Hi Guys. Decided we would take a momentary break from our current series today. Just ‘cos. Thought I’d share this little story from my recent break at the beach house instead. Enjoy your day, do what you need to, stop looking for easy and start doing effective. Group hug from Uncle Craig.
The Tale of the Bulging Disc
Recently I was at my beach house convalescing on my couch with a sore lower back; specifically a bulging disc. Aaah the joy of back pain. Thirty years of lifting heavy weights has taken its toll; especially the first five years when I didn’t actually know what I was doing. But pretended I did. What massive ego? Anyway, there I was floundering like a big injured walrus on my special couch with my security blanket (remote) in my left hand, enjoying one of my fave shows when there was a knock at the door. I considered not answering it but I figured the visitor knew I was home by the sound of the TV, so I slowly and painfully made my way to the front door. Big baby. Am not, you are. There to greet me was a lady with a clipboard who (1) talked way too fast (2) asked me how I was but didn’t actually listen to my answer (3) recited a well-rehearsed script without even looking at me and (4) was desperately trying to sell me on ‘the cable TV deal of a lifetime’. Lucky me.
I’ll Get Back to You
Being the relatively patient person that I am (there’s a post just in that sentence), I stood there in pain (both physical and mental) for three minutes and allowed her to complete her sales pitch; a mindlessly boring monologue. Not particularly interested in the offer, not wanting to make it complex, not wanting to stand there for another minute in pain and not wanting to hurt her feelings, I opted for the old…
“Okay, leave me with some information and if I’m interested, I’ll call you.”
In hindsight, that was my big mistake.
She didn’t leave. Clearly, she wasn’t interested in that option. She was after a sale; a commitment of some kind. Apparently the uber deal was for one day only. Of course it was. And how lucky was I that she came to my house on that day. What are the chances?
“If you need an answer right now, then the answer is no” I said.
The woman’s simulated friendliness started to dissipate a little and the pseudo smile began to look more like a snarl or perhaps a scowl.
“As I said, leave me something to read, I’ll consider it and if I want to pursue it, I’ll contact you.”
Back to the Couch
She wasn’t happy with that outcome. Begrudgingly, she left me a brochure and headed off to share the deal of a lifetime with one of my neighbours. Thank goodness. I slowly made my way back to the afore-mentioned sanctuary and plonked my sore and sorry self onto the world’s most comfortable couch. Bliss. The back pain was just beginning to subside a little when I heard those familiar footsteps back on my porch.
“You’re f***ing kidding me”, I said audibly.
A knock on the door.
“Yes?” (from the couch). The relatively patient person is now being replaced by the relatively irritated bloke with the sore back.
SALES LADY(SL): (from behind the closed door) “Can I speak with you?”
CH: “You already have.”… Aaaah crap. I get up from my favourite couch for the second time in ten minutes. I walk slowly to the door and open it.
CH: “Hello again”
SL: “Sorry, I forgot to get your contact information, can I have your phone number please?”
CH: “No you can’t”
SL: (Not sure what to do or say) “er, I just need it for my records”
CH: “You won’t be getting it”
SL: “Why?”
CH: “Because I choose not to give it to you” (not intending to be rude, just straight forward)
SL: “But I don’t want you to miss out on any deals that we might have coming up” (she wasn’t going down without a fight)
CH: “You don’t want me to miss out? Let’s be honest, you don’t know me or care about me, you just want to make a sale and earn a commission.
SL: (looks shocked)
CH: I understand your desire and motivation to sell me something but don’t under estimate your potential customers intelligence by pretending that you care about them personally. When you ask me for my phone number, you’re making a request and that’s fine. When I decline and you ask why I won’t give it to you, then you’re harassing me and doing yourself and your organisation a disservice. When I say no, you should thank me for my time and walk away.”
SL: “But I just need if for my records.” (clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed)
CH: “I tell you what, you give me your home phone number and I’ll give you mine.”
SL: “Pardon?”
