Last October I bought a house. I'm very proud of my accomplishment and worked hard to get to this point in my life. And when I say I worked hard, I mean it. I've worked since I was fifteen years old, with the exception of a few years when I was a stay-at-home mom, and after my boss died when I couldn't find work right away. But at every job I worked I was expected to be professional, to treat customers, associates, and anyone I interacted with on the job with complete respect. Even if I didn't want to, because rudeness was being spewed my way, I was directed to with the threat of consequences if I was anything but professional. My current position as a garbage truck driver requires the same from me.
That doesn't seem to be the way most businesses are run these days, though, and the reason I know this is that, since I've bought my house, I have been hounded by unwanted salesmen coming to my door to bully me into purchasing crap I don't want or need. When I politely tell these people that I am not interested in whatever it is they're selling they amp up the sales pitch. They lie about their services, won't be direct about costs and charges, and when I tell them I'll do research and call if I change my mind, I get excuses about why the deal is only good for the one day, which most times isn't true.
I've had the same security company come to my door not once, but twice, without invitation to try to talk me into getting their system. Both times the guy who came to the door, different dudes each time, told me that numerous neighbors - 10 the first time, 17 the second - utilized their security system. LIE! The first guy gave me the price when I asked but claimed it was a special deal for that day only. The second guy wanted to use my house "for display purposes only at no cost" for prospective sales. I pressed and he finally admitted it would end up costing me whatever their monthly service fee was. And guess what! It was a special deal for that day only! Each of the two times I told them I would research their services and asked for a business card. Both were conveniently out of cards, both were conveniently the managers of their crew that day and were the only ones allowed to offer me the deal, and both claimed they wouldn't be able to come back as they were only in the area for the day. GEEZ! Pressure much? I politely told them I'd pass on the deal and then went to do my research. Imagine my surprise when I found out their regular monthly service fee, the one listed on the website, was the same "special deal" they were offering me. Yawn!
Then I had a pest control guy come to my door, again uninvited. He tried to talk me into their pest control services going over all their positives and the we're-better-than-everyone because of this, that and the other thing. I told him I already have a service and, without knowing the name of the company I use, he told me that his company was better because they had licenses to do more. "I bet you they don't cover all the way to the sidewalk like we do." Um, yeah, they do, but whatever. He went on to tell me their price and when I mentioned that my company was cheaper he claimed it was because it was an inferior service. I disagreed and he still told me I needed to cancel my service and go with theirs because, and I kid you not, "Why go with shit service when you can have the best with us?" This is how businesses get new customers? Seriously? I ended up telling him he was free to go because I wasn't going to listen to him anymore and that I was not changing companies. He was not happy but he left.
The worst I had, though, was of my own doing, sort of. I was looking for a reliable and decent home warranty company so I went online. Doesn't everyone? The problem is that when you go online you can't just get a price without filling out their little form - name, address, phone, email - and then they email you their price list. Not only that, but they follow it up with a phone call. An unwanted and unrequested phone call. I had been recommended three companies. One was nixed right away, one was kind enough to just email me the pricing, but the third? The third is the one that made my teeth itch. I'm still upset that I didn't call and complain. Not 15 minutes after I received the email with the pricing I got a phone call from their local sales rep trying to get me to take their services. I politely explained that I was still doing research on the companies and that if I was interested in that one I'd call him, or someone else, to discuss it. He was not having that. He was downright rude, telling me how his company was the best and that no other company compares to his and that I'd be stupid for going with any other company - yes, he said stupid. He also claimed that other companies hire morons and don't offer any sort of coverage like his company did. Not only did he speak using those words he was practically shouting at me to make his point. I simply told him I wasn't interested, wished him a nice day and hung up. When their call center rep called me a week later I told the lady I'd already gone with another company and she said she would take me off their call list. YAY!
If I had spoken to any of my customers at any of my jobs the way these people spoke to me while trying to get me to hire their companies I'd have been fired on the spot. I can't believe these people still have jobs with the way they lie to, harass and bully people. I know sales is not an easy job, that's exactly why I don't do it. I'm the type of person who would smile, say "thanks anyway" and walk away if someone declined my sales pitch. I would not go to the same houses repeatedly in an attempt to wear people down and I certainly would not put down my competitors the way these people did. The minute you do that while talking to me I've lost all interest and I will never give you the time of day. So people, work on your salesmanship skills. Nobody wants to deal with you if you can't be professional.
P.S. To those of you who buy houses as a business...when a new address pops up on your call list, please understand that most of those are of people who just bought their home and they don't need you sending a postcard a week asking to buy their house, and they certainly don't need a phone call. I know you have a business to run but let me enjoy my new home for a few years. Please and thanks.
Until next time...peace to all.
