Author Topic: What's the worst thing anyone has said to you when trying to sell you something?  (Read 51772 times)

BlueHouse

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What's the worst thing anyone has ever said to you when trying to sell you something?

In 1998, a Toyota salesman said to me "Maybe this is just too much car for you"   It infuriated me then and it still does today!  Needless to say, I walked out of that dealership and bought the same car from a different place.


Is there anything that still sticks in your craw? 

Metalcat

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Bank Teller: "wow, you have a lot of money in your chequing account" (probably over 10K at the time, and for good reason)

Me: "yeah, I know"

Bank Teller: "Have you considered opening an RESP for your kids?"

Me: *coldly* "I don't have kids"

Bank Teller: "Well maybe not yet!"

Me: "No, no kids, ever"

Bank Teller: *in a sing song voice* "Oh you never know"

Me: *coldly* "No, no kids, ever. I do know, I medically can't have kids"

Bank Teller: *big smile* "What about adoption??"

Me: *shooting lasers from my eyes*
"What about you ending this really inappropriate series of questions and tellinf whatever manager who is pressuring you to sell RESPs that they need to train their staff on ways in which it might totally fucking backfire?"

Bank Teller: "um...I'll get that money order ready for you"

Me: *in a sickeningly sweet voice* "awe, thanks, I appreciate it"

bacchi

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A Honda salesperson wouldn't let me test drive an S2000 with: "We don't think you can afford it." I went back the next day and talked with another salesperson and was told, condescendingly, "And what did Jack [the other salesdick] say to you?"

I bought a sports car down the street. I thought about mailing them a pic of the car in my driveway with "Your loss, assholes" written on it but it was too much trouble.


Villanelle

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Recently I was getting a pedicure (got a gift certificate) and the lady was trying to upsell everything.  Manicure, haircut, leg wax, eyebrow wax, lip wax. When she got to that last one she added, "You really need!". 

Needless to say, I won't be returning!

Metalcat

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Recently I was getting a pedicure (got a gift certificate) and the lady was trying to upsell everything.  Manicure, haircut, leg wax, eyebrow wax, lip wax. When she got to that last one she added, "You really need!". 

Needless to say, I won't be returning!

I once had a waxer say "now you will be able to get a boyfriend!"

OtherJen

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Bank Teller: "wow, you have a lot of money in your chequing account" (probably over 10K at the time, and for good reason)

Me: "yeah, I know"

Bank Teller: "Have you considered opening an RESP for your kids?"

Me: *coldly* "I don't have kids"

Bank Teller: "Well maybe not yet!"

Me: "No, no kids, ever"

Bank Teller: *in a sing song voice* "Oh you never know"

Me: *coldly* "No, no kids, ever. I do know, I medically can't have kids"

Bank Teller: *big smile* "What about adoption??"

Me: *shooting lasers from my eyes*
"What about you ending this really inappropriate series of questions and tellinf whatever manager who is pressuring you to sell RESPs that they need to train their staff on ways in which it might totally fucking backfire?"

Bank Teller: "um...I'll get that money order ready for you"

Me: *in a sickeningly sweet voice* "awe, thanks, I appreciate it"

Ugh, childless shaming is the worst. I once had to sit through that during a haircut. I suppose I could have left, but the stylist was already halfway done. Needless to say, I never went back to that salon.

Hula Hoop

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When I was in my 20s, I went into a Sephora to get my makeup done and buy a lipstick.  The saleswomen who was doing my makeup said "do you use concealer?" and I replied "no" and she said "what?  with eye bags like yours you HAVE to wear concealer!!"  I walked out of the store and didn't buy anything.

Freedomin5

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This happened to my dad. He was in a outdoor/home improvement type store looking at lawn equipment. When the salesperson approached him, he indicated that he was interested but needed to consult his wife (my mom) first. The salesperson’s reaction was, “Aw, c’mon, you don’t need to consult the old ball-and-chain. Be a man and make your own decision.”

