Guard yourself from pushy sales tactics

[@StaciLearns]

Years ago when I was a teenager a Kirby salesman came knocking on the door. While in the demonstration portion of the sale the tornado sirens went off. My parents told the guy 4 times to discontinue the demonstration so we could go to the basement but he wouldn't. He kept pushing the sale until my dad took his vacuum and put it on the porch, telling him there will be no sale here get out and don't come back.

[@electrolux333]

good on your dad staci.

[@rocksoliddude1]

Your dad is an American hero for doing that

[@daeljuma]

"So which plan works best for you?" The one where you leave under your own power...

[@rhoonah5849]

My ex-wife and I were just going through our divorce and she screwed me by scheduling a Kirby vacuum demo and then taking off as the guy got there. I listened to his demo and then told him that I was getting a divorce and wasn't interested. He asked me if I could provide him any contacts and I said "sure, hold on" so I grabbed my soon-to-be ex's address book and proceeded to give him the names and number of every friend in her address book. She was apparently questioned for months by pissed off friends wondering why she gave them their names. She never knew it was me :)

[@DARK_AMBIGUOUS]

Lol 😂🤣😅 that’s actually soooo funny

[@rhoonah5849]

@@DARK_AMBIGUOUS It put a little smile on my face during a rather dark time :)

[@laurametheny1008]

She wasn't very smart was she? Couldn't figure out it was YOU?? Jeepers.🤭

[@rhoonah5849]

@@laurametheny1008 Nope. She wasn't too bright but she did have something in common with that vacuum cleaner... they both suck.

[@szqsk8]

Dude that was savage! 💪

[@antoniomiller367]

Soooo, what exactly does this vacuum do for over 3 grand? That shit better clean the whole house, mow the lawn, cook meals and give massages.

[@Boodieman72]

You can get a good used Kirby for $100-$600, sometimes less. As most parts of a Kirby haven't changed in the last 20+ years and you can still buy parts for them. From what I have seen and watched on YT it seems the actual Kirby vacuum is very good which is probably why most people that like them bought used ones and skipped the sales pitch.

[@amyhern2154]

It does all that except cook

[@aaronramirez2610]

It does all that and more,like take you to work,tuck you in at night as well . Well worth the money.

[@MrTheOKDrummer]

Kirby has a turbo sander and scouring device that can actually massage as well. All completely safe.

[@dlynn101]

@@amyhern2154 well that isn't fucking enough. I sued these fuckers and WON HAHAHA

[@thomasedwin1]

No vacuum cleaner in the world is worth $3000. Does it come with a v-8 engine and can you drive it to the store?

[@rocksoliddude1]

I paid $90 for mine and it cleans just fine

[@askjeevescosby2928]

They are great vaccumes but they don't expect to get 3000. As a sales person saying 3000 gives you room to "discount" for 1100 which is what most of them go for it's a decent price for what you are getting. These things last for ever we only use kirbys at my work have a fleet if 7 kirbys to clean the building. They are the only vaccume I know that can pull dirt out of the short carpets we have.

[@s1234pro]

These salesmen are under such pressure by the managers to sell the product or "else". Also, they're being paid straight commission. No salary. Horrible job.

[@tonyy3366]

Nah its a great way to become a solid entrepreneur

[@dlynn101]

@@tonyy3366 it's ALWAYS a latino defending them ALWAYS. what's the deal with that?

[@roninjolin7687]

You're both right. Kirby has its ups and downs. One thing for sure it's not for snow flakes who melt under pressure

[@dotabloo]

D Lynn Antonio is an Italian name... From the Roman name Antonius?

[@bonson9156]

@@tonyy3366 a solid used car salesman

[@zudemaster]

I stopped by my parents house one night and in the living room was three dirtballs who looked like they just stepped out of prison trying to push one of these crappy Kirby vacuum cleaners on them. My parents didn't want them there, they wanted them to leave and they wouldn't. they were determined to pressure them into buying. I told them to leave, they still wouldn't. So I get on the phone with 911, then they got extremely agitated and aggressive. Cussing at us while packing the stuff up. The cops got there and ran the guys ID's, low and behold 2 of them had warrants out for their arrests. That is the kind of people Kirby hires.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

yeah. everyone hates the cops. until you need one.

[@OwenMichtofen-rx5yz]

suzycreamcheesez Sad but you can’t blame people when you see how much misconduct goes on

[@AJDaniels5298]

Yep. My dad was a Kirby salesman for awhile and he was a Slimeball™️

[@seven6590]

@@suzycreamcheesez4371 Just because we need police in society doesn't mean we should accept most of the cops being worthless morons you idiot.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

@@seven6590 golly gee Seven! You sound vexed! miffed! irked! But you know you can do better than "idiot"! Bring it on! Dont disappoint us. We're waiting! aloha from Mensa! As Metallica says nothing else matters!! and you're no Frank Zappa fan!

[@redryderaus]

I was briefly a sales rep for a different product line here in Australia. When I started we received clear training on what we could and could not do and say. I then went out with my sales leader and he proceeded to break every law in the book to make the sale. I resigned immediately and reported him and the company to the Trade Practices Commission here in Australia.

