serial number she sold me was one that she won in a contest, and used, and she pocketed the money I gave her. I called police and they said it is a civil matter, but did call her and told her she might want to take care of this immediately... I was told by gc that they cannot replace it, due to that it didn't come from their inventory, and only Jessica can fix problem, so she hasn't showed up to work or anything, and isn't answering the phone so we think she ran off with my money and frauded me w/ intent....

The receipt she gave me is on the financing paperwork, and not on the right receipt for gc distributors... I want Kirby to make this right. I am so disappointed, and upset. I have had almost every model of Kirby's, and a huge fan, but if this issue isn't rectified Kirby lost a life customer, and alot of my family that are customers, and I'm going to put this review on every website that has to do with kirby, and call every news station I can think of.... Thanks. Jonathan

We were given all false contact information and have had no way to get into contact with our sales people or their fake company. We are expected to mail this form to what I'm assuming at this point is also a fake address and hope he shows back up to grab the vacuum and we aren't out the money. What an absolute joke. I cannot believe anyone is allowed to legally operate this way.

I have submitted multiple documents, including my VA disability paperwork, and a note from my physician stating that I have back problems. It’s taken over a month of communicating with consumer affairs, trying to get the sales person to come back to get the vacuum. I have been getting the run around. The sales person had lied to consumer affairs and told them that she tried to reach out to me, which never happened. I’ve tried calling from my phone about 10 times and have send text messages. Either my call has been sent to a voicemail box that is full or my call was immediately ignored. Texts went unanswered. She was suppose to be here at 10 am this morning to pick up the vacuum, (that’s why she told consumer affairs) and when I finally got in touch with her today she said that she would be here later today or tomorrow. I just want the vacuum returned.

Only problem there is no number on the contract to contact them. I emailed them 3 times with no response. I finally got a number off their web site but when you call it is no longer in service. I finally did get a valid number for them but of course I'm past the deadline to cancel. I have already put it up and pulled out an old Kenmore I packed up 5 years ago. I owe over $2000.00 for something I will never use again. I want out of this contract. I did everything I was supposed to do. Kirby do the right thing and get me out of this contract.

They completely took advantage of the fact that he was obviously drunk and had no idea what he was signing up for. I worked a long shift so I was irritated they were there in the first place and I thought it was weird they had been there for hours too. However, they seemed nice and I felt bad because they had invested a lot of time at this point so I figured I would let them do their demonstration. They also kept telling us that this sale would help them win a contest, so naturally I felt like I couldn’t say no. I started drinking at that point, and so did the two salesmen. They were there for another 2 hours after I got home and I was drunk at that point. They got us drunk and had us sign a legal contract. We had no idea what we were doing.

Also, they told us it would cost $2000 and it would be $100 payments a month. The next day when we sat down and actually read the contract (we didn’t read it before signing it the night before for obvious reasons and they knew we didn’t read it) they gave us a 25% interest rate. So that’s $4850, which is insane for a vacuum. They NEVER verbalized to us how much it really cost. The next few days we called multiple numbers to try and return it but we never heard back from anyone until today. It’s in the contract that you have a three day period to return it, yet we couldn’t get ahold of anyone.

Today we were told we have to send it by mail, which we didn’t realize. These salespeople completely took advantage of us and now we’re stuck with a $5000 vacuum we can’t afford. We are beyond upset and no one is being helpful in any way. Kirby employees got us drunk, drank with us, and then had us sign a legal contract. Because no one is being cooperative, they will be hearing from our attorney shortly.

I spoke to a lady by the name of Brenda at your office after I received a response from Consumer Affairs to contact 800-494-8586 who was no help and just rude! She even went to the extent to ask my how old I was. I explained that I am disabled and was then with multiple sclerosis and now a spinal cord tumor. I would appreciate a call back. My number was personal messaged to the person who responded to my first review and have not heard back yet. I figured I'd call and that call to Brenda just irritated me even more. Is that the way to handle this situation? Scammed and upset yet Kirby has no back bone or insurance for companies that used me as a disabled person as prey to make over $2,000 on a Kirby Vacuum that I can barely use because of its weight and my condition? Yet I still manage but to think of how Kirby now wants nothing to do with this case.

I found all of the paper work and the numbers and trade in value!!!! UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE! Would love to share with someone who cares to help. Please look at my personal message which I sent and provided my Cell number for a call back. I thought I was wise to call the 800 number provided above, however, to no avail.

Original review: When I was recently disabled back in 2011-2013, I had a knock on my door from a Kirby salesman. He spent over 3 hours in my home and told me I was approved to pay $75 a month for a new Kirby. I told him I just bought a new one a few weeks earlier, he said, “I can give you this Kirby for only $1,400 only and if you give us your current vacuum cleaner!” I just bought that vacuum at Sears not even a month before. I was so disgusted with myself to have been scammed and sold a $1,400 vacuum “sale of the day" when I turned in what I currently owned!

I saw this site and hope that I receive communication from someone at ConsumerAffairs. I was scammed. I’ve spoken to many people till this day. No one was ever required to turn in their old (in my case new vacuum cleaner) to get approved to pay $75 a month until I paid it off. It came out directly from my checking account. I so wish to put justice into place by the help of your company (ConsumerAffairs). Something needs to be done about this experience I still have a problem digesting. Not only does it weigh a thousand pounds but have never even used the shampooed due to chronic back problems. P

Amazing how someone like me was having this HUNK OF JUNK I can't lift, attach pieces to as I am disabled, cannot push or pull and definitely cannot make payments for a vacuum for my 700 square foot house that has no carpet!! I demanded the forceful hard salesmen (2 of them against just me) to take the BS machine I have no use for and being handicapped cannot even use with them but there it sat as they hurried out the door with my coerced signature they practically signed for me and hurried me so hard I had no time to read. It still sits in the box they left scattered all over my house that took me days to collect and pack up with the help of my neighbor.

I called, wrote, e-mailed over and over but they refuse to come get this thing yet are quick to keep mailing me payment coupon books. I cannot make any payments so that thing in the corner can sit there until it rusts, decays, gets buried under dusts, what ever happens. I have no wages to attached, they can't take my first born as she is dead, I guess they could lock me up and cause my disabled grandbabies to go into foster care. I don't know what will happen to me over this huge regret that has stolen my happiness, what I had left.

After he finished shampooing he cleaned the shampoo end in my kitchen sink over dishes! And left dirt all over them. He also used my cleaning products to clean the kirby. I was annoyed, but it wasn't a huge deal. Fast forward 2 days. I go to use my vacuum. It no longer works. My husband looks up online and it states you should never vacuum large amounts of baking soda as it ruins the motor. So now I have no vacuum. Never let them in your home. They leave a mess and ruin your things.

A family I nannied for stupidly bought one and I was forced to use that huge heavy thing when there and hated it. I was too nice and let them in anyways because I don’t like confrontation. The sales guy was going on and on about how horrible my current vacuum was since he was still picking up so much dog hair and dust. Jokes on him I hadn’t vacuumed that part in a few days. I’m sure my “Bad” vacuum would do just the same if it was used. The only way I got him out after an HOUR AND A HALF. Was that I had to put my daughter to bed and there was no way I could buy it as my husband is in Afghanistan and it’s not like I can just call and ask to buy it, not like I would have anyways.

Not to mention he left dog hair and dirt everywhere for laying the pads everywhere and half-ass cleaning them up. Way overpriced and heavy junk in my opinion. I’m mad that I even let them in, but I was definitely lied to to be let in. I feel sorry for anyone that has these people in their house for hours and are guilted into spending thousands of dollars on a VACUUM.

Then I thought it was cleaning. It only picks off a fraction of the water put down. I dumped out the tray a couple of times and the water was dirty as the floor really needed attention. But shortly after dumping the waste water the first time, the machine was leaving puddles smeared wherever I went forward. It also seemed to be jumping a bit if I tried going faster than a turtle's pace backwards. I “finished” my floor by setting it for extended periods on spots that were a bit gunky then going over the floor backwards to pickup the puddle smears of dirty water.

There’s no chance of getting corners mopped with the machine and many 3” edges weren’t mopped because it’s not possible to get the side of the machine along all edges. When I stopped and cleaned things up, I let the floor dry. What I have now is a floor that is sticky all over instead of in just the spots where pop spills hadn’t been properly cleaned at the time of the incidents. So, while I thought I was getting a decent deal on an investment of $1500 for the vacuum, MSSS, a bunch of bags and belts, and all the attachments, I now am doubting our investment.

Shouldn’t have let them take my old vacuum so it could pickup the bigger pieces before using the Kirby. And I definitely still need a mop and bucket. I have yet to try and shampoo my carpet, but I am pretty sure I will be disappointed as well. The lady that asked if I wanted a presentation said he would clean my carpet in one room. So my family quickly moved all the furniture out of the way as we had moved and vacuumed everything earlier that day. Then the salesman came and did a lot of vacuuming, but not shampoo, because it was late and the last day of the month.

He kept saying “before I clean the carpet I need to know if you're buying the Kirby or not, that way I know if I should really clean it good for you.” So when he finally got it in his head we weren’t buying anything, he did the carpets, absolutely horrible. He missed so many spots in the house and left it looking like **. I thought this was a company that did 2 free cleanings and then after I could maybe see if I want their service for any other needs. But no, this place is a total waste of time and not worth it. They will do your carpet horrible if you don’t buy their almost $3,000 Kirby.

She proceeded to vacuum showing how much dirt was in our house (shame, shame). Asked to see my vacuum which I got grudgingly and told her I couldn't be much longer as I was trying to cook supper. My husband told her that was enough but she didn't give up and he told her 5 minutes more only. Finally she packed everything up but slowly, cleaning every piece of the vacuum first before returning to the box. She called and texted for someone to pick her up but it was an HOUR before they came. This is the most disgusting sales pitch I have experienced, taking liberty of our time and inconveniencing us leaving a stranger in our house waiting for over an hour. We did not buy the vacuum and I will never buy a Kirby. Way too expensive and very bad sales.

