How much is a genuine Kirby vacuum cleaner cost (the Sentria model)
#31
CAGiversary!
Posted 07 June 2007 - 09:37 PM
he said that if i finance it, i got three days to cancel the purchase. However, in my case, i paid in full (credit card), there might be a problem. He said, it's like buying something discounted (how's that discounted, i don't know) or final sale, there's a chance that they won't do a refund. I'm in NYC, can they do that? i mean, that's so wrong...
he's still waiting for the answer from his "boss."
#32
nerd rage off the charts
Posted 07 June 2007 - 09:53 PM
I did stay through the whole demonstration. The business operates as a pyramid scheme (pyramid selling) and relies on incapable people unable to do basic arithmetic to go with it. The most curious bit that I've learned is that Kirby has a "non-expirational" patent on their vacuum, and they go after everyone who makes anything remotely similar (i.e. with an engine right next to the suck hole). Their patent was registered before the Patent expiration laws were set, and someone smart paid off a good team of lawyers to have just what they have - something trivial that they can overcharge for.
The vacuum was good to the best of my impression (I was there for a day, though, I haven't worked outside of a university since 2002, and this attempt was "accidental" at best). They showed this video to the people that was brainwashing at its best - all kinds of people that look like they have money, telling their stories which described everyone in the room. Except they were stereotypes - single moms, douchbags out-of-highschool athletes with no marketable skills whatsoever, etc. Was quite disgusting, though interesting to an "outside observer."
Don't get a Kirby - you can get a smaller, cheaper, and almost as efficient of a vacuum cleaner.
#33
nerd rage off the charts
Posted 07 June 2007 - 09:55 PM
I'm in the process returning the vac, but the guy is really giving me a hard time...
he said that if i finance it, i got three days to cancel the purchase. However, in my case, i paid in full (credit card), there might be a problem. He said, it's like buying something discounted (how's that discounted, i don't know) or final sale, there's a chance that they won't do a refund. I'm in NYC, can they do that? i mean, that's so wrong...
he's still waiting for the answer from his "boss."
Again, I've seen how these people operate. They said directly that "you need to make them want it really hard right then and there so that they would be willing to buy." Trust me, they are not going to be easy to return. START BITCHING AND THREATENING THEM RIGHT NOW.
#34
swimming with nanocarp
Posted 07 June 2007 - 10:16 PM
I had the unpleasant expierience of MC above me, getting suckered into their sales pitch to work for them one summer. No good.
It's certainly a good machine, but$1600 good? I dunno.
#35
CAGiversary!
Posted 08 June 2007 - 12:13 AM
how do i make threats? i already called the credit card company for a dispute, basically i told them the seller is refusing me to make a return per his/her policy. They are sending me a form to document the incident, and in the mean times i'm not liable for the charged amount.
*sigh* i think i just got screwed....
#36
The Return
Posted 08 June 2007 - 01:21 AM
#37
CAG Veteran
Posted 08 June 2007 - 02:19 AM
Next day, they started training us how to operate the damn thing and techniques on how to vaccum and shit. It was funny watching myself and everyone else following what the trainer doing.
Next day, I went out on the field with an experience person and started to sell these suckers. I remember that you can get the price as low as around $750-800 for them. You just got to haggle like crazy and show some interest that you might like it. Everyone there is an independent contractor, so they will say that they cant go lower than $1000 because they want their commission to be as high as possible per sale. Its been awhile, but I remember if you sold one at $1200 you get around $500 commission for that price.
When I went out, I didnt go lower than $1200. I was only there for like a week before I quit since I thought it was completely a waste of time doing this shit.
#38
Posted 08 June 2007 - 02:33 AM

