10. The girl who knocked on the door totally lied to me. This would not be quick and free. Read on.
9. When I asked what to do with the dirty filter papers, the demo guy said “You can throw them away,” completely ignoring my silent, passive-aggressive request for HIM to throw them away.
8. I prefer to remain ignorant about how much dirt and sand lurks under the pile of my carpet.
7. They don’t realize that I’m kind of a big deal on Twitter.
6. They’re not on Twitter.
5. The salesman who did the demo is only 19 and lives with his parents. Part of his pitch was that I would help him win a trip to Disney World if I bought the product. As if my goal in life was to help him win a trip to Disney World.
4. The “quick, obligation-free” no-cost carpet cleaning turned into a three-hour product demonstration with a hard sell attached that cost me time, which is as precious as money.
3. The salesmen disregarded my concern that I couldn’t make the purchase decision without consulting my husband. Even after I told them that my marriage is worth the extra money it would cost to let this one-time offer pass me by.
2. It costs the same as a great IRA contribution, a beat up used car, preschool tuition for 6 months, or two new Mac laptops.
And the number 1 reason I decided not to buy a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner:
1. My husband told me not to.
Updated: We have had so many bad experiences with door-to-door salespeople since this happened that I wrote this post: 6 Awesome “No Soliciting” Signs For Your Front Door.
MomHOP says
Hahahahah….so you LET these people in??? You could have also told them to GET OUT!!!
Kim Tracy Prince says
But then I would have missed the story! See how I sacrifice for my art?
Julia says
Reason #11 — it’s ugly! That thing looks like a science fiction alien about to suck you into that pod and slowly eat you over a month’s time…Well, maybe that’s a bit strong.
3 hours???
Molly says
Well why didn’t you send him my way? I have just been sitting around waiting for a kid to knock on my door who was wanting to go to Disney World. I mean, forget that my own kids want to go and all…
Desiree Eaglin says
Too bad. I love my Kirby. He’s actually my boyfriend. Of course, I didn’t have to pay for my Kirby, it was bestowed upon me. Casey’s grandpa bought one because he thought the salesgirl was cute. He had 2 other vacuums already. Score for me.
MIchelle says
Thats what it looks like today? Isn’t it cheaper to just buy new carpet?
IlinaP says
You let them in?! And this is still Kirby’s sales model? I asked for a Dyson for Mother’s Day. My husband scoffed. But I really want one.
Auntie Rola says
I agree with Julia. Very ugly! Looks like something out of the first season of Star Trek, but there is no dirt in space.
Vaneeta says
Thats funny. We have a similar story about the solar panel salesman. As for the vacuum, we have a i robot rumba. I put it on and leave the room. The best kind of vacuuming.
Lisa says
I’d have to add that I love my Dyson on this list (though that did cost a pretty penny).
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting says
It amazes me how the pitch doesn’t change. Them and those “Rainbow” vacuum folks, they do the same thing. Truth be told, it IS an awesome vacuum if you can do the payments (mine was only $40 a month for 3 years, I think). So far, I’ve had mine 8 years, and it was sold to me by good, honest sellers who did NOT lie to get in my house (like the lady did yesterday, telling me she was a new carpet cleaning business wanting to spread the good word about the work they do). I have no qualms about getting another if this one should ever kick the bucket, but so far, so good. *knocks on wood* Before this, I was replacing vacs every couple of years.
Cheryl says
I used to sell the Kirby Vacuums a couple years until I got pregnant and then I gave it up as the equipment was pretty heavy. I do love mine even though people in my family call it an antique…it is a Generation 4 model. To the lady that loves hers, for a lot less than a new one, you can take it in to the Kirby store and they will refurbish it, from putting new brushes in the motors to new wheels, belts, rollers, bag (outer), headlight, and then they polish it up and it looks like brand new. This is a lifetime service, and they warranty it all too. I have a Generation 3 with a broken impeller, it will take just a few dollars to repair it and I will have one for upstairs and one for downstairs. LOVE MY KIRBY, and by the way, I was selling at least 2 to 3 a week and doing one to two demonstrations en evening or afternoon and evening. Better than dust cup vacuums, as I do not have to handle the dust with my asthma and COPD. The bag system has been 99.9% for filtration for many many years now, and my physicians all approve of it as well.
MJ says
#7 “They don’t realize I’m kind of a big deal on Twitter” Wow, yeah I don’t think so.
#8,#6 you sound so dumb. #5 stuck up much? #1 wait….. is this the 1930s?
Diana says
This is so amazing. I wish I had found this article before Tuesday April 3rd, 2013 happened to me. I agree with #10, #5, #4, #2 these are the ones that happened to me.
