Everyone knows Kirby Vacuums. They are well known, not only for their emptiness but for the way they are marketed. They have come under great scrutiny, but their methods have worked. They have been and continue to be the most durable and popular vacuum cleaner on the market for decades.
Kirby Company has been manufacturing vacuum cleaners and their accessories since 1914. They are based in Cleveland, Ohio and are a subsidiary of Scott Fetzer Company.
Jim Kirby designed the first Kirby vacuum cleaner right after WWI. In 1907 he developed the first vacuum cleaner that pushed dirty air into a cloth bag and filtered 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 story of the void that we have today. When it finally hit the market, it was an instant hit with big sales.
These vacuums have a great reputation for having the best suction of all the vacuums on the market; They are durable, very durable, and are priced higher than any other vacuum on the market. Their latest model uses the “Micron Magic” HEPA filter system.
It is a company that relies on its door-to-door sales technique. In this way, the customer can test and see how the vacuum cleaner works first hand. Salespeople go door-to-door, never knowing what kind of reaction they will get. Most people don’t like lawyers and would rather go on a date.
Their sales procedures are considered a bit difficult to sell and there have been some allegations that sales reps are advised to target seniors who have a harder time refusing door-to-door salespeople. The older generation grew up with door-to-door salespeople, like the Fuller Brush Man, or the shoe salesman, and of course Kirby marketed himself this way from the start.
Even with controversial sales techniques, they are a company that stands behind their product. They are also very expensive, but will last the customer’s lifetime. I should mention that there are some vendors who are known to claim a lifetime warranty for 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 do not mind selling door to door. They offer some incentives to help their distributors, who are mostly young men who are still in college. They do not require any investment to become a dealer and there is free sales training. With your sales, you can earn cash, travel, and even cars.
To be a sales rep in this business, you have to be pretty tough and able to take a bit of rejection. You will spend at least an hour to 2 hours making your presentation and will not be able to make the sale. But if you don’t, you can usually walk away with a few references for future contacts.
Your sales commission will be based on the markup between your cost and the price you are selling it for. A family member sold Kirby vacuum cleaners and ended up owing them because he couldn’t sell them unless he sold them below cost. It is not a profitable business for him in the least.