Worse than becoming my mother, have I become the rude shopper?
On the FAQ page of my website is a section entitled:
How to easily annoy Rich.
I have no problem if you cannot afford me (although we might be able to get creative) or if you choose someone else over me. But I’ll tell you what annoys me…………it is when I spend time talking to you or visiting you and putting a quote/proposal together and then I never hear from you again. You ignore my emails and my calls. Listen, I’m a big boy; my self-esteem is high on most days; so if I’m not the one for you, just tell me; don’t avoid me. After all, it is the professional thing to do. Actually, the avoiding thing should make you realize you and your organization might need me more than you think. And yes, for some of you reading this saying I cannot believe someone would do that, they do.
This morning I realized I am guilty of doing the thing that annoys me most!
About a month ago I went into the Sleep Number Bed store to look at a bed. The salesperson spent about 45 minutes with me discussing the features/benefits/pricing etc. He did this cool image scan of how I sleep on a regular mattress and how I would sleep with the sleep number bed; suggesting how back pressure and pain could be alleviated.
The salesperson has contacted me four or five times since my visit – phone and mail. I have ignored him. I have not returned the calls. Now in all honesty I did walk in there on a whim. I wasn’t even exploring the Sleep Number option. I found myself in a mall and wandered in. I was even up front and honest about that.
What’s weird is that I’m not avoiding him. The bed just hasn’t been on the top of my priority list right now.
But in all seriousness…..
- Are we all so busy that we cannot return a call when someone gives us their time?
- Or is it that we’re avoiding hurting someones feelings?
- Is it uncomfortable to tell someone you don’t have or want to spend a certain amount of money?
- Is it that difficult to confess that you’re really not the decision maker?
We all joke about not wanting to become my mother. This to me is worse; becoming the rude (potential) customer that I encounter in my business. I know sales. I get sales. I understand that sales is a game of success and letdown. I even know that some salespeople are relentless so we’ve decided all salespeople are relentless and maybe that is why we don’t respond.
Guilty of the thing that irritates me most. Hmmm…………I bet a lot of people can relate.
And I think I need to go make a phone call.