Wrong thing to say to my dad, who lives by the adage, “Happy wife, happy life.”

Dad went on a mini-lecture about the need to respect women and especially your partner in life, then walked out of the store.

Wrenchturner

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Lol this all reminds me of "negging" from the pick-up-artist community.  I wonder if it works...

I generally avoid salespeople whenever possible.  I hate when people try to persuade me.

wellactually

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My husband had lost a bunch of weight and no longer fit into his suit when pretty suddenly he had both a job interview the expectation of a family funeral. We were saving up for our downpayment then and not interested in spending much as he uses a suit 1-2x a year.

Went to Mens Warehouse...

Me: We're looking for a gray suit and don't want to spend over $200.

Young Salesman: Great! Let me bring you over here to our 2 for $500 sale and we'll find you something.

Not only was that twice the suits we need, the cost per suit was 25% higher than our budget for one suit!

ysette9

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Ooh, the car salespeople!! At one point we were looking at Subarus and VWs for a 4-door car. My husband purposefully parked our G35 down the street so they wouldn’t see what we were driving and make assumptions about what we could afford.

We test drive a used Outback and I liked the form factor but thought it handled like crap. I was trying to ask what they had that was upscale of the standard outback for better handling and the guy wasn’t very receptive. I pointed to the STI (or something) nearby and asked about test driving that. His shocked and condescending reply was something to the effect that this was a $30k car!

Dude, you let me worry about how much something costs. Your job is to try to sell me something. When I say I didn’t like the way the car I test drive handled, suggest something that handles better. Grrr

We bought a VW and I still drive one today. A GTI, as it so happens, and I love how it handles.

JLee

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This thread reminds me of when a good friend went car shopping a few years back - he was interested in something tech-y and efficient, or something fast (nevermind he already had a Viper RT10). He looked at a C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) and then asked about an Edge -- the sales manager had a bit of a haughty is like "well, that's in a different price class."

I mentioned to him today that maybe he should find something to test drive at that dealer again just so he can show up in his 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance, lol.

TrMama

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The appliance salesman who creepily touched my arm and said, "You don't want one of those cheap stoves, buy one of these," while gesturing with the other hand to the more expensive stoves. This particular appliance store keeps the lighting dim and the sales staff all wear suits. There were no other customers in the store.

Needless to say I don't even step foot in that store anymore. I also make sure to tell everyone who asks why we don't just buy our appliances from the store just down the street from our house.

On the other end of the spectrum DH and I once had a bank investment sales person compare us to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in that spy movie they did together. DH and I both have security related careers and had a recent windfall. Now, I like to think we're not completely hideous, but DH and I are a looong way from being mistaken for super spies who look like Brad and Angelina. She was laying it on a tad thick.

SwordGuy

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Back when my wife and I were dirt poor, living in a very cheap, poorly maintained apartment, we were trying to put together a bid on a statewide system for every technical college in the state.  We had written and installed software in 4 of them individually, so we had a decent chance at it.   I rated our chances at between 5 and 10% simply because we were so small, but the field was more wide open back then.

The city we lived in had a major flood and the office building we worked out of flooded before the DEC salesrep came to visit, so we had him meet in our apartment.   (No such thing as coffee shops in the town at that time!).   DEC was the 2nd largest computer company at that time, second to IBM.

He takes one look at the place and decides he's wasted his time driving up from the big city.   I can see him try to figure out a way to professionally and graciously exit.

So, he says, "Well, organizations like to buy from the biggest vendors and you're pretty small."

I riposted with, "Well, DEC is a whole lot smaller than IBM and you seem to win a fair bit of business."

So, he tried another approach.  "Well, to make this deal work, you would need a pretty substantial line of credit."

I replied, "That makes sense.  What kind of number are we talking about?"

He answered, "Two to three million dollars."

I picked up the phone and called by business partner in this.   "Hey, Tom.   The DEC rep says we need a line of credit for two to three million to make this deal work."    Tom replies and I sign off.   "Ok.   We can do that."

