Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

http://www.prw.com/subscriber/headlines2.html?cat=1&id=1235734158

Venson and Carmine.  You're welcome.

Kirby in the news...
http://www.courant.com/business/hc-watchdog0301.artmar01-col,0,3026352.column

DysonInventsBig wrote:
Hi DIB,

Similar stories pop up often and I don't think only the Kirby name comes up in the telling. It happens with just about all the the niche brands sold door to door at one point or another. By the way, I just read an article that claimed Kirby, which sells worldwide, pulls in about 400 million dollars a year.

I think the selling of high-priced goods to persons that obviously display little faculty for making sound choices is . . . . Well, I don't know exactly what it should be called -- just plain theft or running a confidence game. Kirby is a good vacuum as far as cleaning ability and durability are concerned so I do not understand why it or similar companies involved with such people are not well known for breaking off their relationships with distributors or door-to-vendors when such infractions come to light.

From what I've seen over the years, a large part of the people selling neither care or know what they're selling. They just want to make some money and don't care even if their own personal dignity is sacrificed in the process.

I was very glad to read that in Ms. Ferro-Tomlin's case a remedy came although not easily regarding the case of her aunt with Alzheimers. If Miele and other manufacturers can set pricing mandates for vendors, I hope Kirby and other like companies get around to setting concrete policy that the majority of their vendors will follow.

Venson

I excerpted this from the news article and I recall that SEVERUS recently posted this KIRBY return policy here for persons over 67:

"Halle A. Haniewich, the Kirby manufacturer's manager of business compliance, says the firm has a special "Golden Ager" policy that allows anyone at least 67 or with a disability to return a vacuum cleaner for any reason within one year of purchase. All of the franchises must follow the policy, he wrote in an e-mail Friday afternoon."

Several weeks ago, a news story was widely covered about a 90 year old WW11 veteran living alone in Michigan.  He died in his home from the cold temperatures after the local power company turned off his electricty and consequently the heat.  He was warned several times in writing to pay the deliquent charges but it appears he never read his mail.  The ulitility company also installed a switch on the outdoor meter that allows him to turn the electricity on, but required him to go outdoors to do it.  He didn't.  The old timer had $600,000 plus in cash in the bank and his house.  Sad.  Moral of the story:  Don't get old.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Believe me Carmine, I'm trying not to.

A large part of the problem is that so much of customer relations is becoming computerized. Lots of stuff falls through the cracks. My cable company and many other vendors send computerized phone/printed alerts to remind me its time to pay up. It would seem to me that a knock on the door from the meter reader or a couple more phone calls from a real live customer service person might have saved the day.

As well, here in New York we're cautious about getting into other folks' business meaning that some neighbor might like to be helpful in regard to the senior citizen down the hall but upon thinking on it doesn't try. Single seniors without family or able younger friends nearby are in line for lots of problems. Guess that's why assisted living facilities are big business now. However, they are not something everyone can afford.

By the way -- we've got snow comin' down big time today. Remember that?

Venson

There has been some discussion recently on this board regarding DTD sales see.  "How to handle a DTD Salesman" on this board.

Here is the related article;

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/09/kirby-vacuums.html

Arising from the ways that the dealers were treating the elderly, according to this article; Kirby now allows a one year return policy for older americans. 

Thre was a story in Arizona where a woman with failing mental capacities was sold and resold almost a dozen vacuums in a very short amount of time.  The daughter sued the local Kirby distributor and they were forced to return the woman's money.  I will say that there are other high pressure DTDs out there, Kirby just has the bad rap.  I understand that they are being told to do better as it is hurting an otherwise good vacuum reputation.

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

Try hard, my friend.

Vaguely............. and I don't care if I ever do anymore.  Great for the kiddies.  After 2 falls on ice within 2 years and 2 wrecked knees, don't need it, don't want it and can live without it!

Carmine D.