CH: “Yep, I like to get the home phone number of every stranger who comes to my door. Just in case.”
And with that, the rude, pushy lady who didn’t look, listen or pay attention was off. And she didn’t utter one more word to me as she walked away. And I thought she cared. How dare I point out her extremely flawed sales technique and atrocious people skills. I should have simply signed up.
The Lesson?
I’m sure you all know this but just in case you’ve forgotten, I want to remind you that (1) it’s okay to say no to people – wise even, (2) you don’t need to rationalise, justify or explain yourself to everyone – you’re not ten any more, (3) sometimes there’s a fine line between being nice (understanding, patient, caring) and being used, manipulated and disrespected, (4) when all else fails, be brutally blunt and (5) people will only treat you the way you let them.
Have you had an experience like this? What did you learn? Love to hear your thoughts on this topic… even you chronic lurkers. If you’re not sure how to leave a comment, click here.
Ciao x
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
Bulging discs aren’t fun. I suffered two over a decade ago playing baseball, and it’s been an ongoing saga managing them. When I’m committed to walking each morning, I usually loosen them up enough to function during the day. Walking and stretching is my particular solution to managing my back pain.
As far as door to door salespeople go, when they lob at my doorstep, usually when I’m in the middle of preparing dinner and my and my oldest son’s lunches for the next day, it’s like waving a red flag at a bull.
I understand that they are trying to earn a living – I don’t like being bullsh…ed though.
My usual tactic is to ask them what they selling, and if they say that aren’t selling me anything and then start the spiel they are firmly told to leave.
If they don’t leave, I tell them that that are in violation of the Fair Trading Act of 1999 and that I want a business card so I can follow up with Consumer Affairs Victoria. I can’t remember the exact passage in the act – but door to door salespeople have to immediately leave the boundaries of the property they are on when requested by the householder.
I’m usually a tolerant and easy going person – but I’m not when it comes to door to door salespeople.
Cheers.
P.S. – Don’t do the typical male thing and grunt and bitch your way through your back pain. See a doctor for some anti-inflammatory medication and a physio to loosen the muscles around your bulging disc.
() – manly hug of course.
I’m sorry about your back. (Truly I am. I don’t want to sell you anything.)
Loved this post. I always wanted to say what you did after using up all my “leave me some info” and “I’ll call you if I’m interested” speeches. Unless you were snarling and spitting on her, I don’t think your honesty was brutal or blunt. You just chose to no longer pretend to believe her soft soap. I will remember this post the next time it happens to me!
Kristi Holl
Writer’s First Aid blog
Oh Craig,
just said “gee, he really, really wanted you to buy that make up, didn’t he? The funny bit- it was ‘Victoria’ something and I said, I’ve never heard of it and he said- you’ve heard of Victoria’s Secret, me- yeah, him- well, it’s like that!
It was okay then- what I did yesterday- didn’t take up the ‘alright, I can do something for you but you must promise me not to tell anyone’ make up deal- hmm, he ‘guessed’ I was a red lipstick wearer- ‘you like reds, don’t you?’ and cared about me so much that he was going to sell it to me for what he paid, cost price! How about that! After I said no (kind of hard- how good was my ‘excuse’?) and walked away my children (6 and
Craig, bravo for you. You said it all. This is exactly how I feel about sales people. In the USA, we don’t have many door-to-door sales people any more. Phone solicitation is the thing of the day for us. I have decided to quit wasting their time and mine. I stop their sales talk with a polite, “I am not interested so you can stop talking to me and call someone else who is interested.” They usually hang up without any other words being exchanged. No thank yous. No “Have a nice day.” Nothing but the click of the phone being hung up on me. I really am saving them time and words when I know from the start that I am not interested and they aren’t going to talk me into buying anything. I hate it when they tell me that they aren’t trying to sell me anything. Then why did they just call me if they don’t want my money. Do they think that I am stupid.
Craig, have a glorious day.