[@drbichat5229]

You can buy a car for that money. Then use your new car to drive to Walmart and get a normal vacuum cleaner

[@Engimoder]

What kinda vacuum costs more than a first car

[@BrooklynBalla]

For 2,300 you can buy a car that might last 1 year if your lucky.

[@knelson3484]

I know, eh!!!

[@harrytinoa9236]

Plastic vacuums are disgusting

[@randyweaver3617]

It won't have the power of Kirby. Mine will lift the carpet off the floor

[@christopherbradley5575]

Anything sold door to door and NOT in stores is almost always a bad product.......except Girl scout cookies. Girl scout cookies are ok.

[@stockloc]

Christopher Bradley They have soy.

[@jayescudero2149]

Christopher, that statement is wrong, there are a ton of great products any category that are not available in stores, only through a specialty seller, that’s a very smart and profitable sales strategy, don’t hate, and yes, those cookies are excellent

[@ryandogandkitty8544]

Mmmmmmm Cookies

[@mrknizzle09]

Girl Scout cookies>life. I will murder someone for the last box of thin mits

[@Anon_Fox]

most well known security companies sell door to door..

[@richstewart1]

I was stupid enough to let them in back in the 80's. Two middle eastern men and one woman. When I found out the price of 2000 bucks I told them I wasn't going to pay that much, or anywhere close to that much, for a vacuum leaner. They got highly hostile at me. I thought they were going to attack me at one point. I couldn't get rid of them. My roommate came home at that point and under threat of calling the police, they finally left. Never again.

[@-108-]

That's not about them being salesmen; It's more about them being terrorists.

[@chriskibodeaux9818]

Ur also lying through ur teeth!!! Middle eastern in the 80s?!! Pure lies!

[@-108-]

@@chriskibodeaux9818 Oh, right! Because Middle Eastern people didn't even exist in the '80s! BUSTED!!!

[@chriskibodeaux9818]

@@-108- of course they exist don’t be dense!!! But no brown person of any skin tone was going door to door in the 80s!!!

[@-108-]

@@chriskibodeaux9818 DIDN'T EXIST, I says.

[@Jch79]

$3000 for a vacuum? My insane laughter would make these guys leave on their own....

[@PlntPeace]

People, just throw these people out of your house, when you hesitate, they see weakness. Don't be WEAK !

[@SolidSonicTH]

But I'll hurt their feelings if I don't hear them out!

[@sunnydaze2359]

@@SolidSonicTH Believe it or not, stupid me used to feel like that. I’ve let a couple of them in the past & boy was that a bad idea. Now I never open my door for anyone but friends and family !

[@mrsparex]

Years ago I was working 2 jobs... Rainbow salesman wouldn't leave. Wife and I went on to bed and left him sitting alone in living room. He was gone the next morning. True story. Thankfully I'm smarter than that now.

[@ericaschaidt8588]

mrsparex thankfully nothing happened to you and your wife. He could have harmed y’all, robbed you etc. Definitely lucky.

[@optiKalismo]

LMAOOOO

[@mrsparex]

@@optiKalismo She went to bed first... I had worked that day and only had 4 hours left to sleep... the guy just kept on with his sales pitch. We lived in small town and I was younger and dumber (now I'm older and less dumb)... but that honestly happened.

[@optiKalismo]

@@mrsparex it's so crazy that they were that persistent though, lol, unbelievable

[@lesliet8387]

As someone who worked for Kirby for a week, I can't express enough how much of a scam this vacuum is. They train you in a large room with many other people, showing you how to use the vacuum and giving you verbal tools to use when trying to make a sale. This seemed fairly normal for a sales company, until they start listing what the sales pitches are. They told us that when you wake up, sometimes some people get a film layer on their teeth (I'm sure some of you know, its a dry mouth thing that happens when your lip meets your teeth as you sleep... fairly common)... well they said that film was caused by bed bugs and it meant you had bed bugs crawling on you, in your mouth, living in your mattress. They wanted us to tell people this, and explain how Kirby vacuums were strong enough to get rid of the bugs from your bed. What?! They didn't tell this to us as if we understood this was bullcrap, they said it as if it were true, trying to get us to believe it. Needless to say, I didn't go back after that day. For those that don't know, bedbugs do not cause a film layer on your teeth, nor can a vacuum take care of a bedbug problem (which Kirby salesmen will tell you that you have, even though you most likely don't).

[@santaanaluna4563]

A few salesmen/ woman came to my house today, they told me if I could do them a favor because the girl only had to do one demo before she went to lunch, I felt bad for her so I said ok, I told them from the start I wasn’t buying. I thought it was going to be quick but they brought a whole transformer in my house . Showed me piece after piece.. in my head I was like bitch I thought you were going to lunch! they tried to go in my room.. I was like wtf.. NO!..they tried so many pitches, ( including shaming me for my dusty sofa and carpet 🤨needless to say I was ANGRY) and I told them there’s no way I’d pay $3000.00 for a vacuum.. they wouldn’t let up, I told them I’ll buy it if you sell it for $200.00. They said no. I was annoyed and my niceness had expired. Definitely won’t let any salesmen in my house again. 😒😒

[@gaylachalumeau1925]

NEVER open the door to salespeople especially if they have Kirby. You don’t need an excuse in this era not to open your door to strangers clipboard or not.