He looks at me, absolutely stunned.   He realizes I'm dead serious.    I've really got that line of credit lined up.  He stammers out, "Can I have that number?"

That was sweet.

And, in the sweet irony of fate competition, I enter this from the last 3 weeks:

We have a net worth of $2.7M, debt of $167K (to be $145K before the end of the month), and an income of $95k to $100k plus another $60K using the 4% rule.   

We were told for the last few weeks by a mortgage lender that we didn't have enough income for a $230K mortgage ($110K down payment) for a new home.    We've got enough in stocks, bonds and cash to buy 4.2 of these homes for cash, but we don't have enough income.   

They finally figured out this evening that we qualify for the loan.

mm1970

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The car people...

When I bought my first car, I was 21, almost fresh out of college and in the Navy (a few weeks away), shopping for a used car.  My price point back then was $5 to $7000.

First place I stopped, the smarmy old guy tried to sell the "little lady" a 10 year old Ford for $2300.  I mentioned that I was looking for something a little newer and better maintained, as I was moving to the "big city".  He kept pushing that car, so we left.

Next place, found a 2 year old Escort that had basically been owned by an older lady and had less than 10,000 miles on it.  Bought it.  3 weeks later, first guy asks if I want the car?  I say  no, I bought a newer car from someone else.  "Well, can you cancel it?  I'm sure we can work something out."  Buh bye.


The only other issues I have had is with mechanics of various kinds.  When my electronics went out on my old Saturn, I told the mechanic "I think it's electrical, because this is what happened."  They poo-pooed me, but what do you know, I was right!  Duh.

Then when we wanted to upgrade our house from wall heater + central AC (WHY would you do that?) to central heat + AC, every.single.heating/AC guy said over the phone "oh, I'm sure that's not what you have."  Then they do an inspection "huh."  Look dude, we've been living here for 2 years.  The heat comes out of the wall.  The AC comes out of the vents on the ceiling...

better late

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Recently I was getting a pedicure (got a gift certificate) and the lady was trying to upsell everything.  Manicure, haircut, leg wax, eyebrow wax, lip wax. When she got to that last one she added, "You really need!". 

Needless to say, I won't be returning!

I once had a waxer say "now you will be able to get a boyfriend!"

Making me think of the anjelah Johnson stand up routine about the nail salon

SwordGuy

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Forgot this episode until just now!

I was a consultant for a consulting firm.  I was on the bench (i.e., not employed by a customer) and a company had advertised a free seminar on the web.  This was back when the web was new and I hadn't done any web projects.  So a colleague and I, also on the bench that day, went to the seminar.

As I walked into the room I saw that all the tables were in rows with a central aisle.   The salesperson met us at the door and asked us to go to the front-most row and move to the seats farthest from the aisle so it would be easier for people coming after us to be seated.    It was a very reasonable request.

Except.

I quietly told him, "I'm on some medication that makes me very thirsty, so I've been drinking a lot of fluids.  I may have to step out a time or two to the restroom, so we'll just set next to the wall on the back row, so I won't disrupt anyone."

He didn't look happy about it but didn't push the topic.

We sat down in the back and he went back up to the front of the room.   Then he spoke to me from the front of the room, "You know, if I had a bladder problem like you do, I would..."      I have no idea what was at the back of that sentence because all I noticed was EVERY . SINGLE . PERSON in the audience turn around and stare at me.  And he concluded with, "... would you do something."

I have to say, my interest in making that particular fellow happy about anything was pegged about as low as things get.

My friend was just staring at the salesman, mouth agape, because he simply couldn't believe someone was that completely clueless.

After we left the seminar (it was useless), I called his company and insisted that I speak to a manager.  I related the experience.   When I got to what the salesman said, I heard the person on the other end of the line gasp in horror.   

"You've convinced me you understand that wasn't appropriate behavior.  I'm not asking you to fire the guy but I would sure advise you give him better training!"

