I Hate Sales People
I HATE sales people. Unfortunately, I have to deal with them to a certain extent, since I am technically a buyer. If sales people had their way, they would waste 4 or more hours of my work day, so I've had to resort to screening my phone calls. And, I have also made a house rule that if a sales person calls more then 3 times, they are cut off. I will no longer be placing orders with them. Period. The way I see it is that if you are offering a good product, it will sell itself. If I can use it, I will buy if from you. If you try and force your products down my thoat, obviously the product sucks and I don't want it.
Last time I went car shopping, the sales guy asked what I was looking for. I told him I was looking for a Jeep, but since they didn't have one in the color I wanted he said, "How about we get you into a nice Ford Focus...". I rolled my eyes, turned around and walked off the lot without saying another word to that tool (Although I did want to say, "Fuck you and your crappy Ford Focus too!"). Am I missing something? What exactly does a Ford Focus and a Jeep Wrangler have in common?! Suggesting something so stupid and thinking that you could manipulate me into buying something I don't want, is just an insult to my intelligence...
Rambled by Vicious Summer @ 4:53 PM
18 Shenanigans:
LOL yeah, even if you don't really want it or can't afford it they'll try force it on ya because ultimately it pays their wages.
I bought double-glazing some years back and the f**kers kept calling me every month to see if I wanted other products. When I politely told them to piss off they left me alone...
...for a year at least.
Then they came round to my house asking if I wanted new doors for my garage which I sorta did 'cos I busted the old ones.... I asked the guy to give me a ball-park figure, but no, I *had* to have an appointment and another sales guy came round. He quoted £3000 which I laughed at; then he gave me a 50% "existng customer" discount which I still laughed at - I know the cost of me buying and fitting brand new doors was £700 so in the end he left and I bought new hinges for my garage for £20.
Oh, and then there's a guy I knew years ago, a friend of a friend, who I couldn't stand - not just because he was a fag but a salesman too!
He went to sell double-glazing to this family and locked himself in their bathroom threatening not to come out until they bought something off him. The cops were called to get him out of their house.
Another time a hippy wouldn't buy double-glazing from him. He saw the cannabis growing in the garden greenhouse and threatened to call the cops unless he bought something. He went back later and stole the plants anyway.
Bl**dy Salesmen !!!
I'm a sales person and I wonder every day why I'm mistreated. If you take an extra minute to explain in detail what your objective is while considering a product you might get a better response. If you stop taking calls a sales rep assumes you are away or have been busy and that they are only helping you. Try to treat them like a human being with feelings, a family and hobbies just like you and you might realize you CAN communicate with them and their not just a dog in heat trying to get a bone.
Okay, so this subject is truly comical to me. First off, why would any salesperson even contact the “buyer” unless you’re trying to waste your time? Decisions aren’t even made by “buyers”, but by C-level management. “Buyers” only exist because C-level executives don’t want to waste their time with that stuff. 100 bucks says that this “buyer” moron has to run the decision by his boss anyway. In reality, all a “buyer” is, is just a screening employee that handles bullshit that upper management doesn’t have time for anymore. They’re just as useless as “purchasing managers”, or “inventory control specialists”. Hahaha, please! Anyway, it’s funny how this gentleman laughs at salesman, but in reality, all organizations have these “sales personal” in some form or another. Without salesman, there are no sales. Without sales, you don’t generate revenue. Without revenue, you don’t have a company. So this man should be thanking his sales department everyday for letting him come to work and do his meaningless job. So, for all you discouraged salesman out there, he’s right, leave him alone because you're targeting the wrong person. Start from the top and not at the bottom. One more thing, always remember, “never take a no from someone that can’t say yes”!
Haha...Whats even funnier is that "salesinfoguy" doesn't see the irony in what he just said.
Yes, companies do have people that screen out sales calls (they're called secretaries or office managers), which just goes to show, how annoying sales people can be. It's worth $50,000 a year to a lot of companies to have someone screen them out.
If you have ever been told by a buyer that they don't have the authority to make a decision to buy whatever crap you're selling, they are just brushing you off. I thought that was obvious, but apparently not...haha.
And again, you're wrong, saleinfoguy...Sales guys do not make or break a company. Perhaps in the old door-to-door saleman selling vaccuums days, but that was a loooooong time ago. Business is booming and I don't see a single salesperson in sight.
