Kirby Vacuum Scam

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Kirby Vacuum Scam

When you ask people about the Kirby vacuum scam, most of the emphasis is on the sales technique, rather than on the product itself.

The Kirby company is a direct selling company using in-home demonstrations to introduce the Kirby home care systems to the home occupier.

This method allows the potential purchaser to try the product before buying. The demonstration may be to deep clean your carpet or furniture, remove stains, or shampoo the carpet in a room of your house.

The people demonstrating the Kirby home care system operate their own business as independent Kirby distributors.

Kirby sell in over 70 countries.

The Kirby Vacuum Scam

The complaints labeled as a Kirby vacuum scam tend to fall into a few common areas:

The person calling on the phone or arriving at the door suggests it is a free, no obligation demonstration that may take up to an hour. Many people have complained that the demonstration took up to 4 hours, and was a full-on sales pitch
The price is initially quoted around $2,000 - $2,300 but can move down to around $800 - $1,000 if the salesperson is repeatedly told no, or it is too expensive
It is really difficult to get the salesperson to leave, and if they do so without a sale, they are often rude or abusive. The salesperson is often dropped off at the commencement of the demonstration, and makes several phone calls to their 'supervisor' during the demonstration to report on progress. When the salesperson rings to be picked up, the supervisor also tries a sales pitch if the salesperson didn't make a sale
Although there is a 3 day 'return if not satisfied' clause, many people report being unable to contact the Kirby salesperson to activate the return, or messages left are not returned
If a sale is made, often the purchaser's old vacuum cleaner is taken, along with a deposit for the new machine. When people have changed their mind a day or so later, they have had difficulty getting their old vacuum cleaner back, or their deposit [or both]

How to Avoid the Kirby Vacuum Scam

Start by being aware that a 'free' demonstration will involve a sales pitch. The salespeople are not coming to clean you room for free and then just leave - what is in it for them? Why should they clean the room for free? This should not be seen as a Kirby vacuum scam because they arrived to carry out a demonstration, and also tried to sell the product.

They are coming to demonstrate their product and to try to make a sale.

If you agree to the demonstration, you should decide beforehand if your intend to buy the product if you are impressed with its performance.

Specify the timeframe [such as 1 hour] - and stick to it. Don't let them stay any longer!

Repeatedly say no and mean it. If you weaken, they may use all their skill and experience to turn the situation into a sale.

If you don't want to spend around $2,000, or can't afford to, then don't agree to the demonstration.

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