[@napoliansolo7865]

My mom would answer the door and if it was a sales person she would scream NO! and slam the door. Worked pretty good for her. When you say things like I don't think I want to buy anything today, you're not being assertive enough. You need to say I'M NOT GOING TO BUY IT and then say GET OUT!

[@uppitywhiteman6797]

This is an excellent general rule. I use it on bums a lot. Spare change? *NO!*

[@Lawrencerice]

As soon as that clown turned hostile, he would have been staring down the barrel of my hand gun.

[@kckdude913]

Seriously what gives these fucks the right to yell at someone in that person's own house?

[@TaDarling1]

I'm surprised that people still invite salespeople into their home. We live in a very dangerous world with a lot of untrustworthy people. A thief pretending to be a salesman could be looking around your house for items of value or checking out your security system and a pedophile might try to find out if you have children.

[@-108-]

Or monkeys might fly out of their butt, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEMONSTRATION! Yeah, it's pretty risky dealing with people whom you do not know. Better stop talking to people altogether, as you never know if they are lying to you. People lie a lot, you know.

[@TaDarling1]

@@-108- You sound exceptionally credible...like someone intimately familiar with monkeys flying out of your butt.

[@zachlovescats95]

Lol this type of comment is made by privileged white people

[@noelinesmith6846]

I am Aussie and I nearly got sucked in by this sales tactic when I had a young woman come to my door and tell me I won a free home demonstration on their cleaning product. She was in my home for two hours and I could not get rid of her and guess what they wanted nearly 3 grand for a bloody vac. I am on a Pension and live in a rental. I just laughed and told her to forget it and then she calls her manager. Wow they are pushy. I was so glad when she finally packed up her gear and left my home. Kirby really are a dreadful company. I lost count the number of times I said no I wasn't interested.

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

I see what you did there when you said "sucked in"! _(6/3/2023)_

[@moe47988]

I don't understand why it would take 2 hours to demonstrate a vacuum cleaner

[@PNWresistance]

I basically had to tell the guy to gtfo of my house after I told them no over and over.

[@Megatron-sl5us]

My mom bought a Kirby machine for $1400. The company wanted to see it for $3K. They accidentally called a customer who they sold it for $1400 and that customer told us to negotiate it down to that price or tell them no, thanks. The Kirby Reps were mad, but sold us the vacuum. Ten years later, mom got rid of it for a Hoover featherweight vacuum. Years later, finally, I bought the Shark Vertex lightweight corded vacuum. It was the best vacuum I've ever owned. Furthermore, it only cost me around $230. Compare mine to today's Kirby vacuum, which now costs around $4k. How Kirby is still in business is beyond me.

[@anonyninja7737]

This is going to happen as long as there are people working "on commission". The ONLY way this will ever be resolved is if commission pay is outlawed.

[@-108-]

Yeah, stated by a real snowflake's snowflake.

[@Monkeyseemonkeydo97]

Loser talk

[@glitzyglam7827]

Saying things like “ I don’t think” or I’m not making a decision today do not work with these people! Be clear. NO. I do not want it!! Period.

[@productjunkie9235]

DONT ANSWER THE DOOR.....🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@whelenvortexr4]

I bought one this summer and signed up for the in home demonstration on Kirby's website. I had an amazing salesman snd before he came I told him I didn't want the shampooer, because mine works fine. I told him I just wanted to basic package. He was very understanding and helpful.

[@jonathonrossebo1783]

I have had at least 3 encounters with Kirby salesman. The first time time they stopped by no sale because I didn't have the money to buy, second time I bought a brand new Sentria original asking price for the whole system with shampooer $2498.00 but they took approx. $1,000 off because I was trading in 2 vacuums(Hoover and Kirby Classic III, both red.) purchased new for $1500.00, third time the salesman talked himself down to $1,000 for a brand new Avilir 2 even though I told him I wanted to keep the 2 Kirby's I already own 😜. None of the salesman were rude or particularly pushy with me. They acted professional around me and every time it was someone different. The third time was because I needed to replace the missing bag assembly on a Kirby Heritage that someone gave me, never bought the Avalir 2 but I did buy a gently used Avalir from him because I said I like the black and red color scheme for $300.00 for the whole system and was like new. I decided to buy it because it was too good to pass up and if I have to take my Sentria in to be rebuilt I don't know when I will get it back and I would be without a good vacuum in the meantime. As far as salesman go you can't believe everything you hear. Sometimes you have to find out for yourself. You won't regret buying a Kirby. I know because I own 3 now. 1 new and 2 pre-owned.

[@whelenvortexr4]

@Jonathon Rossebo I went to the Kirby store by me and when I bought bags for my Avalir 2, the owner gave my a Heritage 84. I'm going to restore it when I get time.

[@mygirl3066]

What kind of idiot invites a vacuum cleaner salesman into their house?

[@jamesba-xd7xf]

only $3500 for a vacuum cleaner?? LMAO!, the second that guy told me that Id say "get the hell out of here!"

[@Eyeofthemourning]

The issue is the pressure they put on salesmen to make that sale. Most times the employer is unreasonable and they pass that pressure to the customer. Not an excuse just an explanation

[@Holion5604]

If the boss is so terrible why do these people choose to stay working there?

[@Breezy-bv9te]

If Im not expecting anyone I dont open the door.. That solves the Sales people, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Charity workers!! I want my weekends in peace!