TartanTallulah

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Many years ago, I got quotes for replacement windows in my house from several companies including a large national one. The large national company salesman quoted more than double the amount of a small local firm. When I mentioned this, the salesman said, "When you got the quote from the small local firm the owner probably came round himself in his work van. OUR company directors are driving around in Lamborghinis and don't see customers."

Well, thank you for offering me the opportunity to spend an extra few months of my salary to subsidise your company directors' flash cars. And goodbye.

Sandi_k

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Three different car salesguys, different dealerships, years apart.

1) Told him I was interested in a Mazda 323 hatchback, with a manual transmission. He went to the back lot, and came back with an Oldsmobile station wagon, about twice the length of the requested Mazda. Plus...automatic transmission.

2) Told me that MSRP was the dealer cost for the car in question.

3) Asked me what color I wanted to test drive.

Monerexia

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Payroll service, "it's only a few dollars more to do it monthly." Yeah, let's go with quarterly, homecut.

PMG

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Several years ago, I, a young professional woman in my mid 20’s was doing yard work outside my home when a local politician walked up campaigning. He described his opponent as a “little girl” who was too young to know anything, especially about county government, and claimed her career as an accountant wasn’t relevant at all to the work.

Thanks dude. You’re right. Now I know who to vote for.

Hunny156

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I was on a business trip with a co-worker, and we had some downtime in between meetings.  She wanted to hit the local stores, so I tagged along.  The shops were more of the high end variety, so in each one, she cruised the clearance rack.  She was a lovely older woman who had recently lost a lot of weight, and in one store, the sales person decided to bring her clothes to try on, and not from the clearance rack.  My co-worker obliged her, and when she came out of the fitting room, I could see she was uncomfortable, b/c this outfit was skin tight, extremely short, and really something inclined for a much younger person to wear.  Not to mention way out of her budget, but she had some self esteem issues, so she probably would have bought the outfit just to not be rude!

Not w/me around.  I complimented her on how great her shape looks, and how I (at least 25 years younger), could never pull that off, go you!  She smiled, and whispered that she didn't know what she'd wear it to.  I conceded the point and said that perhaps she should look at something that she felt more comfortable in.  I saw the look of relief come over her face, when the sales person stepped in and said she'd find something to wear it to, she really should buy it!  I looked around, and of course, we were the only people in the store.  I told the sales person that it was my co-worker's choice, and she wanted to look at something else, thank you.  The sales person sneered at me, and said that my fashion advice wasn't helping her.  I was shocked, and I called her out on it.  EXCUSE ME?  You are being very RUDE!  She asked my opinion and I gave it to her.  It's none of your business.  The sales person continued on w/this horrible sales tactic, informing me that she used to design clothes for a living, and that my simple, floral dress was way too long for my frame (it was knee length), and commented on the elastic at the sleeves were horrible design, b/c they cut off my arms.  I laughed, b/c this is one of those dresses that I always got complimented on every time I wore it.  She continued on w/her tirade of criticism, and I finally cut her off and said that I don't think she'll be earning any commissions if her strategy is to insult people and what they are wearing.  She sneered and said something about all the sales she makes, and I looked around at the still empty store and said I could see that, given by the line of people out the door to see her.

My poor co-worker was horrified, so she quickly changed back into her regular clothes, and we left that store, and had a good laugh about it.  Not shockingly, by the time we went back there for another trip 6 months later, the store was out of business.

jps

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Many years ago, I got quotes for replacement windows in my house from several companies including a large national one. The large national company salesman quoted more than double the amount of a small local firm. When I mentioned this, the salesman said, "When you got the quote from the small local firm the owner probably came round himself in his work van. OUR company directors are driving around in Lamborghinis and don't see customers."

Well, thank you for offering me the opportunity to spend an extra few months of my salary to subsidise your company directors' flash cars. And goodbye.

