Strange selling tactic - won't quote without 'other half'

[anonymous-user]

We had a doorstep 'canvasser' the other day generating leads for a certain home improvement product. It sounds vaguely interesting, so an appointment was made for a follow-up sales chap to visit. They were very keen to stress that both my wife and I must be present for this spiel and 'no obligation' quote.

Anyway, my wife had to go out just before this further visit (she works on call). Chappie arrives, and then declines to give his presentation because she's not present - on the grounds that it's 'company policy'.

It all sounds a bit suspect to me. Should I just decline a further visit?

[rb5er]

Weirdos. Tell them to do 0121.

[anonymous-user]

rb5er said:

Weirdos. Tell them to do 0121.

Yes, it's very tempting.

Maybe my imagination, but I seem to recall double glazing salesmen using this tactic - something about not being able to cancel an order once both halves of a couple have signed up??

[drivin_me_nuts]

Had this with double glazing a while back. It's a simple tactic really, get one to like it and pressure the other. Expect a full 4 hour spiel crap with a stupid/comical initial price to then drop to about 35-50% after a call to the 'manager' what with it being 'only you and a special customer' and all the other crap that goes with it.

[Puggit]

Had it from an estate agent for a no-obligation quote. We figured it was to ensure that my wife wasn't trying to sell the house from under my feet

[vikingaero]

Standard double glazing practice. They don't want you to come up with the killer: "I need to run this past the missus..."

I had a salesman from Crystal Windows who asked where Mrs V. was. I said at work and he said he couldn't quote. I was ready to put down a deposit if the quote was OK. Fine. His terms. But I told him not to bother rescheduling another appointment as he left.

[Iva Barchetta]

I live on my own.....what to do ?...

[anonymous-user]

hire an escort

[Bill]

We had similar with one of those "studio" photo shoots. Presumably it's easier to sell things if you've cracked one, it's also harder to back out if you've had the chat about it there and then.

The saleswoman's smile got a little more forced when I started our chat with "Well, they're not very good, are they?"

[cptsideways]

Let them know you are taking your business elsewhere

[anonymous-user]

No need for any further contact with him or the firm imo

If you want the product / service, just google it and you will find an alternative supplier that will be easier to deal with

and, I am certain, cheaper

[Jasandjules]

vikingaero said:

Standard double glazing practice. They don't want you to come up with the killer: "I need to run this past the missus..."

They think you can't say "We'll think about it"?!?

[Sunnyone]

For some companies that are selling finance with the product they need both home owners signatures. As they are usually trying to use tactics to get you to sign up there and then they want you both there.

[0000]

vikingaero said:

Standard double glazing practice. They don't want you to come up with the killer: "I need to run this past the missus..."

This. They either don't get that people who say it don't want the tat they're flogging or they want to remove the easy get out of jail free card to pressure people into getting paying up regardless.

I had a guy trying to flog a metal front door threshold plate the other day. I told him I'd have to check with the wife (wondering why she'd want a stainless steel instead of wood effect thing if for some reason she was to start caring about it at all) and he told me it was less than £300 so I didn't have to check with her.

I'm quite happy to tell them to jog on if they won't take the hint, can't stand people who prey on people who are too polite for their own good.

[crows]

Standard sales technique to make sure they qualify the economic decision maker.

[Pints]

We popped into a furniture store on the weekend and sat down with the chap to arrange delivery details, etc. Minutes later came the whole extra cover for only X pounds more and all the rest of it.
"No, thanks," was our joint reply. After several attempts we got:
"Are you sure? I've never had anybody turn this down before!"
"Well, I guess you'll be telling your grandkids about this day," was my reply.


Thankfully Mrs Pints and I have very similar views on these things. I'll happily bring her to that sort of "quoting" appointment. She's not one to hold her tongue, and doesn't suffer fools or pushy salesmen.

[stuartmmcfc]

crows said:

Standard sales technique to make sure they qualify the economic decision maker.

This, and 99 out of 100 times its the woman who makes those decisions- despite what we might think.

[technodup]

stuartmmcfc said:

crows said:

Standard sales technique to make sure they qualify the economic decision maker.

This, and 99 out of 100 times its the woman who makes those decisions- despite what we might think.

This. It's perfect sense. What sales person wants to spend up to an hour driving to/from an appointment plus the duration of the appointment, get on great with the husband, loves the product etc and then he needs to run it with the wife? The husband even if he's genuine is then trying to sell something he's only seen once to someone who hasn't seen it at all and invariably those sales never materialise.

But before that it results in several follow up calls, possibly being a nuisance and if lucky a second appointment to see both. It's a total waste of everybody's time.

Give them the information, website, brochure at outset. Chat on phone. Arrange appointment with all parties present. Sell.

In my experience (and I don't sell B2C) people don't ask you to their home/office unless they are interested. Properly qualify them on the phone and close them at the appointment. Thinking about it is done prior to the appointment, not after.

[wseed]

Isn't there something about the change in right to cancel if you invite them back for the quote. They're no longer cold calling (or whatever the door to door equivalent version is) ie If I turn up on your doorstep and get you to order something you have some time to change your mind where as if you invite me it's a sale done and dusted.

[steveatesh]

stuartmmcfc said:

This, and 99 out of 100 times its the woman who makes those decisions- despite what we might think.

There is no doubt about who is the major decision maker in most households in the UK (probably other anglicised countries too) it is the woman.

I think the figure is nearer 75% of households.

See here for government research in financial decisions :

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

But there is plenty of stuff for other decisions too. Why that is the case - my guess is that men just like a quiet life, and women like to control ! (Other reasons may be available! )