[@JonBandMiley]

they come on the weekdays too. I also avoid answering the door for them, but sometimes they catch you when you're already outside about to go to the garage or coming out of the garage... and they refuse to go away until you buy their service (whether they admit selling or not) or get aggressive with them.

[@geoffdearth8575]

I got a Eureka upright 15 years ago free (a tenant threw it out). I replaced its broken impeller for $7. I still use it frequently. It had all its attachments with it.

[@ajscarreviews7157]

Geoff Dearth it must be disgusting like you’re fucking filthy ass house

[@simonmadi1177]

Back in the 80's some time we had a cacuum salesman come and demonstrate hiw well it worked. But he was respectful and polite, no pressure sales tactics. I can't remember if we bought one, but if the salesman is not aggresive and rude, it makes the experience better for both sides.

[@ridermak4111]

DO NOT ANSWER THE DOOR. DO NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. ALL DOORS ALWAYS LOCKED. NOT PARANOID. SAFE.

[@eaglevision993]

I only have 3 things to say: - Who would ever be so stupid to let ANY sales people into their home? - Those vacuums are worth (and sold to the distributors for) around 200-300$, and then sold for 7-8 times as much. It is sold with such a high profit margin because every sale must support at least 3 shady companies/resellers or 6 people in a row. - Carpets, no matter how much you try to clean them, are filty rugs within 20 days of being new. Even a 10000$ vacuum cleaner will not help. Use hardwood for floor paneling, or in fact, anything else that is NOT carpet. Swipe with a 20$ mop and forget about it.

[@FlashCadallic]

I remember going to a swap meet once with a sign that said, No guns, no ammo, no Kirby vacumes.

[@drahcirnevarc9152]

My son, who lives with me, bought a vaccuum cleaner online for £80 a few days ago, to replace the one I bought about 3 years ago for £40. Why on earth would anyone pay $2,000+??

[@lilyrose7082]

I would never let a salesman into my house if I was alone! That’s dangerous these days! The guy could be anyone!

[@jukeboxzero4373]

I used to sell Kirby's and yes they are expensive but I can tell you without a doubt there is no such thing as a "good" vacuum cleaner from a box store, with Dyson being a possible exception. Even still Kirby is the best hands down. A salesperson worth their salt doesn't have to "sell" unless it's demonstrated outside of the home, in a store or a kiosk environment. Part of the benefit of having a Kirby demonstrated in the home is because it affords the homeowner with the opportunity to witness how crappy their $200 box store special really is! That also applies to any non-commercial shampooer intended for use in the home. They simply will not suck up all the dirt! Constant tracking traps and packs the dirt in the carpet which causes tearing of the fibers which will eventually cause wear spots as well as a breeding ground for all sorts of nastiness like dust mites, pet dander, mold, and mud if shampooing after using a vacuum that can't get the dirt out. I can't count how many brand new, nice looking vacuum cleaners that I had to go toe to toe with that simply could not compare to the Kirby. I would have prospects use their own brand new vacuum on one small area of their brand new carpet and when it was agreed that after 20 to 30 passes over the same area in all directions that it should be clear of any dirt, I would then use the demonstration filter that attaches where the bag normally goes, I would make only 2 passes, turn the machine off and remove the filter. Without fail the filter would contain dirt, torn carpet fibers from where the dirt had already been cutting away at them, human hair, pet hair and who knows what all else would be lurking in there! I also couldn't count how many times customers would tell me that their children or grandchildren would frequently crawl or lay on those areas of the carpet! Yuck! Now I don't know what the average cost of carpet is these days as you couldn't pay me to have carpet but if I would imagine it's fairly expensive. Why would you buy a crap vacuum in attempt to protect an investment when what it's really going to do is destroy it? Why would you spend hard earned money just to spend potentially more for doctors visits, vet visits etc? How about the waste of electricity? I'm sure you could probably think of lots of ways that a vacuum cleaner could be costing you more to own than what it should. All in all what it boils down to is that the benefits of owning a Kirby far outweigh the cost of ownership. Features tell, benefits sell and crappy, overly pushy salespeople could benefit from knowing that before they start dropping price on a machine that WORKS and will actually SAVE their prospect TIME, ENERGY as well as MONEY. It's only "expensive" when they're not sold on YOU and your ability to convey the benefits of ownership with honesty and integrity.

[@meme9492]

Juke Box, A good product, when properly demonstrated, will sell itself. You might be wrapped around the wrong axle in this case. People are torched about the sales tactic, not the product, although I do have to agree that $3000+ for a vacuum cleaner is an aweful lot of money. If Kirby can allow the salesman to start at $3000 and drop it to $1200, why waste the time? Just start at $1500 and drop the hard sell. That is just Kirby trying to sucker those who might be willing to pay $3000 and that is just crappy technique. I bet the vacuum could be dropped to $700 and Kirby still makes a decent profit, especially since a lot of parts are the same after 20-30 years. I believe, based on what my buddy told me, Kirby is an MLM using a vacuum cleaner, which could explain the pricing issue. But I digress. The issue is the crappy sales technique, not so much the product. The problem is that this sales technique is not an isolated event. I had a Kirby demonstration done by someone I considered a friend. He said he wanted to practice the sales pitch, so I said sure. I was under the understanding that he was clear I wasn't buying. When it was all done (as you suggested it was done), he got really upset when I didn't buy one. This was almost 20 years ago and Kirby STILL wanted $2500. We were still friends, so it wasn't a bad thing, but the pitch was pretty intense.

