Do you really want this sale? Then why are you PISSING ME OFF?

[Cat_Whisperer]

@Boggette

My experience with car salesmen is pitiful. As a woman, I’m never taken seriously by them, which I find very strange and annoying.

The first time The Bog and I went looking for a truck for him, every time I asked a question, the salesman would answer Bog. <snip>

I ran into this too, when I was looking for a new car recently. Boggles the mind, it does, that these guys are still stuck in the '50s. They kept talking to Jim, and I just kept answering them, staring them right in the eye. Most of them finally got the message.

On the plus side, though, I used my husband as an excuse to hightail it outta there without buying after going on test drives and taking up lots of time. Jim told me that if he was looking for cars alone, the sales guys would all but call him pussywhipped if he didn’t buy one on the spot. That’s some lower form of life, there.

[Guinastasia]

@bluethree

Several minutes later a salesperson appeared, but was in the middle of helping someone else and ignored both me and the other woman.

Surely you’re not complaining that this person didn’t drop his/her customer and help you. After all, that wouldn’t be right.

I’ll never forget when I bought my first CD player. I was only sixteen, so I went with my mother, and we talked to a salesman at Sun Electronics (I THINK that was the name, they’ve since gone out of business.) I was either going to get a totally new stereo with a built in CD player/tape deck/radio to replace my old stereo that didn’t have the CD player, or a hook up CD player.

First, we went with the former. I get it home, and I had bought a new CD just for the occassion. I get it in, and it skips when I try to switch to certain songs. It plays fine straight through, but you can’t skip ahead to say, track 7, because it’ll skip and stammer. So my mother and I box it up, call back and tell the guy what’s going on, and he says it bring it back, they’ll exchange it. “Is there a problem with this model?” my mother asks. “Oh no no no no!”

So we bring it back, get the exchange, and then get home and open the new stereo. Right off the bat, it’s packed in the box weird, almost as if it were taken out and returned. Suspicious, we try using it, and this time, it doesn’t work AT ALL. The CD player won’t work, the radio, the tape player, nothing. I’m in tears at this point, and my mother calls back and tells the guy what happened, and says, “I am going to ask you again, is there a problem with this particular stereo? And you better be honest?”

The creep tells her that yes, they’ve had a few problems with this make and model, and most people end up returning it. I’m in the background, absolutely livid, as this is one of the first major purchases I’ve made with my first job, etc. (I’m basically screaming, “FUCK YOU ASSHOLE” hoping he hears it!)

So we hook my old stereo back up, and when little sis (about nine or ten at the time) gets home, she’s now pissed because she won’t get my old stereo. Oh joy.

There’s a happy ending-Monday while I was at school, my parents went back, found a five-disc CD-changer to hook up to my old stereo with a new salesman, very professional and not at all skeevy like the first guy. Said CD player is great-in fact, I still have it, and the only thing wrong is that because it’s older, it doesn’t play home-burned CDs.

[SmartAleq]

@Chefguy

SmartAleq: Only one comment - when I sold vehicles, the sales manager crunched the numbers and approved all deals. Salesmen were NOT allowed to do that and did not have access to the computer program that showed dealer invoice, profits, calculated payments and such. A salesman saying he has to talk to his manager is usually not a scam.

Yeah, I know–I spent a stint slinging cars too… Notice that the guy I ended up stepping on was represented to me by the Greaseball sales guy as his manager–ergo, he WAS the sales manager! I don’t know who he wanted to pretend was crunching numbers for him, but I decided maybe it’s a dissociative personality disorder of some kind…

And the thing is that some car salespeople, like the ones I finally end up spending money with, are the type who understand that when they’ve got a customer with a brain on the lot it’s time to can the crap, cope with the likelihood that they aren’t going to make a high profit off me and just get real. Show me invoice and I’ll settle for a reasonable amount over–I have nothing against people making money, but I do have something against people trying to play me for a chump and refusing to respect my time. I have one friend who’s a whizbang car shopper, and it’s a flipping nightmare on wheels when one of us is in the market and the other’s got spare time and feistiness… Sales critters cringe in fear when we pull in–we’ll go to every lot in town, bargain them against each other, haggle for HOURS if necessary and we always get a damned good deal. It’s a form of sport, we try not to just go shopping to be assholes, we’ll find another friend who’s genuinely in the market to justify the shopping trip. It’s really just all about the haggling, though…

[Ferret_Herder]

@featherlou

I ran into this too, when I was looking for a new car recently. Boggles the mind, it does, that these guys are still stuck in the '50s. They kept talking to Jim, and I just kept answering them, staring them right in the eye. Most of them finally got the message.

