Salespeople:

[XOXO]

I need to figure out a polite yet direct way to get rid of salespeople! I am sure they are struggling like the rest of us. But I seem to be getting more than my fair share lately. I wouldn't mind IF they drop off their paperwork and leave. A little small talk is fine. But they all seem to think they have to do their PR crap on me. They sit down and start asking my about my family or pictures in the office. All the while I am getting phone calls and trying to run the place. Or worse--they start telling me about their products and lately it is heavy construction equipment. Hello, I am the office lady and I don't know or care to know about how much better yours is. thankyouverymuch

What works--a polite way of saying--see ya!

Gina

by the way--before you mention it--I am not busy all day but I get busy--in between time I check in with you all--when it works for me. I cannot have a salesperson sit in the corner until I have a minute. And I really don't care.

[waterguy]

I don't talk to them unless they call first and set up and appointment. I only set appointments with the ones that I'm interested in.

[djmom]

I think I would write up a policy (when you would see someone and your expectations-like time limit, etc...) and when one shows up, hand them the written policy, with a sort of phrase like, "I can't give salespeople the attention they deserve when they just walk in, so I have a policy now and I am not going to make any exceptions".

That makes them feel like they are not scum (which means a lot to salespeople, believe me) and it still sets very clear expectations.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

I keep repeating the same mantra, "no thank you, I know that I am not interested. No thank you, I know that I am not interested." It works.

[flip-flop]

I get TONS of sales calls as someone in marketing - printers, data services, design firms, consultants and so on - I simply say "This is not a good time." Most everyone will respect that, if they don't I wouldn't use them ever anyway.

[XOXO]

Thank you!! I am going to print something up. I have to tell you this has bothered me a lot and today I had my fill. I just wrote out this vent. I hope you don't think less of me but here it goes.

First, I am going to do exactly what you told me to do. Additionally, I am going to print up something about donations. We have to be very particular about where we donate our money so it is time for a policy. If any of you have anything that works well for you please let me know.

My afternoon started with a salesperson who was selling equipment--he asked if my hubby was in and I said no (lied--he was in the yard working). At any rate, that should have been the end of it. It wasn't. He sat down and started asking me how business was. Asking if we needed any equipment and if everything was running ok. HELLO! I know that I look like the office lady who does not give a hoot about goddamn equipment! So, I said NICELY "I am the wrong person to talk to about equipment. My hubby has gone over budget. If you want to sell equipment you should come back and talk to him". That was pretty direct don't you think??!! Well, then he continues to sits down and starts asking me about the weather, my kids, the apples . . . please bring your PR crap to someone where it will make a difference Mr. Equipment salesman because your charm is wasted on me.

THEN Mr. Smiley brought me some broker magazine saying the recession is over. Really, smiley? Right before you got here there was someone from XX worried about his job because his division is being discontinued. We have 10+% unemployment. How can the recession be over if everyone is scared of losing their jobs?? HE TOLD ME that once business improves unemployment will improve. Well, that might be true, a lot of your broker experts have researched this and written this goddamn article so . . . what do I know?? Wait! Isn't motive of your "experts" to get me to buy stock?? I just said "I hope that is true". THEN ok--I deleted some of this because it will certainly get political. It ended with . . . then Mr. Smiley sat there for 45 minutes smiling at me. There were awkward pauses and irrelevant small talk and a lot of smiling.