Here we go again, yet another comical remark from this clown. Here, let me slow it down for you this time, since you obviously cannot differentiate fact from opinion. First off, let me say, I do respect your opinion, and the fact that this conversation is becoming engaging, but not really challenging. Summer, I do agree with your comment regarding organizations having personnel screen phone calls, but these “personnel”, do have other functions. They’re sole job description isn’t “Keeping salesman out”. I don’t know about you, but when I look threw the classified ads I don’t see “Help wanted” “Keeping the evil salesman out”. And who’s even heard of a secretary making $50,000 a year! I’d love to live in this fictional world you’ve created in your mind! Furthermore, I never disagreed with you on having personnel screen calls. So, I’m not too sure of what you meant by this sentence. “Whats even funnier is that "salesinfoguy" doesn't see the irony in what he just said”. If you were paying attention, the simple argument I was making is that sales associates shouldn’t contact “buyers”, or “office managers”, or whatever you want to call it because in the end they don’t make the final decision.
To answer your question of whether a “buyer” has told me they don’t make decisions to brush me off is false. I’ve never been told that because I’ve never targeted buyers. They don’t make decisions! So, I’ll take it rrreeeeaaallllyyyy ssssllloooowww here, and this is for everyone, one more time, DON”T CONTACT BUYERS/OFFICE MANAGERS!! They don’t make decisions! I thought I made myself “obviously” clear in my last posting, but I guess not huh, Summer…
In reality, C-level people are very receptive to taking sales calls This is because they understand the “big picture” when it comes to developing cost saving solutions for their organization. They actually care about the entity. Most of the time “buyers”, “office managers”, whatever you want to call them, don’t understand the big picture, nor care enough about to entity to speak with sales associates.
Finally, It’s truly funny that Summer happens to be in the fashion industry. I’m sure she would never demean famous designers like Gucci, Coco Chanel, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. At the end of the day, these famous designers are sales associates too. Whether it’s a new great idea to a potential capital investor their selling, or to a large retail store that they want to carry their newest lines of products, or even just to the American public saying their product is better than their competitors, these people are selling too. So, Summer, if you’re telling me that business is booming, it’s because you’re “selling” your product. Might not be door-to-door, but in one way or another, your selling yourself to the potential customer/client, or your company to your target market…
I fear that you are slightly dilusional if you think that you are speaking fact and everything else is opinion.
I've given you all sorts of opinions, but this is indeed fact: I hate sale people. And quite honestly your just reinforcing that with your nonsense.
Perhaps you should look at it from a buyers prospective. Do you enjoy it when telemarketers call you? How about when 10 telemarketers call you a day and you are very busy? Or how about when your shopping for something specific (like a Jeep Wrangler) and a salesman tries to sell you something completely different (like a Ford Focus), because they don't have what you want and they don't care? They just want to make a sale.
But, I know that you have to keep up the "positive saleguy, everyone wants what I have" attitude in order to live your salesguy dream. Sales people are manipulators (at least the good ones) and I don't have the time or patience for that bullshit.
Re-reading what you wrote is actually really funny...
"...And who’s even heard of a secretary making $50,000 a year! I’d love to live in this fictional world you’ve created in your mind!..."
Um, my secretary/assistant makes more then $50,000 a year. Maybe you should change careers if you think that's a lot of money ;)...
Okay, so I think this will be my last post. I’ve obviously wasted enough time engaging in this meaningless conversation that has gone absolutely no where. I know from personal experience that there is truth to what I preach. It’s a proven method. You’re right, fact is, is that you hate sales people. I would never try to change your opinion, but only to try maybe having you become a more open minded person and really think about what you’re saying. That’s obviously not going to happen though. You can kick, scream and fight all you want, but in reality, if you own your own business, you are in sales. You might use different sales tactics, but you’re still selling something. I don’t even know you, but I know you, or someone in your organization has contacted “someone” you thought was interested in your products/services. Hey, who knows, but maybe you thought they were interested, but once you hung up the phone, or left their office, they were annoyed because you were the 30th fashion designer trying to sell them something they didn’t need. Or if you’re strictly an internet business, maybe you annoy people with online advertisements. Like I get from online and brick and mortar stores. So, to sum up that point, I know you sold your idea to a potential investor to fund your operations. But, who knows, maybe you were a millionaire before you started your business? I highly doubt that considering you’re shopping for Jeep Wrangler’s. I mean, what doesn’t your brain understand about that”? You’re basically a hypocrite.
To answer your question of whether or not “I” get “annoyed” with salesman calling me? Nope, can’t say that I do. As the owner, I make the final decisions; I don’t answer sales calls anymore because I’m too engaged with the financial structure of my organization and to which direction we are heading in the future. On the other hand, when my company was first growing, I did get a lot of sales calls. Did I get annoyed then? Honestly, sometimes, but to use the words “I hate sales associates” is too strong for that. I would, on the other hand, at one point call them back, or answer their call at the time received because I was there once and I understand them, business, and what’s involved.