This reminds me. I got a few window quotes year, a national company and a local outfit. like you, the national company was twice the cost of the local guys.

The national guy was really trying to sell me on how good of a warranty they had, and said multiple times: "you can have a sledgehammer party with all of your windows if you want, and we'll replace them for free. Just make sure to invite me!"

I thought to myself, thanks for letting me know that I'd be paying for the windows twice over if I buy them from you.

OtherJen

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Before we put a "No Soliciting" sign on our door, we used to receive calls from salesmen. I would answer the door and respond that I wasn't interested. More than a few times, the salesman would then ask to talk to the homeowner: "Is he home?". Uh, yeah dude, you're talking to her right now (we are co-owners). Bye.

TheGrimSqueaker

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"Hon", especially I ask the person to stop calling me that.

It goes double if they touch or grab any part of my body and won't stop touching me after I ask them to stop. I haven't yet escalated to an uppercut but I do grab the offender's hand, forcibly remove it, and bend the wrist in a way that causes intense discomfort while repeating my request..

2sk22

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This happened to my dad. He was in a outdoor/home improvement type store looking at lawn equipment. When the salesperson approached him, he indicated that he was interested but needed to consult his wife (my mom) first. The salesperson’s reaction was, “Aw, c’mon, you don’t need to consult the old ball-and-chain. Be a man and make your own decision.”

Wrong thing to say to my dad, who lives by the adage, “Happy wife, happy life.”

Dad went on a mini-lecture about the need to respect women and especially your partner in life, then walked out of the store.

Similar thing happened to me - went to a Ford dealer to test drive a car. After the test drive, the salesman wanted me to sign on the spot. I told him no, I would need to talk to my wife first. He replied: "Who wears the pants in your family?"

I walked right out without saying another word.

AerynLee

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"Women prefer automatics" - Car salesman to my mom who specifically asked for a manual. Probably because they didn't have any in stock

I was at a dealership when I was semi-sorta shopping for a new car because mine was getting old, I don't remember why I was there because they didn't have anything specific that I wanted to look at. But the salesman asked what I wanted in a vehicle; small, manual, fuel efficient, bonus if it has something kinda quirky like an unusual color.
"We have a small SUV that's slime green, that's the actual color name. I'll bring it around"
Comes back with a very un-quirky blue-grey, automatic Scion XB. The tag on the key fob says "blue" for color. I pass without driving it
Later he calls me about another SUV they have in stock. I delete the voicemail and never go back to a dealership unless I was looking at a specific car

economista

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The realtor hired by the builder for the new home I just bought. We went into the sales office after touring with our realtor and deciding that we wanted to purchase and he started trying to explain how home ownership works and I cut him off and said it would the second time I bought a house, I understand how it all works, etc. Then a little while later he made a comment about how DH and I would be doing an FHA loan since it we were so young and didn't have a full down payment - I got really irritated at that and said no, we would be doing a conventional mortgage and once again, it wasn't my first time buying a house (you can only do FHA if you are a first time home buyer). We also explained to him that I needed to get all of the emails and communication because 1) I'm the one who manages our finances and 2) DH is visually impaired so its just easier for me to do all of the reading and stuff. Then the proceeded to only write down DH's email and phone number, only communicate with him, and make TONS of condescending remarks that made me feel like he thought I was a 1950s housewife, not the breadwinner of our family.

Honestly if we hadn't exhausted every other option and been 100% committed to buying that house, I would've walked away. I was so happy the day we closed and I didn't have to deal with him anymore.

honeybbq

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We were told for the last few weeks by a mortgage lender that we didn't have enough income for a $230K mortgage ($110K down payment) for a new home.    We've got enough in stocks, bonds and cash to buy 4.2 of these homes for cash, but we don't have enough income.   

They finally figured out this evening that we qualify for the loan.

I've had to fight this fight several times. As medical professionals in a small field, when we need new jobs we typically switch states and have had to do so several times. Each time, we are technically unemployed when we move, although we have contracts and starting dates in our new city.