I told non-stop telling people that buy this vacuum, that you come a do walls. Ok next I asked him why did I have to use my stuff for cleaning, he said the guy should not have did that sorry. [I had him clean my floors. It was not done right at all. It was still had dirt on it in the corners and place on the floor. He told me to buy a mop so he can come back and do it right]. I had a company in good standing come out to do my floors before and wax them and was very clean. So next I just had the vacuum cleaner a month and the belt breaks ok, but it's suppose to last a long time. It don't I use another vacuum to clean because it's so heavy for me to use, so I only bring out the Kirby to do heavier cleaning and I still have someone else to do it for me. So I had got two chairs and one couch beige in color, good and well built.

The only thing it was Stains on it so I called to get it clean. She came out, she seen it and told me I needed a zip brush that I did not have and other stuff I needed. I asked her how much, she said she will get that for me. Then she left and where she parked her car was way inside in my yard so I know she had to get out just right. Ok. She hit a park car right next to my driveway and took off, never left a note at all. Now I go out with my son law the next day and he sees it and so do I. She hit it hard, my daughter's car put a good size hit in it. My daughter's car is a box car, that what it looks like and the girl drives a med size car. Text her, she said yes but gave my daughter the run around about her car insurance number and she was never on.

While that was happening they called me a the next week saying that my stuff was not there yet. Ok and she will be out the next day. Ok please don't have me waiting if she don't show up. No one came or called me so I had to call. I was told that they were short of people and they will call me back soon. I text the girl that hit my daughter's car and told her she text my daughter and told her the guy that own the company told her that he dried the stuff I need off to me which was a lie. I called them up, told them why is this man losing saying that he gave me my stuff already and I told and not to have him come to my house anymore so I had to wait another week. I called up Kirby company told them in a week they called me telling me the cleaning company that they would have someone, come out to drop off my stuff I need.

I asked about what I needed to be done awhile back, "Oh sorry but we are short staff again." The guy came out just to drop off the stuff, that was done because if they are short staffed why bring it if the job couldn't be done right. So I had to wait for a call from the cleaning company to get more staff but Kirby company call and ask me did I get what I needed, yes can no yes. He dropped off the stuff but no he did not clean my crouch or two chairs. The lady said she would email them. They called and set up appointment that took close to a month to come out. And guess who shows up. The owner which I told them awhile back please not to send this man to my house for losing on me so by this time I gave up and just to get it done I let him one he used my cleaning soap that she gave me and more, that the other guy to use on my couch and my two chairs then asked me for a towel.

Ok then he just vacuum the couch and the two chairs without leaving the cushions at all of the back of the cushions off. Then I had to tell him, "You know that they can come off, they can move." He moved one back pillow down. I can't believe what I am seeing. Then he stay a little spray on a small stain and started to scrub, when I am looking at him when there are bigger stains but he start the top part then in the seat, then took the towel I gave him and wiped it off. Now I am looking at him. Do this he was just seeing the stray that came out the vacuum and shipping it down the whole time. They ask me, "Wow you have stains." I said yes then he ask me, "Do you think that bleach can go on here? I think I can get it out with bleach." I told him, "No you can't. It will destroyed the material of the couch and it is beige not white." Oh well then I told him to read the tag and see for himself.

Then he said that I can go on the Kirby web and buy some heavy carpet cleaning stuff that he can come back. The funny thing is he did not try at pre spray the big stain at all or try to scrub the big stain at all. He just did a very small one and where they was a stain it he did not spray anything at all. At the bottom of the couch or both chairs did not remove the back pillows on all of them or clean the whole arms or sides of couch or chairs at all but was done. That was crazy. He looked like he came, use up what was given to me, spray and a whip down with soap. At the end he had the nerve to say I need to call the Kirby company and tell them what I did and for me to hold on. I told him to leave my house now and he said, "I need to call them." I told him to leave my house right now.

This I had to look up how to clean a couch with a Kirby on YouTube channel. Wow the man from Kirby did it the right way and showed how to scrub stains everything the correct way not the wrong way like this man came and done to me today. After seeing this YouTube on how it's to be done I am so upset I can let out a mad scream right now and on top of that so many people have bad thing to say about this vacuum cleaner and the people behind them out there saying them don't buy it. It's not worth the time or the servers at all. Get a tray cleaning company or a maid services to come like it will. And now I know why he wanted to call Kirby and tell them so he can say that he came and did the job. No you did not do the job at all. That was the worst thing I have ever seen in my life ever.

It’s been months that I have not been able to vacuum. I have kids and a dog and this vacuum was supposed to be the best! I even traded in my Dyson Ball which was a huge mistake because I’ve had that vacuum for years and never had any issues with it. This purchase has been a biggest mistake. I will NEVER recommend this product or this company to anyone. Don’t waste your money in this scam, they will sell you a $2,000 vacuum and when it’s not working they don’t do anything to help fix it.

The worst part is when we changed our minds. This vacuum was too difficult to operate. I don't have time to take parts off & read some 20 "how-to" on working a vacuum. I want to plug it in & go... On their contract it said 3 days to cancel & it was 2 so we canceled. The company who handles their accounts is called Jean-Gilles & Associates. I was shocked to see a name runs it that barely speaks English because Kirby salesman talked about all their American made parts, etc... This J & Gilles Assoc. never gave us our vacuum back. They asked that we go pick up our vacuum even though on their contract it said they would return it w/in 10 days!...

After 15 days I still don't have my vacuum & noticed my credit card was debited 1300.00!!! I had to call again & try to understand the man at Jean-Gilles & Assoc. He told me that people usually stop payment so he never would of credited back my card. I now hate Kirby and what they stand for. They are hustlers & sneaky snakes. I have since read reviews & will get maybe a Shark or Dyson because they seem just as good and they are less expensive and I won't have to deal with the garbage at Kirby.

Original Review: Aug. 23, 2019

Salesman stated lifetime warranty and all attachments included. Started at 3000. Worked down to $1818. Super expensive price. Wife wanted it so I caved in to purchase. Found out it is a 3 year limited warranty. So I have been lied to. Found out that some attachments he said we will get with our purchase were not present. Salesman followed the general routine you see in reviews. I agree that I would never recommend a company that can't list an MSRP for their product anywhere. The vacuum does perform good. Is it worth the price? No it is not. The way the vacuum is sold is the most shady way I've seen. It is worse than dealing with a car dealership. I would rate this vacuum as an $800 vacuum. But I spent more. I have 2 days to cancel. I will discuss this with my wife.

After 3 days I realized I didn’t want the vacuum, so I sent in the cancellation. The only problem was it was a Sunday and I could not certify it to them. Therefore I didn’t have any proof that I sent it in. I called and called and left messages and no one ever called me back. My payment came due so I made the payment because I didn’t want it to show up on my credit. So I still didn’t know what to do. I have RA and it was so hard to move this vacuum around. Also it didn’t work that great on my laminated floors. I finally had to go out and buy another vacuum because the sales rep took my old vacuum. I feel like my hands are tied behind my back but I did find out that I have 6 months to return it under California State law because I have a disability.

I continue to call the sales office and continued to leave messages. I finally decided to call the credit company. They gave me a lecture that I should have called as soon as I sent in the 3 day cancellation notice but I told them I didn’t know I should’ve called them, I thought I needed to call the sales office. They finally gave me Kirby’s number and I called. The only problem with calling Kirby customer service is it takes well over hour almost 2 hours to get a hold of someone. I finally got a hold of someone and I was told to fax in my contract, a letter from social security and a letter from my doctor. I faxed my documents but I had to do it a few times because the lady from Kirby said she didn’t receive them. I also had my doctor fax a letter but the lady at Kirby keeps saying she didn’t receive it. Finally she said she received it but it didn’t have the doctors signature.

I called my doctor and he faxed in a doctor’s letter with a signature but now I am trying to get a hold of the lady at Kirby to see if she got it. Now I am told she is out until Monday. I feel like I am just getting the runaround. Oh ya did I mention that after I contacted Kirby customer service that a lady from the sales office finally called me back. I said, "I been trying to get a hold of your office and never received any calls back." She then begin to call me a liar saying she only received one call from me. I also told her no one called me back after I sent in the 3 day notice. She again said she never received it and there is nothing she can do. I told her that I have RA and that I have 6 months to return the vacuum if they don’t want to acknowledge the 3 day notice that I sent in. I told her that I spoke with the lady at Kirby and that’s when she rudely said, "Then you will have to talk to her", that she can’t talk to me anymore.

I am to the point where I feel like I am not getting anything accomplished. I am about ready to put a lawsuit in against the sales office and Kirby. I don’t want to do this but I feel like I don’t have any other choice. I have RA and this type of stress makes my RA flare. I just want to resolve this issue. I not even using the Kirby vacuum and I am still having to pay $89 a month on it.

The vacuum itself is heavy and cumbersome. My Shark had infinitely better results, even if it left a lot of unseen dirt in the carpet. I’ve been living 27 years with dirt in my carpet. I think I’ll continue to survive using a vacuum that doesn’t get every microscopic piece up. The big pieces are all I worry about and the Kirby wouldn’t even get that. Return policy is its own slice of hell. Decide to take it back on Tuesday (bought 4 days before on Friday afternoon) and they said my 3 day grace period was expired. I didn’t get to vacuum my carpet a single time without it breaking. I will be seeking legal counsel on the matter because there's no way their predatory sales tactics and the false advertising is legal.

We were still making constant calls and emails to the company without any response so we dove into the actual contract we signed. Lo and behold there was a neat little clause that read once we submit the cancellation receipt to the company, the representative has 20 days to contact us and make arrangements to pick up the machine or it is ours free and clear. We were just at the 20 day mark with no response from the sales rep or the company he worked for so we sent them an email with a screenshot of the contract and let them know by all rights this vacuum was now ours free and clear of any charges.

