What's your opinion on Kirby Vacuum?

Question

I just bought one today. The sales guy happened to be at my local grocery store parking lot eating in his car while I was loading my car with the rug doctor I just rented to clean my carpet today and that's when he approached me. He was a bit pushy about cleaning my carpet "for free". Obviously there was a catch but he managed to convince me. After seeing the demonstration of all the dirt that's being left behind, I gave in. The price that they originally said was $1700 but he ended up selling it to me for $1000 plus 2 years worth of bags and shampoo.

I've NEVER heard of this company or the reputation of the sales people before today. I bought the vacuum and then went online to research what I bought. hehe, bad choice. After reading some reviews, I don't feel so good about the purchase anymore.

Obviously it's alot of money for a vacuum. For anyone who has experience with these vacuums, what are your thoughts and opinions? Please help!! I have 3 days to return it if i want.

The demonstration is VERY convincing. That's why I bought it. Is it worth it? Could I have gotten it for less than $1000? It's the newest model, "sentria".

Are they even good vacuums? Does it get more dirt out than everday vacuums?

Answer 1

girl... give that thing back to them as fast as you can... i got suckered into buying one a few years ago... worst mistake i ever made... i also got the free demo. my son has asthma and i was so amazed by the "extra" dirt and dust the demonstrator pulled out of my carpet. And just the thought of how much money I was going to save by being able to transform it into a carpet shampooer as well as a vacuume was wonderful... Yeah until about 3 weeks later and I found out that it was not cleaning anymore dirt up than my regular old eureeka and was bulky and always in the way.... and then the reason he gave you two years worth of free products is because after about 6 - 8 months, you cant get bags and other products for it... also, look on the motor part, there should be a model # or vin# or something like that.. the last 4 digits should coincide with a month and year that has recently passed..eg 0406 or 0806... this is the month and year it was manufactured... if it is 0405 then it was made in april of 2005... this may be why he was selling it to you so cheap.. they try to get rid of this stuff by any down low means possible.. GIVE IT BACK

And now if you still want one, i still have my old one sitting in my shed with other junk we dont use...you are welcome to it

Answer 2

I am a professional carpet cleaner, and this is my experience with Kirbys.
They are good vacuums, no doubt about it, BUT, I would never use the shampooer that comes with it because it leaves too much residue on the carpet fibers and will attract dirt faster afterwords.
Also, buying a Kirby is like buying a car. They start out with a price that is waayyy over priced and they have lots of "room" to come down on the price until you feel that you got a good price.
I have asked LOTS of people and the best deal on a brand new kirby with all the "toys" that I have heard of is $750.00.
I have never heard of anyone getting one any cheaper, but I have heard of people paying as much as $2000.00.

I will tell you that the best buy for the money is a hoover wind-tunnel upright with the disposable bag, with the "embedded dirt finder". About $179.00 at Sears (or other stores). I would put this vacuum up against any vacuum and is MUCH better than a Kirby!

Answer 3

I looked at the kirby, but I do not like their sales tactics. They pressured an old and disabled relative into buying one of their dang machines. Look, who has time to do all of the things their vacuum does? Nobody does. We don't really clean that way these days. SO, I saved tons of money and bought an Orek XL. It is as light and easy as they say, and it cleans better than most other vacuums. I have a black dog who sheds heavy black fir for eleven months of the year. Trust me when I tell you, I know vacuums. Kirby, well, it's really good, but too much of a pain in the but, and scummy sales people who employ the slickest tricks in the book, and you may not recognize them with out a sales background.
SO: THE BOTTOM LINE IS YES, YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN IT FOR LESS, AND YES, TAKE IT BACK AND SAVE YOURSELF THE GRIEF AND MONEY AND BUY AN OREK XL

Answer 4

I currently have a Kirby. The bad boy ha got to be about 20 years old. I think it was originally my grandmothers.

They are expensive but they are good. They can be used as everything from a leaf blower, rug shampoo, and of course vacuum.

They are expensive, if you do have reservations on price, by all means send it back. You will most likely get a long service life out of it. But I do understand they are dear.

Answer 5

They are good vacuum cleaners, but you're right - they are a bit overpriced and the sales people are pushy to the extreme.

Their demos are impressive though and the vacuum really does suck (in the right way).

I was put off by the price and the sales person, but others I know are very happy with their investment

Answer 6

over priced, over rated, they are vacuums only. to clean your hair do you shampoo and not rinse with water ? of course you do so why would you shampoo a carpet and not rinse ? the shampoo residue left behind will collect dirt, dirt sticks to this and your carpet will always look dirty, you will be doing alot of cleaning on your carpets. Buy a good but alot cheaper vacuum and rent a cleaning machine or hire a pro when needed. Ive seen so many people fall for this then regret it later

Answer 7

I bought mine in 1996 and it still works great. Cleans carpet as good as any of it's type like what you rented.

It is worth the money. Also yes you can still buy bags and cleaner for it. I order from online all the time.

Answer 8

My parents bought one in 1975 and used it until about 4yrs ago. They only had to do 2 minor repairs on it during that time. $1000 is actually a decent price. They are good vacuums.

Answer 9

They are the BEST! My Grandmother had one that lasted around 60 years and my parents have one that is 50 years-old this year. The only thing they've had to change were the wheels and belts from due to wearing out.

Answer 10

They are very expensive, and they don't clean better (or worse) than many better sweepers, but they are DURABLE. Your sweeper will outlast several leading brand sweepers one after the other and it will still be working. Kirby had the lowest rate of repairs for any sweeper in Consumer reports.
You did not make a bad choice.