One one of our moves, we had found a house and gotten into a contract so that we could move in one swoop without doing a temporary housing deal. When it came to close, the mortgage company starting being a-holes about job verification. Supplying our 2x 6 figure employment contracts were not enough, nor that we were putting 40% down, nor that both our FICO scores are in the 800s, and we are medical professionals... this is our field works. I basically had to threaten to go to their direct competitor before they finally said ok. We were supposed to send them our paystubs after we started work but I never did.  Screw them.

And guess what, never went with them for a mortgage again!

jinga nation

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At a car stealership in summer 2019, waiting for them to bring the hybrid and the hatchback I wanted to test drive (purchasewas for my wife). It's raining outside and roads to my home are choked up.

So I see the boy-racer car, ask if I can also drive this. They said no. I'm dressed in jeans and polo short, work in IT, I think I fit a buyer profile. They said I can't afford it, it's a manual that I can't drive, I'm not the right category for the car, I'm old (I'm almost 41, mofos, I can ride a bicycle 42 miles without supplements, I'm decently fit, how dare you call my gym-loving ass old).

I said, I learnt to drive a column-shifter manual tranny truck in Africa at 16, I earn 4X the gross price of the car, and I don't think a young kid straight out the local community college would qualify for a loan on it. Plus now that you age-discriminated, I want to talk to your manager's boss. Plus, I have been recording on audio this entire conversation.

Next thing... I get to drive it, drive the other two too.

Wife and I make decision to purchase the hybrid. We haggle over email with salesman at a rival dealership. A month later after the purchase, nasty stealership still calls my Google number trying to get a sale.

I hate stealerships and lot vultures; I wish there was a way to test-drive without dealing with the BS.

honeybbq

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I hate stealerships and lot vultures; I wish there was a way to test-drive without dealing with the BS.

Carmax.

Panly

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"Don't you want my meat?"

Ugly prostitute in a somewhat interesting disco.

honeybbq

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"Don't you want my meat?"

Ugly prostitute in a somewhat interesting disco.

Is it a hotdog or a bologna sandwich?

jinga nation

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I hate stealerships and lot vultures; I wish there was a way to test-drive without dealing with the BS.

Carmax.

Nope. 2 experiences there. 2 diff locations. They don't haggle. And they push hard to buy extended warranty, harder than your average stealership. Carmax doesn't have latest models. I deal with car purchases once per year, minimum, mostly for friends and relatives, most want a new car.
Don't believe their marketing "clean-cut, no haggle" hype. They're tripe.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2020, 03:02:22 PM by jinga nation »

honeybbq

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I hate stealerships and lot vultures; I wish there was a way to test-drive without dealing with the BS.

Carmax.

Nope. 2 experiences there. 2 diff locations. They don't haggle. And they push hard to buy extended warranty, harder than your average stealership. Carmax doesn't have latest models. I deal with car purchases once per year, minimum, mostly for friends and relatives, most want a new car.
Don't believe their marketing "clean-cut, no haggle" hype. They're tripe.

I really don't understand your post. You want a no haggle test drive? Carmax offers it.

I've bought 2 cars from Carmax. Never pushed a warranty at all. Their inventory obviously varies by what people sell. I wanted 3-4 year old cars and there were plenty. If you want a "new" car with no haggle test drives, then, yeah, I got nothing for you. But many people on MMM don't by brand new.

bacchi

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Many years ago, I got quotes for replacement windows in my house from several companies including a large national one. The large national company salesman quoted more than double the amount of a small local firm. When I mentioned this, the salesman said, "When you got the quote from the small local firm the owner probably came round himself in his work van. OUR company directors are driving around in Lamborghinis and don't see customers."

Well, thank you for offering me the opportunity to spend an extra few months of my salary to subsidise your company directors' flash cars. And goodbye.