I have two final thoughts. One, sweetie, if you’re shopping for a Jeep Wrangler, go to a Jeep store. You brought that one on yourself. That’s like going to a Ford store when you want a Chevy. Two, according to salary.com, the median expected salary for a typical secretary in the United States is $30,000. So, to answer your question to whether I think $50,000 is a lot of money, sure is for a secretary. You should consider giving her less. Or, maybe you should change careers if you can’t afford anything nicer than a Jeep Wrangler. ; )…
Bye bye!
What a crack up :). Where do these people come from? It's always the "Anonymous" people that post the most asinine things. Here's a good read for any one that is impressed by showy material things (actually it's a good read for everyone):
The Millionaire Next Door
It even has a chapter on sales guys and how they tend to drive the nicest cars that they can't afford and they piss away all their money trying to look wealthy.
So, go on with your bad self and your 500 series BMW that you lease (because your credit wasn't good enough for a loan big enough for the 700 series). I'm sure someone thinks you look successful ;)
Hey there Summer..regarding the SALES GUY back and forth debate..sheesh, I'm surprised it went on that long. As for Anonymous, secretaries do make $50k/year you ding dong. Take a look at salary.com in California which is where Summer is. I just wanted to comment on one thing you said, "Sales people are manipulators (at least the good ones)." You know what? I agree with you about the aggravating low food chain sales people (argh!) but I promise you that this is the truth: The "good ones" most often never have to resort to manipulation. In fact, they are sought out as solution providers. They are consulting types and the reason they are good at it is because they care about the customer and about the company.
Although I am mostly speaking of professional sales, let me give you a retail example since that was your focus. You want to buy a house but fear going to a bank or broker because someone is going to try to haunt you for six months once they get your number. So you ask a friend who recently bought a house and she says to try this guy George over at Wamu or whatnot. He took good care of her and so you go there and he's great. He is not pushy and let's you make all of the decisions after he gives you all of the info you need to make the decision. You buy the house about a month later. Bingo, a good sales person-why? This person was so great at what he does that he now works on a referral basis.
If you own a company you are selling. Selling to VC's..selling to investors or selling your company via PR. Just like anything else in life, there's the 'good ones and the bad ones.'
Unfortuately in sales, the bad ones are really, really, really bad and I hate them too.
Cheers!
I totally agree. When it comes to something like buying a house. Sales people (real estate agents) are an enormous help. The industry I am in (fashion/retail) is totally different. For example, I was placing an order with a certain company at the last trade show I attended. The sales guys was pushing this one accessory so hard saying it was one of their best sellers, etc. I got sick of his pitch, so I caved and bought a few. It was the worst selling belt of the season...I'm sure he was only pushing it because they had overstock or for some other selfish reason. Not really in my best interest to buy poor selling products so the manufacturer can have more room in their warehouse...
I was googling "i hate sales" and found "i hate sales people".
I am in the sale of corporate goods to a specific industry, and I am looking for a new career. What I would like to do is share a couple of observations with you.
My own experience...
I am finding that manufacturers in our industry are now either going direct to the customer or they are using box houses and catalogs. Basically trying to eliminate the middle sales person.
However, our customers are finding that dealing with the factory direct is very discouraging (try and get customer support from Sony or Microsoft) because the factory only wants you to buy their products (with very little objectivity) and very little time to spend with you.
Customers are also finding that the catalogs and box houses do not really know anything about the products, they are not experts, and they don't really even care who you are - because they sell strictly on price.
The role of the customer advocate is gone, and the customer has no one their side.
I see a parrallel to this on the retail side.
[i should note that the internet has helped give people a better sense of control when making purchases, and some companies have developed effective formulas in selling products without a salesperson knocking on your door (I.E. Dell, Apple, Supermarkets, Target, etc.) - although companies like Apple and Dell do still have a corporate sales person calling on businesses]
So here is what I think...
The quantity of sales people with a level of product expertise, a somewhat objective opinion, and a relationship to the customer is diminishing. I think this is how the mom/pop shops began to dissappear as well. It is not cost-effective to "get to know you" - the customer anymore.
The sales person is the one who traditionally you trusted to help take you from your current situation to your goal, and they either took advantage of you, or they took care of you.
Unfortunately, I think you have had at least 1 too many bad sales experiences. I have too. But, i have had some good experiences as well.