The following day the company and the sales rep was calling us to arrange pick up of the vacuum. The rep let us know that he apologized for not getting back to us but that if we kept the machine he had to pay for it out of his pocket although he didn't seem to mind ignoring us for the last 20 days and sticking us with payments. Regardless of how these people tried to mess us around on this whole transaction, we did the "right" thing and returned the vacuum to the representative. Hopefully he will think twice before he tries to screw hardworking people out of their money.

He also stated he couldn't offer me any deals once he left the house. I told him I wanted to do research on the Kirby before making any commitments. He didn't appreciate me wanting to research and kept telling me I didn't understand. I liked the Kirby but would refuse to buy one based on this person's performance. How can a product that's suppose to be superior start at $2800 and come all the way down to $999? Too many attachments for an elderly person to contend with. I would not want Alonzo ** to demonstrate anything to me and I do not feel he represents Kirby effectively.

I was told there is a lifetime warranty, which quickly turned into, "well, they will rebuild it for you", which, as it turns out, costs you $250+ and sometimes >$100 in shipping. You may want to find out where the nearest repair center is to you. As far as I'm concerned every vacuum cleaner on the market can be rebuilt by someone for < ~$350 without needing any kind of warranty at all, so that whole selling point is quite the odd misnomer to me.

I was told the Avalir 2 is a $2,999 product but that my salesman's manager was trying to help him out and was letting him offer them at $2,300 for a limited time-- a time so limited that I needed to make the decision on the spot and that the offer wouldn't be available if he so much as stepped out of my house. He then proceeded to drop the price an additional $600 (down to $1700) when I told him I needed to do more research and began googling the product.

If after reading all of this you are still interested in this vacuum I highly recommend heavily negotiating on the price. I have heard many stories of people negotiating below $1,000. As far as I'm personally concerned the whole thing is classic door-to-door salesman scheme-y conman trash. *** Any product worth its weight should not require half a dozen mistruths in order to sell it. Any product worth its weight should have a disclosed MSRP and the final price a consumer pays should not fluctuate from $800 - $3,000 depending on whom sold it to them. *** Kirby: your sales method depends entirely on a lack of information; it's dated, it's gross, and hopefully I've done my part making it that much less effective.

Also the "manager" lied to me about opening a Kirby store in a nearby city, and also that I would receive 2 vacuum cleaner bags each year (by mail) as part of the service agreement. I have not received any bags. Another Kirby salesman came by this year, and I asked him about the bags and he said, "Oh, Kirby never offers that! You'll have to buy them." I feel that Kirby needs to do something about their sales people. The "manager" also took my warranty form and said she always turned them in herself for her clients so they would not forget to do so. I don't know if she did or not. I really regret buying this machine. I would seriously tell others not to buy a Kirby from a sales person in their home. Buy it off eBay or second hand from somewhere else. Definitely not worth the price.

Well, Kirby vacuum salesman shows up and it was all a sales pitch for the vacuum. I owned one many years ago and gave it up after struggling with it for many years and went to a Dyson and then Shark. I miss my Shark. The salesman did clean the couch but then would not leave when I said I did not want to pay the high prices for a Kirby. He was a nice enough kid and of course, he needed one more sale to get to go to Disneyland with his kids. Told me a sob story about being bankrupt at one point blah, blah, blah. Anyway, he wore me down and I finally said ok because it did appear the vacuum was better than the one I had years ago. So I did financing and he finally left after 2.5 hours.

The next day I thought I don't want this vacuum and called the company and told them to cancel it and bring me back my Shark. They said ok and asked me why and I told him it was too much to pay for a vacuum. I made arrangements for them to pick it up the next day. Then I get a callback and they lowered the price significantly and to what was a manageable cost. So I said ok.

Well, I have had the vacuum for 5 months and I hate it. It is very heavy, very difficult to maneuver around objects like furniture, cannot easily get under a couch or bed without removing the heavy head and putting on the extension hose. If you don't get the head on just right there is no suction so my dog's hair does not pick up. I have regularly had a big pile of dog hair left behind on the solid surface floor that I missed and that fell out of the vacuum. Supposedly this is the best vacuum for pet hair. Wrong. I just got done the vacuuming and I am sweating profusely and I am not obese or out of shape. I just read through the emails I was sent on how to use the vacuum thinking I may have missed some important piece of advice and I didn't miss anything.

I now have to figure out how to get rid of this thing and try to recoup my money. It is heavy, changing tools to a wand to go under furniture is difficult and getting the belt to go on correctly with the heavy head is difficult. Even on one of the videos the girl demonstrating putting the heavy head on had trouble turning the knob to get the belt to go on correctly. Buyer beware. That is all I have to say.

Now, onto what the Kirby can do. What really sold me on it was the fact that I had literally just washed and dried my sofa and loveseat cushion covers and put them back on about 10 minutes before he arrived. The dirt that the Kirby was sucking out when I had just cleaned them really amazed me. It even pulled a tremendous amount of dirt out of the living room area rug I had just bought that day! Besides all that, this vacuum does it all...vacuums, shampoos, air cleaner, inflator, window cleaner, unclogs sinks...you can even paint with it (spray). It has tons of attachments for basically anything you'll ever need to do in the cleaning world. I've kept my vehicle upholstery looking brand new and cleaning curtains while they are still hanging and vacuuming ceilings are a breeze. I have had my Kirby for almost 2 years now and it is by far the smartest purchase I have made for all my cleaning needs.

In comes my Avalir 2. Put it all together and it’s absolutely awesome. It makes a much more stable vacuum when using the hose and not as an upright than the shark. It’s extremely powerful, and even comes with power assist. Using this is nowhere near clunky like a mower. It’s butter smooth requiring you to do absolutely nothing. It has a transmission in it and it senses when you push forward and pull back. It’s literally butter smooth. You don’t know it’s powered. You just click it on and it simple makes the vacuum feel 1/4 the weight it is. The attachments are well thought out and useful rather than some crappy junk thrown together to say it has a bunch of features. The Kirby’s are well designed and useful. I have no problems reaching my 10 foot ceiling without it being uncomfortable. In canister mode it rolls around with me easily I don’t have to constantly pick it up and move it a few feet. The ability to adjust height is great and easy to use.

Needless to say there is no better vacuum made. I’ve seen and or used about all the other so called top of the line ones and they felt cheap and were almost all plastic. When you buy a Kirby, you buy it for life. The maintenance is even simple enough anyone what can change oil would have no trouble at all keeping one going for decades without ever needing serviced at a shop.

Typically I would run my shark over the wood floor and then follow up with a mop. The mop would always be filthy. After a good pas with the Kirby and running the brush quickly around the corners I went back with the mop to shine it and get some stick spots up. The mop was so clean I didn’t have to wash anything off it before putting it up. Basically it just added floor shine and removed some sugary drops that got sticky. I have not received the shampoo, grout and tile, and wood floor cleaning parts, at that point it will replace the old shampooer I have and the little Swiffer like mop. You might think you bought a Cadillac vacuum at 300 bucks, but a Kirby is the Rolls Royce of vacuums, and no you don’t have to pay 3000 dollars for one, you can get one under a grand. They are also extremely nice looking with polished aluminum bodies.

There are two types of people in the world, ones with clean houses and others who don’t yet own a Kirby. It’s worth every cent and it will stay with you for life, and that counts for something today when everything is designed to be disposable. After you buy 2 sharks, you have basically paid for a Kirby. Just get the Kirby.

I cannot rate the salesman service as there weren’t any within 300 miles of me so I had to order it online and assemble it myself, and I don’t get the special Kirby perks. I dont work for Kirby or own Kirby stock. It’s the truth. The Kirby is not all just hype. It’s worth every penny, both my 40 something year old heritage II and the new Avalir 2 both prove it. They are built the same with the same high quality parts. In fact if it wasn’t due to Kirby adding a safety switch on the new model to keep it from turning on the motor without something covering the suction fan all the attachments and heads would be interchangeable. The parts to keep it alive forever are dirt cheap, and easy to change.

So, I was actually glad, I knew that it couldn’t be approved in my name only, as I have no income. He told me to sign a blank application and he would take care of transferring all the info from the other application I had done in mine and my husband's name, as this only needed my info. So, I said sure, but I knew there was no chance of me getting approved. Well, that makes me a dummy. I had stepped away to go to the restroom and change my toddler's diaper. When I got back in my living room, he said I was approved. I was shocked. Skipping ahead a little, Monterey Financial is my financing place. Well, I have yet to receive my contract. I went to my storage room to get my owner's manual a couple of days ago, it was in the box with all my accessories.

I find the copy of the credit app folded in the book. Wow, was I in shock, I seen that he had added income in it. He had put that I was on disability and made 1200 monthly. I’m a very healthy 42 year old, no heath problems. How can they do this. So, Monterey Financial has yet to send my contract. I’m going on what the sales guy said, which is 72$ a month for 3 years, please everyone, add that up. He sold it to me for 2000, and I had to give him a voided check just to get the finance. They are gonna take it auto draft, already have taken 1st payment. Anyway, I called Monterey and asked for a copy of my contract, well, I have not received anything.

In fact, when I asked her to email it, she was so rude, asked me, "well didn’t you get one when you signed it," I never signed a contract, I only signed the agreement for them to debit my account for 3 years. Then she said, I’ll send it email. Okay, got an email with a file that is not able to be opened, I call back, get a different rude person. She said, "didn’t someone just email you a copy," I said yes, but it’s either empty or corrupt. Of course, I tried to open it on my desktop too, she asked, then she said, "Well we will mail one," she said she had no access to email!!!! I so mad at this situation, Kirby get this vacuum back!!! I was robbed 2 times!!!