Patricia,
Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Ouch about the back . . what a turn off SL – good outcome Craig – my hubby would have said not interested & shut the door – hehehe – Michelle – where R U ?? . . Margaret
“The worlds most comfortable couch”
Where can I get one like yours?
Here’s a few strategies from Jules:
1) tell them you’re house sitting a friend’s house
2) tell them you’re a student
3) tell them you don’t watch tv, ever (that will shock them)
The end… or not.
I’ve had an encounter with a phone sales person on the phone. I asked how they got my/our phone number and proceeded to request that we not be contacted again (yeah right). Jules was being assertive and it felt good.
Hey Ben
“that they are in violation of the Fair Trading Act of 1999 ” – Nice. I’ll keep that in mind.
You mean my back won’t magically fix itself? Darn
No issues hug ( )
I considered snarling and spitting Kristi!… .( )
Too funny Jayber – almost exactly like Victoria’s Secret – but a bit different.
( )
Hi Patricia
No door to door sales? I’m on my way. ( )
Hi Margaret – your hubby is smarter than me… enjoy your day ( )
Hi Jules
Can you ask Jules how come she keeps speaking about herself in the third person lately?
…. x
I was one of those annoying sales people who went door to door trying to change people from Telstra to World Exchange back in 2000!
If I made target of 40 signups in 2 weeks consecutively I made it to team leader status which was my challenge, – seemingly more $$$.
I went to a new town for 2 weeks where I considered people would encounter less sales people, I made target, – 43 in week 1, 41 in week 2 with 10-11 hours a day of work! I had over 90% cancel after I went so I didn’t get the money I was planning to and felt ripped off! But I was no where near as pushy as what you encountered!
My other bad job was my first day as a telemarketer and that was on the opening day and time of the Sydney Olympics! I was desparate for a job, was gutted to miss the opening ceremony, I was in Gold Coast and had to ring people IN SYDNEY selling weekend holiday packages to Port Stephens. If anyone requested we send them info, we weren’t allowed! I made no sale and encountered lots of abuse that night and was sacked after that shift cause of no sale!
Pip
I just asked her. The response: “I’m taking the ‘watch the thinker’ principle [from The Power of Now] to the extreme!” I am not my thoughts, or my reactions, or my feelings – they just happen out of the course of living. Then who am I? If I’m not my thoughts? Who is Jules? Am I the caring, SHARING, generous, kind, honest, (cyber)CHEEKY, wild child who wants to do different, be different and create different in my own world and make a difference – contribute in some way, shape or form (TBA) – in the bigger world?
( ) and x to my favourite Uncle on this AMAZING Wednesday. How can you be an uncle if you are a single, only child?
You’re a brave girl Pip. That’s a very tough gig. It’s all learning right?..
Thanks for sharing ( )
Jules…
“How can you be an uncle if you are a single, only child?”
Why should single blokes miss out on being an uncle? I choose not. Therefore… I’m an uncle.
To whoever needs one.
( )
Your only an Uncle to special kids.
Hi Craig,
Sorry to hear about your back, I’ve never had back problem so I don’t know what it’s like but people have told me it is extremely painful and annoying, I hope your at your peak very soon.
I had an experience recently at one of the shopping centres, where a stand for selling make up was desperate to make me a sale. He offered me a brochure, I said no politely but because I had passed him 3 or 4 times he started a conversation about that. “I only remember you because you have such lovely skin I know you must look after yourself” (yeah right!!) so I had to stop to let him finish his sentence, I wasn’t going to be rude-a bad mistake! He then explained that his presentation would only take 3 minutes and what is the worst that could happen? You leave here with nothing and have just lost only 3 minutes – but you see you’ll never know if this is the perfect product for you unless you listen to me (what a joke).
I explained to him that although you see it as only 3 minutes, for me it is 3 minutes that you would have to lie and pretend you were my best friend and I would have to lie and act interested in what you were saying and smile politely. I announced that all time is precious and I am not going to waste ANY time being dishonest.
