Ok, for the sake of education here is the lowdown on the Kirby vacuum.
The vacuum is indeed sold on a pyramid type basis. You start with a Factory Rep who buys the machines for about 200-300 dollars. These in turn are sold to Area Distributers for about 500-600. The A.D hires a bunch of people out peddling the vacuum for him. He gives them the vacuum on consignment. Normally the new salesguys or gals are given a “cost” of $1200.00. This means that every dollar over “cost” the salesperson gets to keep. That is why they start at $1799.00 usually (or in that ballpark).
The Kirby demonstration has been polished to a work of art and if done properly and in an A to Z fashion, even the most hard nosed person would like to have one. The salesmen are trained rigerously to counter every objection and to try to close throughout the “demo”.
What usually happens is that the new saleperson will sell one to his mother or grandmother and perhaps another one, will get discouraged and quit. Only to be replaced by another aspiring saleman. (Ads are run in local newspapers continiously looking for “Mangament Trainees”) The original Factory reps can sell over 300 units in a month. The money made by the first two levels of Factory and Area Distributor can be staggeringly high!
The new salesmen are put in a crazy, “we’re all gonna get rich” environment" which includes morning meetings which end up in a screaming mass hysterical frenzy of dreams of riches. These morning meetings are done in a fervor that won’t be outdone even by the most devoted fanatics.
Normally a Crew Leader will take out a van full of vacuums with 4-5 salespeople, sometimes driving long distances looking for a “good area”. These guys are trained to “cold knock” a door. (which means that the homeowner has no idea they are coming). The pitch can be as simple as handing off a bottle of 99 cent air freshener to the person who answers the door and saying something like “This is for you, I’ll be right back to show why I’m giving it away” The person will return to the door with a huge box and a case, most of the time they will keep their eyes to the ground and start wiping their feet and keep moving towards the door, hoping the homeowner will just open the door further and let them in. If this doesn’t work then the game starts. “I get paid $20.00 just to show this to you”, “This will only take 20-30 minutes”, “Can you help me out? I just need to show this thing one more time so I can get paid for the day and go home?” A good door person can get into a home 1 out of 3 times, it is amazing!
The salespeope are pushy, will stay in your home for up to 5 hours in some cases if not asked directly to leave. They will “wheel and deal” offering up to $200.00 dollars for a trade on you old crappy Hoover that is not worth $10.00. Make phone calls to the Boss and ask for a “special” deal because you are such a nice person. The vacuum can be haggled down to normally $1000.00 if you are persistent. The guy in the house at this point makes no money, but the AD and the Factory Distributer are still pocketing bucku bucks.
This all being said, the Kirby vacuum itself is an excellent piece of machinery. It is big and heavy, but it has to be to contain the motor in it, and to be as durable as it is. I wouldn’t have any other machine in my home. I can go throught a $100.00 Wal-Mart special in about 6 months time. Over a ten year period I could easily spend $12-1500.00 dollars on a cheaper vacuum that doesn’t do the job. I just purchased the new “Ultimate G” Kirby last week for $1,000.00. I would recommend to anyone buying a Kirby. The Ebay deal for 400-500 sounds like a wiinner. You will definately see an improvement in your carpets looks after using the Kirby for awhile. Keeps them nice and clean and fluffed out.
I got caught up in the “Kirby Dream” for awhile. I actually made $1200.00 my first week. (I was the exception, not the rule). These people will prey on your greed and need to be recognized. It is very cultlike and I would not recommend it to anyone.
Bottom Line, Great product, but a viscious marketing stratagy. Kind of a shame.
