Author Topic: Salespeople (Read 1921 times)

hblair · « **on:** August 06, 2003, 08:42:03 AM »

We had some dude come in the front door yesterday. Just the secretary and me were in the office. He has on a suit and steps up the counter.
Carolyn asks "Can we help you?"

Guy says something like "I need to know who to talk to about an appointment"

Carolyn asks "To have your car repaired?"

Guy says "I need to see the owner to have an appointment made"

Carolyn asks "Do you have a car that needs repairing sir?"

Guy says "I really need to see the owner about this"

(At this point we're thinking he's a salesman, but not real sure yet)

Carolyn says "We can help you with whatever you need"

Guy says "I don't think you can" or something to that effect

Carolyn asks "Who are you with?"

Guy says "Only me"

At this point I'm getting a little pissed, I get up and walk over to the counter and say...

"We're not interested in what you're selling, but thanks for coming by"

Carolyn and I get back to work at our desks

Guy is still standing at the counter watching us.

After a minute or two I say "Sir, I told you we are NOT interested in what you're selling"

He keeps standing there like he doesn't know what to do.

I look at him and say "You can leave now"

Guy says "What is your title?"

Carolyn says "He's the manager"

Guy says "What is his name?" and acts like he's going to write it down.

I lose my cool and say something to the effect of..
"LEAVE NOW"

"But I will see the owner"

"GET OUT!"

He tries to say some thing with the door half open...

"GET OUT!!"

I don't have much respect for these people. Did the guy actually think he was gonna make a "sale"? These sweetheartbags are as bad as telemarketers. But when they come in person you actually get a chance to reject them and they have to physically leave.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2003, 08:49:59 AM »

Uumm, Hblair, that was the IRS who was planning to do an audit on the business, you putz!

hblair · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2003, 08:56:40 AM »

Might have been, He is still a mystery man. Have no clue who he was with.

Gadfly · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2003, 09:00:14 AM »

Sounds like you are rather a poor manager, as well as an *******, to me.

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2003, 09:25:15 AM »

hblair, I fully agree these guy's are becoming a pain in the ass.. so much they can not read the fraggin NO SOLICITATION sign at the front of the office complex. No to mention the one on our office door.

I like to ask them if they can read. Hehehe you should hear some of the remarks I get.

mason22 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2003, 09:33:26 AM »

maybe he was debating robbing the place....but saw the spud gun in the corner of the shop and changed his mind?

gofaster · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2003, 09:45:14 AM »

I had a similar experience several years ago, before I went with a corporate salary.

At the time, I was working as a paralegal/clerk in a small law office and the regular secretary and receptionist were out having lunch together, so I was sitting at the front desk reading the paper and eating a sandwich when this guy walks in. We exchange pleasantries and he asks to see the attorney. I ask him what its about but he's being evasive so I probe deeper to try and figure out if he's a potential client with a legal case in an area we handle.

So I lie and tell him I'm the office manager in charge of purchasing.

Well, say no more! He produces a card for some office supply company or other, so I fake interest and get him all lathered up about our "rapidly expanding business" and how we're "going to be moving from this location into a 9-office suite downtown" and how our current vendors are having trouble keeping pace with our high-volume office equipment needs.

Then I tell him that we're government service providers and all of our vendors have to pass security clearance exams, including drug tests for controlled substances and performance-enhancing steroids, and that I'll need his full name, address, spouse's name, number of children, and affidavits of membership to any politically-connected organizations to which he and every member of his office may belong, including the American Communist Party, Jim Birch Society, National Rifle Association, Kiwanis Club, AFL-CIO, Boy Scouts of America, and Little League Baseball.

He didn't blink, so I made up a few more requirements, such as fingerprinting and skin tissue samples, plus dental records for every employee of his company. And, oh, he'd have to sign a waiver to have microphones placed in and around his business.

He said something or other and thanked me for my time.

It was the most fun I had at that job.

hblair · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2003, 09:55:33 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
Sounds like you are rather a poor manager, as well as an *******, to me.

And it sounds like your'e a salesman to me.

What's a *******?

Lance · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:08:35 AM »

I bet he just wanted to inform the owner of a great new free trial at WWIIOL.

Gadfly · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:19:03 AM »

Ever heard the story about the man who cuts off and shoots the bird to another driver?

hblair · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:31:50 AM »

No and I don't care too. A poor manager is an idiot who'll let some evasive "hand cleaner salesman" or "internet advertisement expert" waste an hour of his time when he knows he's not interested in buying the product. Reputable people will tell you up front what they are trying to sale you. They are personable, they get to the point because they don't WANT to waste your time. We buy from people like that, not evasive fools who will not for whatever reason even tell the manager of the business what in the heck he is doing here!

Thanks for the pointers though, whoever you are.
What do you do for a living?

Stringer · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:37:19 AM »

He was Hand Cleaner Salesman of the Year....why do you ask HB?

Greese · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:41:11 AM »

If he was anyone reputable, he would have identified himself immediately. Good salepeople don't have to be sneaky to get a meeting.

Gadfly · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:52:20 AM »

Oh, I'm a salesman, a good one too. I am also the part owner of a retail business, and talk to an average of a dozen salesmen a day. I see it from both sides, and I know that there are better ways to handle it(from both sides). If I were your boss, this is what I would tell you on how to deal with salesmen, since you obviously do not know how to work them.

In this instance, you could have simply said, "leave your card and info, I'll make sure he gets it". End of deal, he is gone, you can chitcan his info when he leaves, total elapsed time about 30 seconds and everyone is happy. That is how you manage. What you did is childish and non-productive to everyone involved.

Gadfly · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2003, 10:56:19 AM »

And, just to be fair, if I was HIS boss, I would tell him, first, to dress to the market. I do not know what your business is, but obviously, not many people wearing suits enter it, thus he was not dressed appropriately. Second, on a cold call, the best thing to do is simply drop off a card and info on the first call, and then check back in a week or so with another card. Again, 30 second visit, in and out.