Kirby Vacuums Faces Legal Action In Connecticut For Illegal Sales Techniques

Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. has completed his investigation into Kirby Vacuum high pressure sales techniques in this state and has asked the state Attorney General to take legal action.

“The Department of Consumer Protection is seeking a legal remedy and resolution that gives consumers adequate protection from the unfair sales practices of The Kirby Company and its affiliates, as alleged in consumer complaints in the past two years,” Farrell said.

“We allege that the Kirby and Scott Fetzer Companies, along with their distributors in Connecticut, have engaged in aggressive, high pressure and even unethical sales tactics, including in-home sales calls where sales representatives refuse to leave consumers’ homes, phone calls to consumers in violation of the state’s Telemarketing Act, selling used vacuum cleaners as new, targeting and preying on older residents. We also have numerous claims of consumers’ carpets that have been damaged during a sales call. We believe it’s time for a clean sweep of their business policies and practices,” he said.

As a consumer columnist I also have received many complaints from consumers targeted by Kirby salesmen, especially seniors. Some Kirby salesmen have also complained that they were taken advantage of by the franchise owners who promised them unrealistic compensation.

One complaint that I received was from an elderly Torrington woman who was sold one of the 25 pound vacuums despite the fact she could not move it up the stairs.

Farrell is also targeting United Consumer Financial Services, a national sales finance company specializing in consumer retail installment sales contracts owned by the Scott Fetzer Company, allegedly failed to ensure that Kirby dealers and representatives complied with laws pertaining to home solicitation sales contracts, including giving customers notice of the three-day right to cancel their purchase contract, and returning the consumer’s copy of the original contract upon cancellation.

Farrell is asking the Attorney General’s Office to file a civil action against The Kirby Company, the Scott Fetzer Company, United Consumer Financial Services, and the following Connecticut distributors of Kirby products in order to protect consumers from the unfair, threatening and abusive business tactics alleged by consumers in their complaints.

• JMG Distribution, Inc., in Waterbury area

• RFR Enterprises, LLC, in Naugatuck area

• GP Industries of Norwich, Inc., in Taftville area

• SZ Enterprises, in Orange area

• K&M Distribution, in Rocky Hill area

• Golden Circle Distribution, Inc., in Southington area

• South Shore Distributing, in Rocky Hill area

Blumenthal’s office provided the following statement later today.

“We are continuing to review these deeply disturbing allegations to determine what legal action is warranted.”

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24 Comments on "Kirby Vacuums Faces Legal Action In Connecticut For Illegal Sales Techniques"

  1. Wow! They have been around for many years.
    I remember throwing one sales guy out over 20 years ago.
    He asked “Are you always this rude or just to the Kiby Vacuum Salesman?”
    It took over 20 years to catch up to them?

  2. About time some legal action was taken against Kirby Vacuum……real annoying and consistently harassing people.
    I, too, reported them about six years ago — nothing was ever done about my complaint. They even LIED to me — gave the high political position of a person in my town who SUPPOSEDLY referred them to me. I called that political person direct and was told there was never any contact between Kirby and that person — therefore, the police got involved … but no arrest or follow through.
    Thanks to whomever finally made this happen.

  3. After more than 5 HOURS of being nice to a Kirby guy last year, his boss came to my house and dumped dirt on my floor and told me that I was a dirty person who didn’t care about my health if I didn’t buy a vacuum! Then he called his girlfriend to chat…while he was still at my house. I told him to leave immediately. The poor kid salesman who was with him and who had been trying to leave (they wouldn’t pick him up) I let stay in the warmth of my house until the van pulled up to get them at 11:30 pm!!!! I watched my back for weeks thinking the boss guy would come back….Thanks for whoever is trying to change their practices!!!

  4. It’s about time they caught up with them. They came to my house about ten years ago, and I couldn’t get them out for hours. I finally picked up the phone, and told them I was dialing the police, and they decided to leave. I wouldn’t buy anything from them!