How This has effeced my selling...
As a sales person, I have learned how to keep my customer first - always. Then, they come back and take care of me and my family by trusting me with their relationship. It is always a win / win situation with me. You can ask my customers. This is what courses like Dale Carnegie teach. Their philosophy is to always see things from others point of view, and when a sales person does this they become sensitive to you and allow you to guide them in the direction you want to go.
It is sort of like the difference between a mediocre waiter and a fantastic waiter. They both are hoping for a tip, but one of them puts that thought second to actually serving you the best they can. A good sales person will try and earn your relationship not your wallet. The financial compensation then takes care of itself.
So I think there are still good sales people and positive sales experiences to be had. However, How markets will utilize sales people (middle men, catalog orders, or factory direct, etc.) in the future will help determine, I think, the kind of experiences that consumers will have.
Baby and the Bath Water...
Additionally, the exchange of goods and services and money is what makes the world go round, and sales people are predominatly the driving force behind this. If you were to immediately remove all sales people from the world, I believe that the economy would immediately collapse (The Stock Market is buying and selling, for example).
Typically sales people are the last to be let go when a corporation is downsizing because they are typically the only link between the factory and the customer.
So it is quite clear that wether or not sales people are good at what they do in helping to create a positive buying experiences or not, sales people should be around forever in some capacity or another to help glue products to consumers, and keep goods and services exchanging.
Now, i have been debating on whether or not to stay in sales because it is very difficult work (thus the google search for " i hate sales"). Your teeth get kicked in regularly, you are only as good as your last sale, and the business world is cut-throat. On top of that, I occassionally inherit someone who hates salesmen, and this just ruins my day.
Unfortunately, there are few other career choices where I will be able to meet my financial goals, and still maintain a life for my family.
Also, I have a degree is sociology and the human services industry does not pay.
So I will be here for a while.
Tongue and Cheek...
So what I say is this, You need to buy, and I need to sell. If there is a goal that you need to accomplish and I can help get you there, why not explore the relationship? If I meet or exceed your goals, I get compensated - win / win.
Remember all people (no matter what profession) are people too.
My promise...
I will try even harder to create experiences for my clients that are positive for them.
I hope that your next buying experience is absolutely fabulous.
Michael, Florida
Michael - You have a lot of good points.
I'm not suggesting that all sales people should burn in hell, as I'm sure they are helpful to some people. I simply know what I want, when I want it, so having to listen to the sales schpeel of some guy that is just trying to sell/upsell me something that I don't want, need or can't sell, is annoying. Then multiply that by 10, since there are numerous sales guys trying to get me on the phone all day. I just don't have the time for it. If I need a product, I call and place an order. I don't need someone "checking up" all the time, phishing for a new order/sale.
Summer,
I happened to have bookmarked your site for some reason, and check back every few weeks to see if somebody else has any thoughts.
no luck so far.
For some reason, even though i don't know you, i hope you are doing well.
Hi Michael! Thanks, that's sweet. Everything is muy bueno! :)
To be perfectly honest I actually typed "I Hate Sales People" into Blackle for the explicit purpose of reading the voracious defenses offered for sales people. This blog did not disappoint - I really enjoyed seeing our sales-guy friend being slapped down repeatedly. His argument crumbled around him when he quoted your secretary's salary as being almost utopian - personally I wouldn't bother getting off my ass for $50,000 and if this guy would, I must question the value of even becoming a sales person in the first place! Well done.
I'm not sure how I was being slapped down repeatedly. They responded to the argument, but as far as being slapped, I don’t think so. As far as the secretary line. I only point out that 50k a year is too much to pay a secretary where I’m from, which is Chicago. Reread the post before you reply with dumb shit buddy.
A response typical of the most uncivilized saxonian forms of life. You are, however, correct in one notable point: you weren't slapped down. You face was repeatedly slammed into the mud. Before advising others to re-read your atrociously worded post, I suggest you do so yourself, for you made no mention of your own state of origin when you blindly ranted that $50K was "too much to pay a secretary." How embarrassing for you - your attempts to decry Summer's work led to your own humiliation as you were forced to admit that the meagre salary of a secretary was surprising to you. This would have been laughable, were you not so desperate.
Interestingly, the concept of the humble office secretary has been subject to change in recent times. Secretaries are commanding up to $100K per annum, and rightly so, given that most secretaries are tertiary educated and left responsible for the management of business functioning. I suggest, therefore, that our sales guy friend consider a secretarial position himself, for his ignorant comments are embarrassing him.
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