Door To Door Salespeople
By someonesmom
@someonesmom (5761)
Canada
April 12, 2007 12:33am CST
Are you a pushover for door to door salespeople, or do you stand your ground no matter what?
As recent as a few years back I was an easy mark for door to door solicitations of all types. I'd answer the ringing of my doorbell and would soon be 'held captive' by a salesperson(s), who was able to talk me into just about anything. Before I knew it, I'd have signed my life away for anything from several years worth of magazine subscriptions, to a home security system, and everything in between.
I remember one time when my (late) husband arrived home from work, only to find that I'd allowed myself to be coerced into signing up for several magazines that we'd be receiving for years to come. Needless to say, he wasn't at all pleased, and was able to get me out of the contract that I'd signed with a hastily made phone call. Another time, I invited 2 men into my home to demonstrate a 'free' home security system that they were 'giving' away. Of course, there was a catch, and I ended up agreeing to make monthly payments for this state of the art system. That time, I realized the error of my ways, and after reading over the fine print on the contract, I was able to call and have the whole deal cancelled, before it was too late.
Today, I've learned my lesson, and stand firm against anyone wearing a photo I.D. badge, and holding a clipboard. If they won't take no for an answer, I just say I'm not interested and close the door, although I must admit I'm still a softie sometimes, when it comes to bright eyed kids selling chocolate etc. for a school fund raiser.
What's the most interesting sales pitch you've ever listened to? Did you give in to the pressure, or did your determination win out, allowing you to just say no?
3 people like this
8 responses
@Tir_Na_nOg (508)
• Ireland
12 Apr 07
I don't care too much for door to door salespeople. Sometimes I would ask them about what they are selling if I thought that I might be interested in the future and I would ask them to leave me a card. Other times I just emphatically tell them I am not interested. I am quite tall so I don't think they like to argue with me.
4 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
That's a good idea you have, to ask them for a card, so you can think about it, and not feel pressured at the time. I'm glad I don't have a problem in saying no to them anymore. I appreciate your response, and the reference to your height too. I'm not all that tall, so ...
2 people like this
@ag_abscruzmd (2282)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I guess it depends on the country. What I mean by this is that there are some countries wherein it's dangerous to just let people in the house. I, for one, am very gullible to anything that people would sell me. When anybody would sell me anything, I would always be sales-talked, even if I didn't need the particular item. But when a door-to-door salesman would knock on my door, I wouldn't let him in at all, and there won't be any sales pitch to start with. I bet that if that person offered me his product in my place of work, I would have obliged or bought the said item. The usual sales pitch that I would definitely fall for would be fundraisers and those for charitable purposes. Happy myLotting!
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
That's a good point about the safety factor. It really does depend too on where you live, and the time of day as well. That's the way I 'used' to be. It was quite easy to talk me into things that I really didn't need, and would'nt have gone out to buy. I was once sold an expensive set of china, which I made monthly payments for, when I was approached by a salesman outside my office. He 'invited' himself to my home that evening, and even did a cooking demonstration. For me, the occasional fundraiser, or charitable donation are fine.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
I don't answer the door to anyone I do not know, and I don't listen to telemarketers on the phone I hang up. I have been a telemarketer and I know how some can be very unscrupulous.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
I try not to answer the door to anyone I don't know as well, and certainly not after dark. I seldom get caught on the phone by telemarketers, as I have call display and voicemail. Once in awhile, if I do, I'll have a very unpleasant exchange with one of them, and I'll end up hanging up. Thanks for your comments winterose.
2 people like this
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I have had problems in the past too. Sometimes the sales people just offered such good deals though! LOL. Now, I don't even bother usually, I say no thank you and leave. I don't even open the door, I talk to everyone who knocks on the door through the window that is next to the door. It's safer that way too. Recently I did talk to a phone company salesman on the phone. And I did "allow" him to talk me into trying out DSL. He did offer a good deal, only $24.99 per month, no signing my life away for any time period, a rebate on the modem thingy so I said that I would try that. It's funny too, my daughter and I had just been talking about getting DSL so that we could both be online at the same time and getting rid of paying for AOL. So the timing was right and it was something that I did want so I feel good about agreeing to that deal. And I am a sucker for the kids selling chocolate fundraisers too. But my thinking on that is that its a school fundraiser and I want to help out if I can. Generally it doesn't cost much and I feel good about it so I don't feel "victimized" by that sales pitch.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences regarding this discussion. I don't always answer the door either anymore, especially if it's at dinner time, or I'm not expecting anyone. Usually if someone is going to come by, they phone first. I have a window beside the door as well, and can sometimes see the person, without being seen. If they have one of those clipboards etc., I don't bother to open the door. You're right though, once in awhile someone happens to phone with something that I'm really interested in. The kids with the fundraisers are usually really cute and enthusiastic, and can be hard to resist, plus it's a good cause.
