topic Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure in Community Chat

Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

JBKO — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:28:31 GMT

Good afternoon TGIF! I was thinking about the worst (it was actually really annoying) experience I've had with a salesperson trying to pressure me into buying something. I wanted to get a TCA peel scheduled one at a spa by my job. I read reviews beforehand and several clients specifically complained about a certain esthetician that was always pressuring you to buy something. Due to time constraints, I had no choice but to select a timeslot where she would be servicing me. I thought how bad could it be?

Well, as soon as I walk in she is telling me that I should get another facial with her. I'm not even familiar with your work yet! Eventually, we get to the point where she is going to apply the peel on my face and she is begging me with puppy eyes, acting like a child pleading that I book the facial with her in the future. I said that I'm not interested and she eventually stopped.

She was so annoying! After the service, I received a subsequent email asking for my input. I made sure to rate her 3/10 and explain that the sales pressure will keep me from coming back.

I'm curious to hear all your stories.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:20:18 GMT

What is a "TCA"?

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

JBKO — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:28:55 GMT

Sorry, TCA is a type of chemical peel.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

gizmogal — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:31:27 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
What is a "TCA"?

TCA is a non-toxic chemical (trichloracetic acid), which has been used to perform skin peels for over 20 years. It is a relative of vinegar (acetic acid.) When TCA is applied to the skin, it causes the top layers of cells to dry up and peel off over a period of several days to one week.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

Cumbercookie13 — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:39:29 GMT

When smartphones just came onto the market and weren't really a big deal yet, I had gone to the Verizon store to upgrade to a new phone. My upgrade did not include smartphones so I was going to get a basic "dumbphone." I went to the store and selected the one I want. The salesman was extremely pushy, trying to get me to purchase the latest smarphone which was at the time over a hundred dollars. After I told him several times quite firmly I was only here to get my free upgrade and I was not interested in the more expensive phone, he finally relented, but had an attitude the entire time he checked me out, making comments about how eventually everyone will no longer need or want a phone like the one I have. I just rolled my eyes and ignored him. I know they're in there to try to get customers to spend money, but I held my ground. I had a lot less income back then and wasn't ready to pay that towards a phone. I had it for several years before I was able to upgrade to a smartphone. I did leave Verizon, they got way too expensive, and I was tired of being tied down to a contract.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

happycat — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:43:05 GMT

I think my worse experience was at a spa also. I'd gone to get some sort of peel, they were having a "sale" where you buy 3 peels and microdermabraision and for a discounted price. I did that, paid up front for all three. Welll, every time I'd go, the lady spent the majority of her time (and mine) tryng to get me to sign up for more facials.

I like to go and be pampered, not be constantly badgered about buying more.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

PilatesLover — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:20:09 GMT

Oro Gold! If you see a friendly person beckoning to you from the door of an Oro Gold store, look away, cross the street or cross to the other side of the mall.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

Mj12 — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:25:04 GMT

@JBKO wrote:
Good afternoon TGIF! I was thinking about the worst (it was actually really annoying) experience I've had with a salesperson trying to pressure me into buying something. I wanted to get a TCA peel scheduled one at a spa by my job. I read reviews beforehand and several clients specifically complained about a certain esthetician that was always pressuring you to buy something. Due to time constraints, I had no choice but to select a timeslot where she would be servicing me. I thought how bad could it be?

Well, as soon as I walk in she is telling me that I should get another facial with her. I'm not even familiar with your work yet! Eventually, we get to the point where she is going to apply the peel on my face and she is begging me with puppy eyes, acting like a child pleading that I book the facial with her in the future. I said that I'm not interested and she eventually stopped.

She was so annoying! After the service, I received a subsequent email asking for my input. I made sure to rate her 3/10 and explain that the sales pressure will keep me from coming back.

I'm curious to hear all your stories.

If it was me, and I read all those reviews commenting on how annoying she was, I would not have even considered scheduling with her. We always have choices.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

dex — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:28:01 GMT

Carpet cleaners...the worst?Those guys spent at least an hour trying to convince me that I needed the whole house carpet cleaned and the furniture too.I had signed up for the three room special.It was a challenge standing my ground but they finally gave up when I told them I didn’t have time as I had another appointment that day.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

x Hedge — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:54:19 GMT

I try to do my homework beforehand.

If I approach a business transaction knowing what I want, and if I'm not open to buying more, I'm very upfront about this with salespersons.

If they ignore that and start pitching what I've ruled out I say I'm not interested, I've ruled that out.

And repeat what I do want.

If they keep pushing for more than I want, I ask them to stop 'selling' because I already said I'm not interested.

If they keep pushing after that I walk out.

These are my two worst examples of sales pressure.

I've walked out of an auto dealership while we were negotiating the terms of a sale. They kept trying to add options I'd already said I wasn't interested in.

It's not like they're the only people who sell new Hondas.

I also walked out of a medical pitch for those body scans.

I was already there. I wanted what they were selling, had gone over the details with the sales rep and signed their consent forms, and was ready to pay.

The idiot sales person insisted on running a video of Oprah recommending their scans, after I'd said 3 times I strongly dislike Oprah, so PLEASE DON'T waste my time playing the video because I'll leave.

I gathered my things, including the paperwork I'd already signed, and left Oprah playing to an empty room.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

JBKO — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:58:32 GMT

I've hear horror stories about Oro Gold. I kind of feel sorry for the people who decide to work for a company like that.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

drizzellla — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 18:10:21 GMT

We own a Disney timeshare. And as part of the package, you can stay at another timeshare's properties all over.

