Today, I went to a rummage sale that was being held to support a youth program, and when I walked in, a woman started taking me on what could best be described as a guided tour - “Aren’t these trays beautiful? They’re brand new and $3 each. Like this picnic bag? It’s $5, and we have several tubs full of collectible dolls for $10 each…”
:rolleyes:
At this point, I said, “I can decide for myself what I want to purchase. People don’t like it when they come to things like this and have someone make suggestions as to what they should buy.” She deflated a bit, went “harrumph”, and then walked away.
:dubious:
And anyway, if they were such terrific items, why hadn’t they already been purchased? I didn’t need an ongoing commentary.
Maybe she was just exciting that they got some good stuff at the sale – a rummage sale can be a crapshoot. I don’t like salespeople either, even at something like that, but there’s a nicer way to say what you said. “Thanks! I’m going to take a look around on my own.” And all people don’t necessarily dislike it; they may come to socialize and gab with the volunteers, oohing over what things were brought in for the sale.
Our quilt guild has a book sale and couple of the volunteers were picking out books to show the customers. I would have found a (polite) way to extricate myself too but the customers they were talking to seemed to enjoy it.
There was just something about her that convinced me that I wouldn’t be able to get rid of her unless I was a bit forceful. There’s a big difference between that, and asking me if there was anything specific I was looking for, which I don’t mind.
I should add that the library I volunteer at donated several boxes of books we didn’t want to this project, and believe me, neither I nor the people I volunteer with do this kind of thing, although we will happily guide a person to the appropriate area of the bookstore if they ask.
You’re staring at some old lawnmower and thinking about how to get rid of the ones taking up space at home and some lady walks over and says, “that’s a lawnmower.”
You are right, with one exception and that’s kids selling lemonade. I’m not that fond of powdered lemonade, but I always buy a cup and politely drink it.
There’s an estate sale company in my town, and the woman in charge is also really big on suggesting things. :rolleyes: They also price their items higher than you can get some of them new, which makes me wonder how they make any money, unless they find suckers who don’t know how much things really cost which is not unlikely. I don’t mind someone saying, “The second bedroom is full of Christmas items”, that kind of thing, but picking an item up and asking if I want to buy it? No, thanks.
Kids selling lemonade/purple drank (especially on our local bike path where I’m always thirsty) = Great!
Anyone else selling me anything = Uncomfortable.
But, seriously, who does that at a garage sale? I’m used to one old guy sitting in a “Comfy Retro Recliner ($50 OBO, WORKS GOOD)” and his wife manning the cash box. They’ll both chat about the weather or their kids, but not necessarily the items for sale.
I volunteered at my church’s rummage sale a few weeks ago. Mostly, we’re there to make sure that people aren’t ripping us off (sadly, yes, there are people who would rip off a church rummage sale), but if someone is showing an interest in an item or set of items, I’ll tell them something about them. This is especially so if we have multiple similar items, and it might not be immediately obvious what the differences are between them. I’ll also let people know if a lot of other folks have been expressing an interest in a particular item, and point out that they can buy it now and have us hold it for them, if they need to get a truck (this is mostly relevant for furniture).
It’s a rummage sale - a community event benefiting a cause. Some volunteers might feel like their job is to encourage sales, since they are trying to raise money for people in need.
Plus the fact that if, like me, you have no experience at being a retail salesperson, it’s not a natural skill. Which means you’re gonna make dumbass newbie mistakes. Like badgering the customers thinking you’re helping them.
There is a big difference between being a skilled retail customer and being a skilled retail store clerk.