He then several times brought up that other homeowners he demonstrated for gave him a tip for cleaning their carpet making us feel pressured that we should give him one. Which we did to get him out of the house. It took him over 2 hours to get around to cleaning our carpet. He stated that the carpet would take only half an hour to dry. Actually, it took several hours to dry. The supposed "dry foam" system. After it finally dried, we have 3 brand new black streaks across our light brown carpet. Needless to say, we are very unhappy with our experience and will not be purchasing any Kirby Products.

I know about Kirby. A family member has one that I'm pretty sure Adam and Eve used to vacuum the Garden of Eden. But, sure, I'm up for a demo. Over the next three and a half hours I learned about Kirby. Sounded like a good machine. Seemed to vacuum well. Admitting that it appeared to be a good product was a huge mistake. I was repeatedly told my home was filthy and unsafe for my daughter. The salesperson kept inferring that I was a sheltered housewife unable to make her own decisions when I told her my husband wasn't on board with buying one. She suddenly became very interested in knowing the details of my husband's job and his schedule (probably to determine if we could afford her asking price, but who knows? maybe she also wanted to come back knowing that my husband takes call for work and I'd be home alone and more vulnerable).

I explained that I'm in the process of purchasing a historic home that's going to need significant repairs and don't need to buy a $2500 vacuum when I already have one that works just fine. "I would say that it doesn't," was her response. I explained that my husband and I make decisions jointly about purchases of this size. Her friendly demeanor started breaking. She was obviously getting upset. She would intermittently swear during her commentary like we were now buddies. I was alone with my daughter and knew she had a whole troupe of people with her. I was feeling coerced. I kept telling her no. Not right now. Maybe once I'm settled. She was relentless.

Over the course of 3.5 hours I will never get back, the price of a Kirby went from over $2500 to TWO Kirbys for the price of one and on and on until ending at $700. $15 a month with no prepayment penalty and I wouldn't have to start making payments for three months. There were repeated phone calls between the sales rep and her boss where she would act excited because she was just informed that she was only ONE SALE AWAY from winning an all-expense paid trip to a Club Med in Florida AND would have a chance to drive Lamborghinis (because other people ahead of her in sales numbers didn't have driver's licenses. Uhm, what?).

I explained that because I am in the process of buying a house with unforeseen expenses I wasn't willing to commit any funds to a vacuum cleaner when I already had one that worked. By this point, she had already told me that she was new to the area (but had literally no idea where some of the major landmarks were), and had a horrible living situation. Was trying to make money for her sick and disabled family members back home, several states away. She couldn't even bring her car here from Other State, it was too run-down. Wouldn't I just text my husband pictures of all the dirt? The great deal she was trying to give me for a Kirby Clean Home? Her boss was going to lose money on the deal - but they get paid by volume so he doesn't care! I could buy it and return it no questions asked within 3 days! She's been there for returns and they're so easy-breezy about it! If she makes a sale and I return it, she'll still get credit!

What I didn't tell her was that I've spent years in sales and I know a dirty pitch when I hear one. I'm not going to lie, if she had come in and professionally presented the vacuum and given me the $700 option off the bat, I may have bought one. But she rolled out literally every single underhanded sales tactic in the book. She tried tapping into mom guilt (am I really going to let my daughter play on these filthy floors?), trying to help someone else out (the contests she'd win! She's down on her luck, bad family and living situations, short on cash, new to town), making me feel like I was just a widdle housewife (do I really let my husband do the deciding for me?). She would intermittently take text messages from friends and family and remark on how they were encouraging her: "Keep at it! I know you can do it!" like I'm the only thing keeping her parents from finally saying "I'm proud of you."

Once I had finally convinced her I wasn't buying a vacuum (whoops, "they're not a ** vacuum, they're SO MUCH MORE, as the sales rep would say), she just started acting mean. I had already profusely apologized for taking up so much of her time when she had already told me she gets $10 per demonstration (which I'm sure is also untrue). When I first told her "no," she just smiled and assured me it was okay, but by the end she was visibly agitated. She tried to go upstairs to demo the Kirby on my bedroom mattress. I refused. She had already intruded enough. She asked me what else she could do to earn my business. Intimidated and, again, uncomfortable, I told her that her sales pitch was fine but that the timing just wasn't right. I swear at this point she rolled her eyes.

She then cleaned up the vacuum while still in my living room and packed it back up like it was brand new. I started wondering how many other homes that Kirby had cleaned. How disrespectful it was to introduce another home's dirt into my place (especially given her emphasis on how gross the homes are before they get a Kirby Clean). She took a phone call and said she needed picked up. When there was another knock on the door she just hollered "Come on in!" like it was her place to do so, and without any regard for my sleeping child upstairs.

Another rep walks in, doesn't bother removing his shoes, and they "tut tut" together as she explains that I won't pay just $15/month for a Kirby Clean Home because I don't want to upset my husband and can he believe I would turn down such a deal? She went on to say that I even asked "all the buying questions!" like making product inquiries suddenly obligates me to purchase. She made sure to ask me for a forwarding address so she can contact me again after I move. I just wanted it to be over.

So now I'm not only turned off by the whole Kirby brand, but I'm worried about this "distributor" group breaking into my house. I will be warning friends and neighbors about these scammers and you can be sure that the next time I see someone with a Kirby box, I'll be asking the local police to remove them from my property. Last thing - I keep seeing Kirby respond that they're not affiliated with "the agreements of their distributorships." I'd strongly suggest they start looking into it because these folks will kill their business.

He cleaned a couple of the stairs and kept saying how abnormally dirty our newer carpets were even though we had 2 dogs. We were very friendly and conversational and pretty straightforward, saying that it did seem to be doing a great job cleaning, but we didn’t think we could afford such a fancy vacuum since we’re both in our mid-20’s and don’t make great $.

I think after around a half hour of us being insanely honest and saying it was something that not only was out of our budget, but that we would never really want to budget for, especially for 3 years worth of financing with high interest. He finally asked to use one of our phones to call his manager since his phone wasn’t working. While he waited for the manager to pick him up his demeanor completely changed and he became quiet and terse. Then the manager knocked on our door and we let him in. He said he’d take our golden retriever as a down payment and asked if we were buying 2 vacuums, one for each floor.

We said no at least a dozen times and said "thanks for the demo but we’re really not able to afford it." I had also googled Kirby vacuums while they were there and found the Consumer Affairs reviews so I knew for sure that they were scammers. I think it was only because there were 3 adults in my home at the time all saying no to the vacuum that they finally gave up on us and left. After vacuuming 3 of maybe 20 stairs. The salesmen (4+ guys) hung around our neighborhood until almost 11 at night in a sketchy white van and I think got a few of our neighbors. I wanted to go interrupt their sales so badly but it was late at night to knock on neighbors doors so I held back. Makes me so angry they’re dooming people to years of debt for a product that is mediocre and breaks easily.

He handed me a bottle of Gain Dish soap and said, "Are you an honest person?" I laughed and said, "Yes I hope so!" For a moment I thought one of these kids must of borrowed dish soap from me and I didn't remember. So the guy goes, "I'll be right back," and quickly leaves. I was so confused. Then a different young man comes back. He said he was 21 and trying to sell vacuums. I said, "Oh I dont have any money, I live on disability." He said, "It's ok, if you just allow me to do the demonstration I'll get $50." So I say ok, thinking it will be some fifteen minute thing and I will have helped someone.

So the kid comes in and starts talking then started to gag. I was like, "Are you ok?" He says, "Yes. I just have stomach problems." He continues to keep talking but keeps gagging. It was so strange. He eventually uses the bathroom which I offered a couple times because he looked like he was going to be sick. I give him some water then some juice as he said they were in Chicago the night before on a business trip and they haven't eaten since. I felt bad. This kid hadn't eaten anything.

Well a good hour and a half later he's still trying to sell me this vacuum. I tell him my dog is having surgery on Monday and that will the last of anything left on my credit card, I simply don't have money. He then makes a phone call to someone and is saying, "She doesn't have money cuz of her dog," and the guy on the phone hangs up on him. So now I realize the guy who dropped him off has left and this guy is just sitting here at my house. I'm sick and just want to go lie down but now I have this young kid stuck at my house in a snowstorm with nowhere to go and he's sick too. So he asks if he can just sit on the couch and watch tv with me.

So as we awkwardly sat there the boss finally calls back and seems like he's giving this kid a hard time. I honestly felt really bad for this young guy. I mean I'm sure he didn't want to be stuck sitting there with me as much as I didn't want to be stuck sitting there with him. So his boss is telling him to ask me all these questions. Dumb pushy questions that are so obviously insulting and rude. He hangs up again and then a bang on my door and some new guy walks in. This is the third guy now that has just come into my house. He starts yelling and running around the house saying, "Look at this dirt, look at this filth" (talking about the dirt that was on the white paper things that they collect when vacuuming.)

He says, "Would you want your kids or grandkids to be playing in this filth?" He made me so nervous like he was yelling at me that I was disgusting or something. I was getting scared. He then started saying all these things like if I can put away four quarters in a coffee can a day that I could afford this vacuum. He totally did not care that I was sick, on disability, taking care of two blind animals, my dog and cat and one other sick cat. He just kept cutting me off and saying how dirty it was and that I was making a choice to live in filth. (This little house I live in was completely remodeled just a couple years ago and nothing is old, dirty or gross.)

The young kid kept gagging randomly throughout this whole time, he was clearly sick and I hope I don't catch anything! So then the guy starts running around my house again, and he's like, "Let me clean up these paper things" that they gathered from vacuuming up dirt. And he's like, "Where is the garbage can." I said, "Right there next to the fridge," I'm in a tiny house that the living room and kitchen are kinda one big room. He is like, "Is that a garbage can or cat litter?" I'm like, "I don't think cat litters would be four feet tall," like wtf. He was so weird!

So then he's like, "Let me put the vacuum and steam cleaner way." (They had gotten all my stuff out of the storage room to compare.) He kept calling my steam cleaner old even through I just had bought it a couple months ago. So anyways, he puts the steam cleaner away then says should I put the vacuum cleaner away too? I'm thinking, "Well obviously since you guys came here and pulled all this crap out you should now put it away." But I didn't answer quickly and he said, "Ok if you don't want me to I won't" and just left it sitting there.