We stayed at a lovely place in Virginia Beach right on the beach. They asked us during the stay if we would be interested in learning about their timeshare. We thought, why not. We went through the Disney timeshare talk. It was informative and interesting and no pressure.

Well, what a difference. They gave us a HARD SELL. And when that didn't work, they gave us a HARDER SELL. It was crazy. It was like we were held captive. Finally we just got up and left. I think we would still be sitting there having everyone put the pressure on us.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

CLHS68 — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 19:44:07 GMT

I think salespeople are so pushy because their bosses are on them to sell, sell, sell. Some jobs you need to meet a quota. We were to sell in one of my jobs & I just can't do it. I am willing to let the customer know what is available but if they say not intrested I let it drop. Did not help my job position & I eventully left that job.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

lovesrecess — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 20:07:44 GMT

I don't ever like someone to waste my time. I probably react to sales pressure quicker than most....there is an Ulta store that is very close to where we live. Their store is the only place that sells the only cologne DH wears....unless I drive 45 minutes to the other side of town, so I go in there. There is a guy in his fifties who wears a filthy-looking white lab coat and he follows me around, begging to do my makeup. I told him no less than three times I was not interested, I was only there for one thing, and don't ask me again. He is never dissuaded at all...just keeps on going! I told the girl at the checkout I wasn't coming in again if he can't stop following me around trying to get me back to the salon. She just shrugged.....twice was enough for me....I now order it online.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 00:37:56 GMT

Without a doubt, hands down, Renewal by Anderson Replacement Windows. We live in an old (over sixty year old Mid-Century Modern home). We not only needed new windows, but new frames as well.

My husband had retired the year before I did. He called Anderson and our local salesmen called and made an appointment. I went to work that day. When the salesman arrived he asked if my husband was married. My DH told him, "yes, but why does that matter?" The salesman launched into a spiel about how they would prefer both spouses were present so they could make decisions together. My husband assured him that his wife (me) just wanted new, better insulated windows and didn't need to be there. Well that wasn't good enough for the sales guy. He launched into a whole sales speech about how he would prefer we were both present. My husband said, "fine, feel free to leave. You're not the only folks who can do this." The guy left. Two weeks later he called back and asked to meet again. My husband said, "fine, but my wife is not taking a day off from work to talk about ****** windows." He came back, my husband bought windows, without me. Seems they want to "upsell" with the little woman there saying, "oh yes honey, we need those windows that cost twice as much!" Truly disappointing from such a big outfit.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

handygal2 — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 00:58:28 GMT

If a salesperson tries the "hard sell" on me, that's a guarantee that he or she will get NO sale at all!

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

handygal2 — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 01:12:31 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 wrote:
Without a doubt, hands down, Renewal by Anderson Replacement Windows. We live in an old (over sixty year old Mid-Century Modern home). We not only needed new windows, but new frames as well.

My husband had retired the year before I did. He called Anderson and our local salesmen called and made an appointment. I went to work that day. When the salesman arrived he asked if my husband was married. My DH told him, "yes, but why does that matter?" The salesman launched into a spiel about how they would prefer both spouses were present so they could make decisions together. My husband assured him that his wife (me) just wanted new, better insulated windows and didn't need to be there. Well that wasn't good enough for the sales guy. He launched into a whole sales speech about how he would prefer we were both present. My husband said, "fine, feel free to leave. You're not the only folks who can do this." The guy left. Two weeks later he called back and asked to meet again. My husband said, "fine, but my wife is not taking a day off from work to talk about ****** windows." He came back, my husband bought windows, without me. Seems they want to "upsell" with the little woman there saying, "oh yes honey, we need those windows that cost twice as much!" Truly disappointing from such a big outfit.

@Its Me LuLuBelle2: I've found the opposite to be true. I'm the "handy" one around the house, lol. So l've made appointments over the years when DH was at work. I know a lot more than he does about anything that pertains to the house, and he trusts my decisions.

When the salesman would see that my DH wasn't home, he would say he'd like us both to be there. I took that as a sexist insult, implying that my knowledge and decisions weren't good enough. Whenever that happened, the salesman wouldn't get the job. Lol.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

jannabelle1 — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 01:34:38 GMT

I walked into a new salon where I had an appointment (first and last time). The receptionist immediately told me to wait in the reception area and look at their "wonderful products". It never got any better. The hair cut was the worst I've ever had; the stylist kept describing every "wonderful" product she used on my hair and then wrote them down on a "buy these" card. While waiting to pay for the horrible hair cut, the receptionist wanted to know how many of the "wonderful" new products I'd be purchasing! Not the worst experience for me, but one that I won't forget! The only thing I got was a horrible hair cut!

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

NYC Susan — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 03:16:33 GMT

@handygal2 wrote:
If a salesperson tries the "hard sell" on me, that's a guarantee that he or she will get NO sale at all!

Me too! It has the exact opposite effect of what they're trying for.

You would think that salespeople would realize that a lot of us see right through pressure tactics and that being too aggressive and pushy costs them sales.

Re: Worst Experience with Sales Pressure

denisemb — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 03:37:35 GMT

Many years ago while vacationing in FL, after breakfast in a restaurant, we were approached by a salesman selling time shares. He was offering a cordless phone (THAT'S how long ago it was) to listen to their spiel. It was raining so we said "what the heck".

It ended up lasting at least 1-1/2 hours, and we'd used about every reason why we were not interested.

They finally wound up the presentation by saying something like , "Well, you're not the sort of customer we're looking for."

Cracked me up, but we got the phone.