This is bizarre. Do people really choose a company that way? It must be some form of "success follows success" belief.

marty998

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  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Many years ago, I got quotes for replacement windows in my house from several companies including a large national one. The large national company salesman quoted more than double the amount of a small local firm. When I mentioned this, the salesman said, "When you got the quote from the small local firm the owner probably came round himself in his work van. OUR company directors are driving around in Lamborghinis and don't see customers."

Well, thank you for offering me the opportunity to spend an extra few months of my salary to subsidise your company directors' flash cars. And goodbye.

This is bizarre. Do people really choose a company that way? It must be some form of "success follows success" belief.


The most you could say is that it’s a refreshing bout of honesty from a salesman.

Christof

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What's the worst thing anyone has ever said to you when trying to sell you something?

Are your parents home?

A sales person greeted me this way when he rang the bell and I opened the door to our home being in my early thirties. No, they aren‘t and I closed the door. To this day I have no idea what he was trying to sell us.

Villanelle

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I hate stealerships and lot vultures; I wish there was a way to test-drive without dealing with the BS.

Carmax.

Nope. 2 experiences there. 2 diff locations. They don't haggle. And they push hard to buy extended warranty, harder than your average stealership. Carmax doesn't have latest models. I deal with car purchases once per year, minimum, mostly for friends and relatives, most want a new car.
Don't believe their marketing "clean-cut, no haggle" hype. They're tripe.


Interesting.  I bought a car at Carmax a bit less than a year ago, and it was a wonderful experience.  they did mention the extended warranty, but I said no and that was it.  It was a wonderful experience and I will most likely seek them out again next time I am in the market for a car.

Yes, they don't haggle.  That's in their marketing that you say not to believe.

If these people want to make the bad decision of buying brand new cars, well then yes, Carmax wouldn't work for that.

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
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  • Age: 42
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"Imagine how this car will CHANGE your LIFE!!!"

js82

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Yesterday I set up an appointment to get my car's brakes looked at.  Had new pads and rotors installed a couple months ago, and I'm pretty sure one of my rear brakes has been intermittently rubbing (occasional burning smell strongest near rear wheels, reduced fuel economy) since then.

I got a number of suggestions that could have led to anything from them doing nothing ("It's normal to see lower fuel economy during the winter") to a bunch of unnecessary maintenance ("you recently replaced the fuel pump, the fuel economy could be an issue with that"):


No, when I said I'm pretty sure I have a brake rubbing, it means I want you to look at my damn brakes and make sure they're not rubbing before I shred my pads/rotors to the extent that I need ANOTHER set of new brakes.

Tris Prior

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Recently I was getting a pedicure (got a gift certificate) and the lady was trying to upsell everything.  Manicure, haircut, leg wax, eyebrow wax, lip wax. When she got to that last one she added, "You really need!". 

Needless to say, I won't be returning!

I had so many hairstylists try and sell me body/facial hair removal services with condescending statements about how badly I needed them, that I eventually stopped even going for haircuts because I'd leave the salon feeling like a hideous troll. I was lucky enough to find a friend of a friend who does hair and NEVER lists what is wrong with my appearance now.

Boyfriend used to go to Supercuts or similar for his cuts, and one time they told him he was desperately in need of a brow shaping. He declined, came home, and asked me, "what's a brow shaping?" So, I guess, good to know that this isn't a thing that only happens to women now?

Tris Prior

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Oh! Oh! I have another really bad example of stylist negging that I literally just remembered. It was a long time ago.

I went in to a new stylist - a guy who's really well known in my city and has a great reputation. My friend who has great hair goes there.

I sit down in his chair, he starts fooling with my hair as we discuss what I want.... and he flat out REFUSES to give me a haircut.  "Because your hair is in such poor condition, even if I give you a great cut it still won't look good. And that will reflect badly on me and my reputation when people ask you who does your hair."

WTF.

He also made some shaming comments to me about "well, clearly you don't intend to stop dyeing your own hair at home with box dye anytime soon" and when I explained I couldn't afford to have it done at a salon he just sneered at me and rolled his eyes.

