I think most people have experienced a really persistent salesman – who just refuses to give up, no matter what you say.
It’s often about discounts and offers that simply sound too good to be true – and they are skillful at making things sound better and more attractive than they really are.
It’s quite challenging to stand your ground, however, you must resist the temptation so you don’t end up wasting money on something that you don’t actually need. Otherwise, you’ll regret it afterward.
In addition, we must remember that salespeople are only doing their job. Obviously, we must respect that – and as customers, you have no obligation to buy anything, so there is no reason to be unpleasant about it.
To politely, but clearly, say no thanks, works perfectly in most cases.
This funny (and fictional) story is about a shy and young salesman from North Dakota. At first, I felt really sorry for the guy, but after reading the end I couldn’t stop laughing! So damn good – the best laugh I’ve had in a while!
Looking for a job in the big city
Matthew, a young guy from a small town in North Dakota, moves to Miami. He enters a large department store trying to find a job.
He finally gets an interview with the boss, who asks him:
“Do you have any sales experience?”
“Yeah. I was a vacuum salesman back in North Dakota”, answered the youngster.
The boss was unsure, but he liked Matthew — so he gave him a chance.
“You start tomorrow at 8.00. I’ll come down after we close and see how you did.”
Matthew’s first day on the job was rough, but he got through it. After the store finished closing, the boss came down to the sales floor and gathered all the employees.
“How many customers did you have today Matthew?”, asked the chief.
Felt bad for chewing him out
Matthew, being shy, frowned and looking at the floor muttered:
“One.”
The boss, after hearing that, shouted:
“Just one?! Each sales staff in this store averages 20 to 30 customers a day. This has to improve! And soon! If you want to continue working here. Our sales standards are very strict over here. One sale a day might have been acceptable in North Dakota, but you’re not in the countryside anymore, son. Get it together, or get out!”
The young man listened to the manager’s complaint but continued to stare straight into the floor. The boss felt bad for chewing him out on his first day, so he asked:
“Okay, how much was your one sale for?”
Matthew looked up and answered:
“$150,000”
Sold him some fish hooks
The boss, astonished, yelled:
“$150,000?! What in god’s name did you sell?!
The young man explained:
“Well, first, I sold him a few new fish hooks. After that, I got him a new fishing rod to go with his new hooks. While talking to him about the rod, I asked where he was planning to go fishing, and he said down the coast, so I told him he would need a boat, so we went down to see the boat section and I sold him the new twin-engine model we have on display. The man said he didn’t think his car could actually pull the new boat, so I took him to our car department and sold him the latest 4×4 Dodge truck model.”
The boss’ jaw hit the floor, and after a minute of silence he asked:
“So this guy came to buy fish hooks — and you sold him a boat and a new truck?!
Matthew replied:
“Actually, the guy came in looking for tampons for his girlfriend. But then I told him, ‘Dude, your weekend’s busted, might as well go fishing’.
The following day, the boss gave Matthew a promotion…
What a comeback! I was laughing so hard I couldn’t keep my coffee inside.
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