I started to walk away he continued with “but you haven’t seen the fantastic eye shadows we have that would compliment your georgous eyes” and with that I turned my back and walked away.
I have seen hime since and he always comments “do you remember me?” as if he is looking at his long lost love who broke his heart.
I love trying to think up of good comebacks for their statements that has no answer and stops them in their tracks.
As you can see I have spent way too much time thinking about these situations, I think my time would be better spent working on me, maybe thats my problem.
Hope your feeling 100% soon.
Jen F ()
Good morning Craig,
Wow I typed up this awesome post and my stupid computer ate it!!!! Never mind will just do another one!
A few years ago I had one of the phone companies come to the door….she was uite the salesperson and the only way I could get rid of her was to take the application form and told her I would check with my current phone company and to come back later. Well it turned out she has the incorrect information so when she came back, I told her she needed to check her figures as they were incorrect and not as high as she was saying. I shoved her enrolment form back at her and shut the door! (perhaps I should have done that in the first place!!!)
I hope your back is better now and she didn’t cause any further pain! A couple of years ago,I shifted almost 6 cubic metres of topsoil one weekend and then on the Tuesday leaned over the couch to grab something and did my back. I then had to go to work and I worked in a freezer…doing lifting! Nevermind all good now though.
Hi Marg….Craig she is from the WW thread and a chronic lurker. We kinda borrowed one of your things for our thread title…GYST Gals…cos well, we all needed to!!! Thanks, hope you don’t mind!!!
Have an awesome day!!!
Hugs
Chelle xx
You’re too nice, Craig. I have recently become comfortable with the idea that I am not obliged to answer door just because someone knocks. That’s probably come with living in a moderately new suburb where every conceivable company and religion has tried to sell it’s goods door to door resulting in literally weekly interruptions. If I can see from my window that it’s someone I don’t know, I just don’t answer the door.
With phone sales, when they take their first pause, I jump in with “I’m not interested, thanks” and hang up. I don’t wait for a response. My husband, who’s a little more polite than me, I guess (or maybe just not as assertive!)has been pushed into debate about WHY he’s not interested in their product to the point where it was implied he was a fool for missing out on the deal of a lifetime.
It’s just so intrusive and surely such an ineffective way to sell a product.
Hi Craig,
Yep, I had an experience like this just lately. Trying to settle my 2 kids for baths and dinner recently after a busy play day (basically against their will!)I had finally had them sitting down to spaghetti bog, when the knock at the door came. I also pondered ignoring it, but not much chance when the said two noisey little people had already jumped from their chairs & had headed to the door.
I mentally rehearsed my "So sorry, not a good time…etc.. before I opened the door and then basically said (smiling) that unless he had bought a babysitter with him, I couldn't listen to his salespitch right now.
"Oh," he said, "I know what it's like. My sister has 2 kids about their age", he said, smiling at my two. "What's their names? I'll look after them for you!"
Oh, gosh – he was good!!
Of course the kids told him their names and he continued his blurb, while we (now)patiently listened.
Unlike your saleslady though, this guy wasn't pushy…and to boot, he was actaully asking for donations to a cause that, although I hadn't heard of it, genuinely sounded like they were doing some good in the world.
I knew however that if I listened any longer, no dinner wouldn't get eaten, the kids would get more restless…etc…but what to do?
I actally quite liked the guy, his genuine approach and also his cause.
I decided the best I could do was tell him (honestly) that I thought he had lots of talent in sales,that he had actually done a great job with what he had been presented with at my door (he had actually managed to add something to my evening, rather than irritate me, like most door to door do) He smiled, uttered a genuine 'thanks' & left (a little reluctantly).
Out of all the 'door to doors' that have visited recently, with his genuine and more human approach, he had actally managed to get my attention. I know not many of them use this approach – a pity – they may do a lot better with it.