At least yours was only 3 hours, mine was 5 hrs. And at the end of the ordeal I had one very angry 70 yrs old mother because she did not get the tiles cleaned like they promised to do when the sales girl came to the door. I saw what an amazing product it is, but I’m already as far stretched out financially that one more bill will tip my scale over. They must have been hard up for cash because they were willing to give me the training model for $1250 plus interest. Which would have been great if I could have done so. I was very angry and the young lady tho, because she lied to us claiming it was a cleaning company having a promotion, last day of the sale, and that they would clean our tiles for free. By the end of the presentation, amazingly I didn’t loose my temper, throw them out on their ear or call the police on this one as I had to do to the rainbow guy who wouldn’t leave my house at mid night till he got his sale, yea right. AT the end we felt lied to, cheated and with a bad taste in our mouth. And although I did love the KIRBY, I don’t want to do business with a company that lies to get in your door. We need to spread the word around and tell enough people so they don’t end up being used like the rest of us have. Thankfully I had an angry mother to keep me from going over board. I do hope to own one but will buy it from an honest man 🙂
Kim Tracy Prince says
Sorry to hear that Diana!
G6 says
Holy shit you are one old skanky bitch.
Cleaners Wellington says
With some points I am agreeing with it and with some points I am not because it is good to use. My sister has gifted me this equipment for cleaning. In staring I really enjoyed, but after a few months it’s irritating me because it is too heavy to move.
Kirby Man says
Alright, I would like to start by saying I am sorry for a lot of what I am reading about how people were treated at the door and also being ignored or what have you. I am 25 years old. I do not live with my parents, but I do sell Kirby home care systems for a living. I have a loving wife and a little man (19 months) back home to support and provide for. They are my driving force in life and I do not know what I would do with out them.
Basically, I would ask that you not stereo-type “Those Kirby sales people” by your misfortunate events. I am an honest hard working individual. I great you at the door with what I have to offer you, and am straight with you through out the entire demonstration. It should not take 3 or 5 hours. I stay on task and can easily show you anything and everything you need or want to know about the Kirby and what it can do for you in 1-1.5 hours.
That may seem long to some, but the Kirby system is not just a vacuum. It does so much more then that. It truly is the top in the market for what it does as well. Hence why its been featured on Oprah, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, in Better Homes and Gardens magazine and many other places.
As to the price of the Kirby, it certainly seems steep when you just look at it as a vacuum. But it is not just a vacuum. If you go out and purchase all the equipment it would take to do what Kirby system can do for you (e.g. Upright vacuum, Canister Vacuum, Shampooer, Sweep and Mop, Buffer, ect.) You would be paying so much more than that. Not to mention it is a lifetime warranty product that offers rebuild and replacement.
And I saw one ladies comment about would it not just be cheaper to replace the carpet. To answer that, no. Carpet is expensive. To re-carpet and mid to small size home, your looking2.5-5k and up. Hardwood re-finish and replacement is even more than that. And proper care can keep you from having to replace or refinish. So now we are talking saving really big. Seems heavy upfront, I know, but look down the road. Even if the Kirby system keeps you from redoing your floors once in your lifetime, it has not only paid for itself, but put money back into your pocket. But if used properly, the Kirby system will keep you from having to redo any flooring in your house due to typical wear and tear for the most part.
And no, this is not Kirby training brainwash I am feeding you. I am speaking from my own personal experience and knowledge of floor care and so on from my previous career before Kirby. I am certified in a number of areas for commercial cleaning of all floor types. It burns me to here how people say that you can expect to replace carpet every 5 to 10 years cause it will just be worn out. That just is not true. With proper care, there is no reason carpet cannot last you 45-50 years or even longer still looking fresh. And proper care does not include ridiculous labor-some hours of cleaning and maintenance every day or even every week. It most likely takes less time then what you spend cleaning now. It takes just a few moments a week with the proper tools. And when it comes to carpet, hardwood, vinyl, tile, or linoleum, and all your other hose cleaning needs, Kirby is the most efficient and affordable proper tool set available.
Thats why I decided to work for them. It is a genuine product, with a genuine need. If there was something better out there, I would be working for them. And I have to tell the other lady that the Dyson she so badly wants will not offer the proper care, and you can expect to replace carpet in 5-10 years(2.5k-5k at least), and you can also expect to replace that Dyson at least once during that time if not more(700×2 at least). And if your saying you cannot afford a Kirby (1.5-2.5k), then you most certainly will not be able to afford all that(carpet+dysons=3.9k-6.4k). And thats just talking strictly carpet. Since the Dyson does not shampoo you will have to pay someone to do it or bay another machine that you will once again probably have to replace during that 5-10 years ($$$$$) and the Dyson does not mop or buff any hard floorings($$$) If your set on buying a typical vacuum, save your money and don’t spend more than $200 on one. Cause they all end up cleaning the same after that price range. You will not find the proper cleaning equipment sold in any department stores anymore when it comes to floor care. That is the sad truth.
I would encourage anyone who disagrees with anything I have said to do some research and become knowledgable about it before just blasting an uneducated bias response. I am not pro Kirby am am pro clean and care for homes. And right now after application of my knowledge/experience and heavy research, Kirby is at the top when it comes to that. Thank you for your time and patience with reading this. I hope the best for everyone, and I wish I had been there to accurately demonstrate the Kirby systems and the amazing benefits it had to offer for each of you and your homes after reading some of your most unfortunate experiences. God Bless.