2 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
I don't usually give in easily to sales agents or anyone selling door to door. Because some are somekind of modus operandi to look out for the inside of your house. And after they will robbed you. And I must admit, there is always a hidden agreement. Which I don't like very much.
I think the most eloquent sales pitch I had, was from a young handicapped woman. She was selling chimes for her education. And she also was mute.
To tell the truth, it is so common here for handicapped person to sell especially dried mangoes, wooden lamps, or carvings done by themselves. For different reason, for education, for financial assistance, etc.. and I do admire them for that. To have the integrity to work, it is a decent job too, for their families.
The woman was mute. But from her letter, the way she looked, her posture and not that overacting kind of selling pity look. Nothing like that. The way she tried to interact with you. It just made my heart melt. And she was thankful for us buying a set of chime and a heart-shape hand carved picture frame. It was a small amount but it meant so much to her.(^^,)
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
That's true too, you never know when someone could be just checking out your house, with the intent of coming back later and breaking in. I agree about the hidden agreement. They never really expect you to read the fine print on a contract. That's a touching story about the young woman. It is a courageous thing for her to go door to door, to try to get the assistance she needs to make it in the world.
1 person likes this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
15 Apr 07
Yes, a very admirable woman. And striving to earn in a very honorable and honest work. So touching and inspiring! Especially when nowadays, there are a lot of persons who count only on drastic and illegal ways to earn for a living. She is surely someone with integrity and courage. (^^,)
1 person likes this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
19 Apr 07
Thank you dear for the best response mark. It's so sad I can't share it with the bearer of this inpiring story. She would have been so happy maybe. But I just hope she's in a better situation, or have finished school. It makes you wonder sometimes. But on her behalf too, thank you for the best response mark again. I really appreciate it. have a beautiful day my friend! Keep up the good works! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@ruzzychai0330 (322)
• Philippines
13 Sep 07
Well, sorry to hear that. I've been a telemarketer too for almost 2 years but i stopped because i don't like that job anymore. You get a lot or pressures. We are taught to not take NO for an answer. We are taught to lie to0 sometimes. That's sad but that's the reality. We've encountered a lot mocking words from customers and from superiors. Heheh. But even so, i never hated that job because in some way, it also taught me to become a better person. Improved my communication skills and sales skills that brought me to where I am now.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
Thanks for the glimpse into the world of telemarketers. I still believe it to be sad, that the training encourages such deceit and aggressiveness. I can well imagine the 'mocking words' you've encountered. It's great that the job did end up being helpful to you, though. Thanks for sharing.
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
Door to door sales people can be very pushy!
Shortly after we were married my husband let a man in who wanted to give us a vaccuum cleaner presentation. We saw the demonstration and listened to his lingo even though we had ecieved a lovely new vaccuum for a wedding gift from my Husband's Mother and certainly didn't need another (very exspensive) one!
This man would not take no for an answere!
He kept calling his "manager" to see if he could get us a better deal and phoned several times while he was there debating with us. I forget how we got him to leave but we never did buy the vaccuum!
My husband learned a valuable lesson that day, don't let them into your home!
If we recieve phone calls we just say that we are not interested and hang up!
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
Wow, that's really something. You'd think the salesman would understand when you told him that you'd already received a really good one as a wedding gift, plus the fact that you were newly married. Not much wear and tear on yours yet for sure. Sometimes, we end up learning the hard way, as I did with the security system salesmen. Once they're invited into a home, it can be hard to get them to leave.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
12 May 08
I was a pushover once. I bought a 1500 dollar Kirby vacuum cleaner. My husband was not excited when he got home from work. I finally paid it off this year even though I wasn't at the end of my payment plan. If kids come to my door selling cookies or magazines, though, I say no because I can't afford to buy things like that anymore.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
16 May 08
I do hope the vacuum cleaner is a good one. My (late) husband used to hate it when I did things like this. He once phoned, and cancelled a magazine subscription I'd purchased this way, while the contract could still be broken. I'll buy a chocolate bar etc., from kids at the door still (if I have the money here), because I feel it's going to a worthy cause ... but that's it. Thanks for sharing.