He used this opportunity to sell me about $60 worth of hair-repair products, which I am deeply ashamed to admit that I bought, because I was so embarrassed. Today I would tell him exactly where he could stick those hair care products and walk out, possibly after giving him the finger.

ysette9

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  • Age: 2020
  • Location: Bay Area at heart living in the PNW
I’ve had people try to do the up sell like that. In for a haircut and get the hard sell on eyebrows, in for eyebrows and get the hard sell for other facial waxing. Finally when I was pregnant and self conscious of how I was now even more hairy due to hormones I did try facial waxing and threading. Unfortunately my skin broke out in massive hives, but I have to say that after everything went to normal, I felt more confident and less self conscious having a normal amount of facial furriness.

Now I wax at home with little strips from the drugstore. Not as well done but if I do only a bit at a time my skin stays calm.

Villanelle

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Recently I was getting a pedicure (got a gift certificate) and the lady was trying to upsell everything.  Manicure, haircut, leg wax, eyebrow wax, lip wax. When she got to that last one she added, "You really need!". 

Needless to say, I won't be returning!

I had so many hairstylists try and sell me body/facial hair removal services with condescending statements about how badly I needed them, that I eventually stopped even going for haircuts because I'd leave the salon feeling like a hideous troll. I was lucky enough to find a friend of a friend who does hair and NEVER lists what is wrong with my appearance now.

Boyfriend used to go to Supercuts or similar for his cuts, and one time they told him he was desperately in need of a brow shaping. He declined, came home, and asked me, "what's a brow shaping?" So, I guess, good to know that this isn't a thing that only happens to women now?

My husband goes to an old-school barber shop and haircuts are pretty cheap for the area.  The place has a very dive vibe, is cash only, and given our location, I wouldn't be surprised if George Washington got hair cuts there.  IOW, it is NOT fancy.  I think they may only do men's cuts.  Anyway, the first time he came home, I kept telling him how great the haircut was.  I couldn't put my finger on it, but he looked GREAT!  Later that evening, he mentioned that he'd never had anyone trim his brows before, and I realized that was it!  They just did a couple quick snips with scissors, not extra charge.  But I hated to admit how much of a difference it made!

As for women's salons, I don't entirely mind if they ask.  "We have waxing services, if you are interested, and if you add a manicure to the pedicure you get 10% off both."  Or whatever.  And then when I say, "No thank you, just the pedicure, please," they need to STFU.

ambimammular

  • Bristles
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When I hear, "you deserve it!" the hair on the back of my neck goes up.

Rando salesperson, you don't know me! I could be a cat-kicking, trash-littering, online-troll psychopath.

Not There Yet

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"You deserve it" or "Get the ______ you deserve!" are big red flags to me that a scam attempt is in progress.

Tris Prior

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As for women's salons, I don't entirely mind if they ask.  "We have waxing services, if you are interested, and if you add a manicure to the pedicure you get 10% off both."  Or whatever.  And then when I say, "No thank you, just the pedicure, please," they need to STFU.

Asking like that is fine. That's their job, to sell. "OMG, your eyebrows are sooooo overgrown, do you EVER do anything to them? Let me take care of that for you right now, you really need it, they look awful" is not fine.

Omy

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My mother opened the door to a salesman when I was 5 or so. Salesman says "Your daughter is so cute. She must look like her father." My mother told him he should work on his sales dialogue and closed the door.

MilesTeg

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Once when buying a car:

Finance drone: here's our wonderful extended warranty
Me: no thanks
Finance drone: don't you want to protect your purchase?
Me: I'm fine
Finance drone: oh well if cost is the problem, I can do you a favor and give you these coupons I was saving for my son. I think you need them more.
Me: <can't help but chuckle> thanks but no thanks, I'm sure your son will enjoy them.

She was not pleased her 'favor' was not graciously accepted. I wonder how many times 'her son's coupons' were given away?