I had this happen when I was looking for my first car. A gay male friend - not stereotypically flaming but not exactly requiring advanced military-level gaydar systems to detect, either - came along to help me since he knew a decent amount about cars. We in no way acted like we were a couple, he would say I was the one getting the car, etc. So hell-o, he has nothing to do with the actual purchase and with the real decision.

When I did have one of the annoying sales guys actually speak to me, after listening to me go through my spiel of how I intended to put hundreds of miles on this every month for years, driving through cold Midwestern states and lots of snow, and wanted a reliable, practical, non-sporty car for that… he showed me a rear-wheel drive Mustang. When I openly scoffed at his interpretation of what I’d just said, his defense was, “Well, people drove rear-wheel drive cars in snow for years and got along just fine.” My reply was, “And they also used 8-track players in their cars but that doesn’t mean those are preferable to today’s technology.”

After I finally bought a car (not off the lot of the last guy), I went to pick it up and referred to it as “my car” in the process. Assuming I’d financed it - I didn’t - the salesguy I talked to said no, it was their car that I was going to be making payments on. I corrected his mistaken assumption.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

@Fabulous Creature

What habit of retail salespeople makes it harder for them to make a sale to you?

For me it’s about my name. First off, I worked in retail from 1988 to 2001, and I was taught always to address my customers as “Ms. Johnson,” “Mr. Smith,” et cetera. When someone who’s supposed to be serving me–particularly much younger than me–uses my first name without asking first, it vexes me.

I know I’ve lost the battle on that one, though. What really irritates me is when salespeople address me by the WRONG name. My given name is Kyle, but I never introduce myself as such; for various silly reasons that name always irritated me as a child, and even as an adult it makes my skin crawl. I always introduce myself as “Maxie.” When I do that, and salespeople proceed to call me Kyle over and over, it tells me that they either aren’t listening to what I’m saying or that they don’t care what I think. Either way I don’t want to help them reach their quota or make their commission.

What about you folks? What do salespeople do that, for reasons rational or otherwise, just pisses you off?

How do they know your name is Kyle if you introduce yourself as Maxie?

Why do you introduce yourself at all? I can’t remember ever once telling a retail salesperson my name.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@Diogenes the Cynic

How do they know your name is Kyle if you introduce yourself as Maxie?

Why do you introduce yourself at all? I can’t remember ever once telling a retail salesperson my name.

I’m guessing they get it off of his bank/credit card, like the Safeway drones who will not stop trying to call people by their name (I’ve blotted out the name on my airmiles card just for them). I also called to get my name taken off the receipt that prints out when you use your Safeway “loyalty” card, and it was worth the effort to see the cashiers hunting around for a name that isn’t there. Buwahahahahaha!!!

[UntouchedTakeaway]

@thursday next

If you’re male, avoid the cosmetics counters at the big department stores, even Nordstrom’s (much to my surprise). My nearest and dearest will often run to the store for me during the Clinique gift with purchase event, and you’d think he was invisible. What’s almost amusing is that he also uses some Clinique supplies since they have some good shaving stuff for guys. He makes a point to talk to the manager whenever he’s ignored or paid attention too. He wants them to know how nice it is when he’s promptly helped and how annoying it is when he isn’t.

I get driven crazy when he and I go out to dinner, or when we go out with my best friend and the server always hands the change/credit card back to him. Many, many times my best friend or I have taken the check from the server, handed him our card/cash and they still hand it back to him. Ack! I know the world isn’t going to end, but it grates my cheese.

Re: the cosmetics counters & men item. I find exactly the opposite - especially at the Chanel counter. I could be on fire in the middle of the store and they are so loathe to give out samples, they wouldn’t sprinkle me with Allure (OK - so I know the alcohol in the perfume wouldn’t help the fire, but work with me here). However, let my SO go to the Chanel wonks at Christmas time and not only do they fall all over themselves to sell him what he wants, he comes home with enough free samples to load my Christmas stocking.

VCNJ~

[zweisamkeit]

The people at the register who say, “Have a nice day, [first name]” are doing it because they have to. They have to because management was told they have to because the idiotic heads of company have got it into their brains that for some reason, it sounds friendly and nicer and more personal. Nevermind that in the real world, most people find it irritating.

I’m currently a sales girl while doing an internship (I’m sorry, my official title at the clothing store is “style expert” :: snort :: ). We don’t get any commission, which is good and bad.

Bad is less money, obviously. But good is that there isn’t rabid competition between my coworkers, we’re more laid back with customers, etc.

No one’s mentioned the one thing I can’t fucking stand about my job: promoting the store credit card. Right now the home office is giving our store shit for being below credit goals, so if we don’t con some sap into signing up for a store card, we don’t get our hours back. It makes me feel scummy.