So finally after an obnoxious two hours at least, they leave. I was honestly scared they were not going to leave. I am even nervous writing this review and double locking my doors now. It was a scary experience. When the third and last guy that came in finally left, I said quickly to the young 21 year old, "Get a different job." He said, "See what I have to deal with" and left.

One might well ask "well why didn't you have it fixed?" That's a great question. I live in Maine (where Kirby somehow easily found me) but there are no Kirby repair centers in my state. I contacted the Kirby Support Team who's only suggestion was to bring it to the nearest Kirby Repair facility to get it fixed at my own expense. (The repair facility said that it would be a minimum of $100.) So I'd have to spend roughly $200 in travel and repair costs (not to mention my time) to get it fixed. So in an attempt to offset my losses I now own a $50 throw away vacuum cleaner. Don't buy a Kirby!!!

Kirby is a family company, they want you to like the products. So desperate to get them out, I said yes, and gave them $1.50. I followed all their instructions on returning the vacuum. The vacuum doesn't even work anymore! It smells like burnt rubber and turns off after just a couple of min. The receptionist at the main office told me to return the bottom of my contract and write out why I was returning and someone would come pick up my vacuum.

After two weeks, nobody came and I called back and some visiting manager told me I signed a contract and there was nothing they would do. I told them the contract even says "oral notification of cancellation rights". He was extremely rude and basically hung up on me. From then on it has been nothing but hell. I have exhausted every resource trying to get them off my credit. The company even changed its name because it had so many complaints. The creditors call me at all hours of the weekend and talk down to me. I have called the BBB and legal aid and have no idea what else to do. I am a single mom and don't have the money to fight them in court and now my credit is ruined.

Now brace yourself, I use this vacuum in my house 3-4 a month, and I will use it maybe 2-3 times a year to detail the interior of my car, so there is no overuse here. Well when I looked for a new on/off switch for a Kirby vacuum I about pooped myself! A on/off switch is around 50$ folks and that not even installed! So we are paying 50$ for a on/off switch that can only withstand 300-500 uses?!? My light switch cost less than a 1$ and as been is use since 1968 with not issues!!

Kirby then will tell you that they will rebuilt your vacuum too! The only thing is that you have to pay for sending it, that’s a 120-140$ round trip, oh and let’s not forget the rebuilding fee which does vary depending on which system you own... mine is is 178$. So, just with these 2 charges I could buy 2 spanking new vacuums that are just as powerful if not more than the Kirby with lifetime warranties!! I hope my review can save a least one person from ever buying this waste of money of a vacuum. Kirby will need to evolve if it wants to survive, the word is out and the reviews are low! If they don’t step up and start paying attention they will lose it all.

He asks for his Glade air freshener back and I told him, "No problem, I don’t use those and I was going to throw it out anyway." (Air fresheners are bad for you!!) The more I said no, the more info he gave me, he didn’t mention till my second No that he was with Kirby vacuums which my mom made the mistake of buying back in 1996 so I knew immediately he was there to sell though he claimed he wasn’t selling anything (and he wasn’t, Shana or Shawna was). He acted all surprised when I told him no to a free demonstration and said “you don’t want a free cleaning?” I said I have a Meile (spelling might be wrong) vacuum and no. And he finally left. I can’t believe door to door sales pitches are still common, watch out especially come spring and summer 'cause that’s when they come door to door the most.

This vacuum is BIG, HEAVY, Clunky, and a pain in the **. If you are not very strong. This is not for you. (They will tell you it is their lightest model) You literally have to disassemble it to switch to the hose. Which is a nightmare on its own. You have to switch to go from hard floors to carpet. You have to find the right setting for your carpet height or you will smell burning rubber. Or you will see all the dirt from your carpet bouncing out of the carpet not being sucked up. We also received the "shampooing" package. No idea how to use that. Or how you can shampoo anything with the attachments you get. You do not get a "tank" for the dirty water. We also did not receive any manuals which they said would be in the box.

One problem! You can not EVER reach them. They literally have to contact you if you want any service. Their website is a nightmare. Their auto payment set up is a headache. The belt set up is horrible! It snaps easily. The customer service is awful. Our last payment is due in a week. Auto pay. Just received a phone call. Apparently we are "11 days" late. Yet... no notice and we are set on THEIR auto payment plan. It was pay today or deal with the late payment consequences.

It took 4 yrs to pay it off. Keep that in mind! The other thing. They trick you by saying you get a discount because it is "their display" model. NO. They grab a NEW vacuum each time they sell one so that they can say it is the model. So that you feel like you are getting a HUGE discount. If I could rate this negative stars...it would be NEGATIVE 5+ stars. This company is not worth the vacuum. Not worth the price. Not with the hassle or headache. Not worth the hit to your credit.

It isn't so much the salesman's fault. It is after all their job. Cannot really knock a person who is actually trying to work. But, this company is 100% garbage! If you do decide to buy a Kirby keep these things in mind. MAKE SURE YOU DECIDE AN OWNER'S MANUAL! I hope this review has helped. Whether you decide it is the vacuum for you or not. Just keep all things in mind. T.

Getting too old to do this on my own, that was the bait...and believing her I acted in good faith and paid her in cash the amount of 2,000.00. Yes, naive and stupid, guess that happens when you get old. Don't know if the agreement is no longer valid, or she left the company without letting us know. The phone calls are unanswered and that is that. Perhaps my mistake besides trusting her was paying that amount of money in cash for something that was too good to be true. There were a few skipped months last year, but this year, January was skipped, and now March, no answer either and no show. The vacuum? Just another overpriced, heavy vacuum that Works well, but so many other less expensive.

We had filed a complaint at Dubai Economic Development Customer Protection (DED) and to make the long story short Dubai Government instructed them to cancel the contract and have the item returned. The Company rep was insisting that we had signed the contract under UAE law but gladly Dubai Government looks after the welfare of the consumer. Now item had been happily returned to them and we had vowed not to entertain sale rep from this Company. So to all UAE residents that had opted to return the item immediately lodge a complain case at DED.

I finally purchased a vacuum. What a mistake. The first pitch was that a friend of mine sent them to me because she was asking them to clean the carpet in one of my rooms as a gift. I thought that was a bit odd, since I really didn't know her that well, but they came in and "cleaned" the carpet. Lousy job. I bought the shampooer to go with it, and that shampooer was worthless. Then I realized that I had purchased a used vacuum, probably one that had been used many times for demonstrations. I know. I've always been a bit gullible. I went through hell trying to get some compensation. I finally gave the vacuum to the local Salvation Army store. This company has been using these tactics for YEARS!! And I have been warning people about them ever since! NO VACUUM CLEANER IS WORTH OVER $2,000!

I allowed him to show me the product. He explained the product detail and demonstrated all its functions as he was putting together. He did a full demo and he actually did a GREAT job. Had he had been the original person I interacted with, I would've bought the vacuum. The product itself was worth having, just not for $1800. I was very close to swiping my credit card...then I read reviews...and seen I could buy it on eBay for $900. I really like the product but the price point is high. That said, the sales lady Hannah needs more training, honesty training.

The presentation took like 3 hours. The guy was very pushy saying things like, "Can you afford 99 a month," I said no and he said, "Well if the rent went up here 99 bucks would you move?" I said yes. He was also saying, "Who cleans your house?" I said I do. He said, "Then It’s your choice whether you buy this vacuum and not your husband's." I said, "Actually it is. We make decisions together." I told him I hate pushy sales people. He cleaned a little stain on my carpet upstairs and that was it. He handed me the application and I told him I wasn’t buying anything. He said, "Help us. Win a trip to SF." I said, "What do I win?" He said we win a trip. He ran my husband's credit and my credit and I told him we don’t want our credit ran because we are trying to buy a house and now it’s on both our credits.

The vacuum is nice and it cleans really well. I ended up buying the vacuum but he took the box it was in and I thought I was going to get a brand new never used vacuum and I didn’t. He gave me the used vacuum from other houses that people didn’t want to buy and I didn’t even notice until a few days later. I have always known Kirby Vacuums to be heavy which is really annoying. I received 2 wood floor cleaners but no shampoo for the carpets and I had to buy some on the Kirby website. It took about 1 month to receive.

She says, "We're just going to show you something and at the end you tell us a yes or no..." Ok. Well here comes a guy with this damn vacuum... says he wants to clean our floors. Um ok, knock yourself out. HE WAS HERE FOR 5 HOURS! Our only day we have together as a family, and he would not leave! My husband left and stayed in the bedroom throughout presentation after the gentleman won't take no for an answer. He told me all this awesome stuff this vacuum can do and "how dirty my house is" "you don't want your family breathing this stuff in" making me feel like my housekeeping was a failure. I told the gentleman we really couldn't afford it and I couldn't justify to my husband spending that much on something like this. Well he got down to $40.00 per month full cost $999. I didn't buy vacuum and I'm so happy especially after reading all the the reviews. Please don't let anyone from this company in your home.

So he starts unboxing and asking if I have heard of Kirby, I say yes I have somewhere but cannot recall where. He explains how long they have been around, asks me what kind of vacuum I have and continues on about his "demo". Mind you, I had no idea this was going to happen, they just sort of rushed me, but it was my fault for letting them in.

He makes a lot of small talk while taking all of these pieces out and assembling them. Speaking to my 5 year old son, talking about and showing me pictures of his daughter, asking what I do for work and saying he was in the military and had been overseas, blah blah... So he finally gets it all put together and has me use my vacuum then goes over it with his. I kid you not... This man vacuumed just about everything he could! Hardwood, carpet, ceiling, bed, pillow, stairs, windows, drapes, blinds, lightbulbs... Talked to me about shampooing, cleaning and waxing my car, being a snow and leaf blower, HE SAID IT ALL!

