Kirby Vacuum and Carpet Shampooer

I have been a Kirby customer for the past 20 years but have become increasingly disillusioned with the service since I bought my new machine two years ago.

I have had two appointments this year to have my Kirby cleaner serviced. Twice the engineer has failed to arrive: in March he arrived at half past eight in the evening when we had expected him at 6pm. Had he had the courtesy to ring to warn us he would be late we could have told him it was too late for us. Today the engineer was due between 11-11.30. He didn't arrive and again there was no phone call. I had to ring them because I am courteous and had to go to an appointment. They rang me back at 3 pm to rearrange again but quite frankly they have breached my trust and confidence for the last time.

The machines are not cheap and neither is the service contract. I am amazed they have stayed in business this long.

I bought a Kirby vacuum/shampoo system about 2 years ago - what a disaster! It is heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to use. I actually have back ache after using it. The tools are a nightmare. Having said that, it does do the vacuuming, but its hard work. The aftercare is very expensive too, they just want to sell you stuff. I can't use mine now, as there is a fault with the lead, it keeps stopping and starting, so has a faulty connection. This has to be fixed by a Kirby engineer, and they want to charge £50 for a new cable as well as a service. There is nothing wrong with the cable, it just needs the connection fixing. My advice is don't buy one. I now use a Miele vacuum, and it is so much easier! Wish I'd bought it first!!

The Kirby shampooer left my carpet streaked and smelly. After 3 days, the shampoo odor is still strong and most unpleasant. I put that I have owned this for less than a month, but I did not buy the vacuum. I told the salesperson from the beginning that I was not going to purchase the vacuum and had only agreed to have my stairs shampooed. After two hours of the salesman demonstrating the Kirby, shampooing the stairs in my house, telling my how bad my Dyson was, I did not purchase it. What I would like to tell everyone is: 1) Kirby is over priced, has extremely high-pressure sales tactics; 2) Go online for yourself and read the complaints; and )3 Never let a Kirby salesperson into your house!