[Smeghead]

@zweisamkeit

No one’s mentioned the one thing I can’t fucking stand about my job: promoting the store credit card. Right now the home office is giving our store shit for being below credit goals, so if we don’t con some sap into signing up for a store card, we don’t get our hours back. It makes me feel scummy.

Oh, don’t worry. There have been many long, epic pit threads about the practice of upselling.

[Wnabtokio]

@whiterabbit

Last night, Audrey, I was at a restaurant with my SO when they brought the check, and put it down in front of him. We’d already agreed I was buying, so I did so. Apparently nobody ever looked at the card when they took it to swipe because when the receipt was brought back to sign, she STILL put it in front of him. Usually if that happens they then give it to me.

The food was FAAAAAABULOUS and the service was otherwise great, but somehow, I wouldn’t peg my boyfriend as a Rachel…I know waitpeople have a lot of stuff to do, but take ten seconds and look at the card, please? It’s my money. I earned it. He doesn’t always pay just because he’s the man!

That happened to me a few months ago. Not only did the male waiter give the check that I was paying and then the receipt to the Wnaboy, he at one point during the night called me “girl”. Just “girl”, like I was a tavern wench or something. Had to really tamp down the urge to kill, I did. We’ve never been back.

Still makes me mad when I think about it. I’m 21, big and tall with a fairly deep voice for a female. I don’t think I’m a “girl”, except by the least specific definition available. And I’m polite when I listen to people complain all day, so I expect something in the way of customer service. Maybe I’m crazy.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@zweisamkeit

The people at the register who say, “Have a nice day, [first name]” are doing it because they have to. They have to because management was told they have to because the idiotic heads of company have got it into their brains that for some reason, it sounds friendly and nicer and more personal. Nevermind that in the real world, most people find it irritating.<snip>

Yeah, we all know why they do it; it doesn’t make it any less annoying. Knowing it’s the PHB’s that have decided on this idiotic practice does stop me from yelling at the cashier every time they take liberties with my name, so I guess that’s something.

[galt]

@Wnabtokio

Not only did the male waiter give the check that I was paying and then the receipt to the Wnaboy, he at one point during the night called me “girl”. Just “girl”, like I was a tavern wench or something. Had to really tamp down the urge to kill, I did. We’ve never been back.

You go, girl.

[Gala_Matrix_Fire]

@Guinastasia

Surely you’re not complaining that this person didn’t drop his/her customer and help you. After all, that wouldn’t be right.

Nope, I’m not complaining about that, just painting the picture. I can’t complain about that salesperson’s behavior, but it wouldn’t have taken more than three seconds of her time to make eye contact with either or both of us and say, “someone will be right with you.”

Makes all the difference.

[Guinastasia]

@bluethree

Nope, I’m not complaining about that, just painting the picture. I can’t complain about that salesperson’s behavior, but it wouldn’t have taken more than three seconds of her time to make eye contact with either or both of us and say, “someone will be right with you.”

Makes all the difference.

Okay, that’s fair. It’s just that there ARE some people out there who actually expect employees to drop another customer for them.

[Kevbo]

One place I go a lot is allowed to call me by my first name. Especially since the young lady who usually waits on me is Julia Roberts as Julia Roberts would be if she were still in her 20’s and a lot cuter than Julia Roberts ever was…

What I REALLY hate is salesmen that call me bro’. You and I are way to caucasion to ever be mistaken for bro’s. If you knew what a smumbag my brother is you wouldn’t want to be mistaken for him. I ain’t your bro’ punk.

[cosmosdan]

@Guinastasia

Okay, that’s fair. It’s just that there ARE some people out there who actually expect employees to drop another customer for them.

Not too many. Sometimes they can’t tell if you’re helping someone so I just have to tell them. Occasionally them come up and begin their business when another customer is there. Customers on the phone can’t tell if you’re busy so you have to tell them, but in our hurry up society most don’t want to wait too long for you to check something. 4 or 5 minutes seems like they’ve been really inconvienienced. Sorry folks. The person who got off their ass and came in the store is first in line.

[adhemar]

@Baldwin

Last night I was watching a documentary called Slasher, directed by John Landis. It’s about a guy who specializes in conducting “slasher” sales to clear out car dealership inventories. One of the salesmen explained that he’ll agree to anything a prospective customer asks for, then backslide a few seconds later. For example, if a customer says, “I can only afford to pay $350 a month,” he’ll say, “Sure! Fine! Let me go tell the manager!” and then, after taking a few steps, he’ll turn back and say, “Oh, we might not be able to do that $350. How about $450?” If I were the customer, that would be the end of the conversation. (The same salesman, later in the documentary, complains bitterly about customers “wasting his time” because they didn’t buy.)

