Jim Kirby started manufacturing vacuum cleaners as early as 1907. As early as 1920 the company began its famous - some would say infamous - direct selling to customers. Legions of door-to-door sales agents went out and sold Kirby vacuum cleaners, making Kirby a multinational, billion-dollar organisation. This selling technique has been very successfully but has courted controversy. Many have accused the tactics used by Kirby sales agents as being underhand; targeting old people, calling at someone's house, telling them they've won a carpet cleaning prize, and, once inside, pressurizing them to buy a vacuum cleaner they don't need or want. Kirby have been accused of selling vacuum cleaners to people that can't afford it.

But, like most things, there are always two sides to the story. Jim Kirby, the founder, always stated that he wanted to empower his employees. He came from a time when employers could mistreat employees and get away with it. The Kirby Company wanted its employees to share in the company's success. Employing agents, who worked for themselves, selling Kirby vacuums during the hours that suited them, and who were rewarded for hard work - by selling more - was seen as the best way to share the company's success. And, many agents did reap the rewards and worked for Kirby for all their working lives. Also, many people who bought a Kirby vacuum were extremely happy to do so. They would claim that they didn't feel pressurized into buying one and, by having an in-home demonstration, they felt reassured that that the product they were buying actually lived up to its sales hype.

Arguing about the company's sales tactics diverts our attention from the vacuum cleaner. It's a shame because the vacuum cleaners sold by Kirby are excellent. They are powerful, yet lightweight and are very easy to use. The biggest plus side, as seen by many, is their durability. Kirby vacuum cleaners are renowned for lasting the lifetime of an owner. Indeed, Kirby vacuum cleaners have been passed down from one generation to the next; something which very few, if any, other vacuum cleaner manufacturers can match. There's even a Kirby Owner's Club! Buying replacement parts and getting your Kirby vacuum serviced is no problem, even for older models. This is not so with other manufacturers, who tend to change design every few years and then don't provide parts - or service - for their older models.

Buying a Kirby vacuum cleaner can be a good investment. If you do have an in-home demonstration my advice would be not to buy on the spot - no matter what the agent tells you; he can always call again. Also, go out and look at other models available and compare like with like. Most owners of a Kirby vacuum cleaner love'm.