[@jukeboxzero4373]

@@meme9492 Hi there. First I want to say thank you for your service to our country and blessings to you and yours! Very much appreciated. I apologize for being condescending. It just seemed to me that a lot of people don't understand the value of a well designed machine such as a Kirby. Personally I think that for many it really does boil down to an affordability issue, of which a good rep should be sympathetic toward and should always show respect no matter the "reason" why someone doesn't take ownership. What aggravates me is that it seems like some have believed that just because there are some bad apples that show up from time to time that the entire company should be painted in negative light. When I was selling Kirby's, the models at the time were the G4 and G5. The full boat price for a G5 was $1440 + tax and I can only imagine what they might be now. I don't know if other dealerships were ever allowed to drop price so drastically as sales tactic but our reps were never allowed to do that. The only time we ever offered lower prices was if the customer was trading in their vacuum, or if we were offering a discount on a demo model. I agree with you that any sort of price drops which were evidenced in the video is simply a waste of time and is completely unacceptable. Also I want consumers to know that there are people who will show up at your door with Kirby's that were acquired at auctions or other such resell environment. A lot of times the machines will even have the original boxes. They'll represent themselves as employed by Kirby but are not. We used to call them "bojackers" and we would encounter their aftermath quite often. Finally, I've spent a great deal of time and energy learning how to properly represent company products and Kirby was the first sales job I had that taught me the importance of putting a deal together that focused on the customers needs first. If that has changed then all I can say is that it truly saddens me because there was a time when a prospective customer could get not only a choice between a free can of coffee, bottle of coke or a couple movie tickets but also a free deep cleaning in one room of their house for participating in what has to be one of the most disgusting yet entertaining product demonstrations of all time! Kirby sales is not for the faint of heart, it's physically and mentally demanding and requires a great deal of patience and dedication. I loved it but it absolutely wore me out! Anyway I won't keep on about it except to say that I believe working for Kirby helped to shape and mold a stronger work ethic for me and I would have hated to wear a black eye for the actions of a few.

[@Marinexize]

Man i had these guys come to my house and my wife let them in...problem 1, the salesman was not alone that day there was a team of them on my street. He did his demo, showed the price and i was turned off!!! 3k for a vacuum I'll pass i don't care how good he claimed it was and the germs and other crude it picks up. 4 years later we are still healthy, carpet still looks nice and i don't feel any bedbugs bits on my mattress. I have a bag less hoover vacuum with its extra components for almost 8 years and it still runs like a champ!

[@laurametheny1008]

I bought a Kirby many years ago. The price was about $700 at the time. Years of payments. I was young and a single parent and very naive. That thing was such a pain in the ass to use! Idk what even happened to it. Think I traded it in.🙄

[@donkinzett3961]

We had a Kirby guy here in western Australia got mad when we didn't buy said we got him there on false pretenses we just laughed and told him the same thing

[@javeydones5163]

What, the audacity for him to say that... he literally came to you haha.

[@mactire1288]

Never let a stranger in your door. Secondly, never let a stranger in asking the price for a vacation to hawaii for a goddamn hoover

[@dkoch2]

I'm sorry, I'll stick with my Walmart $60 vacuum lol

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Back in the late 1970's I went through this. The salesman didn't want to live. I picked up the phone and dialed 911. He asked, What are you doing? I said, I'm having the counties finest police coming over to remove your azz. If you don't live I'm also charging you with Trespassing and Harassment. He left But not without having a cussing match.

[@ChrisStaff989]

Imagine letting a stranger in your house

[@dsmith4260]

I started working there when I was real young for 2 weeks ...biggest mistake there is no set price you have to keep calling your manager and act like your giving them a better discount and when the customer says no you have to literally have to call your manager and tell them the customer is saying no to see if you can leave or if they want you to try something else to make them buy..u really gotta be something else to stay working for that company even when they hire you its a huge sales pitch and they make it sound amazing and you will be a manager like them in no time. Bunch of BS.

[@lar4305]

We had 2 window replacement companies come out for window estimates. one was really pushy and keep telling us that their workers will lose their jobs if they don't get sales. and the second company that came , gave us a quick demonstration of their windows and told us that our old windows were probably better then the ones he was selling when they where new but his are still good windows. So we went with him and they are holding up great 5 years latter with no issues and a much better price.

[@BunkMasterFlex77]

Don't say I "think" I'm not ready to make a decision. Be firm and say I'm not making a decision today.

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Better still, say "I'm making only one decision, and that decision is NO. Not ever."

[@Charlienmeg]

How much?!!! You would have to be the biggest fool in the world to even contemplate paying that for a vacuum cleaner.

[@amybecker9108]

Charlienmeg that's not only a vacuum cleaner it shampoos carpets and couches and steam cleans laminate floors. My best friend bought one for $1200. She said it was the best investment with 4 young children.

[@r.mcbride2837]

@Amy Becker I'm with Charlienmeg. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the price. !!!! I don't care if it stands at attention and salutes every time I walk in the room. I don't care if it has dinner on the table when I get home. No WAY would I pay anywhere close to that for a household appliance.

