Kirby Company

Kirby Company

Kirby Company

History

The first Kirby vacuums were designed by Jim Kirby for George Scott and Carl Fetzer after World War I, although the Kirby name was not used on a vacuum cleaner until the 1930s.

In 1970, input from Kirby distributors, dealers, management and customers guided Kirby engineers in developing the Kirby Classic. The model was an instant success, with soaring sales, forcing the company to expand its manufacturing facilities outside of Cleveland for the first time. In 1972, Kirby West began operations in Andrews, Texas. The facility doubled the company manufacturing capabilities.[citation needed]

Warranty

The Kirby warranty varies depending on the model sold, but always has the lifetime factory rebuild plan. The warranty on the current model, the Sentria, is a three-year factory warranty excluding wear and tear. After the initial warranty expires, the rebuild plan is activated that is good for the lifetime of the original purchaser, in which the owner can have the Sentria completely restored to its original condition for a price determined by the United States Consumer Price Index (currently $175), plus shipping cost. In addition, if during this time the Kirby is damaged in a fire, the Kirby company will replace the vacuum with the current model for the same fee. In both of these instances, a new 1-year warranty comes into effect.

Sales practices

Sales procedures vary with each dealer. They include canvassing, door-to-door, and by-appointment.

An initial price is offered to the customer. The Kirby is presented as a long term investment or a home care system, superior to other vacuums. Either a manager is brought in to the demonstration, or the salesperson may call their manager to offer higher discounts until the customer is able to pay by cash or use a payment plan (usually schemed or set-up/arranged phone calls). The price a Kirby is initially offered at may be up to 3000 in the UK and the majority of Kirby's are sold on credit with interest rates of 18% to 25%

"Purchasing Plans" offered are actually loans that can improve or degrade your credit rating, depending if repayments are made.

Kirby products online

Kirby vacuum cleaners, new and used, can be found on eBay for prices ranging from $200 to $1900 for recent models. However, such sales are unauthorized by Kirby and do not carry any warranty. Some units originate from distributors that have left the business and are selling their remaining units at wholesale prices, and people selling reconditioned units.

References

^ The Kirby Story from the company's website

^ Kirby Model History

^ http://www.cockeyed.com/citizen/kirby/kirby_letters.html

^ Neighborhood Pests

^

Categories: Companies based in Cleveland, Ohio | Berkshire Hathaway | Vacuum cleaner manufacturers | Goods manufactured in the United StatesHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from July 2009 | All articles lacking sources | NPOV disputes from May 2009 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from January 2008

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