Kirby sales down

I hear from a friend that owns a vac shop/service/repair/sells used machines,,says that according to the local Kirby dealer,,they are starving.
Well,,sorry but, not too many people are going to be able to give 3000.00 for a new Kirby these days.
For that kind of money, the machine better wash windows,dishes,and the ceiling!
Hello? There is a horrible recession going on,,did you not know?
Not only that but, many people are getting rid of their carpets! They dont need or want a big clunky vacuum,,they want a SWIFFER!
For 3000.00 plus, the Kirby better do more than polish a floor!
This friend says that HIS sales are doing fine however,,people are getting wise to the fact that you can buy a used,rebuilt machine,even polished up with new bag system,carpet shampooer, zip brush,and full attachments for well under half of what a new one will cost out of the salesman's trunk.
Or they are buying off of E-Bay.
You can get a used G3-4 off of E-Bay for less than 100 dollars,,they are practically a dime a dozen.
Maybe not all shined and polished,,but at least with a decient bag/belt,decient transmission,,and all systems work.

This friend also says that many sales people are hangin it up and finding something else,,,too hard of work for no pay!
Kirby is shooting themselves in the foot by not having more of their own retail/repair stores.
Evidently if you know how to repair a vacuum cleaner quickly,and have all the necessary parts/bags/belts, ect for sale,, and a line of used machines for sale,,you can make good money,,at least enough to keep above water when sales are down. Wouldnt hurt to know how to repair a sewing machine either! When a woman's sewing machine dosent work right, and they use it alot,,she'll be in like flint, willing to pay big money!


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 84762 11/26/2009 at 23:55 (5,262 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes I hear from a friend that owns a vac shop/service/repair/sells used machines,,says that according to the local Kirby dealer,,they are starving. Well,,sorry but, not too many people are going to be able to give 3000.00 for a new Kirby these days. For that kind of money, the machine better wash windows,dishes,and the ceiling! Hello? There is a horrible recession going on,,did you not know? Not only that but, many people are getting rid of their carpets! They dont need or want a big clunky vacuum,,they want a SWIFFER! For 3000.00 plus, the Kirby better do more than polish a floor! This friend says that HIS sales are doing fine however,,people are getting wise to the fact that you can buy a used,rebuilt machine,even polished up with new bag system,carpet shampooer, zip brush,and full attachments for well under half of what a new one will cost out of the salesman's trunk. Or they are buying off of E-Bay. You can get a used G3-4 off of E-Bay for less than 100 dollars,,they are practically a dime a dozen. Maybe not all shined and polished,,but at least with a decient bag/belt,decient transmission,,and all systems work. This friend also says that many sales people are hangin it up and finding something else,,,too hard of work for no pay! Kirby is shooting themselves in the foot by not having more of their own retail/repair stores. Evidently if you know how to repair a vacuum cleaner quickly,and have all the necessary parts/bags/belts, ect for sale,, and a line of used machines for sale,,you can make good money,,at least enough to keep above water when sales are down. Wouldnt hurt to know how to repair a sewing machine either! When a woman's sewing machine dosent work right, and they use it alot,,she'll be in like flint, willing to pay big money!

Post# 84766 , Reply# 1 11/27/2009 at 00:47 (5,262 days old) by kirbyotronic ()
Checkrate/Likes *For $3,000 'plus'* your dealer is ripping you off. With my experiences from buying a new Kirby, you can get one for as low as $850 with the shampooer and Zippbrush. Most dealers start at $2,400. But $3,000? But I agree, some people aren't able or wanting to spend that much on a vacuum at this time. ~Alex

Post# 84774 , Reply# 2 11/27/2009 at 03:26 (5,262 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes $3000 Kirbys--something fishy there.He selling them for almost TWICE what the machine should sell for.If the Kirby Co. finds out about his "overpricing"that dealers francise can be shut down by Kirby immedietly.Yes its true during these hard times many folks can't justify paying DTD prices for ANY vacuum.Thats why the low priced machines from Wal-Mart,Target,Sears,and others are doing well.Its not just Kirby that is hurting-The TriStar dealer from Raleigh is hurting-and the Filter Queen dealer out here shut down several years ago.This area has gone thru several Kirby dealers, too.

Post# 84827 , Reply# 3 11/27/2009 at 15:15 (5,261 days old) by em-tor64 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Refurbished Kirbys* Even Overstock.com has refurbished Kirbys now..... Sometimes they have 3 or 4 different G models available... today only this Ultimate G. CLICK HERE TO GO TO em-tor64's LINK

Post# 84830 , Reply# 4 11/27/2009 at 16:15 (5,261 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes My aunt and uncle got their Ultimate G for 800. Without trading in their G5,and they got the shampooer and zip brush like Alex mentioned. You can really get them down if you know how to wheel and deal.

Post# 84831 , Reply# 5 11/27/2009 at 16:33 (5,261 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes Yeah, i understand that by the time the loan rate percentages, added fees, and taxes are figured into the price of a new Kirby, sold out of the salesman's trunk,(assuming the buyer is financing the purchase) the total bottom line price is well over 3000 dollars. Totally rediculous! Buyer Beware! I hear our local Aerus (Electrolux) office is also hurting big time for sales. Our FIlter Queen dealer shut down several years ago also. I hear the Rainbow dealer is also all but gone too.

Post# 84832 , Reply# 6 11/27/2009 at 17:15 (5,261 days old) by ohio_tuec ()
Checkrate/Likes Even with the extra attachments, $3000.00 for a Kirby is outrageous! If Kirby does go out of business (as did AirWay a short time ago), they'll have done it to themselves. While I have always had a soft spot for Kirbys (and I would never downplay their versatility), not only are they waaaay overpriced new, for everyday use, what nobody has pointed out as of yet is that they are not practical in the cleaners are TOO DAMN HEAVY! The new, totally redesigned model will tell the tale if they will sink or swim. I think we're all hopeful the new model will retain the same amount of aluminum yet be lighter in weight. Eliminating the Tech Drive would probably eliminate 5 pounds....