Sorry for the loong comment – I guess I felt like sharing…thanks for listening…
hugs,
Monica
PS I am very sorry to hear about your bad back – take care, you!! (( ))
Craig
You should do what my dad does with salespeople. Answer the door wearing nothing but your underwear with the flap slightly open and in a really loud wog accent that can be heard through the entire street yell out ‘i’m not buying anything today. You think you can help me? Can you give me a million dollars? Can you give me pretty girl? You want me to go on a holiday? Sure buy me a holiday and i’ll go’. But make sure you say all this with a big friendly smile on your face. Then watch the person make a run for the gate. It’s so embarrassing but at the same time really funny. My fathers attitude about salespeople is ‘if they are going to interrupt my dinner then i’m gonna have a little fun with them’. This seems to work because the same salesperson never calls or shows up twice.
Ange
Oh, Craig, you have my full sympathy for the disc problem. I have a lovely scar running up the middle of my back from where I had surgery for my prolapsed disc. I know exactly how the pain feels.
I feel like printing out your blog and handing it to my friends who are just too nice. I don’t get a lot of door-to-door people (benefits of living on an unmade road in an outer suburb) but I have my routine with phone callers:
1 list numbers on the “do not call” list
2 if I don’t recognise the number I don’t answer the phone
3 if I foolishly pick up and hear a complete stranger asking “how are you?” (as if they care) I ask them to please hold the line for a moment and then I put the phone down and go back to doing whatever it was I was doing.
Yeah, I know that last one is a bit passive-aggressive, but I figure they had no problem with wasting my time, so I’m not that bothered that I’m wasting theirs.
hope you’re feeling better soon
best wishes
amanda
Hi Craig,
Love this post (not good about the back pain though, ouch!). I’m your classic can’t say no person and one of the worst cases of this was when I was at a make-party at a girlfriend’s house. When it came my time to sit down with the consultant to purchase my products, the classic line of “have you ever thought about doing this” came up. I said no, but after a few more minutes of conversation I had agreed to the consultant coming to my house for a “coffee and chat”. I was determined I wouldn’t join up, but after an hour or so of “coffee and chatting” I found myself not being able to say no to “is there any reason why you couldn’t do this?” so next thing I know I’m signing up and wham – I’m a consultant! I have all the products, and spent lots of money getting set up to have it all sit in a cupboard because it’s just not my thing. If I had of simply said no, I would have saved myself a fortune!
I really do need to learn to say no and not feel guilty about it!
Nell xxx ( )
Hi Craig. We had a religious group visit once on Christmas day. I was preparing the lunch when I saw them gathering in our little court, nutting out a game plan for hitting the houses. I was pacing back and forth, ranting and raving about how rude it was and how I was going to give them a piece of my mind when my husband ordered me (he never orders me to do anything!) to stay where I was and he answered the door and said ‘no thanks.’
What an anticlimax but it got rid of them.
Have a great day Craig!
Joanne.
Bloody funny post. yes had herniated disk too from carrying little fella around too much – the bit in this that got me was that there is a fine line between being ‘nice’ and being taken advantage of. I always complain to my friend of certain guys who wont take no for an answer and now i know that it is me not being assertive enough cause i don’t want to be mean. i dont have to be mean – just be clear! though i am sure that some blokes wont get the ‘clear’ thing either. do i need to tap my inner bitch or something? (my bro is always telling me to do that) hehe. Hellen
Thank you, Uncle Craig. This is definitely an area that I need to learn lessons in! I can be such a nice-ass, pathetic wuss when it comes to not wanting to hurt peoples' feelings. So I'm printing out your last paragraph "The Lesson?" and putting it in my goals journal.
I did have fun with some religious door-to-doorers once though. I told them that I didn't have time right then, but if they would come back at a particular time that afternoon, I'd really love to hear what their take on MY beliefs were. I said it really excitedly and was very friendly and welcoming, but surprise, surprise .. they never came back.
How is that someone can be so confident and outgoing in some parts of life (professionally & with friends), but so wussy with the same "skills" in other areas (personal relationships & strangers)? Weird.
