Friday, April 17, 2009

Unmotivated

So here I am, sitting in my house that needs a good cleaning.  But I feel completely unmotivated...why?  Because I don't have a Kirby Vacuum.   On Wednesday some Kirby people stopped by and offered to shampoo my carpet, if I'd watch a demonstration.  So I let them in. Here's what happened:

First, the salesman asks to use my vacuum.  He vacuums with my Hoover.  He puts his vacuum together with a special little filter to catch all the dirt. He vacuums for about 2 seconds while I watch the filter fill up with dirt.  Lots of dirt.  He proceeds to change the little filter papers over and over, continually picking up dirt.  He only vacuumed a strip of carpet about 10' x 2' and pretty soon I have about 30 paper filters covered in dirt. 

The salesman proceeds to tell me that other vacuums don't have enough air flow to actually pick up anything more than surface fuzz and dirt.  He also informs me that all that dirt will wear out the carpet.  Using a Kirby vacuum will prolong the life of my carpet, and rather than spending $5000 on replacing my carpet in a few years, I can save money by spending $2495 on a new Kirby.  

That's right, a $2495.00 vacuum.  I thought to myself "It can't be $24.95, so it must be two-thousand-ninety-five dollars."

So here's the problem.  I'm totally convinced that a Kirby is an AWESOME vacuum.  And the guy practically had me convinced that it would be worth $2500.  Seriously, I was embarrassed by my dirty floors that I do vacuum regularly.  

So the guy left without making a sale (after giving me a lecture about how I shouldn't have to discuss this purchase with my husband because he wouldn't want me to spend that much money on a vacuum because he doesn't do the cleaning, and just wouldn't understand.  His wife can buy ANYTHING she wants for the house, because that's her job -- taking care of the house.  His job is to make the money.....etc.)  

However, he did sell me on one thing -- I want a Kirby vacuum.  Seriously, it was impressive.  So I've checked them out online and they have some refurbished vacuums for much, much less than a new one.  Still more than a vacuum at the store, but I'm pretty sure we need one....after all, our carpet is FULL of dirt.  

So that's why I'm unmotivated.  Why vacuum when it's not even going to pick up the dirt?  So instead of housework, I'm writing this kind of boring blog.  (:  I guess the moral of the story is this:  Don't watch a Kirby Vacuum demonstration or you may never vacuum with your Hoover again.

7 comments:

  1. Okay, I'm sorry, but the salesman sounds like...a jerky salesman. Amazing vacuum aside (you just sold me on the Kirby!), for him to get between you and your husband to make a sell is horrible. ...His poor wife, who gets to spend as much money as she wants (I don't buy it!) but has NO help with housework. I think I would easily keep my less than great vacuum for my dishwashing husband anyday. Good luck with the domestic depression...

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  2. I am grateful for hardwood floors, but I have been itching for a Dyson for years. I am glad I didn't let them in to show a demonstration. My OCD would have kicked in and I would have convinced myself I needed one too. BTW your comments are NOT boring.

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  3. If you want an expensive vacuum, buy a Dyson.

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  4. My sister had the same experience a couple years ago, only she did agree to buy one. After they left, with her old vacuum, she got buyer's remorse really bad and changed her mind. It's just too much money. Brian bought one on-line (ebay) before we got married for $300 and it's worked great for almost 6 years now and it was used. Salespeople are way too pushy, I'm glad you didn't let him push you into it with his dumb comments. You're stronger than I am!

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  5. We loved your Kirby story! We'll bring masks and leave the white gloves home when we visit! Hey, your mom and dad are visiting me and we read your blog and had a good laugh with your closing line. It's so good you didn't get snookered by that manipultive salesman (who insinuated you were a quasi FLDS brainwashed, vacuous (pardon the pun) wife)! You're not any of that! Keep using your Hoover.

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  6. i have been witness to the Awesome Power of the Kirby salesman's persuasion, too. i was at my mom's house when she let one inside. we all were totally blown away by it and it's really crazy how you start to think a $3000 vaccum is actually reasonable! she gave in and then also had major buyers remorse, tossing and turning all night so she called them the next day to return it. i at least did her the favor of running that thing all over her house before she returned it though...it really is amazing. i felt itchy in my bed for months afterwords thinking of all those bedbugs in my mattress but it's cheaper to just go buy a new mattress, right:)

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  7. I saw them walking the neighborhood one day when I came home. I had a temp job one time in Logan trying to set up appointments for a kirby salesaman (I was told there was no telemarketing, but I disagreed with what definition of telemarking and left!) I hate vacuuming, so it doesn't really matter what brand I have :).

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