Am I a sucker or what?
By ckhair13
@ckhair13 (185)
United States
July 19, 2009 3:29pm CST
I feel so bad....one my closest & dearest friends just started working for a marketing company. She asked me yesterday if she could come over & give us a demonstration cuz it would really help her out with her new job. Sure no problem cuz I'd do anything to help a friend out. Well, she is working for a marketing company which I should've known means she is selling something! So of course she made her presentation with all her neat little gadets & then here comes the big question...what woould you like to buy? This stuff is as expensive as you can imagine & I am broke as can be, but how can you say no right? If the roles were reversed I know she'd never think twice about it...so I felt obligated & spent money I didn't have...I've got SUCKER written across my forehead! So my question is how do oyu get out of a situation like this without hurting your friend's feelings & kindly decline the offer to buy anything. Its almost like you are obligated to buy something!! So how do I stop this from happening again??
2 people like this
20 responses
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Oh, I know how you feel about being broke! If she is as close a friend as you say then I would just be honest and tell her that you are broke and can't afford it right now. Honesty is the best policy as they say.
I really don't think not buying something from your friend will strain your relationship. Just explain everything to her so she understands your situation.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Well, I have had a couple of friends who sell vaccum cleaners ask me to let them come and do a demonstration as it helps them. I tell them right up front that I just can't afford it and apparently they get credit even if I don't buy. Just by showing the product they got credit. Of course if i'd have purchased one, they would have gotten a lot more. I have friends that invite me to those expensive pampered chef parties or worse yet...the chrystal parties. I just can't afford to spend my money on those kinds of things and I tell them so and they are very understanding. I think the next time, you should just be clear from the start that you can't afford to buy. 
@ckhair13 (185)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Thank you all for your wonderful commments! I didn't expect so many responses! Thanks so much! I will remember your advice the next time I get put into this situation! Its like those home parties where they want you to buy a $20 candle & Wal-Mart sells the same one for $5!
@teeaye98 (287)
• United States
20 Jul 09
You were right. The marketing firm job was a good indication that she was selling something. Next time be sure to tell them ahead of time that you don't have the money to buy anything, but that they can feel free to practice their presentation on you just the same. Trust me, your friend will need they practice in order to sell her merchandise, especially if it is as expensive as you are saying.
Good Luck!
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
19 Jul 09
The best way to avoid such things is to explain to a friend that you do not have any money to be buying anything. If they are a friend they will know and understand your predicament
If you are force to be in the situation you describe I think the best thing to do is buy the cheapest thing that they offer. That way they made a sale and got some practice with their demonstration
If you are force to be in the situation you describe I think the best thing to do is buy the cheapest thing that they offer. That way they made a sale and got some practice with their demonstration @legend5190 (1)
• United States
20 Jul 09
You should just act like your not interested in the products she has to offer. But try and divert in a kind way.
@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
20 Jul 09
Next time, when a friend ask you to help her with her selling job, you can tell her before hand that you can't buy anything at the moment, for sure she'll understand. She would just ask you to place your oder and you'll talk later. It can just be a prop just to let others, capable of buying be interested as you the friend, being the host bought something. Or you can talk of a later date delivery when you're already capable of buying. As in demos and sales like that when the host won't get anything, all others will follow not to buy too. That is if you want to be of help to your close friend. If you really don't want to happened again then you can ask your friend to do the demo and selling at a later date whe're you're no longer broke, where at least you're ready to buy anything.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I don't know if I can help you or not, because I'm a sucker too! I always feel obligated to purchase something when it's the same type of situation. I have learned to cut it off at the pass, by not having it in the first place. It seems for me it is easier to not commit to the meeting than it is to get out of buying something once I have the demonstration!
@icehut (508)
•
20 Jul 09
She asked "what would you like to buy?" Well, if she had nothing you wanted, then the simple answer would be that there's nothing there that you want to buy... Otherwise, you could (knowing that she doesn't have the item) ask if she has a certain item, or a variation of an item...
