"You are under no obligation to purchase, we just want the opportunity to show you how the product works."
Famous last words right?
Those were the words that led me to let a Vacuum cleaner salesman into my home, or as you guys say a "Sweeper" salesman.
The product - A Kirby .. a high end vacuum/sweeper which does almost everything except make you a cup of coffee.
So I said
"Yes, sure come into my home for an obligation free display of your product.
Of course I'd love to go into your $1000 cash drawer.
Yes I do understand that I don't have to purchase!
You just want the opportunity to show me how it works!"
Haha, yes I know I'm a sucker for the b.s. I really don't know why I agreed to this, normally I hang up on them, or dont even open the door to them. But on this day I was feeling generous I guess. Oh also there is a thoughtster who used to do this sort of job, and he was very good at it - so I agreed.
The appointment was set up, I was home from work, a little under the weather, but hey all I had to do was sit there right?
Wrong!
After the guy got through showing me all the "bits" that attach to the cleaner he wanted me to get out my existing machine. But not before he showed me all the dust on my couches and the floor, and asked me if I was happy with that being there - to which I answered "It doesn't bother me." He poured sand on my carpet and we had a competition to see which vacuum picked up the most.
Derrrrrrr of course his was going to! lol.
Anyway then comes sales pitch time - oh after I declined his offer to VACCUUM my mattress!!! 
First he asks me a series of questions, then he asks me how much do I think I'd have to pay. I answer $1500. The price a whopping $3600! WOW I exclaimed, does it mow the lawns?
"No," he replies "but it will unblock a blocked drain."
*great* I think to myself just what I need an over priced drain un-blocker.
But the next bit was the bit that got me. He then says he needs to call his boss and give him my home phone number, so his boss can verify that he has been at my home. "Sure," I say thinking no harm in that.
He gets his boss on the phone and they start having a three way conversation with me .... went something like this ..
Him to his boss : Yes she loves the Kirby, she's very impressed
Him to me : Are you interesting in purchasing one today?
Me to him : Ahh no, you said it was obligation free demonstration
Him to me : But you think it's great?
Me to him : Sure it's great, but I'd rather buy two cameras for that price.
Him to his boss : She is impressed with it, but the price is a little steep for her.
Him to me : how about if we offer you a no interest, no deposit purchase plan of $36 per week until it's paid off.
Me to him : No, I'm a single Mum and I'd prefer to spend money else where.
Him to me : so you wouldn't be able to fit $36 into your weekly budget?
Me to him : Cleaning the house is just not that important to me
He raises his eyebrows
Me to him : I grew up with dust, I turned out fine
Him to his boss : She would love to purchase the cleaner but she's a single Mum and doesn't have room in her budget for it. Yes Yes she is impressed. No she doesn't like her vacuum cleaner anymore.
Him to me : How about if we take your old vacuum for $200 and then it's only $34 dollars per week.
Me to Him : No, *laughs* I would rather go to Queensland than buy a vacuum cleaner for that.
He smiles in defeat
Him to his boss : no she really can't fit it into her budget, she'd love to but she knows her finances.
Him to me : How about if we leave one with you for a few days to think about it.
Me to him : No I don't have time to clean the house at the moment
Him to me : How about we leave it with you for a week?
Me to him : I'm not really planning on cleaning for a week or so. No thanks
Him to his boss : She says thank you for your offer but she just can't afford it. Yes yes okay, I'll tell her.
He hangs up on his boss and I just look at him and say,
"WOW that was dodgy!"
"Yerr I know, I'm sorry they make me do it."
"What did you do before this?" I ask feeling sorry for him, he's a single Dad (wonder if that was made up)
"I was a cabinet maker."
"Well I'd go back to it! Oh and I don't know if I'm comfortable giving you my friends names after that!"
You see they ask you to provide some friends names for a "No-obligation" phone call using you as the reference point!
"Really? Aww you'd be helping me out!" He says.
Anyway our conversation goes on a little and I agree to let my friends decide, because lets face it most of them will just hang up on them, like I should've! Oh and yes Kaybee has already had her call, and she declined!
What a dodgy way to do business .. but I will look on the bright side, I did get my carpet and couches all cleaned! YAY!
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