  5. I was told after I had the job, that I had to work 7 days in a row to start . I started on monday and had to work through the week and weekend and again through the next week. Training started on monday, If you quit within the first 2 days you got paid nothing. I was traveling almost 30 miles to get there and 30 miles home. Having no money, I couldn’t afford this. I quit the second day, so now I get nothing. Not sure if this is legal.

    • It is legal, you are a INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR and make commission only OR a base pay as long as you do the amount required for the base pay.

      • I worked for two weeks traveling back and forth to Southington sold two vacuums and then was in a car accident. I went to pick up my pay check they said it was in the mail. After 2.5 weeks I received a check for $20. When I finally got the woman on the phone and asked what hap to my commission she said I didn’t get it because the loan people didn’t cover the full loan. This was never told to us. I was also promised 100 for first sale and she then switched and added stipulations now that I’m not working there. They also stated attending morning meetings daily produced a bonus in which she then after me leaving said there were more stipulations that were not informed to employees. Am I able to seek legal representation?

  6. Its always seems to amaze me how foolish some folk are! Kirby doesnt scam anyone. Everyone whos hired signs a contract that states that if u do 15 presentations a week You’ll get paid $500 dollars. I dont feel bad for those who didnt sell anything and decided to quit, because they didnt fulfill their contract requirements!You knew what u were getting into when u signed the contract because its pretty simple, so if u decided to sign and to stick around then thats your fault. I still work for kirby. I hire and train the new recruits and they know the first day of training exactly how everything works! Its designed that way to weed out anyone who wouldnt be interested in the job. So please stop lying because we keep all the contracts and packages that state these clear requirements. I thought it was a scam at first too, but after working hard and doing what i was taught to do i make about $1200 a week and thats no scam! I also agree that some of the idiots that sell kirbys do make the company look bad by their dumb sales tactics, but if i ever caught them doing that stuff theyd be fired on the spot! Remember these guys are independent contractors so talk about them specifically, not the company at large.

    • Kirby is still taking advantage of employees who sign this employment contract. First, there are young kids (starting age 18) who come in looking for a job and have no “life” experience to warn them about sleezebags like GOLDEN CIRCLE DISTRIBUTORS in SOUTHINGTON, CT. After 2 full days of training, and another 7 days of sales, the employee received NO compensation. This happened because the employer did not schedule enough demonstrations towards the end of the week allowing the employee to fulfill the required 15 demos. The employee received a full page of 25 references, plus references from other demonstrations. You are telling me they weren’t able to schedule additional demonstrations because people weren’t available? No way! How convenient for the employer (GOLDEN CIRCLE DISTRIBUTORS in SOUTHINGTON, CT) to suddenly not have enough scheduled. Unbelievable! I will be telling anyone and everyone I know about their sleezy tactics, and I will be filing a complaint with the Department of Labor. It is one thing to sign a contract that says you have a quota to fill when the appointments are in your own hands, but when the company has control over the appointments that’s another ball of wax. This is only the beginning! All hell is breaking loose now!

  7. I’m sorry but you are WRONG. They are still scam ming people and they get good money because they are good at scamming people. I worked for kurby about a year ago. I made all my goals, worked very hard. I put most my time into that stupid organization even went to all there top meeting. Had my 15 appointments the second week sold three kurbys in one week. My dumb as did that for two months doing everything expected and sold the exspected ammount. Never even got paid a dime not even for orientation. Also they tried making me do things and say things to people that were illegal and just plan wrong. They tried making me go out after 9’3 at night they told me to lie and say the product was never used and they said if I knew that the person had a lot of money rolling in to charge them twice the amount as if it weren’t already expensive. They told me to target elderly people and they lie about a stupid contest. It’s all bull. They go after people dumb enough to work hard n not get paid then. Then when you realize yOu’ve been scammed they disappear on your ass.

  8. Oh and I signed one of those stupid contracts.

  9. This kirby shit is a HUGE scam!! I worked for them for about 2 weeks an what they made me say to people were complete LIES!!! I had to quit the job was a f…. joke! Am its very true they made us target the elderly….KIRBY COMPANY should be shut down forever….THEY ARE A COMPLETE JOKE!!