We finally get to talking about the price and he starts off with saying it would be $61/month for 36 months. I do some math and realize that is almost $2200 (that is after I get the military discount and am not nor do I know anyone in it, the police discount and am definitely not affiliated with police, the homeowner discount which I told him I am renting, as well as discounted for turning my other vacuum in). I'll admit, it was an impressive piece of equipment... But that much for a vacuum just did not sit well with me. He then said he could get it lowered three to four different times. I told him that I wanted to talk to my boyfriend before making that large of a purchase. He asked who does the cleaning me or him, who would pay for it me or him, and just made me quite uncomfortable.

After TWO HOURS, I finally got him out of my house and let him know my boyfriend would be home in about an hour (which I lied about) and I would talk to him and give him a call. He even offered to wait on my porch... How nice of him... NOT! I was finally able to relax after a long day of work (or so I thought), and got in the shower. AS SOON AS I got out, he was knocking at my door again, saying his boss lowered the price and didn't want me to miss this because he just really doesn't want me using my old one anymore and it's a great deal. I told him, again, I wanted to wait. He said when will my BF be back, I said I don't know. I also told him that I wanted to research the reviews and would call him when I could purchase, even if it means I miss the deal.

Another 30 mins goes by and he is KNOCKING AT MY DOOR AGAIN saying they lowered the offer even more. He said I could just start the paperwork so that I do not miss the deal, and decide upon it later. Plus, there was a two week return policy. I was intrigued, I admit. So I mistakenly let him in again to talk through his offer. First thing he said when he sat down was... "So I just want to make sure you are ready because once you sign here, it is yours and you own it." I said, "Sooo I don't have time to think about it?" He said no. Not sure what changed in those three seconds, smh! He also said he wanted to check on the return policy to make sure it was two weeks. Lord.

He "calls" his "boss" to talk through what they can do for me and the final offer they presented me was the full price would be $1099. He was literally repeating what someone on the phone said, verbatim, pausing after every 2-3 words. It was so awkward. At this point, I am getting online and checking reviews and he is still talking and asking me questions... He repeats whatever I say back to the OZ on the phone and comes back with another choppy response. I am absolutely not buying at this point. He asks what I am looking for online and I tell him reviews, prices, etc. He tells me that if I find any online it is likely stolen. LOL, right.

I start standing up to try to get him out and he is still sitting down... I tell him I need to wait for my BF to see this if I am going to be paying $1100 and he still tries to weasel me into it! I want him GONE. I finally get him out after another 45 minutes and he said he will come back in a half hour. I said NO, I will give you a call. I think he must have known I saw something I did not like online, because he finally left me alone. If he comes back today, I am going to have my 6'5" 250lb boyfriend give him a large piece of his mind! This is NOT okay for them to keep doing, especially after he assured me he was not trying to pressure me to buy and gets paid for the demo. I am SO glad I did not buy this, and I may just go and get me a very nice $200 vacuum just because. :)

When he told me this machine was $2,000.00, I think I laughed. Then during the demonstration he kept talking about how the company was going to send him to Anaheim to Disneyland if he sold six units. And of course he sold five. So, I would be his sixth unit. I said I am sorry. I am saving to take my grandchildren there as well. If I purchase this I may never get there. So, he runs the figures. The price drops to $1499.00 plus taxes. I think I laughed again. He then dropped some salt on a box and placed another box over the salt and used the vacuum cleaner to suck the salt up. He used different filters. He knew what to use a black filter on vs his white filter. Whether demonstrating on a hardwood floor, carpet, or walls and vents. I told him I wasn't buying the unit.

Now the hard sell comes. "Can you afford $1.00 day," he asked me. I said, "Most certainly." He said he could finance it over several years so it wouldn't cost me more than $1 a day. I said it would upset me to see a bill for a very expensive item come in month after month and year after year. I have enough to deal with seeing my mortgage payment. Again, he runs the figures. Now I see him eyeing things in my house. He liked a painting, a statue, etc. He offered to reduce the price further if I would part with some of my treasures. If I purchase this unit right now, not tomorrow, but right now, he can sell me this demo model for $1299.00. Minus my paintings, a figurine, etc.

By the way, I was promised a lifetime guarantee; that Kirby supposedly stands by their product (which from what I researched is false). (I still have my hoover canister which is now 20 years old and never had a problem with it; I think I paid about $249 at the time). I told him I was happy with my Hoover. Well now he offered to reduce the price again if I traded in my hoover. I saw his face getting red in anger that I wasn't buying this unit. I felt his tactics getting more aggressive with his comments. His final pitch was that I'd get the Avalir with all the extras for only $908.00. And, he would get his trip to Disneyland. A win-win for both of us!

Not so fast! I said, "Does that price say $495.00." If I were to purchase a new vacuum, that would be all I would budget for and at that price it would have to cook me dinner. So he cleaned the carpet he had been standing on; NOT the one I asked him to clean, and continued. Now he asked me, why won't I buy this? Why won't I buy this unit and help him get to Disneyland. Pressuring me by saying things like, "You really never intended to buy this unit. (I told him straight out I wasn't buying it). Why? I said I am saving for a trip for my family to take to Disney. If I buy this it will just set me back that much more.

He finally finished his demo of this Avalir. Four hours of my life was wasted putting up with this bullying, guilt-tripping, aggressive sales pitching pressure. FOUR HOURS! It took him five minutes to run that machine over the carpet he was standing on. Ultimately, I did not give in to his bullying me. Do NOT let these people in your home. Go to Craigslist. All the unhappy buyers there are unloading them for under a hundred bucks.

After using it just once and reading the owners manual, I realized I had made a mistake. Many of the features were falsely advertised during the demonstration, and I asked a lot of questions that were answered with blatant lies to get me to buy the vacuum. The vacuum has a limited 3 year warranty, not a lifetime warranty as I was told. One of the features I was interested in was being able to shampoo furniture. After reading the manual, I discovered that in order to shampoo furniture, you just spray cleaner all over it and then vacuum it once it's dry. Not exactly what I had in mind.

I was also interested in the blower feature, as I planned to use it to clean my garage. After reading the manual, I discovered the blowing feature can only be used for 60 seconds at a time and using it longer than that voids the warranty. Not as convenient as advertised. The carpet shampoo seemed to remove embedded pet smell from my carpets, but after about 2 days the perfume wore off and I realized the smell had only been masked, not removed. I thought having one machine to do it all would be more convenient, but it's actually more convenient to have multiple machines and just grab the one you need rather than having to switch out attachments.

Luckily, I was able to return the vacuum within the 3 day return window. The vacuum was picked up, but my vacuum they took for a trade-in was not returned. I have been assured that I will not be charged, but with how many lies I have been told by this company I'm not very confident that's true. In the end, I felt very uncomfortable with the sales tactics used, and I wasn't thrilled with the vacuum itself either. My old one was much easier to use, and I don't actually care if it leaves some dirt behind.

After telling him several times I did not want the vacuum he still proceeded to do his little demonstration on top of that he put his hose, his shampoos, his box and all his accessories to the vacuum on my brand new couch! I moved it off of my couch and set it on top of his Kirby box he proceeded to ask me personal questions where I live who’s in the military because he obviously saw the stickers on my car telling me he had military discounts, new homeowner discounts on anon, complemented me about my bedroom set and wanted to know if I was a single parent. It was all very personal and very unnerving.

I could not get that man out of my house fast enough. I cannot stand the pressure tactics. He also said to help him out because he was trying to win a trip Kirby may be a good vacuum cleaner but it’s not worth $3000 and then he tells me that he can turn in my other new vacuum and carpet cleaner and with the military and homeowner discount. I don’t to be paying about 1400 out the door box price but of course it cuts into his commission. I don’t like the persistence of these people and then if you tell them, "No thank you," they still want to bring their manager in to talk to you and get personal information. I will never ever buy a Kirby vacuum.

The truth is I did not buy the vacuum from the person they named. Through my own investigation I have determined the name of the dealer/location yet Kirby denies they exist. It is further apparent to me that they will tell lies and manufacture phony evidence (the salesman they named) to save them a dollar. I notified the Kirby representative today that I intend to file suit in small claims court.

Original Review: Yes my first mistake was letting the salesman in my home to do a carpet shampoo free. After paying too much I bought the sales pitch for my wife. She has rheumatoid arthritis badly in her hands and a few months she gave up trying to use the machine and went back to the Dyson. The attachments are so difficult that I can hardly make the changes. In the 10 month of ownership I approached the company wanting to return the machine under the (SENIOR) program, When I learned that the salesman was not a legitimate Kirby representative (so they say) hence they could not help me. The bottom line is Kirby is not interested in protecting their good name, only your money. So beware!!!

Later he called his boss and said that we'll be purchasing the vacuum. Mind you he had not even told us the price of the vacuum. Later he told us it was 2695, so I told him, "Let's first do some research about this vacuum then we'll buy it." He refused and told us that we get it today on a cheaper price which was 2100. He kept insisting, he even showed us a video of Oprah and how bugs' feces end up on our mouths. That's why when people wake up their mouth stinks. We kept insisting we don't have that money. He said we can put 0 down as long as we have a good credit. We told him "Right now we can't buy it." He reduce the price to 1500. The other thing the vacuum he wants to sell to us was the same one he goes around with it to people houses for demonstration. We told him no and he got very upset. He made me very uncomfortable. Am lucky my husband was there, they want to get me to buy something I don't need for 2695. Thank God.

A few notes; a brand new Kirby is like a brand new Mercedes - they're expensive brand new. If you're looking to buy a Kirby, do what I did and buy a used one from eBay or Amazon. A Kirby is not some Chinese made piece of plastic junk - it'll last a lifetime and there are thousands of testimonials to back that up. It's a solid, heavy duty piece of American made machinery and the company has been in business since 1906. The brand has an international reputation for quality and performance that is over a hundred years old - so for those that don't know the history of the company and product, it's sold on a door-to-door basis, however you can find dealers that repair them and sell used ones.

