Everyone knows Kirby vacuum cleaners. They are well known, not just for their vacuum but for the way they are marketed. They’ve been under a lot of scrutiny, but their methods have worked. They have been and continue to be the most durable and popular vacuum cleaners on the market for decades.
The Kirby Company has been manufacturing vacuum cleaners and their accessories since 1914. They are headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and are a subsidiary of the Scott Fetzer Company.
Jim Kirby designed the first Kirby vacuum right after World War I. In 1907 he developed the first vacuum cleaner that pushed dirty air into a cloth bag and filtered out the dirt. After that, he continued to improve his designs. In 1925, he introduced the Vacuette Electric, with a removable floor nozzle and handle. This was the beginning of the history of the vacuum that we have today. When it finally came on the market, it was an instant hit with huge sales.
These vacuums have a great reputation for having the best suction of any vacuum on the market; They are long lasting, very long lasting and are priced higher than any other vacuum on the market. Their most current model uses the “Micron Magic” HEPA filter system.
It is a company that bets on its sales technique of going door to door. In this way, the customer can test drive and see first hand how the vacuum works. Salespeople go door to door not knowing what kind of reaction they will get. Most people don’t like lawyers and would rather date.
Their sales procedures are considered a bit of a hard sell and there have been some allegations that sales reps are being advised to target older people who have a harder time turning down door-to-door salespeople. The older generation grew up with door-to-door salesmen, like the Fuller Brush Man, or the shoe salesman, and of course, Kirby was marketed this way from the start.
Even with the controversial sales techniques, they are a company that stands behind their product. They are also very expensive, but will last the lifetime of the customer. I should mention that there are some sellers that have been known to claim a lifetime warranty on the Kirby vacuum. There has never been a lifetime warranty, but there is a 3 year warranty and a lifetime factory rebuild plan. The rebuild plan can be used at any time, but the customer is responsible for submitting it to the company for rebuilding. This service will include a fee.
This company offers a business opportunity for those who don’t mind selling door to door. They offer some incentives to help their distributors, who are mainly young men who are still going to college. They do not require any investment to become a distributor and there is free sales training. With your sales, you can earn cash, trips, and even cars.
To be a sales rep in this business, you have to be pretty tough and be able to take a bit of rejection. You will spend at least an hour to 2 hours making your presentation and you may not make the sale. But if you don’t, you can usually walk away with a few references for future contact.
Your sales commission will be based on the markup between your cost and the price you sell it for. A family member sold Kirby vacuum cleaners and ended up owing it because he couldn’t sell it unless he sold it below cost. It is not a profitable business for him in the slightest.