This won't be a long post because I'm on a tight deadline and thanks to a very difficult salesperson, I have an hour less than I'd hoped for today. And Mel's still as angry as a rhino about it.Labels: Eugene Patterson photos, pushy salespeople, Stubborn buyers
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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
18 Comments:
It seems like most salesmen are very good at talking, but terrible at listening. I had one guy selling steaks out of the back of his truck show up as I was getting in my truck to go somewhere. I told him I had to leave. As salesmen do, he took that as a challenge to overcome. I repeated my statement, got in my truck and left.
I’m typically a very patient guy and at one time, I might have found myself in the same situation as you. (Though from what I’ve heard about timeshares, I wouldn’t have anything to do with them.) But anymore, if I encounter a salesman who won’t shut up or won’t listen I don’t let them continue. A lot of salesmen are trained to keep going for a sell until they hit an absolute no. Unfortunately, an absolute no seems rude to most of us gentle folk. If you want to keep a salesman to a thirty minute pitch, the words that have to come out of your mouth have to be something like, “No, we’re done. I want you to leave.” Or if you are at his place of business, “No, we’re done and we’re leaving.” At that point, you stand up and walk out. If he has more to say, you ignore it, hold to your statement and walk out.
I agree with Timothy. I recently was on my way to the hospital to see my mother who was having surgery. I had to be there before the surgery began so I had limited time. I stopped at the bank and they suggested I talk to someone about a different account that would save us money. The person was available right then so I told her my situation and that I only had a few minutes to spare. After she'd talked a while, I repeated that I had to go - please get to the bottom line. She set up the account but then continued talking. She was very nice - not rude or anything. I repeated that I had to go, got up, thanked her and left.
If someone comes to the door and I am not interested in what they have to say, I thank them for their time, say I'm not interested, and shut the door. It helps that I have three dogs at my disposal, two of them huge black dogs. LOL They discourage unwanted visitors.
Years ago, before I developed a bit more diplomacy, I had one of my husband's friends call asking if she could come over for a visit. She arrived and proceeded to present to us some program she had just begun selling. After a VERY long time, she got annoyed that we were not interested in what she was selling. I, in turn, became annoyed, and told her - you called my house as a friend, asking to come and visit us, then you come into my home and present a sales pitch. You've taken up our entire evening. We are not interested. That is that. Please go. And after her mouth closed, she left. I was probably more rude than I would be today, but when someone won't take a hint, you have to shove it in their face and take charge.
the only sales pitch we get are on the phone, and I just hang up on them,
had one the other nite, so I answered the phone this way "Hanks Mule Barn" the guy didn't say a word , just went right on his pitch! I hungup
When someone calls me Mrs Jerk (my name is Gerke, soft g, rhymes with turkey), I tell them sorry, no one here by that name and hang up. I don't answer the door if I'm not expecting anyone. For real estate sales pitches, I say up front that we are not making a decision today, just want to check out the options. I've said I need to go home and pray about it (which I do) and that seems to shock them into silence.
I had a cute young guy at my door the other night. He was holding a can of Pledge or something. I took one look at him and said. "Sorry, I'm already in my jammies." And closed the door. I felt bad about that all evening. LOL.
I'm afraid after awhile I am just plain rude. I have been known to hang up on pushy sales people. After I say, no thank you, I always hear, well don't you want to save some money? That's when I say no and hang up. If it is a pushy sales person in a store, I simply walk away. I know, I know, I'm not very nice. I have a low tolerance level!
When I get one on the phone, I automatically say, "Can you hold on a minute?" THan I set the phone down and walk away. Eventually, they hang up. ;)
Oh, my goodness, girls! Great input. I love yours, jel, and I can certainly understand Sabrina feeling badly for something that isn't even your fault. Ane, I've done that, too, just set down the phone and let them talk. I have no trouble shutting people down on the phone. Typically, I just don't answer unless I know who's calling, and we have caller ID.
