Salesmen that say "I'm not trying to sell you anything"

[MickW]

Who do salesmen that say "I'm not trying to sell you anything" think they are kidding?

Nine times out of ten, I will just tell them to get lost, or words to that effect.

The tenth time, if I have the time for a bit of 'sport', I will try to explain to them that they are wrong to say it, but usually end up telling them to get lost anyway!

I have no problem with somebody trying to sell me something - I do have a problem with somebody who treats me as if I am an idiot.

Rant over!

 

[Zeno]

Who do salesmen that say "I'm not trying to sell you anything" think they are kidding?

You can mess with them just as much by saying "Well, that's a pity because I'm looking to buy something".

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I have said that before but that's when I give advice or say something which may be misconstrued as selling. Sometimes (like on UKBF) I genuinely do like to give free, helpful advice to people if I think they're missing something major.

 

[MickW]

I have said that before but that's when I give advice or say something which may be misconstrued as selling. Sometimes (like on UKBF) I genuinely do like to give free, helpful advice to people if I think they're missing something major.

That's perfectly fine and understandable.

I am talking about people who phone to try to get in front of you to give a demo of their product or people who knock on the door to try to set up an appointment for their 'consultant' etc.

I am absolutely certain that the 'not trying to sell you anything' line does their cause more harm than good, but most of them either can't see it or are working to a mandatory script.

 

[Deliberator]

I've often found that if ( the salesperson ) you're direct, it works so much better !!

 

[MickW]

You can mess with them just as much by saying "Well, that's a pity because I'm looking to buy something".

I remember a few years ago, I had two phone lines in my office with consecutive numbers and I got one of these phone calls. When it became apparent that I was not interested in his offering he said "well, **** you then" and hung up.

Seconds later, my second line rang and as soon as he spoke I knew it was the same guy. My immediate response was to scream down the line "and **** you too!" and slam the phone down.

Childish, I know, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

[stephendoyle]

spot on Mick

i have trained, scripted and managed sales staff for many a year and when something like that comes out its cringe worthy.

the other one is "how are you today?" usually met with "ok until you called."

the point is from a sales persons point of view being more honest and open in an approach is more likely to gain you that extra minute for your pitch.

regards,
Stephen Doyle

 

[UKSEOAgency]

If someone try's to sell me something im NOT interested in, then i make it quite clear im not interested - if they carry on trying to "convince me" of the benefits of hte product then they are fair game!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Im supprised to see this approach from business people .So what you are all trying to say is You dont cold call ??

People in glass houses should not throw stones !!!

If your lucky enough not to have to cold call potential customers then good but remember there are quite a lot of us still trading though a recession ,partly due to the fact that we in some way cold call !!!!!

 

[Zeno]

My last social experiment with a saleman involved claiming not to know what the internet was.

I have to say that If I genuinley didn't know what it was I would still be clueless after the pathetic explanation of "it's a thing on computers where you get get music and stuff".

 

[stephendoyle]

If someone try's to sell me something im NOT interested in, then i make it quite clear im not interested - if they carry on trying to "convince me" of the benefits of hte product then they are fair game!

exactly - and there is a knack to this.

i always, always advise the sales staff to get their pitch in even when leaving a conversation or more or less putting the phone down or walking away.

you will be amazed at how many people suddenly ask about further information etc.....

done in the right manner it can turn around a conversation.

 

[Deliberator]

exactly - and there is a knack to this.

i always, always advise the sales staff to get their pitch in even when leaving a conversation or more or less putting the phone down or walking away.

you will be amazed at how many people suddenly ask about further information etc.....

done in the right manner it can turn around a conversation.

So asking relevant and specific questions doesn't work for you then ?

 

[MickW]

Im supprised to see this approach from business people .So what you are all trying to say is You dont cold call ??

People in glass houses should not throw stones !!!

If your lucky enough not to have to cold call potential customers then good but remember there are quite a lot of us still trading though a recession ,partly due to the fact that we in some way cold call !!!!!

I think you have missed the point of the thread, somewhat.

It is not the sales call itself that is the issue, but the 'pretending that it is not a sales call' line!

 

[Deliberator]

Im supprised to see this approach from business people .So what you are all trying to say is You dont cold call ??

People in glass houses should not throw stones !!!

If your lucky enough not to have to cold call potential customers then good but remember there are quite a lot of us still trading though a recession ,partly due to the fact that we in some way cold call !!!!!