[@hamburgrhelpless]

Had one for 12 years. Great for pet owners and it pays for itself after 5 years considering how much it costs to rent a rug doctor all the time

[@r.mcbride2837]

@1Among Why? We have a top of the line Hoover upright we've had for years, plus a Neato botvac, which works like a charm, and a rug cleaning machine, which - COMBINED - cost less than $700. Why rent a rug doctor? And, yes, we have multiple pets AND kids.

[@hamburgrhelpless]

R. McBride I see your point, but personally still think it was one of my greatest investments. It's an A.I.O. system. Why would I want to clutter up the storage closet with 2-3 different appliances just to clean up messes when my Kirby already does it all? With 6 dogs, 3 cats and an african grey parrot all in a 2800 sqft home there are occasional messes to clean up; ones that you might not have the time to go out & rent rugdoctor for... By the time you're done lugging the damn thing into your house, whatever-it-is has already soaked too deep into the carpet. I'm not telling you to buy one. But I love mine :) Regardless, on the topic of the video, the salesman in this instance is a douchenoodle.

[@joshuaa.5523]

I have done a job similar to this to get by. The people selling are desperate and half of them are doing these contractor jobs because they owe child support and they don't want to pay it so they get this job. Secondly 'no' is not an answer and the weaker you are the harder they push. Listening to these pitches is like talking with a manipulative demon who will try anything to break you. Further, the more the product costs the harder they will try to make the sale. I never did well in this business because I am honest and I do not like pushy people they make me uncomfortable and I am self-aware so I do not want to make others uncomfortable. This job works best for self-centered people and preferably sociopaths or narcissists. 100% they are the best sellers. My old best friend was self-centered through childhood and grew up and now he makes more than me selling cars because he just doesn't care about others to make money and it works. Something is wrong with our society where self-centered people are flourishing like this...

[@ryandanford5289]

Who in their right mind pays that much for a vacuum?

[@zdravkonakov4941]

Yesterday a friend brought a Rainbow sails man at home, they are soo good, I almost bought a machine ( they don’t call it vacuum) for $4200, but I was getting $1000 discount, just becouse it’s Monday. I was thinking to buy 1 for my parents too. He told I was missing that machine for perfect happiness in my life.

[@janebook294]

I find that "mooning" them puts the most persistent salesman on the run !!!!

[@Westsoid2009]

If I'm going to pay that much for a vacuum, it had better come with a "happy ending" attachment and a sandwich for afterwards.

[@natej4230]

MSRP on the Kirby Sentria was $1,349.99, for the unit and basic tool package. Zip brush is $59.99, Shampoo kit is under $200, and the Sander is $95.99. These people are charging nearly $4,000! Talk about them ripping people off!

[@waterbottle4782]

Walmart will sell a decent vacuum for only 100$

[@williamcopley3861]

wrong i just bought a nice one from walmart 55.00

[@scarynorman5397]

Kirby Vac salesman are like car salesman on steroids. The vacuum itself is an awesome cleaning machine but is too heavy and comes with so many attachments its almost overbearing. I bought one for $1800, made payments and it helped my credit score. Aside form all that, its paid off and just sits in my garage because its just too heavy to lug around. I use a Shark vacuum now. Easy and light. 👍🏼

[@meredithbenjamin6057]

When I was a kid. We had an Electrolux cleaner. I wish I had one today. After washing my hair, I could sit behind the cleaner where warm air came out and dried my hair. And the cleaner bag was reusable. Best cleaner ever.

[@user-um7tw6kx4r6]

Even 1000 usd for a vacuum cleaner is ridiculous

[@markweaver1963]

Used to print the price and parts lists for these and a rubber washer or similar tiny part were pounds not pence. Saw one demonstration where they showed how powerful the suction was by putting the nozzle on the ceiling and letting it hang there then pulled it off and pulled a large portion of plaster down. Another gave us a free gift and when we said didn't want one took the free gift back! And I thought Dysons were expensive.

[@squeezybob84]

Kirby were so upset they wrote to apologise and offer their latest model, as a way of saying sorry, for $1250 😂

[@-108-]

Salesman: "Not even for 1200 dollars? REALLY??" Fake Customer: "No, not today." Salesman: "Would you take it if it was FREE?" Fake Customer: "No, not today."

[@vesselfit2use]

So no joke a few months ago I was putting my children in the car getting ready to leave my house. A creepy all white van with no windows was slowly pulling up on me as I'm trying fast to buckle my child in. I gave the driver a dirty look and he had a young girl get out and try to sell me a kirby and offer to clean a chair or couch. I told her no. But how out of touch of reality do you have to be to pull up in a creep van to a young mom putting her children in the car. I thought I was going to have to use deadly force.

[@szqsk8]

I had an elderly neighbor ask me to sit with her when a vacuum salesperson came to her home and that guy got aggressive after a while and he wouldn't go after she said she wasn't interested. I told him I was going to call the police if he wouldn't split and he finally did. She couldn't even afford or need a $3000 vacuum at 75 years of age.

[@zachz699]

My 60 dollar walmart vacuum does a bang up job. 1200 dollars LOL

[@sarahcarrizales9759]

I have a $30 stick Bissell 3 in 1 that I love. If I get a regular vaccum I am fine with the $60 compact Bissells. I can't believe people would actually buy a vaccum for $1000+...