  10. After several months of being laid off, I thought this was my way back into the working world. I knew something was wrong during the orientation as soon as they started talking about all expense paid vacations, winning free prizes like an iPhone, Laptop, PS3 etc. I just knew things weren’t right. I called the “Manager” that night and said it wasn’t going to work for me. I hope the other 19 people realize this too. 🙁

  11. I had two male Kirby sales reps knock on my door on a rainy day and said that they were a floor cleaning company giving free cleaning services to get their name out there in the valley area. They said that they were new in the area and were trying to get their name established. I kept insisting that I wasn’t interested while my dog was barking non-stop at them. This apparently didn’t deter them. I finally agreed to allow them into my home to clean only ONE floor in my house. What am I, an idiot? Apparently so. They said they’d be back in 10 minutes because the truck with all of the cleaning supplies was down the street with some of their other sales reps. Next thing you know, the two reps brought back with them a Kirby and another sales rep (female..) They did their “show” with the Kirby and were so insistent that I purchase this vacuum. I am currently unemployed and that didn’t phase them. I ended up calling my mother who lives in another state to ask her to pay for this Kirby piece of crap. The female rep also kept throwing in my face that this last sale of the day to me would get her the cruise to some island and it would be her honeymoon that she hasn’t been on since her wedding day. Boo hoo! I was so duped and I curse the Kirby associates and their products!!!

  12. A sale person from Kirby called me and inform me that I had won a free a free carpet cleaning for any two rooms, so of course I invited them to my home. two male salemen came by and inform me that I had to watch the demonstration. I inform them I had a kirby and did not need a need one. I also inform them that they needed to leave because I was leaving for Florida. During the process he was not able to get all his belonging together and ask to leave it there. He ask me to sign this consent form, since the items was in my home. I did and he left. To make a long story short, I enter into a contract to purchase the vaccum, I cancel it once I had realized what happen, but I had to call united consumer finance because Kirby rep. would not answer the phone. The two men came back to get there vaccum and they ask me if I could I ask my parents to purchase it because he really needed the sale for his family and his job was at stake, because kirby had never had anybody cancel a sale. I told him I would ask my parents and if they didn’t want it I would call him the next day. I did so he didn’t answer. I left message on the voicemail in regards to picking up the product. I contacted UCFS and they said kirby never cancel the sale. I have phone records indicating how many times I call them and provided to UCFS and they believe me but Kirby denied the cancelation and said I could had been calling at 10pm to tell the sale person he did a great representation that some BULL SH**. anyway now i’m paying for another vaccuum that I don’t need. These people are a ripoff and I hope to never see another kirby person or product. I hope they go out of business. If you are trying to get a classaction law suit please include me.

  13. I purchased a Kirby years ago and I did get a used Kirby. I was told that they could not give me the box. It was the vacuum that they used in the demo in my house. It seemed very odd that they wouldn’t provide me with the box and after reading about Kirby facing legal charges I now know why; the Kirby I purchased was used in other homes to demonstrate the product.

  14. I currently work for Kirby & i am a appointment maker..I’ve read all of the comments & would just like to add a few things..i make the calls & i hear just about everything..u have to have very thick skin to do the job i do..somedays i get cussed out 10 times & it’s because of dumb sales reps! The Kirby vacuum is really a good product..it can literally last a lifetime..i spoke to one very nice lady who had a 75 year old Kirby passed down from her Mom that still worked!! I believe in the product…the problem is untrained sales reps going into homes & making a bad name for the company..I’m giving u a view from the inside..i totally understand people’s frustrations because i get frustrated when i hear these stories…i do have to say the company i work for has been good to me & we are trying to change that way things have been…people just remember when a tele calls u with a invite for a demo..don’t bite there heads off they are just doing a very hard job

  15. Kirby sold this heavy vacuum to my 85 year old mother. She has been unable to use it because it is so heavy. It was a year ago and CT Kirby office (rudely) stated that why did it take her a year? She felt embarrassed…she was taken by Kirby. They do prey on the elderly. How can I get Kirby to return her $1100?

