Porky:
Yes I opened with something like; don’t feel bad, you got worked by pros. It could (and does) happen too many people but of course that does not fully take away the angry feelings this likely left her with.
I am there for her to help, she knows that.
As Donaldson says, she is the classic nice old lady who can get worked for the full $2,200. The paperwork was for something like a $1,400 purchase price but up to $2,200 after the million months of $60 per month.
As nedc said, it is not the machine that I dislike; it is the tactics and strong-arming. I am sure that everything they do is "legal" it just fails to be "ethical."
Speaking of legal here is how it works (and I am paraphrasing since the real paperwork is at her house.)
Just sign here and we will leave it with you for 3 day trial.
At the time this seems to be your only option to get them to leave. Once she signed they were out the door in seconds.
As you suspect, you have signed a purchase agreement.
The distributor (locally Trebor Distributing) must be notified in 3 days, by mail that you want to return the model.
In 3 days you do not have enough time to send certified mail and uncertified will result in no proof that you attempted to notify.
Upon receiving notification (un-provable) the company will return to your house in 20 days to gather the unit at no expense to you. The terms really focus on the fact that if they fail to pick it up within 20 days, you are free to keep it (see above about no proof that they have been notified.)
This would also serve as lead generation that the salesperson needs to revisit the customer for more strong-arming.
There is also in the terms a heavy sentence that items could be returned at customers own expense for shipping, insurance, freight and some other terms that made this process seem ultra cumbersome and maybe more effort than it is worth. I read through this as to mean that I personally have to drive it across town.
I placed the Kirby in the Volvo and headed to the local office. My intentions were to remain calm and attract more with honey than vinegar (I knew this would be tough.) The 30 yr old woman at the counter opened with that the unit would have to returned to the salesman and that she would help me get in contact with him. I countered with asking if that was the required method or preferred method - preferred. She tried to push for the 20 days. I told her I would not allow for follow up visit to my mother's home; that I was in from out of town and that I wanted to complete this today. After some resistance I clearly asked, "Will you assist me in finalizing this transaction today?" My attempt at using their own tactics of getting the "yes" answers flowing.
I asked what style receipt that I would be leaving with. Her first answer was that she would give me her business card. I demanded a receipt of closed account and acknowledgement of all pieces returned. The presentation to me earlier was that kind of thing has never been done. Strangely, it only took minutes to gain a signed written statement, on letterhead, of all items returned, account closed and no further payment or action required.
I made that visit with my mother present and I dressed in a sport coat. I was ready to get fully animated. I let out just enough of that "dick" vibe quickly and it did not have to go any further.
I advised my mother to keep that receipt for a long time and we placed it her little strong box safe when we got home. I insisted that she have no further correspondence with them (by phone or in person!)
I called the local BBB before acting. These local guys had 10 cases against them in the past 3 years. That earned them an A- grade. Real tough standards laid down by the BBB. As someone here pointed out it more seems that if you pay the BBB fee, the BBB will be more than happy to take it and call you a friend.
Thanks for the help and encouragement found here.
I love it when the swirling tornado of pet hair builds up enough static inside the plastic cannister that it causes a static lightning bolt to jump from the cannister to the grounding strip on the side of the machine. Awesomeness! Makes me want to vacuum in the dark. 