#39
Can't stop, won't stop.
Posted 08 June 2007 - 02:35 AM
Door to door vacuum cleaner salesmen still exist?
There's actually a documentry called "Salesman" about door to door salesmen that still exist.
EDIT:
That movie was put out in 1968
#40
CAGiversary!
Posted 08 June 2007 - 01:55 PM
ah, papa colbert, your wisdom is a bit late for me....
how do i make threats? i already called the credit card company for a dispute, basically i told them the seller is refusing me to make a return per his/her policy. They are sending me a form to document the incident, and in the mean times i'm not liable for the charged amount.
*sigh* i think i just got screwed....
No surprise they are making it as difficult as possible. The CC dispute is your best bet. IMO you'll win the dispute as credit cards are very consumer friendly, but I would expect the Kirby people to fight tooth and nail (and probably lie to the credit card company - "Mr. Serpentor was told that since he was paying in full the sale was final and there was no return period.")
There is also the BBB (but I bet Kirby just ignores the BBB) or maybe a complaint with your state attorney general. But I'd do the CC complaint first.
It's entirely possible they told you verbally there is the 3 day return period, but whatever documentation you signed doesn't mention it. I don't know how that would be handled. If the 3 day return period isn't in the documentation it might be a tough complaint to gain traction.
#41
CAG Veteran
Posted 14 May 2009 - 06:47 PM
I went to work for them one summer because they were the only job I could find that would hire me for three months. When I found out it was door to door sales, I was bummed, to say the least. However, I did learn a lot about the disgusting crap that is in your carpets and your beds. And let me tell you - nothing out there is better than a Kirby. Working for them, I've seen them compared to all kinds of vacuums, Dysons, Rainbows, Electroluxes, etc. - and done the comparisons myself - and there is NOTHING out there that will clean your house like it does.
If you have a pet, this thing is the best thing ever for getting pet hair off of furniture - just use the Zip brush, and it's gone off of your furniture like magic, and anywhere else it accumulates. It's been a godsend for me with a long haired cat. The shampooer is awesome too - a great clean for your carpet without soaking the rug and letting mildew and mold grow in the bottom due to taking so long to dry. When you consider that you get two types of vacuums (canister & upright) - and air compressor - and a shampooer all in the same piece of equipment, it really is a bargain. Especially when you realize how much it conserves your carpets and hardwoods from ruination from kids and dogs for longer than a regular vacuum cleaner.
That being said, although the retail may be high - it's just like a car sale - it's negotiable. You can trade stuff in, get them to lower the price, etc. The bottom line is, they want a sale, and their salary is more or less commission. So it's up to you to decide how hard you think he's worked. Also, you ALWAYS have 3 days to cancel the sale, regardless of what he tells you, and regardless of what the contract says (which I think they all have to say the same thing, since they come from Kirby I believe). It doesn't matter how you pay.
I know the OP probably already returned his - but I would think twice the next time you are presented with the opportunity to buy them. They come with a warranty that lasts over your lifetime, and you can get the engine rebuilt for a fraction of what you paid for it should it ever die. I've had my newer Kirby for over 5 years now, and it's never broken. It might be a little heavy, but isn't cleaning hard work anyway? Besides, if a little heaviness is the tradeoff for a clean floor and no bed bugs, I'm in.
#42
Suit Up
Posted 14 May 2009 - 06:54 PM
Dyson all the way.
#43
Posted 14 May 2009 - 06:59 PM
Anyways I just wanted to say welcome to CAV, cheap ass vacummers. I look forward to your many contributions to this site, since you clearly aren't a Kirby PR-googler moving from forum to forum.
#44
CAGiversary!
Posted 15 May 2009 - 01:28 AM
#45
Got Wife?
Posted 15 May 2009 - 11:38 PM

#46
CAG Veteran
Posted 07 April 2011 - 06:07 AM
#47
NorAm = Fraud
Posted 07 April 2011 - 03:01 PM
now.. how much did kirby pay you to post on this board?
#48
游戏玩家为生活 !!
Posted 07 April 2011 - 03:32 PM
#49
Keeping in Cheap since 2005
Posted 07 April 2011 - 04:07 PM
#50
Posted 07 April 2011 - 11:04 PM
#51
Basch Lives!
Posted 08 April 2011 - 03:57 PM

#52
CAGiversary!
Posted 08 April 2011 - 09:13 PM
However the vacuum is a very good product and doesn't cost $1600. It is also very light and isn't heavy like Dyson vacuums. We didn't like the Dyson because of the messy canisters you have to empty. If Oreck's service was a little bit better I would speak very highly of the company and product. We know a lot of people with Oreck's and most have had the vacuum for 10-15 years or more.
#53
Posted 09 April 2011 - 12:06 AM
we used to have an oreck, that thing was a pos.We have an Oreck and we are satisfied but they give you 3 free tune ups when you buy the vacuum. The problem with Oreck is that they are nice to you when you are buying the vacuum and they are not pushy however when you bring the vacuum back to the store for the tune up they will try to tell you that you need a new brush, a new filter, etc all which are very pricey for what they are. The brush alone is like $35 then they try to sell you an upgraded brush for $45 or something like that. There is only one Oreck store here and we end up dealing with the same pushy manager each time we have to take the vacuum for a tune up so you don't have a choice of where to go for service or parts if you need them since most places only have one Oreck store in the area.
However the vacuum is a very good product and doesn't cost $1600. It is also very light and isn't heavy like Dyson vacuums. We didn't like the Dyson because of the messy canisters you have to empty. If Oreck's service was a little bit better I would speak very highly of the company and product. We know a lot of people with Oreck's and most have had the vacuum for 10-15 years or more.
#54
Hey guys, I'm a turd!
Posted 09 April 2011 - 12:10 AM
I should really tag this so I can post on it sometime in 2013... just to keep the pattern going.
Haha, I feel compelled to let this old thread live on.
On topic, I paid $35 for a used Dyson Animal that was missing a $5 part. $40 invested and I couldn't be happier.
#55
CAGiversary!
Posted 09 April 2011 - 12:17 AM
#56
I'a Cthulhu!
Posted 09 April 2011 - 01:09 AM
Ironically, we did have one problem with it. The "on" switch broke, but the warranty fixed it. Kind of ironic that it can demolish pet hair without losing any suction, but if you hit the "on" button too hard, it may break temporarily. Ha.
#57
Raising Acts!
Posted 09 April 2011 - 10:05 PM
I came in this thread thinking you bought a vacuum that looked like Kirby from the video game :P
Haha, that's the first thing I thought of too! I want to get a Kirby-lookalike vacuum that sucks in stuff real good.
#58
CAGiversary!
Posted 09 April 2011 - 11:42 PM
#59
CAG Veteran
Posted 22 April 2011 - 05:36 AM


#60
I wish I could come up with a cool title
Posted 22 April 2011 - 05:58 AM