Kirby Vacuum Brings a New Twist to Door-to-Door Sales

If you have all read my article where I compared the Kirby Vacuum to the Rainbow, then you already know how I feel about both. We've had our Kirby Vacuum for several years now and I can honestly say I love it just as much as I always did and it still works just as well as it did on day one. Even regardless of the fact that it is dirty and dusty due to the fact that I am just not one to sit down and clean the machine as I should. I also know that you can have your Kirby Vacuum overhauled and cleaned up for as long as you own it, I just never got around to doing it. For me it works just fine and does the job it's meant for so I don't see the need to take it in just yet.

Here is where my problem lies now as it seems that the salespeople they are using to try to sell more of these vacuums door-to-door are moving on to new tactics. Since we had purchased our Kirby we have probably had a half dozen salespeople at our door and they are getting pushier than ever.

Not too long ago we had one ring our doorbell and even after being advised that we already own a Kirby, the salesperson still wanted to come in and go through his demonstration. Seriously, what is the point if we already have one. It is also my understanding that it is not how much time they spend with a prospective, or in our case, non-prospective client, but how many units they sell. How can they possibly think that someone who already owns a Kirby wants to buy another one? I have to assume this salesperson's only goal was to look like they were making headway. It's not like he had to tell his boss that we weren't buying because we already had one, especially since the "boss" apparently just drops these young folks off at the end of a block and if they get lucky and get their foot in the door, the salesperson calls whoever is driving them around and gets the Vacuum and all it's attachments and extras dropped at your door. Later there will be a pick-up of the items, the salespeople and then a mass exodus leaving your neighborhood all at once.

Seems though that they may have moved onto new tactics. A few weeks ago there was another salesperson at our door attempting to sell another Kirby or any of the other products that go with it such as vacuum bags, cleaning products, etc. I'm just sorry I didn't know she could sell bags too as we desperately needed more and there are not that many local shops that carry them. I probably would have paid extra to not have to travel about 30 miles to go buy the bags at the flea market or the one of two vacuum stores in my area that carry them.

Regardless, what kills me is the fact that this young woman at our door no longer represents what we assume are door-to-door salesman. Gone are the days of opening the door to a well-groomed, properly dressed salesman. We bought our Kirby from a young woman who showed up in a clean, crisp business style suit and she looked completely respectable. Seems the company may have downgraded their dress code since the last one appeared at our door in a tank top that could barely sustain her bosom and short shorts that would probably work on a man when she bends over to plug the vacuum in. Yes it's summer and yes it's Florida, but personally that is not going to make me let this girl in my house. Door-to-door sales is a hard racket to be in, I have done it myself, but no matter what you're selling or where you are there should be a level of self respect and as they say, dress for success. Personally, I don't think I'd even buy suntan lotion from someone who came to my door dressed that way. I realize sex sells, I just don't think sex should be selling vacuums.