Hello Anon
I’m not exactly sure what that means…
Thanks for your story and your well wishes Jen F… ( )
Thanks Chelle – yep, it’s getting better…. I am old though. No I don’t mind and hi Marg – stop lurking!
( )
It’s not often I get called too nice Tracey! Thanks! ( )
Hi Monica – Nice story. We need to get THAT guy to run some workshops for the others! ( )
Have you followed in the family tradition Ange? Great story. ( )
Thanks for your advice and your well-wishes Amanda… ( )
Nell, Nell, Nell!
Come on girl! Don’t let them do that to you.
Don’t make me come over there…
( )
Cute story Joanne – cheers ( )
Some guys and particularly stupid Hellen – be blunt, clear and brief.
That shoud do it.
( )
Because you’re a people pleaser (at times) Sue J and you don’t like hurting people – even strangers…
Some times you’ve gotta be cruel to be kind.
( )
Craig?????? OLD?
You aren’t old….if I said that to you you would probably slap me..and I am a year older than you! so….SLAP!
Ok..hugs now
the 46yo NOT OLD!!! Chelle xx
Hey Craig, hope you're on the mend
My way to deal with people at the door, is to get my 2 dogs to bark & jump at the screen door (its also like a one-way screen door….hard to see in….suckers!!) & then tell the person that I cant open the door cos the dogs will get out, then ask what is it they want. They dont usually like to deal thru a closed door…. ta ta!!
Cheers
Pet
xoxo
Hi Craig,
So sorry to hear about your bad back. Maybe it’s been exacerbated by all that leaning over to ride a too-powerful motorbike? Maybe you’ll have to trade it in for a sensible Audi and increase your life-expectancy by about 30 years? (Sorry, worth a try … had to say it.)
Well done with Miss Bossypants saleslady.
Hope you feel better soon.
EG xx
Hi Craig, hope the back is on the mend.
Must admit, I’m passive aggressive too. I just give the wrong phone number! It’s called taking the easiest way out.
But I am learning to say NO and mean it!
Hey Craig, just wanted to say thanks for that post – so very true, and the bit that rang so loudly with me was the not having to justify yourself to everyone – that we are not 10 anymore… LOL… gold. But amazingly, I have spent the past 30 years justifying every decision I make to people. I did the PT course at Hi Energy about 7 years ago and I clearly remember your ability to make a point very concisely!
Best wishes,
Emma Stirling
Good strategy Pet.
( )
Hi EG – thanks for the sympathy but not too sure about your motorbike theory… you’re not channelling my mum are you?
( )
Thanks for dropping by Emma – don’t be a stranger ( )
Hi Craig,
A few years ago I was absolutely convinced that I was on the ‘red hot list’ of every telemarketer, charity and market research firm in NZ. One particular week I had no less than 8 calls and they were all between the hours of 5:30pm and 8pm. During those hours, as anyone with kids knows, is not a good time. And after 8pm is MY time – to read, study, watch TV… whatever.
I got so sick of it I changed my phone number and made sure it was unlisted. So I dont get those calls anymore, but I was still getting the door to door sales people. And some evenings we are also inundated with our kids friends treating the house like a drop in centre. A few months ago I had had enough.
I now have a sign that goes on our front door in the evenings. It says.. “This is our Family Time. Visitors by appointment only.” I also have a smaller sign but very visible next to the door bell. It says “SALESPEOPLE. Whatever you are selling, chances are, we dont need it. If you are convinced that what you have will be irresistable to us, you are free to leave marketing material in our letterbox. If we like it WE will call YOU. Thank You.”
Sometimes you have to be blunt.
Your favorite niece, Katie
PS If you are ever in my neck of the woods, ignore the sign and come on in!
Craig
Do i follow the family tradition of answering the door in my underwear? Why don’t you come on over to my house with a clipboard, knock on my door and find out.
Speaking of underwear i wouldn’t mind that fine specimen (today’s pic) answering his front door in his underpants. In fact i want to BE his underwear.