What disturbs me is that I wanted the information this salesperson was supposed to give me, because i love my timeshare and always use all my yearly points. We save tons of money and even give away condo time. We'll be using our points for a contest in a month or so, and I wanted information about how to do it, and how to best utilize our free stays--we have three a year. But would he listen? NO. He watched me standing there, unable to stay seated, and kept on yammering. So I'm going to call the place and complain. Except we gave out copies of our books, and then to complain about him--he's obviously not a Christian--may hurt any witness that book may have been.
Cheryl, to complain is not hurting a witness. It's standing up for what is right. The Holy Spirit is the One Who does the witnessing to a person's heart. Let Him do His work and don't let yourself become a doormat. To me that's a poorer witness than calling and complaining about someone who did not do their job properly.
Ruthie, that's exactly what I needed tonight. It's what I'll do tomorrow. You're right. The man was kind of scary to me, the way he didn't seem to care if he was putting us out. Plus, he was overweight, and because he found out we were gluten intolerant, he told us we were lucky because all he can eat is alfalfa. Um, hello? If you're eating only alfalfa, you'll be skinny, and you'll be in trouble by eating no protein. PLUS, he told us later that he eats lobster and king crab. LIAR!!!
Just want to say I love your new profile pic. That color blue looks great on you! :)
So sorry about the long ordeal.
Thanks, Kristin! That is Mel's favorite color. I think I'll stick with it. At least for now. But you know, purple...wow. I love that color too! Blessings!
I hate shopping in a store with salespeople. I tried to avoid one woman several times in a store, but she wouldn't stop following me. I finally turned and said something like, "I realize you work on commission which is why you are up my nose right now. But if you want to receive ANY credit for my purchase, I suggest you walk away now. I'll see you at the register when I'm finished." She stepped away, I finished my shopping unhindered, and she rang up my items. I thanked her and left.
As irritating as they are, salespeople are trying to make a living. They are pushed by managers, supervisors, and sometimes fear of losing their job. It isn't a job I can handle. I tried. The best salespeople are those who can read people, who know which buttons to push in order to make a sale rather then drive away a perspective customer.
My dad could do that. For several years he sold insurance. In his first six months he was salesman of the year. He understood people. He pursued the right leads. He sold to people who wanted to buy rather than wasting time with people who weren't interested. THAT is a good salesperson!
I hate that too. I find it hard to be rude though so I usually just complain afterwards like you, Cheryl. LOL
Agreed, Christine. A good salesperson who can show someone what they need to know to purchase an item is a valuable person, indeed. That's why we've purchased timeshare points several times--because of excellent salespeople who explain to us how best to utilize it. This man talked about everything BUT what we needed to know. He talked hunting, school systems--when we don't hunt and don't have children. He talked and wouldn't shut up. I've reported him. Why let a bad apple turn off honestly interested buyers?
Now, Colleen, I can imagine you could be an excellent salesperson. You'd show the right color, the right style, dress the customer in perfect items for her season, and make a ton of money doing it.
Years ago, I made the mistake of letting a Kirby Vaccuum Cleaner salesman in my home. My hubby was home, and I thought it was a great opportunity to get a cheesy free gift. Little did I know that it would 'cost' a lot more than it was worth!
Several times I told him we weren't interested, and offended him when I made a comment questioning why we would want to buy a vaccuum cleaner that cost more than my carpet...
He finally turned his back to me and started talking to hubby, obviously not knowing that hubby is devoted to me, and even more cheap than me.
I was young, and ended up in tears and threatened to call the police. He didn't actually leave until I actually picked up the phone to call the police to have him removed.
I wish I knew then what I know now.... he wouldn't have stood a chance!
Lesson learned - I will never allow a salesperson in my home again!
celestemc, that's a nightmare story. I never allow salesmen into my home, either, but then, I seldom answer the door. I don't have time, and I'm usually working. A good salesperson is a treasure. A bad one needs to get out!
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