  16. JustinNotSoAmazing | December 28, 2014 at 2:58 pm |

    Yes Kirby is a big scam. I worked under JD & Associates in Mississippi. I sold a few Kirbys and still made a total of ZERO! The sales reps come to your home, offer a free bottle of soap in exchange for a demo, lie about opening a store in your neigborhood, then come up with some so story about a stupid contest they know they’re not even close to winning. The Kirby is seriously a very good machine, but it’s not worth the $2,000 they wanted us to sell it for! They jack up the price to pay their crooked company, their team leader, and commission to put in their pocket for their own personal use. If you want a Kirby, go on Ebay and get it for $400-600. Otherwise, if you got a few thousand to spare, go fund your own trip instead of funding these sleazy Kirby people!

  17. Kirby is what you put in to it..just like any other business.every thing that is for sale has some kind of sales tech I bought 1 and have no complaints and truly love it

  18. On Tuesday, December 16, 2015 – Kirby Vacuum sales people came to my house!

    I live in Yonkers, New York. Kirby from Shelton CT. a girl named Monica, knocked on my door, she is Italian like me, she was friendly, pushy and a fast talker, but, very likable, so I let her in.

    I just finished having tea, and, Monica said we are in this area of Yonkers today, were opening a store in this location, and we are doing free demonstrations, we’ll do your wood floors, carpets couch, etc. I asked her if there are any toxic chemicals involved because I have pets, etc. She said, our advertising is word of mouth, we’re over at your neighbor’s house Marie. So, I said, ok, just give me enough time to take a shower and get dressed, come back in 20 minutes.

    Then, Monica, comes back with a very sweet black girl “Nisha”. I knew she was a young, nervous and inexperienced, but, I remember when I was that young selling vacuums at Costco. I wanted her to do her best!

    Well, I was impressed with this vacuum, Nisha, cleaned my L-shaped couch beautiful, my wood floors, my white kitchen floor, my bedroom floor, and she was even able to unclog my bathroom sink with this Kirby Vacuum, I was impressed!

    Then, she couldn’t lock the vacuum into place, and she called her manager Shane, he came into my house in 5 minutes, showed her how to look it into place. Ok, now here’s the sale pitch, Shane tells me about the contest they are having and how Nisha won’t get into the contest if I don’t buy a vacuum. I asked him are you telling me she is not getting paid for what she just did? He said, no, she gets paid a base salary. I said, ok. Then, he called his boss to tell him I love the vacuum, but, I have to discuss it with my husband. He said, my boss said if you buy the machine today. You get a lifetime guarantee, we’re opening a service store in Yonkers. Therefore because you would be buying the demo vacuum, I could give you a deal today, $1400.00. I thought wow – that is some sales pitch!

    Obviously, I don’t have that kind of money, secondly, I usually don’t let strangers into my house because it’s not a good Idea to do that, but, Monica, is very convincing. The good thing is I got my house cleaned and I was happy about that.

    The machine cleans carpets, walls, woodwork, curtains and drapes, but, I would stay clear of it cleaning your mattress.

    It’s a powerful little vacuum, it does a good job, but, for $1400. I don’t think it’s worth $1400. Then, a white van picked them all up in the neighborhood and they all went back to Shelton, Connecticut. They were all polite and respectful.

    Foot Note:

    It was a fun 2-hours – Nisha is a wonderful girl, and, this will be good experience for her to learn from, and, trust me this is not a job for lazy people. It’s not an easy job, it’s work! Kirby Vacuum does a nice job, a much better job than my $200 special “Pet” vacuum. Nobody is perfect, but, I was impressed.

  19. You can add RTS & Associates , LLC in Shelton Ct to that list as well. I just got a Kirby Vacuum from them through United Consumer Financial Service. I don’t even know why I allowed them into my home, gave them my information, signed the contract and allowed them to open a credit line. They don’t tell you that you will have to fiance the vacuum. I’m glad I’m not the only one who got played by them. Will be cancelling tomorrow. Never again will I let this happen.

  20. they said that i am hired and i have orientation tommorow in shelton ct is this bad idea to go through with it would be my first job

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