Ange
Haven’t dealt with door-to-door people that much, so my experience is more with phone calls.
When I get a phone call, I usually just tell them I’m not interested. If they try to continue, I’d say “You are most likely wasting your time trying to convince me. But if you really want to try, I’ll give you 2 (depending on my mood) minutes, 3, 2, 1… go!” They usually give up, or finish way before time limit. (And to be fair, I’m literally watching the clock. I guess I am turning this into a little game show.)
Also, I like to throw people off by giving them responses that are generally not in their scripts.
“Excuse me sir, have you gotten the chance to ——?”
“Nope, I don’t want to.”
“Why not?” (Ahaha, gotcha.)
“Because I don’t like taking chances.”
That usually confuse them.
Dear Mr Harper
Hope you are feeling better. Bitch and moan if you want, thats what we are here for!
Im on the couch with you today, first thing this morning, on my way out the backdoor to go to work, I walked into my new low entertainment unit and hit it smack bang in the middle of my knee-I didnt swear, scream, or cry but I wanted to do all three!!
I cant fn walk now! Im iced up and elevated!
Waste of my day!!
Take care groover
Thanks for sharing and for dropping by Niece Katie… ( )
Confusion is your forte Kelvin!
( )
Hello not-so-anon
Look after than knee kid. Enjoy the stillness and the moment.
( )
I too have had the scourge of the herniated disc. Mine ended up being pretty serious when I had a small peice of disc dislodge and compress my siatic nerve. To this day I still have limited feeling in my right leg, some 9 years later. do something about it Craig before it ends up a serious matter that costs you 4 months off work and headaches to many to mention.
I do like your approach to the Sales person though. I like to use this same level of confidence in my work to make sure customer’s don’t try and abuse me over the phone. Works with alarming regularity, the buly in them backs down very quickly when their tone is matched.
Cheers
Michael
I always use that exact technique with door to door sales people…after I’ve spat the dummy at their persistence.
The good ideas always flow after the event but they still get the message I suppose.
That’s why I am such an avid reader of your advice I guess. Gotta find something here to work on that dummy stuff
There’s also a legal angle called implied invitation. Anyone can knock on your door but when you withdraw the implied invitation you may pounce…I mean they have to leave.
It’s probably the same or similar thing that Ben was talking about.
As always, insightful and welcome.
Alan
Hey Craig !
Hope your back is feeling better now.
Most of the rude interruptions to my day used to come via the phone, people wanting to sell me raffle tickets, insurance and all sorts of stuff I didn’t want. One time I had a lady trying to sell me a pair of crystal wine glasses for $45. (This was about 15 years ago.) I told her no thanks, we wouldn’t use them. After bombarding me with a string of great reasons why we should use them, I finally managed to convince her that no, we really didn’t need them in our household. Not to be that easily discouraged, she insisted I should buy them as a gift for someone. I told her I didn’t know anyone who would want them as a gift and besides, they were out of my gift giving price range at that point in time. Know what she said ? “Oh, well you’re pretty stingy then, aren’t you ?!!” Yes, I hung up on her. People like her are why I now have my answering machine permanently on and if I don’t recognise the caller’s number, I screen the call before answering. If you should happen to call my number, you will hear “Hi, you’ve called Bill and Tina Johnston. We might be here, so tell us who you are and why you’re calling, and if we’re interested, we might pick up. Thank you.” I haven’t bought a raffle ticket in years !!
{{HUG}} Tina
Thanks for the back advice Michael – I have taken it on board.
Cheers…
Thanks Alan – implied invitation huh?
Hmmm.
Cheers.
She really said that Tina? Wow!!
( )
Yep, she did indeed say that, Craig. I meant to mention too, that one of my daughters took on a telemarketing job several years back, with a certain garden products company which shall remain nameless. The first morning was spent in training on phone selling techniques. Rule #1: If the prospective customer says no, keep trying. Never take no for an answer. My daughter quit at lunchtime !
{{HUG}} Tina