[@fredjustice215]

Years ago I worked as a Kirby salesman. I never put pressure on people and after I made a sale Kirby said the people backed out and I never got paid a dime for working for them. The items weren't returned. Kirby just cut me out of the deal and kept my commission.

[@edgargonzalez6173]

I used to work for Kirby in California for a distributor named Jaime Zegarra and it was horrible I made 3 sales on a check that customers made guess what I made a total of 7600$ in sales and my boss only paid me 650$ for all my hard work he kept the remaining amount I should’ve kept the first check and left lesson learned

[@vanaleyae]

For $2K, that thing had better clean my house, make me food and give me a foot rub.

[@w.urlitzer1869]

never a salesman in my home.

[@tim707max]

My parents bought a Kirby from a salesman like 20 years ago it still works great lol best vacuum we ever had , and I remember the salesman was actually very polite and patient

[@dlynn101]

well that erases ALL the bad stories. lol

[@LeonardStauffer]

I too am surprised by a high pressure sales pitch from a door to door vacuum salesman and when the sun sets every evening.

[@samuelg3586]

That's the guy I want on my team. Excellent sales tactics

[@AvgDan]

A Kirby salesman wanted to do a demo and I told him he'd only be wasting his time. I let him come in and do his demo, showing me how his new Kirby picked up so much stuff left behind from an old Kirby I had purchased refurbished for a couple hundred dollars. I said "cool, now let's hook up your demo equipment to my Kirby and repeat the test". We did, and my old Kirby picked up a similar amount of stuff left behind by the new Kirby he was selling. I said: "see, I told you you'd only be wasting your time". He didn't really know how to spin that. I told him there's zero chance I'd be buying a new Kirby and had him and his "supervisor" leave.

[@RCPDcap]

I have a beast of a central vac and I order steam cleaning of all my carpets, beds, couches 4 times a year. $125 per visit.

[@mitchellarmstrong3759]

A law requiring restaurants to use a certain vacuum is absolutely ridiculous. However, one with good filtration would make sense.

[@aznjagswag9042]

I been in the Kirby game. I had a million dollar demo and a 10 cent close. Whereas these guys had a 10 cent demo and a million dollar close. I never pressure any of my customers to buy it nor do I need to lie to make a sale either. I know showing the Kirby 12-15 times a week I would make atleast 800 dollars . The Kirby Company has been around for over a 100 years and I feel strongly that the system and program dont fail its the people that do.

[@dlynn101]

ANOTHER latino male endorsing this. So weird that is ALWAYS the case

[@LaGrandeBayou]

D Lynn “ANOTHER Latino male endorsing this” *Other than being a snarky and whiny racist* What exactly is your point?

[@sirensrock2188]

Recently had a kirby salesperson at our door who repeatedly insisted on coming in the house prior to announcing they were representing the company. Husband had answered the door and was entertaining their invasive questions while I was in the background commenting that under no circumstances were they to enter the house. My black cat was trying to sneak out the front door which she sometimes does and I warned my husband she was about to get out. The salesperson then tried to accuse him of making a racial comment about a man on the street that didn't exist. No words ever came out of his mouth. When we refused to let her in the house she became upset, demanded her "free gift" of cleaner back and went to our neighbors house.

[@kathleenlock8963]

Many years ago my sister wanted to buy a Kirby, so she called and they set up a date for the salesman to come to her house. When he got there his first question was, is your husband home, she said no, so he wouldn't even come in, he wanted to reschedule for a day her husband would be home. In those days the thinking was that a woman wouldn't be able to make such an expensive decision on her own, so no husband no vacuum. She told him if he couldn't sell her a Kirby, she'd go and buy another brand, and that's what she did. She didn't actually even want the demonstration, she just wanted to buy a vacuum, their outdated thinking cost them a sale.

[@TROll-oe9ng]

I doubt it was for that reason. The salesman was probably trying to be respectful and protect himself from any allegations.

[@kathleenlock8963]

@@TROll-oe9ng It was absolutely for that reason, back then men were very much viewed as the final word on larger purchases. Most women didn't even have credit cards and men were always first signers on anything that was financed. Men could make those purchases by themselves if they wanted to, but that wasn't the case for married women.

[@TROll-oe9ng]

@@kathleenlock8963 when are we talking here? You keep saying many years ago and back then but that could mean 1950 or 2000 depending on who you’re speaking with. If you are referencing mid to late 20th century then I could go along with it but if you’re referencing anything post 2000 then I have to be skeptical.

[@kathleenlock8963]

@@TROll-oe9ng It would have been mid 70's

[@TROll-oe9ng]

@@kathleenlock8963 well then i may have to agree as to his motives for not coming in.

[@universalaccess4871]

its absolutely amazing that 153 complaints were found with NEARLY 3 MILLION MACHINES SOLD A YEAR...amazing report PURPOSELY LEAVING OUT the exact details. THE FINANCING COST MONEY. it is an entire home cleaning system. or people would prefer to spend 10 to 15k replacing carpets being improperly cleaned?

[@dlynn101]

hundreds of thousands of lawsuits ... CHECK THE COURT RECORDS

[@santaanaluna4563]

🧢

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

I love my Kirby’s. I have every model built. To all those who say our prices are too high: you don’t know what quality is!