Next Steve the advertising guy thinks he needs to come see me twice a week. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I have been rude to him before. I couldn't help it because he dropped in and we were busy (about 3 weeks ago). I stopped him at the door and said we are swamped, talking about your newspaper and our ads isn't a priority for me because I am happy with our advertising, and I do not have time to talk. Maybe that isn't rude, I don't know, certainly it was true!! And no, I am not exaggerating. I literally told him that. So, he keeps coming so he can give me his goddamn flyer and SITS DOWN. I tried to soften myself because I am very aware of how much I dislike salespeople and I know that they are just trying to making a living. BUT Don't tell me that these guys don't take seminars in how to get in the goddamn door even when smiling GiGi says in her nicest voice that she is very sorry but this isn't my priority. And guess what! It worked I bought the ad to get him to leave and there was a sale/promotion. And he is nice. But why does he come so often and stay so long. I have grown very tired of it so today I informed him that we do not advertise in the winter. I explained that advertising isn't necessary during the winter months for us. WELL, he got all sad. He told me his scared because I am the 10th person in 2 days that has pulled their advertising. Well, Mr. Steve Advertiser, I am very sorry. You are a nice person. But we really are going to cut down on advertising and it is not personal. BUT in the future I would thankyouverymuch to make your visits infrequently and brief. Do you business and get out. We both know that you do not care about my kids, my opinion on the weather, and you don't have any reason to do business with us to nix the phony interest. Cut the small talk.

These people all STAYED while I was getting phones calls, working with my customers, and trying to work . . . hello . . . you should leave people!

So, I am putting a sign that says NO SOLICITING. I would like to add:

If you disregard this notice do not be surprise if you solicitation is not received warmly. Thankyouverymuch.

I was looking for a No Soliciting sign and found this:

Unless you are someone under the age of 12 selling something sweet, like cookies or candy, at a price not to exceed $2.00, for your scout troop, sports team, or church group. I’m sympathetic to child slave labor, I like kids, and I like cookies even better. But if you do not fall into that category, I do not want to pay you to run, walk, swim, jog, jog-walk, swim-jog, or walk-run. I do not want to pay you to cure AIDS. I don’t want to fund your fraternity’s trip to Mexico. I do not want a “trial” anything. If I need anything I am very good at google and I will find you. I do not want to pay you to leave me alone, that’s what this sign is for. I do not want you to keep standing in front of my door, reading this sign in the hopes that I might have posted an exception for your particular breed of leech. If you want my money, feel free to try robbing me. I carry a knife with a 4-inch blade and will gladly extend your smile to your ears. Thank you, and the best of luck screwing over my neighbors.

GIGI

[greyhoundmom]

We get a lot of marketing calls. I usually say, "I'm in the middle of a bankruptcy procedure right now, is there anyway you can help me with that?" They always hang up

[Chickadee]

Put a sign on a garbage can that says "Marketing Materials". When someone comes in, pull out the can, ask them to put their materials in your file and you will call them when you need them. If they persist hanging around, be honest, say "I am busy right now and cannot talk with you. Please make an appointment before stoping by in the future."

[djmom]

You can also tell the reps that you give business to that if they continue to stop by without an appointment that you will no longer do business with them-that you will only work with reps who follow your new policy.

I always hated it when my competition started telling sob stories to my customers- like their kids are not going to eat and stuff like that.

If they have to resort to that to sell their product, it leads me to think their product isn't very good. I would have NEVER told a customer how much business I was losing! That is INSANE! It makes it that much easier for you to say no-and it diminishes the value of what you are selling---no one wants it!

[liamsaunt]

That certainly sounds frustrating. As long as your husband agrees (he's the co-owner, right?) I think you should simply put a sign that says "No Soliciting" on the front door of your business. Perhaps have another small sign made for your desk--like a nameplate, but with "No Soliciting" on it. Most salespeople/fundraisers won't come in if the sign is on the door. If they come in anyway, cut them off when they start their pitch, point to the sign on your desk and say, "I am so sorry, but as you can see, we do not allow soliciting. Have a nice day." Then smile and go back to work. Simple, no drama. Rude, maybe. I'd categorize it as "direct."

[joanybelle]

Gina, I am is the same boat as you. I work for my husband's business, managing the office. Our office & shop (construction business) is along the interstate, so we get LOTS of cold call from salespeople. We had to put a sign in our lobby that reads All Sales Calls are by Appointment Only. It became necessary so that I can get my work done.