The Kirby vacuum?

Question

I had sales people come to my door last night. I was just getting in the shower. I told them I had very little time. Two came in and demostrated. The woman was very understand and went through it fast. When they were getting ready to leave the big boss came in. I am assuming to close the deal. He went throught the demo all over again. I kept telling him I have been through it already. Three hours later they were leaving!! She apologized. It seems like an amazing vacuum, but a lot of work. In addition to the work it was going to cost me 1900.00! I hear they Dyson (misspelled I am sure) is good. Does anyone know anything about the Dyson?

Answer 1

My mom had a Kirby when I was a kid (the red model, looked like the one they had in the movie Mr. Mom.) That thing was a beast. She never had it serviced, and I think she used it for 15 years.

Me, I'm a Eureka woman. I have a bagless and the Boss Smartvac. The boss does an awesome job of picking of pet hair (the best vac for under $150 I could find.)

I've owned an Oreck (loved it, lightweight, easy to change bags, transitioned directly from hard floors to carpet.) The Oreck couldn't pick up a sweater fuzzy or cat hair to save its life. Also a little disappointing that it didn't have attachments.

I've had a Dirt Devil Vision Upright (bagless). That thing lasted 2 years. And for those of you who read my responses, you know I'm anal, I'm vacuuming up anything but dust and cathair (I truly think that some people beat on their vacuums and try to pick up bobby pins, safety pins, etc.) The attachments on that thing were a joke. I think the most distressing thing about the Dirt Devil was that it worked SO WELL the first few months of its life. Its alsmost like it was a teenager, then suddenly slumped into Alzheimers' and lost all its power. Notning was clogged, I changed out belts, emptied the dust bin each time, but the thing just wouldn't suck.

I've also owned a Fantom. These big black upright vacs were pre-Dyson but hit right after the bagless vac craze. Again, the attachments on this one were weak, and just like the Dirt Devil, it steadily lost its will to live and soon couldn't even pick up a piece of lint off the floor. How distressing.

You know, this is just my belief, but bagless vacuums are really pieces of crap. Changing vacuum bags used to be costly and time consuming and well, messy. I think the bagless vac craze changed all that. My Eureka Boss SmartVac ($148) is simpler to change out that bag than empty the dust bin on my bagless. And since no dust is being leaked, I'm not sneezing like I have SARS. I love that vacuum.

But really, if I have learned one thing in life its this: just buy a new mid-range vacuum every 5 years. They do lose power (just like cars do). I doubt I'll ever buy a Dyson. They sound like a good deal, but I'm out of the bagless vacuum phase.

The good thing about my obsession with vacuum cleaners? My friends and family know they'll get my cast-offs. My mother is using my Oreck...she doesn't have cats, so it works great for her. My best friend has my fantom. Again, no cats, works great for her. My sister has my dirt devil.

But then, maybe its just me. I'm overly anal about cleaning. At least I'm not putting all these old vacuum cleaners in the landfill!

Answer 2

My momloves her Dyson, I personally own a Kirby and love it except the weight of it. Kirby's do last but if you have a 2 story then get a easier to lift model. I loke the fact that it has the hepa filter because my son has serious asthma and that is why I purchased it and that I am a clean freak so dust mites gross me out. You can't go wrong with a kirby I would go on ebay or something and see what they run. Even one that is ten years old can be fixed up at the local Kirby shop. I would definately file a complaint against the salesmen, they are very good but that is ridiculous.

Answer 3

I live where Kirby vacuum's are manufactured.. I've never had anyone come to my house selling Kirby... However, I will have to say that my mother-in-law and her mother-in-law both have refurbished Kirby's from the 1940's/1960's.. In fact they still run and they have them serviced for under $25 which is a total rebuild ! It's very rare in this day and age to have a vacuum still working after so many yrs. Although, they are heavy which is why I have been given my mother-in-laws vacuum she has to have a lighter vacuum.. I've heard that Dyson in good but, I would hardly think it will be around for 20, 30 or 40 yrs. We've gotten use to in our thinking that to just throw away and buy a new one.. If you like the Kirby may I suggest going to an estate/garage sale or vacuum repair place they may have one for considerably cheaper.. Good luck

Answer 4

I actually went throught the whole vacuum choosing thing a year ago and we actually discovered a vacuum cleaner named wertheim to be the best!!!! it was $700 but its fantastic for cleaning much better than a dyson because it has a motor head

Answer 5

DON'T Pay full price for the Kirby! If you really want one, you can haggle them down. You can get them down to 1,100 or less, and if that doesn't work, get a new sales person. Kirby's do last for a very long time.

Answer 6

I have a Dyson and it works great and I have several dogs in the house. I would write Kirby, though and inform them of the salesman behavior and tell them I would NEVER purchase their product because of the pushy salesman experience! I think it is wrong for them to "harrass" people like that one did. You were kind enough to let them in and then he took advantage of you and your schedule. (just my opinion there).

Answer 7

i once succumbed to the kirby sales pitch. twelve years later, its powerful motor still works amazingly well...as an upright vac. it IS a lot of work to change the head to allow you to use the hose and attachments. also, it's cumbersome and heavy to take from one storey to the next. so now, it sits while i happily use a canister vac and switch easily from the power head to the different brushes.