Cold calling is one thing, but plain dumb approaches to it and unprofessional people making the calls is another thing entirely !

 

[stephendoyle]

So asking relevant and specific questions doesn't work for you then ?

don't worry Deliberator they have worked for me for some time and i have made a good living for years out of sales and marketing.

the op's point is that callers or canvassers pretend not to be selling anything which is a weak sales person but does happen.

not every call can fit the perfect script criteria - so when all else fails "get your pitch in"

is that ok for you?

 

[Deliberator]

don't worry Deliberator they have worked for me for some time and i have made a good living for years out of sales and marketing.

the op's point is that callers or canvassers pretend not to be selling anything which is a weak sales person but does happen.

not every call can fit the perfect script criteria - so when all else fails "get your pitch in"

is that ok for you?

So what's your service / product then using the 'get the pitch in regardless' way of working ?

 

[MH1]

I always made a point when training guys never to be ashamed that they are contacting people to sell them something, most people do not mind.

I always found people appreciated your being honest, but what works for one guy doesn't always work for another. Weak and lazy salespeople tend to resort to misleading potential clients.

 

[stephendoyle]

So what's your service / product then using the 'get the pitch in regardless' way of working ?

i use it in all the products and services that i have sold.

i was lucky years ago in building a call centre business up and selling this.

i am also lucky in the fact that i do consultancy based on sales and marketing for businesses and have a decent client base; some large and medium enterprises and for some clients i write the sales scripts and train their staff to achieve results.

the point is you will not sell anything unless you get your pitch in.

to go back to the op point you will find it very difficult taking the sales call further when saying "i am not selling you anything" especially if you are!

 

[Deliberator]

I agree that assumptions from prospects mean that they will attempt to end the call b4 they know what the call is about.............and so telling them the reason for calling will turn them around, but when you said pitch regardless, I thought you meant run thru the script ignoring any objections along the way !

The OP is describing boiler room slaes people who have little or no experience at all imo

 

[Hogrill]

Isnt it also used as a way of getting round the TPS rules as i dont think they apply to market research.

 

[stephendoyle]

I agree that assumptions from prospects mean that they will attempt to end the call b4 they know what the call is about.............and so telling them the reason for calling will turn them around, but when you said pitch regardless, I thought you meant run thru the script ignoring any objections along the way !

The OP is describing boiler room slaes people who have little or no experience at all imo

believe you and me i have had staff and tried to train staff who "pitch regardless" coming across any objection.

handling objections is another fear factor for sales staff.

those that can't can still make a living out of sales; those that can handle sales objections can make a fortune.

 

[PhilBen]

I have said that before but that's when I give advice or say something which may be misconstrued as selling. Sometimes (like on UKBF) I genuinely do like to give free, helpful advice to people if I think they're missing something major.

I agree with you Scott being helpful and giving advice is part of the whole process, hit and run sales does not work long term.

Phil
Foreign Exchange Explained

 

[MickW]

The OP is describing boiler room slaes people who have little or no experience at all imo

I agree with you in relation to most cold callers who are trying to set up an appointment for their salesman to call - it's a numbers game for them and they have done their job, and earned their fee, just by getting the appointment.

I have, however, had experienced salesmen try this line on with me many times, the latest being this morning.

Today, I was vaguely interested in what the guy was selling, so I politely warned him to stop the BS or I would end the call. It was no risk to me, as I already knew the company and could have contacted them direct if he hadn't, but he laughed and stopped, thereby earning himself a 15 min appointment with me next week.

 

[Beachcomber]

The real problem is usually a matter of poor training or lack of confidence on the part of the caller.

They either are not sure what they are supposed to be doing or assume they will receive a negative reaction if they are 'caught' trying to sell something and try to hide it.

An upfront, open and honest approach works every time and can turn cold calling into a more sustainable relationship building method instrad of a hit-and-run sales tool.

 

[PhilBen]

The real problem is usually a matter of poor training or lack of confidence on the part of the caller.

They either are not sure what they are supposed to be doing or assume they will receive a negative reaction if they are 'caught' trying to sell something and try to hide it.

An upfront, open and honest approach works every time and can turn cold calling into a more sustainable relationship building method instrad of a hit-and-run sales tool.