Many reviewers seem to be in sticker shock at the price of a new Kirby, but put it in perspective. An iPad or tablet computer would set you back the same amount and you'd be lucky if the thing lasted 3 years. Used Kirby's are usually in fantastic shape, however there may be one that was used by some idiot to vacuum gravel driveways, so do your homework just like you would with a used car. Once you've familiarized yourself with your Kirby use it properly - don't lug it up and down the stairs, use the proper disposable cloth bags which do an excellent job of catching dust. The suction power on a Kirby is amazing as well. Once a year, just like your car, take it to a Kirby dealer for a major tune up and cleaning. You'll be glad you did. Your Kirby will last you for much longer than any other vacuum cleaner you've ever bought. I know, because every brand of vacuum cleaner I mentioned above, I don't have anymore. They all broke.

I liked it so much, I have bought a second Sentria, identical to it. Not because I had a problem, but because I have a large, single story, 4 bedroom, 2800 sq foot home. My spouse helps with the vacuuming and he was having to use the POS vacuum. So, now we both are vacuuming with the same awesome machines. Are they heavy? Yes, very. I would not recommend “one” for a multi story home. Definitely, get one per floor. But hey, it’s a good thing because these beasts are all metal. There’s very little plastic to break on or in a Kirby vacuum. They are built to last generations. They have suction like no other vacuum I’ve ever used. But it’s true, they do appear be be designed for dust, dirt and crumbs only. They do not pick coins or other small plastic or metal objects. I guess Kirby doesn’t want you to vacuum up something that accidentally made it’s way to the floor. It will spit it back out. Another good thing in my opinion.

He then asked for a towel to prove that the cleaning fluid mixed with water would not soak into your carpet but would dry within 45 minutes and you would just have to vacuum the powder up. It took over 24 hours and even with fans on, the carpet was still damp in some places. There are black blotches all over the carpet, that the vacuum will not take out. Not only that, our tile floor had water marks all over it from the cleaner, so we had to wash the floor again plus clean out the sink he used.

The carpet is now such a mess, we have to hire a carpet cleaning firm to fix it so much for a “free” carpet cleaning. He started out with a high figure for the cleaner, but said he could give us a better deal as he needed the sale to win a ski trip to Tahoe. Because he was unable to make a deal with us, he made four more offers and the end figure ended up 60% less than the starting price. He was not happy when he left and roughly packed his gear up and left. Lesson learned... Nothing is free.

The heaviness of the vacuum is ridiculous. There are plastic connectors to the heavy-metal vacuum part. Every time I pick it up I feel like the handle is going to break off. Carrying it up and downstairs is quite the task. You will be hit in the shins three or four times as you take steps while lifting it. It’s swings around and has no rigidity to the frame of the vacuum. I am not a small woman. I can lift heavy weights. But the effort that this vacuum takes to move from one room to the next or up and downstairs is beyond ridiculous.

I could go all day about how hard it is to put all the attachments on to it. I have read past reviews who said as soon as you get to know the vacuum you will love it. My question for them is, "How much time do you have to play with your vacuum?" Because it is quite intense to put everything together just to vacuum a corner out or a drawer out or stairs off. My suggestion is stay way away from Kirby and their vacuums. You could buy three or four good vacuums for the cost of this one. That would be at least 20 years of vacuums. Don’t buy it.

As far as the comments about the attachments being hard to use and supposedly hard to change. AGAIN most of these people are LAZY. Yes the Kirby's are heavy but that is simply because they are made very well hence the reason they last forever. They clean the best, and are very versatile. I WOULD NOT buy from a salesperson. You can buy a used one for the price you would pay for a piece of garbage at Walmart. Take the time to learn how to use your Kirby and you would be pleased. Kirby is the only way to go.

If the owners saying they don't have suction would only go to Youtube and watch vids or read how to set the machine upright, maybe even paid attention to the demonstration if they ever had one they'd know it's not set correctly so it will indeed fail to pick up dirt & small particles of paper. Its nozzle has to be set correctly or it will fail because Kirby aren't designed to just skim above carpet like a Dirt Devil, Hoover or Dyson etc.

Kirby are deep cleaning units that "when" set up right actually lift the carpet up off the actual floor in front of the suction head. So' if you don't see it lifting carpet you're not setting it right. Having said this Kirby does miss a serious step when teaching operation and so my own trial and error came into play. Missed step? Oh yes' because if you have small paper/plastic/food pieces lying all over the room then one must start with the Kirby vacuum just above the carpet like a cheap vac runs at first. This is where the above mentioned cheap vacs are set even at their lowest settings and why people "think" they clean so great when they actually miss the deep down dirt/sand that destroys all your carpet fibers over time.

Oh yes cheap vacuumed carpets look clean and you see the dirt in the canister but your deep dirt remains unless a Kirby gets it out. In truth "No" vac built today will get it all out not even built in wall vacs but nothing gets you as close to this as a Kirby. NOTHING! Now after what I call the top skimmer setting is ran, I set my Kirby to its "advertised" normal setting position as shown in the Kirby videos.

The reason for an extra step is there is no room between the roller brush and carpet for the larger pieces so it pushes them around since a Kirby actually lifts the carpet up. It's why it cleans under carpets too and others will not come close to that. So I just set mine exactly how Kirby says but I'll raise it a click or two as I encounter any larger pieces sitting on top of the carpet to allow it to pass between brush/carpet. Nothing hard about that and it makes a world of difference. Kirby must know it & should include it.

So if a Kirby working good/bad is all about the setting folks! Also there are several aftermarket bag companies selling bags too restrictive so buyer beware on your bags. Had some bad ones myself. Heavy? Not at all after learning how to use/pick it up correctly. I have 7 bad discs in my back and it's not an issue. I don't have stairs though but learn on vids how to pick one up right. It's not bad.

It's heavier built to last and have real power. Truth is lightweight electric motors have very little copper windings inside and why they simply wear out after a few yrs. Many today now use junk China copper plated aluminum winding even. This is for any electric motor btw, it need the copper to last. It's why Kirbys are passed down generations but many who inherit them have no idea how they even work and leave bad reviews everywhere and touting Dyson's rule when they don't.

They don't mention how many times the cheap vacs been to a shop or they're on their 3rd unit or motor in ten yrs. Simply stop in and ask any vacuum repair shop to see their back room you'll see what truly keeps them in business. Hoovers & Bissels but mainly Dysons line these shops. WATCH A KIRBY VIDEO OR READ UP ON THEM IF YOURS IS NOT VACUUMING, IT WILL HELP IN OPERATION. I ASSURE YOU... By far Kirby makes the best vacs made in over 100 yrs if you know exactly how to operate one. I can only hope these people never ever inherit bulldozers.

I have pets. Vacuum bags do not contain the odor like I was promised. Loud. Loud. Loud. Cuss every time I use it. Height is wrong for anyone under 5'3". Salesmen are full of lies and markup financing is ridiculous. I have never in my 62 years of life been more disappointed in an expensive and worthless purchase. Do not make the same mistake I did. Don't buy this poorly designed piece of equipment!

That was in 2003. Here I am writing a review in 2018. Yes. 15 years. This machine is a tank!! Heavy, well built, and sucks like no other machine. I have a Shark that I use upstairs (which I thought was a good machine) but when I compare the cleaning job done by the Kirby, there is no comparison. It is heavy, switching from upright to using attachments is a pain... Unlike the more "convenient" machines available. But if you want a workhorse that in 15 years all you replaced were belts and a brush... and it can lift your carpet and really clean the dirt... this is it.

Yes the carpet shampooer and vacuum system is pricey. But it is a high-pressure suction that I was looking for and you cannot get that with a regular $60 vacuum. I have nothing to complain about with this product. It is heavy but it needs to be because it's powerful like an engine. It does the job. All the attachments that it comes with I can even clean my windows. So if you're looking for a vacuum carpet cleaning system that will suck up the deep down dirt and pet hair I don't mind paying $1,600 for my vacuum.

Other sales pitches included blowing my leaves with the attachments and blowing up balloons. What garbage. Anyways, I would have nothing to do with it but my poor wonderful better half signed on the dotted line, and they ended up taking my better, lighter vacuum cleaner with them as a trade in. Never, ever buy this product! It is heavy, clunky, and very old school. The upstairs hardly ever gets vacuumed now because it is a pain to lug this 30 pound monstrosity upstairs. About every 2nd vacuuming, the belt begins to snap and I have to change it. And I am very mechanically minded. This is an absolute pain in the **, dismantling this piece of trash and hoping the belt catches on their swivel lock system. Perhaps if there is someone you dislike, give them your Kirby and that would solidify your never reconciling the relationship.

Oh, how sweet the day will be when we replace this piece of junk and I am allowed to put this Kirby in a bonfire!!! Remember, for the price of this model, you literally could buy a new vacuum every three years for the rest of your life! Do the math! This is not worth a tenth of its ridiculous price. And by the way, go talk to your local independent vacuum cleaner repairman. He will definitely steer you away from this product and verify it is NOT truly American made. ** you, Kirby! Go Dyson, or Oreck, or any other brand!

I'm a mess, running on no sleep, trying to clean and deal with the baby. She says, "We're just going to show you something and at the end you tell us a yes or no..." Ok... well here comes another lady with this damn vacuum... says she wants to clean our floors. Um ok, knock yourself out. SHE WAS HERE FOR 5 HOURS! Our only day we have together as a family, and she would not leave! My husband wouldn't come inside until she left so he just found more stuff to do outside. So she's told me all this awesome stuff this vacuum can do and "how dirty my house is" "you don't want your little baby breathing this stuff in" making me feel like a complete failure as a mother.

