Salespeople

[Copper]

I work in a small office. There's no more than four people here at any given time, five if it's a crunch day. We also don't have a receptionist. Without the gatekeeper holding the fort down, we sometimes get sales people who just barge right in, usually at the worst possible time. (I guess that sign on the door that says "no solicitors" is just a decoration.)

It's usually not that bad, as most of the sales people are courteous and come back when things aren't so busy. Then we get what I call The Bulldog. This particular Bulldog walked in on a press day espousing the virtues of DHL. That was strike one: DHL is tantamount to a curse around here, partly because of their lousy service and their insistance that we sign for a package every single time, despite requests that they keep our signatures on file.

So he walks in with his partner, where my boss and I are busy laying out pages for the upcoming print issue. The Bulldog goes into his sales pitch, oblivious to the fact that we're ignoring him until finally there's a break in the pitch and my boss informs him that we're quite happy with Fedex and UPS, and that no, we don't see any advantages to using DHL.

It was the closest thing to a flat out no as the salesman was going to get. Apparently it didn't register in his thought process because he went on with his spiel, and doing a wonderful job of getting on my boss's nerves. After another break in the pitch my boss said, "Are you done yet?"

As if in an answer to that the salesman continued until my boss yelled, "Are you thick, man? GET OUT!"

In a gesture that I found outright hilarious the salesman puts his business card on my boss's desk and says, "Well, I'll leave my card here in case you want to know more about the services DHL is offering. Nice meeting you!"

I'm still wondering what exactly was going through this guy's head.

[hoffmandu]

I work in a small office. There's no more than four people here at any given time, five if it's a crunch day. We also don't have a receptionist. Without the gatekeeper holding the fort down, we sometimes get sales people who just barge right in, usually at the worst possible time. (I guess that sign on the door that says "no solicitors" is just a decoration.)

It's usually not that bad, as most of the sales people are courteous and come back when things aren't so busy. Then we get what I call The Bulldog. This particular Bulldog walked in on a press day espousing the virtues of DHL. That was strike one: DHL is tantamount to a curse around here, partly because of their lousy service and their insistance that we sign for a package every single time, despite requests that they keep our signatures on file.

So he walks in with his partner, where my boss and I are busy laying out pages for the upcoming print issue. The Bulldog goes into his sales pitch, oblivious to the fact that we're ignoring him until finally there's a break in the pitch and my boss informs him that we're quite happy with Fedex and UPS, and that no, we don't see any advantages to using DHL.

It was the closest thing to a flat out no as the salesman was going to get. Apparently it didn't register in his thought process because he went on with his spiel, and doing a wonderful job of getting on my boss's nerves. After another break in the pitch my boss said, "Are you done yet?"

As if in an answer to that the salesman continued until my boss yelled, "Are you thick, man? GET OUT!"

In a gesture that I found outright hilarious the salesman puts his business card on my boss's desk and says, "Well, I'll leave my card here in case you want to know more about the services DHL is offering. Nice meeting you!"

I'm still wondering what exactly was going through this guy's head.


It's called, employment, and some jobs do entail pitching to cold leads with intent to raise interest and hopefully, sell. Give the guy a break, it's real fucking hard gig, and I can guarentee he felt way more awkward than you did. Does your company not have salespeople?

[Copper]

Yeah, we do, but they know not to push too hard in the event that they piss the client off. Also the guy clearly saw it was a bad time--we don't mind sales people but the ones we give business to actually have the courtesy to ask when a better time would be.

[Slam_Bradley]

Ehh...you could always have them arrested for trespass once they've been told to leave and refuse.

[Shellhead]

I work for a small company, too. As the only non-scientist, non-CEO, I answer the phones, in addition to doing the accounting, the payroll, and various other work for the company. So I get to deal with pushy sales people on the phone periodically.

Strangely, the most unrelenting and pushy sales people are from Pitney-Bowes. They call at least once every other month trying to get us to rent a postage meter from them. It's a different salesperson everytime, and they always ask the same questions. One question is, "how much mail do you send out?" and I always answer, "about two pieces of mail a day."

A couple of weeks ago, I had had enough. I flat out told the guy that not only did I not want the postage meter, but it would actually make me look bad if I did get it. I would be , in effect, telling my boss that the company needs to waste money renting a postage meter because I am too lazy to place a stamp on an envelope twice a day. I assured him that if anything ever changed, I would definitely call Pitney-Bowes first.

Five minutes later, a different Pitney-Bowes salesperson called and launched into the exact same questions. I cut her off cold, advised her of the previous phone call, and asked her to put me on their do-not-call list.

[hoffmandu]

I agree, the pushy routine gets old. But sometimes, the boss says, go in there and sell it. Sometimes he's even in the same car. As an employee, you do what you're told otherwise you don't pay the mortgage.

[bfrank]

Give the guy a break, it's real fucking hard gig,

so fucking what....they did give him a break by not tossing him out on his ass....what part of "no" didn't he get?

[Xetal]

Some people think you can get anything in the end, just by being persistent....

[Jeff F]

Some people think you can get anything in the end, just by being persistent....

Only because that idea is reinforced at times due to different levels of management breaking the rules they set in order to please a customer...

yay service!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Doing sales isn't an easy job. I used to do telemarketing and those people you called thought we were scum calling them. After numerous hang ups and people swearing at me I had enough and just went off on someone. I posted it a long while back.

Yes you can say no after numerous sales pitches. But if ya act like an asshole you deserve the agravation personally.

[bfrank]

Doing sales isn't an easy job. I used to do telemarketing and those people you called thought we were scum calling them. After numerous hang ups and people swearing at me I had enough and just went off on someone. I posted it a long while back.


oh I give telemarketers hell...each and everynight...I look at it this way, I didn't ask you to call....

[SUPERECWFAN1]

oh I give telemarketers hell...each and everynight...I look at it this way, I didn't ask you to call....


Your name is on a list..I'm sorry. Its there and they would give us long lists to call. I'd do my job and a few people were kind. They'd say no thank you after the 2 or 3 sales pitches.

I got fired for actually for losing it. I was wanting to quit anyhow and some jerk came on and started acting beyond stupied. Instead of hanging up we exchanged insults for 5 to 10 minutes. I finally said something that makes me laugh to this day.


" Usually you smart morons hang up on me. Well heres a 1st to tell your friends-" ( click )

:evilsmile

[K'Nort]

We'd sack one of our salespeople if we found out he was annoying prospects like that. Good way to not only guarantee to never sell to that particular person, but to get them badmouthing you to other prospects. Persistence only works when combined with charm and tact. There are judgment calls. This guy just sucks at his job.

[bfrank]

Your name is on a list..I'm sorry. Its there and they would give us long lists to call. I'd do my job and a few people were kind. They'd say no thank you after the 2 or 3 sales pitches.

I got fired for actually for losing it. I was wanting to quit anyhow and some jerk came on and started acting beyond stupied. Instead of hanging up we exchanged insults for 5 to 10 minutes. I finally said something that makes me laugh to this day.


" Usually you smart morons hang up on me. Well heres a 1st to tell your friends-" ( click )

:evilsmile

he's not smart, but yet you got fired....I think you got the non smarts mixed up....

I love it when they think they're gonna make the sale, and I'm all "never mind" - click.....

[howyadoin]

It's called, employment, and some jobs do entail pitching to cold leads with intent to raise interest and hopefully, sell. Give the guy a break, it's real fucking hard gig, and I can guarentee he felt way more awkward than you did. Does your company not have salespeople?Let me guess - you were bored at work and you like to argue?

http://www.centex.net/%7Eelliott/1959/troll_doll_1959_pants.gif