I agree, I speek to many people over the phone every day. Honest and upfront is the best way. Over time you then build up a trust level. This will always produce more sales, product or service related.
Phil
Foreign Exchange Explained

 

[Steve in Leeds]

I'd agree that there are loads of rubbish sales people out there. But I actually like the companies that put the most effort into stopping the sales calls etc because you tend to find that they tend to be using the most costly and unfavourable services and your proposition tends to go futher!

 

[iArtist]

Im supprised to see this approach from business people .So what you are all trying to say is You dont cold call ??

People in glass houses should not throw stones !!!

If your lucky enough not to have to cold call potential customers then good but remember there are quite a lot of us still trading though a recession ,partly due to the fact that we in some way cold call !!!!!

I don't cold call but I have done so for other businesses in the past and I am pleased to report I never once had the phone slammed down or a call rejected etc.

My technique was very simple

I showed them Respect, so they returned it.

Conversation went as follows:

Me:

"Hello, my name is ........and I'm calling from..........

I know you must be very busy just now, but do you have 5 mins for a quick chat or should I call back later?"

Them:

"Well yes I am busy, but I can spare you 5 mins. What is it about?"

Me: (sales pitch commences unscripted on human level)

Alternatively they reply:

"Yes I am busy just now, later is better"

Me: "Ok when is a good time to call?"

Them: (they give me an appt time)

This is a major bonus as I am nolonger cold calling. They're expecting me to call and with give me their time.

------------

This technique worked for me because I acknowledged they were busy people.

I gave them a choice, ie:

speak to me now or speak to me later

They may speak to me now to avoid later
or genuinely speak to me later as they don't have time now

I never got a no to either.

Give people a choice and they choose.

Leah

 

The tenth time, if I have the time for a bit of 'sport', I will try to explain to them that they are wrong to say it, but usually end up telling them to get lost anyway!

Er might have been a better ploy to have told them to get lost the first time.

10th time .

Have you no control.?

Earl

 

[MickW]

Er might have been a better ploy to have told them to get lost the first time.

10th time .

Have you no control.?

Earl

What I actually said, Earl, is that 9 times out of 10, I'll tell them to get lost.

Every now and again, if I have time for a bit of fun, I'll try to explain to them the error of their ways, but it usually is a waste of time so you're right, I have no self control!

 

[penguin-chrissie]

I also would prefer an honest approach and have been more receptive to someone ringing to say ' I want to introduce our product' rather than 'I am not trying to sell you anything'. My biggest annoyance though is when I ask them for some more info - find the product is not of any interest and they keep on plugging away!..

For example, we offer VOIP services to customers so it would stand to reason (I think) that we are not interested in buying our own phone system from another company. Do you think the guy would take the hint?? NO!! Kept going on and on and on until in the end I said 'Look, I dont think you are listening, we really are not interested' and the guy promptly hung up on me!! I have no objection, when I am not busy, to listen to sales pitches but for goodness sake, at least listen to the person you have called and if they give you a good reason for not being interested, politely leave your details and end the call. You never know when they might need your services again!

 

[david poole]

hi Mick

yes I am in total agreement.
Just that sales is an art form yet there are countless people who havent got a clue.

Actually I'm proud to sell
Why should I want to disguise it.

 

[telemax]

Being honest and completely up front is the best way. As long as you are polite and respectful to people. In my opinion someone is doing me a huge favour if they tell me that they are not interested as it enables me to move on more quickly to somebody who might be.

I would always be proud of what I am selling, and never try to hide the fact. I'm sure even the people on this forum who claim to hate sales people and cold callers have to do a little bit of selling themselves at some point other wise they would have no customers.

 

[Gheng]

spot on Mick

i have trained, scripted and managed sales staff for many a year and when something like that comes out its cringe worthy.

the other one is "how are you today?" usually met with "ok until you called."

the point is from a sales persons point of view being more honest and open in an approach is more likely to gain you that extra minute for your pitch.

regards,
Stephen Doyle

I wholeheartedly agree, the cycle of "Needs satifaction", is pointless without knowing the "needs to satisfy" or doing a "needs analysis". People will not tell you what they want if they dont know you can provide it. Honesty goes a long way to finding that out.

It struck me as a New Bizz Manager in Mortgage Packaging, that the entire Compliance process was really a sales tool, no wonder we are in the trouble we are in, as every question in a so called "compliance" fact find was inherently a sales filtering question. As such, they often approached Fact finds with a bias to the result, in the framning of the questions, and the "off record" comments between advisor and client. Entirely immoral and the cause of todays economic downturn.