[@TheJJDaily]

I worked for a lawn care company that used high pressure phone sales and it was horrible. Remember most of these sales people are subjected to the same tactics from managers that are used on customers. Constantly threatened to be fired if quotas not met. Forced to do a minimum 3 rebuttals or 'nos' before hanging up. Told to 'always be selling at any cost'. You cant blame the sales people only, this is a corporate culture

[@TedBackus]

in highschool, i worked as a phone solicitor for a company that sells super expensive vacuums. if i recall correctly it was called B&M enterprises. i never booked a single in house appointment, and honestly i never really tried. the manager told us he just needed us t oget him in the door, and that was it.

[@Kobaneko2005]

I tried that job for about a week. Turned out, a family member in the local PD was investigating the man in charge of the area for Kirby for drug trafficking. We were supposed to take their old vacuum in trade for a percentage off the Kirby($1900 for a vac in 2000? wtf) and he would turn around and send them to Mexico where a guy would "fix/refurbish them" and send them back.... full of drugs. Guy got busted I think but dunno cause I did like 4 in-house showings and honestly the training felt more like a class on how to be a Sociopath.

[@GabrielMunoz-yo6zc]

I worked for Kirby for 1 week. My first and only sale was $2000 in cash after i messed up on the demo. I made $700 of that 1 deal though.

[@DXmYb]

Trashy Job.

[@DXmYb]

Well paid though

[@boisebadboy93]

We had two Kirby guys come by our house in Meridian Idaho back in 2008-2009 and they gave my mom a free Great Value jello pack when she came to the door 😂 she said she wasn't interested after they demanded to demo in the house. They asked for the Jello back and left 😂

[@uppitywhiteman6797]

When I was a kid, I sold Kirbys, The Kirby rule: The first one to break loses their money. I'd twist people up so tight, that their wallets jumped from their pockets screaming, Mercy! However, I never ever cursed customers or threatened them (it's not sportsmanlike)

[@ES-go9ue]

Holy crap! I got my hoover on the street. Works great, & has the bin you can dump out.

[@SK22000]

Those vacuums are crappy overpriced. I have a $60 eureka over 7 years ago and it runs great

[@TheRantingCabbie]

If they don't leave, I would simply ask them "so just out of curiosity, what would a serial killer need other than a vacuum cleaner if he wanted to do a good clean-up"

[@happyheart2414]

What in some human beings mind makes them think oh it cost as much as a used vehicle that it is a good vacuum! No way on this earth would I ever consider buy a vacuum cleaner that cost as much as a hospital er visit! I know this is old but they still are sending these salesman out and it needs to stop.

[@sagm]

They do the same pressure tactics in the UK too.

[@marianyulo1769]

That happened to my mom way back . Those sales men are super pushy . And she ended up buying it from them . I must admit the vacuum lasted a very long time . No lie

[@meghanporter2990]

how desperate do u gotta be to be working as a vacuum salesman. i mean, i feel sorry for all involved except for the company execs themselves

[@Steven.777-]

OMG I WANT A DEMO AT MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW PLEEEASEEEEEE. I wont buy it though...

[@benth162]

I grew up in the fifties and sixties with our trusty ole Kirby Vacuum as our only deep sweeper with all its attachments. Years ago when I was out of work, I was invited to attend a Kirby sales class where you learn how to sell, sell, sell. After watching these people explain what they wanted from us, I never went back and never purchased a Kirby after that. My advice; Never ever allow a salesman into your home for any type of demonstration. Let them demonstrate their products at their business or at a show. Remember my friends, there is a difference between "Air Flow" and "Suction". Take a look at the site below. canavac.com/suction-and-airflow/ Kirby has always been one of the best vacuums you could purchase for decades because of the facts mentioned in that article. The Dyson may have it beat, but both had cost that far outweigh what they can do for your capreting.

[@dcyphrz8532]

My friend worked selling Kirby machines for a couple of weeks back in the ‘80s. Said they were nice but crazy expensive and heavy. - We’ve had a Shark since around 2013 and that thing runs really well. Cost maybe $180.

[@getoffyourbassandletsfish7651]

The Kirby law 😂

[@JonBandMiley]

lol who the hell's gonna believe that "kirby law" they tell their potential customers? lol

[@karenstafford724]

My Mum used to sell these hovers,and in all the years she worked for the company, she never once pushed any one into buying one. Intact because of that,she always got the top sells every month.

[@alonzowitt5931]

A large aggresive dog works real well! My pitbulls hate salesman and go bunker's on them or anyone that I start to get up set with. 👌

[@viennasugar6340]

In my town Kirby has appointment setters come by first to set up an appointment for the full sales pitch, but it's pure bait and switch. They told me they were a new carpet cleaning company with a promotional offer to clean one room of my house for free and if I was happy with it I could pay for the cleaning service for the rest of my house. I declined because I knew I didn't have the time, but the guy was VERY pushy and at one point had his foot inside my door so I couldn't close it. That made me uneasy and I googled the business name when he left only to find out it was a Kirby distributer.

[@Malevolent_Chaos7]

I once experienced a Kirby salesman. I made him vacuum the one carpet I had in my house. Then never bought the vacuum lmfao

[@geniocristo5297]

How is kirby still a thing? What the fck 🤦