Are scummy sales people chauvinistic as well as slimy?
Over the past 2 years, I’ve had the misfortune of having to deal with lots of sales people. I can count on one hand (and a bit) the amount of sales people I’ve dealt with I would consider to be pleasant, well-adjusted individuals. The majority of people who ring up to speak to me are pretty lizard-like. I really hate it when people use scummy sales techniques of pretending they know me to get our CRM team to pass me the call.
Some of them are also pertty rude to the person who takes the call and then all smiles when they get through to me. I’ve asked our CRM team to let me know if someone’s been particularly curt with them on the phone, because I am generally mistrustful of fake and greedy people who put down those they think are unimportant so they can make a quick buck. As far as I’m concerned, a company that employs such people to promote itself is not likely to be a dependable, ethical company and I would need a pretty good reason to deal with a company I don’t feel I can trust. Sadly, lots of companies use nice salespeople but are still pretty unethical, but hey, if you’re lucky enough to get an eyeful of nature’s warning signs (think black and yellow spiders), you may as well take a step back if you can.
Since the addition of my male marketing counterpart to my team as a semi-underling, I’ve begun to wonder whether some of the unpleasantries I have experienced while dealing with sales people were to do with those people’s gender bias. Most sales calls I get are from men, so it kinda makes sense…
The way an unsolicited call for a crappy product (or a good product I simply don’t need) usually goes is this:
- Scummy salesperson lies to get through to me (as I usually make the bastards email me first, rather than waste my time on the phone to them)
- Scummy salesperson tried to peddle his wares, often attempting to beguille me with Gypsy mind trick-like nonsensical MarketingSpeak while being overly and exaggeratedly nice to me
- I politely decline the offer, explaining that we have no need for the product or service in question
- Scummy salesperson turns nasty, adopts an intimidating tone and tries to convince me I don’t know what I’m doing. Usually, at this point, he asks me to confirm that I am indeed the person in charge of making the decision. Eventually, he hangs up.
For my male co-worker, things are usually more like this:
- Scummy salesperson lies to get through, etc.
- Scummy salesperson tries to peddle his wares, etc.
- My colleague politely refuses
- Scummy sales person adopts an even more obsequious tone, flattering my colleague and using terms such as “obviously you know your business better than me, Sir, but…”
- Eventually, my colleague managers to finish the conversation
This, to me, seems rather curious, not to mention obnoxious. As much as I enjoy putting such people in their natural place (under my shoe), I find the attitude itself quite revolting. Trying to convince someone they need your product when they obviously don’t is bad enough salesmanship that shows no understanding of the concept of building long-term business relationships. Trying to intimidate someone into buying your product is even worse. Assuming that a woman would be easily intimidated into buying an inferior product is all-round yucky. Way to make friends and influence people, jerks.
If anyone ever read this blog, I would welcome comments about other people’s experiences.
Hi there.
I just came across your blog and I must say it is one of the funniest things I have read in ages. You see, I myself work within the sales industry and have done for about 6 years now and much of what you describe I have been “told” to say myself.
Early on in my career I worked for a company who forced the hard sell on to the staff who in turn had to hard sell to the customer. I hated it. I would build a good “relationship” with a customer and the supervisor would come along and demand you call them back the next day. Even If I objected stating that my customer had clearly requested a call a week later. All that ever came from that kind of pressure, was the customer refusing to use the company ever again.
I absolutely hate the hard sale environment. I now work for a company who appreciate that the sales people who make the calls may understand the needs of the customer slightly better for having spoken to them than the managers may do.
I have often had people say to me that I must not be able to hit my targets nor can I be good at sales. It is infact the total opposite. How do I remain on the phone to a customer for more than 20 seconds? How do I gain their interest? I do so because of the following rules I set myself when cold calling.
1. Never ever put pressure on the customer
2. Never presume to know the customer or their requirements
3. If a customer requests an email/letter first abide by their wishes.
4. If they ask for a call in a week for example, call them in a week, NOT before.
5. Treat them with respect and accept their answer.
6. Be friendly and polite even if the answer is a straight no and remain polite even if someone is rude to you. Everyone has a bad day.
By following these few rules I have found myself to be very successful. I am lucky in the fact that the service we offer is that of a high standard and also I am lucky that the company I work for is well established and respected. Maybe I would not be so lucky working for someone else?
You would also think that i would be more caring about sales calls I receive at home> On one hand if they are nice enough I will politly refuse the service/product. However should they try to use the hard sell or pressure on me I have no sympathy for them.
Yes we all have to make a living, but being rude and agressive, pressuring customers and using scare tactics will lead to one road only-Liquidation of the company!
Jayne
Comment by Jayne — October 19, 2007 @ 2:45 pm