Laura Saylor says
The comments im reading is so petty! You dont buy a vacuum because it looks pretty you buy it because it,works! I use to own One and am considering buying another just because they work so well! The price is worth The product ladies! If you think its not.pretty put a bow on it!
kelly says
Laura Saylor, VERY poignant point on the ‘looks’ of a vacuum. I mean, who cares what it looks like, do buy a broom b/c of how it looks? or a hair brush, a cooking pot etc?
Pixiemom says
Lady, you really DO need your husband’s help. I’m sad that one of your main reasons not to purchase an expensive appliance is its appearance. This sounds like the kind of teen-angsty kind of thing I hear out of the middle schoolers I teach. Next you’ll be saying you encourage your daughter to act stupid so she can attract boys. Second, I heard no logic in any of your statements, only opinions based upon feelings. Grow up. As for being passive-agressive, this is the kind of game women play that lose them respect from men….either have the courage to say what you mean or don’t complain when the world does not bow to your no-you’re-not-really-a-big-thing-on-twitter-butt.
Kim Tracy Prince says
Ha ha, you’re adorable. Also, you’re not paying attention. I don’t have a daughter.
Daitoria says
hi my name is Daitoria and i work for kirby jt to let u guys know we make money and go on trips if u buy or dnt buy the kirby it really work theres a new modle every 6/ years..when u purchase u dnt really have t..o pay all the money u can give us 50.00 every month or week matter fact u let us know how much u wanna pay .. good things aren’t cheap and cheap things aren’t good..!!! jt so u know!!
Kyrie Smith says
I LOVE my Kirby. Door to door salesmen may get a bit annoying, but a great product that lasts a lifetime is worth every bit of the hassle.
peggy d says
I got my first Kirby in about 1969, brand new with all the attachments, and the Demo that went on and on and a price I couldn’t afford at the time. Twenty years later I went to my local Kirby shop and ended up buying the Demo model from the previous year minus most of the attachments which I already knew I’d never use. So here I am another 20 years down the road and I just purchased my third Kirby a G4 not a brand new one. I think I’m set for the remainder of my life. By the way several years ago I had my carpets professionally cleaned.. and well into it I was asked if I had a Kirby, I was told”thought so, we can tell”. I am a die hard Kirby fan even if it is ugly and heavy. So are tanks, but they do a good job!! How many Hoovers, Bissells etc would last over 20 years? None!
Reina wertz says
liar . they are a great company !!! & that’s the only way they advertise .
Business Sales Executive (kirby) says
Not a great company you say, the business has been on the go for 102 years this year…yes that sounds like a shit company!! No other product on the Market comes close to the Kirby, yes it’s an expensive piece of equipment but it’s built to last and cleans your home correctly…wouldn’t you say a healthy and clean home is your top priority?!
Blake says
You probably have to ask your husband if you can go pee … You deserve dirty carpet … If I were the salesman I would have not been in your filthy hovel more than a few minutes … I’d have known right away what a nasty house keeper you are and don’t care how disgustingly dirty it is … Go ask your husband if you can buy a bar of soap …
Sarah K. says
Door to door sales people can be quite a pain. But darling, try not to discount any vacuum cleaners just because your husband asks you not to. You may be missing a gem!
BestAida says
I have noticed you don’t monetize your page, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn additional cash every month because you’ve
got hi quality content. If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for:
Ercannou’s essential adsense alternative
BestAida recently posted…BestAida
Alex says
Hey thanks for the tips, you know I am looking for a vacuum cleaner for my office and home and I was thinking to buy this one but you saved me thanks.
coesecurity says
Within a permissioned blockchain transactions are validated and processed by participants that are already recognized by the ledger. Even though this is the case, there is still a challenge and issue of trust. How can one ensure the blockchain is secure and trustworthy in order to avoid the substantial impact of a cyberattack? The answer is by building security into your blockchain technology from the start, through strong authentication and cryptography key vaulting.
Beatrice Jordan says
Greetings,
In today’s current production World, vacuum generation performs a crucial position in pretty much each industry. From meals packaging and plastic extrusion to chemical distillation and woodworking router tables … all of those applications, and lots of more, in reality wouldn’t be feasible without vacuum. This method that selecting the proper form of vacuum pump to in shape a software is extraordinarily critical for now no longer handiest the performance of the process, however the fine of the quit product. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual place to expect that producing dependable and green vacuum simply includes plugging withinside the vacuum pump and letting it drop to the desired level – so the form of vacuum generation isn’t critical, proper? Wrong!
Peter Black says
I respect your decision not to purchase a Kirby vacuum cleaner, I must express a differing viewpoint. Kirby has consistently earned praise for its durability, powerful suction, and versatile cleaning capabilities. The investment in a Kirby often pays off with long-term performance, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, their reputation for excellent customer service and extensive warranties adds significant value. It’s crucial to consider user experiences that highlight the positive aspects and potential long-term savings, emphasizing the overall quality that sets Kirby apart. Ultimately, individual preferences vary, but it’s essential to acknowledge the brand’s strengths and positive customer testimonials.