The last time I went to a dealership on my own, I explained that I wanted to trade in my Ford Ranger for “something smaller that gets better gas mileage”. That was the phrase I used, repeatedly. The guy responded by trying to sell me a full-size van. The easiest way to not sell me something is to make it clear you’re just not listening.

My story of dealership hell is… I was working 60+ hours a week and in school part time, my car had reached the point I was having to crawl out the other side to exit and enter as well as some engine issues as well. I had reached the point I HAD to get a new vehicle. After reading the ads in the sunday paper I saw a used one I liked and thought I could afford since I wanted to finance for 3 years or less and have payments of 250 or less. I called the dealership on Monday and asked if they still had the truck, they put me on hold to checka nd said yes they had it and scheduled me an appt for the next morning between school and work usually the time I used to get another couple hours of sleep. Went to the appt, said vehicle had been sold the previous week but the slaesman had another one he was sure I would like. showed me a 2 year old truck of the same model but was 6 years newer. I told him no way would hae be able to sell me that truck for what I was wanting to pay. He spent several minutes trying to convince me he could put me in that truck for what I wanted, I told him I was not as stupid as he took me for that there was no way he would be able to sell me a $20,000.00 truck for $6000.00. and I didn’t have to time for him to nickle and dime me trying to up the price of what I wanted. he did get me to agree to wait int he showroom while he checked the inventory for a cheaper/older one. I was so tired and mad I was crying while I sat in the showroom. One of the sales managers came to ask if I was alright and I told him I was so angry that they would tell me the trcuk was there when it had already been sold then try to bait and switch to a much more expensive model. he did have any answer but said I should have let the first salesman try to sell me the newer truck. I finally left and slept in my car for an hour before I went to work. I bought a really nice truck that weekend for only slightly more than my $250.00 a month for 3 years target. (it was $270.00 for 4 years) I really hate being treated like I am stupid.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@adhemar

<snip>I called the dealership on Monday and asked if they still had the truck, they put me on hold to checka nd said yes they had it <snip>Went to the appt, said vehicle had been sold the previous week <snip> I really hate being treated like I am stupid.

I’m sorry this happened to you, but it wasn’t because they thought you were stupid - it is (unfortunately) standard procedure at car dealerships to never tell anyone the truth over the phone about what’s on the lot. By their logic, they would rather have a pissed-off customer there in the flesh than run the risk of telling a customer their vehicle has been sold, and the customer not coming to the dealership. Basically, it’s a waste of time to phone dealerships about stock. But I guess you know that now (and you’re not the only one who learned this the hard way, either {points at self}.)

[Infovore]

@featherlou

I’m guessing they get it off of his bank/credit card, like the Safeway drones who will not stop trying to call people by their name (I’ve blotted out the name on my airmiles card just for them). I also called to get my name taken off the receipt that prints out when you use your Safeway “loyalty” card, and it was worth the effort to see the cashiers hunting around for a name that isn’t there. Buwahahahahaha!!!

Oh, the Safeway drones! My favorite people! (not). Can you actually call to get your name taken off? I’ve been trying for awhile now to figure out how to tell them not to refer to me by name without sounding pissy. I know it’s their job, but dammit, first of all I don’t particularly like being referred to by name; second, my last name (which on that particular card is hyphenated) is kind of hard to pronounce and I don’t like sitting there while they peruse the card, try to figure out how to pronounce the name, and then invariably mangle it; and third, I don’t like (nor do I feel like it should be expected of me) volunteering the correct pronunciation so the sales drone can fulfill his or her duties.

I really don’t want to be pissy about the whole thing–a couple of times I’ve come right out and asked them, ‘Hey, is there a way I can get a ‘do not call this customer by name’ note put on my record so you guys will stop doing that?’ but they just chuckle uncomfortably and hand me my card back.

Feh.

[Critical_Mass]

winterhawk - Safeway in Canada does not emboss the customer’s name in on the card. Instead, the name is printed on the receipt.

When it was introduced and they started calling customers by name, I called Safeway customer service and told them that:

A - I wasn’t impressed that I needed to produce the Club Card or I would be penalized (do you think they drop the price for Club Card users or do they raise the price for non-users?). But fine - I’ll conform. Go ahead and gather your data. Whatever.

B - I did not like being called by name. Which was printed on the receipt when I used the Club Card.

The customer service person let me know that they had the ability to remove my name from the receipt when I used the Club Card.

Good enough - we have a deal.

Next time I shopped at Safeway, the clerk looked for my name on the receipt. Sure enough, it was not there. Without missing a beat, she looked at my Airmiles card, where my name is embossed, and said “Thank you Mr. qwest”.