ANYWAYS long story short I bought this vacuum! No matter how many times I told her we really couldn't afford it and I couldn't justify to my husband spending that much on something like this. Well she got it down to $40 a month so I figured we could do that. Here I am almost 3 months later and every time I look at this vacuum I want to kick it and throw it out of the window! Yeah it "can" do all this "cool stuff" but really it's a bunch of BS! My husband isn't going to lug this big vacuum outside to do the cars, we're not going to use it to spray paint? I can't use the hose while it's in the upright position, I can't stop tripping over it and having to pick it up every 2 mins when it's in sweeper mode.

It's just a completely ridiculous product. Haven't even attempted to try and clean grout or shampoo my furniture, for the worry that I will break the damn thing. It's so complicated. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH WHAT I OWE! $1600 DOWN THE DRAIN. I could buy the Dyson sweeper I wanted, Shark Rotator AND Bissel shampooer for less than what I owe and I would have loved them all! DO NOT FALL FOR THIS HORRIBLE COMPANY.

I wish I could get rid of it. I bought a small vacuum from Walmart for 22$ and it works just as well if not better. Every time I look at the damn machine I want to cry because I now have to pay 150$ for a vacuum I can't use (I DON'T EVEN HAVE CARPET ANYMORE) and struggle to find help to get food. I'm on disability welfare. I can barely afford my bills and that's before groceries. I regret ever opening that door and now I have a fear of answering doors. I hope that trip to Hawaii for the salesmen was worth ruining a young woman's life. I just want it gone and the debt to be over with. No one is even stupid enough to buy it from me.

Beware women because I was left with the woman salesperson for hour and half trying to convince me to buy this product. I mean it was nice but not for 2 grand regardless what it can do. Then instantly when I said I needed to discuss it with my husband, the salesperson said, "Okay. Here's the spouse isn't home discount and have it for free start paying on it in 80 days." I said no constantly. The salesperson kept using scare tactics like, "Do you know how far Indianapolis is because that's where they're from." "You're not cleaning your home well enough for your children." I finally told the salesperson to leave or the cops will be coming. I informed the salesperson, "You're being recorded from my security cameras. I have been texting with 911. I will give you 2 minutes to pack up your things."

Then the salesperson said, "I be back in the morning to speak with your husband." Of course my husband being my husband answer the door with the gun. But the moral of the story is the way the company use a tactic of leaving this woman salesperson in my home and driving off is very clever but so disrespectful. Why I would never buy from this company because it was morally wrong. The company knew most women wouldn't make her sit in the cold waiting for a ride or walking in the dark unfamiliar location with this heavy equipment.

It was a very long demonstration. He kept telling me that I was a very smart woman. It was concerning for him to say “I get a strong sense there is not a man in your life.” I did not tell him I was widowed but wondered if the price varies based on marital status. It was also concerning that he did not ask permission to go into my bedroom to demonstrate mattress cleaning feature. That seemed over the line.

4 1/2 hours later I told him the demonstration was over. Coincidentally I do not have cell service so it was interesting watching him attempting to depart. Interestingly, he did not asked me if I wanted to make a purchase. He said what I like to pay for this with cash check or charge card. I just looked at him. Any company that sells exclusively door to door and not in stores and online is suspicious to me. Vacuum cleaner company that can all of a sudden drop their price by $500 because my son is a veteran, I am a senior citizen et cetera et cetera et cetera is suspicious. He also told me he was shocked that I could not make one recommendation since I have had my cottage for 35 years and would not recommend a single person. Don’t do I know anybody up here? How rude. How insulting. I don’t need a Kirby salesman to tell me I’m a very smart woman.

I found a person selling a used one for $50 because they had just bought the newest version. The version I got was the Sentria, so not that old at all. It has been well taken care of. I got home and I vacuumed the whole house. The new bag I had put in ended up getting completely full—that's how dirty our carpet was even though I vacuumed religiously. I've had this vacuum for two years now and today I used the shampooer on a stinky rug that my dog vomited on. It cleaned it well and took the smell out. I want to now list the pros and cons of the system.

PROS: It doesn't just vacuum. You can shampoo, use as an air pump, sand things, and a ton more... Kirby's last forever. They are the Toyota of vacuum cleaners. Changing the bags are easy. Putting on basic attachments and using the regular head is easy. Finding parts is easy since you can find pretty much anything in Amazon. Great suction. Versatile. Durable (I spent the same amount of money in vacuums over a 7 yr period when I could have just bought the Kirby). CONS: It's clunky and heavy. There are tons of parts so reading the manual is a must if you want to do more than basic vacuuming. It's hard to find a system that isn't being sold by a salesman. Sales tactics suck when you come in contact with a salesperson. (JUST BUY USED AND SKIP THE MAN.)

Most of the reviews I read had more to do with the sales tactics than the actual machine. The ones where people had complaints about the machines was because they didn't want to do the work to put the attachments on or didn't read the instructions. You actually don't even have to read now. There's tons of videos on YouTube with how to use the Kirby. Overall, Kirby is a great product. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. It cleans better than store bought vacuums and it lasts forever. I'd recommend buying used or going to a vacuum/sew shop and purchasing—skip the salesman. They are independent sellers and can price things how they want.

Anyway, a man knocked at the door and has holding a bottle of Method All Purpose Cleaner. We just moved into this house so I thought it was a neighbor before opening the door. Not a neighbor. He said he owns a carpet cleaning business and was offering a free carpet cleaning for 1 room today only as a promotion so I can spread the word about his business. Well, we did want our carpets cleaned because we just moved in and the carpet is stained. So, I said, "Ok but why free?" He said, "Because I'm promoting my business."

I let him in, only because my husband was also home. He pulled out a Kirby and was telling me this is what they use to clean carpets. Ok cool, I thought that's nice, they have a nice expensive carpet cleaner to use. He starts showing me how it works. Ok, I guess he wants me to know that they use the best carpet cleaners. Nope! He wanted me to pay $3500 for it! After 2.5 hours of him trying to clean my carpets we tell him that we are not going to spend that much on a vacuum cleaner.

He proceeds to tell me that he is helping out a friend and he has 48 free Kirbys for selling 600 of them and that he can give me this one for $1,000 plus a private $200 cash tip. Ok that's weird! Really weird! Drop the price magically by that much huh? We still ended up saying no. I literally just bought my Meile 2 weeks ago for $500 so I wasn't going to buy another expensive vacuum cleaner. He tried telling me that my Meile was no good and that it just smashes dirt into my carpets. He offered to purchase my old vacuum cleaners from me in exchange for purchasing the Kirby. No no no! I didn't want to spend that much money on a vacuum cleaner!

Finally we told him we will tip him for his time, so he would leave. Wrote him a check. I did cancel the check though because he came to my house and entered my house in a fraudulent manner. He lied about why he was there! He said FREE carpet cleaning. Well if I felt forced to pay him to leave, then it wasn't free! So, now it's free because I stopped payment on the check.

These salesmen I'm sure do not work for Kirby, I really don't know. He said he was the general manager and that he just bought a house for $450k. Whatever dude, I'm sure it was all lies. Why would he tell me how much he spent on a house? To impress me? He also told me that he just sold 12 Kirbys in my town. Yeah right! Nobody here can afford that much for a vacuum cleaner. Kirby vacuums are super high quality, just don't buy from these people that knock on the door. I'm sure you can buy them from a vacuum cleaner shop or on the internet from a legit source.

So Felipe who was Hispanic, shows up and I notice he was carrying a Kirby. He takes the machine out and does his speech and proceeded to demonstrate on my ceiling fans and vents, then he goes to my couch and demonstrates vacuuming, then to my kitchen chairs, and my area rugs. I'm very impressed with the machine as he doing his demonstration. He finally gets to vacuuming the 1 room and he even vacuum the bed which was really weird. He shampoo the carpet which is only a year old, but it did smell good. Afterwards, he ask me what did I think, I told him I like it, but I had to wait for my husband to get here because he was the only one working in the home.

So my husband gets home and by then it's dang there 8 p.m. and he's still in our home. To make a long story short, my husband said no, and the Closer who was from Ukraine, his name was Anatolio was trying really hard to get my husband to change his mind and even went as far as saying, "I talked to my supervisor and he said to discount it from $2995.00 to $1500.00." My husband still said no, and the Closer wouldn't give up, asking my husband all kinds of personal questions regarding his finance and by then my husband is irritated and wants them gone. Finally after 1.5hrs later, they finally leave.

I KNOW THAT KIRBY is responding to these complaints and stating: “...while we aren’t affiliated with our third party resellers...” which is a LIE because as I'm reading through all these complaints, everyone of the complaints are similar and from different STATES, which tells me that KIRBY is training all these harassing Kirby sellers to be aggressive and to lie by any means, using different competitions as their sales pitch. Now I know why KIRBY won't sell to the public, it's because they can have a third party do it for them and then lie and say they're not affiliated with the third party.

KIRBY YOU'RE TRAINING DECEITFUL LIARS AND RUDE THIRD PARTIES. Kirby you should be ashamed of yourself!!! You know YOU'RE AFFILIATED WITH THESE SCUMS and training them... People if you get a knock or call asking to shampoo a room for free. Slam your doors and hang up the phone. They're selling refurbish Kirby not new Kirby. Don't give into harassment from them. I hate even giving them 1 star.

I know have 3 separate debt collection issues #1 the repossesion #2 Bordeaux finance (the company who financed the purchase and #3 Jade financial services who have been allocated the task of recovering the cost. the last two seem to keep changing the prices oh and it's not just a problem for my name but also my partner so under his name the bill is for $3115 with jade financial services and with me its $4130 with Jade with Bordeaux Finance.

I have not clue the amount they have but it does come up under both. Then I read a bill last night for $3600 and my partner opens one last night for $4900. I don't deny that we were under a contract but I refuse to pay any money until that is cleared up and if Kirby is sooo good at what they do perhaps they could drop the amount for all the hassle or clear the damn bill all together as it's an overpriced piece of junk!!! Highly unhappy New Zealand customer.