Business Services Industry
Critics Charge Omaha, Neb., Firm's Vacuum Seller with Pressure Tactics.
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, October, 1999 by Dorr, Robert
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Oct. 12 -- When it comes to business ethics, Warren Buffett is considered Mr. Clean.
Last week, however, the Kirby vacuum-cleaner unit of a company owned by Buffett-led conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc. came under criticism for high-pressure sales tactics that, some say, take advantage of elderly people and low-income consumers.
In a front-page story, the Wall Street Journal reported on the tactics of independent distributors in selling $1,500 vacuum cleaners. About 70 percent of the machines are financed by distributors, at interest rates around 20 percent, the article said.
The story made several references to Buffett's connection to the company, including a Berkshire Hathaway reference in the...
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