@Amarinder (80)
• India
20 Jul 09
haha what a complication?? In this type situation you should talk clearly that you need that product because you already have.. Another method is that you told that you are saving your money for some purpose. Also told to your friend that i dont want to brake your heart but i have another tensions. So you surely get rid from them. One thing most important business is one side friendship is other when both are mixing then there is no friend ship remain,, So dont make mix up these money matters with your friends it can fakes the friendship...
@xmc2wx (9)
• United States
20 Jul 09
You have every right in the world to say: I'm not interested, I don't think I'll be making a purchase. Also, most demonstrations involve a "what would you like to buy" period, that's the main purpose of the demonstration. Next time, you might also wish to say "I don't have time for a demonstration, sorry".
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
20 Jul 09
Well you had the answer you just didn't say it. All you had to say was I'm really sorry but I'm broke and can't afford this stuff, period amen. I know we have all done this but I've learn from experience. You need to stand up for yourself and be able to tell someone the truth. I can't do it. I'm flat broke my credit cards are maxed out. Sorry that this happen to you because like I said we have all been there and its quite frustrating. Just remember its your pocketbook that you have to worry about no one else is worrying about your finances. You need to stick up for yourself and be able to say NO can't do it. Take care!
@iwinagain (545)
•
20 Jul 09
I would say thanks for the presentation and offering me to buy the products but currently my money is really tight, I have to pay the bills, buy food and new clothes, pay for transportation, and support my children (if you have any). I hope you understand. If I have enough money and am interested in this offer, I'll let you know in the future. Thank you for being so understanding.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
20 Jul 09
My sister in law is an addict of these selling scheme but I have to say she makes them work at least the Avon she does. It is hard to come up with excuses so try not to make any. Next time say, "sure you can practice on me!" then when the big question comes say OK that was good ,or maybe you should try this so on and so on. This way you can be helpful with out buying anything. If they get pushy just tell them you don't have the money to spend I mean if they are selling stuff door to door then they must understand that not everyone has the money to spend.
These people who sell this stuff and want you to have parties and what not can get pushy to get you to sell things as well since it is a pyramid scheme most of the time. When being pushed to sell the stuff I have a bit harder time getting them off my back but usually pull the I'll think about it.
@maverick_tarun (52)
• India
20 Jul 09
R u gettin money freely..no ri8 wen u cant afford 2 buy it den wats the point of buying it...if she is fellin bad abt wat was ur answer den u can say my present situation is not so gud i will definitely buy it in sme matter of time!!!
@OConnell87 (1042)
•
19 Jul 09
I would just tell her that although i would like to help her out i can't afford to at the moment, or say that at the moment i dont need the items. I am an avon rep and i gave brochures to my friends but i said to them that i dont want them to feel the need to have to buy something just have a browse and maybe pass them on to someone else who might like to buy something
@persona_touch (1701)
• United States
19 Jul 09
just tell your friend its more exsipensive then you thought it would be and you can't by it right now.
@abenitez (501)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I she is really your close friend she would understand the fact that you dont have any money. Times are hard out there right now and saving money is very important. Talk about the products that you do like and show your friend that you were interested but simply state that aat this moment you really dont have the money to make extra expenses.
@baldypriest (338)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I've actually been in this situation before. All I could say is that I'm flat broke and would buy something if I had the money. I'd contact them when I had more money. I sell AVON, so kind of know how it feels to have to ask if someone would like to buy something, knowing that many people don't have much spare money. It sucks.
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
19 Jul 09
This is my opinion or the way I would handle it. I use to sell products too, and of course on commission. I would call up family, and friends to help me out. I had an aunt that told me when I called her up."Are you Selling Something" well honey I would love to help but I have no money. Then there was a friend who I knew didn't have two nickles to rub together. I never called and ask her to let me show her what I was selling. Why? Because I knew she would spend money that she didn't have to help me out.I advice to you is to always ask them first if they are selling products and then on the other side the friend should know you well enough not to ask.
@Doms_Wrld (15)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I have been there a few times.Well to be honest there maybe a right way of saying no but people always end up taking it the wrong way like your saying shove off or something but if this person is your friend she should know you and know you got financial problems and should not have asked you in the first place...
