1

I’m going to share this on behalf of a recent contest I signed up for, using my blog as the contact company, cool prize, so I don’t mind getting a call, asking me about tech, what we have planned for the future, and all that what not.

In my opinion, as an ex salesman, you do as follows.

  1. Ask what the potential client needs
  2. See if your solution is a viable solution
  3. Discuss your solution, tell them why they need it
  4. Send quote
  5. Happy times if they buy

Instead of these steps I got this

  • Email stating "I have the perfect product to test for you blog, if you wouldn’t mind talking on the phone.

Oh yes, I would honestly love testing out software, hardware, and all that stuff, would work wonderfully on my blog and would really help me do what I’m trying to do.

  • Get on phone call, salesperson states the product in question. Ok cool not for me
  • Salesperson begins to ask when I can get the quote signed.
  • Salesperson sets up a conference call for me and 4 random folks to discuss how perfect this product will be for the business I am employed by.

I didn’t join the conference call because… I didn’t ask to join the conference call. I got the quote… I am pretty sure “test” doesn’t imply I’m giving you money… And “when can you get it back” well after I said I’m already in the process of doing EXACTLY what you offer, and have already paid for its not going to happen… I said “maybe an add-on in the future, but not at this time” does not mean “I’ll get it signed and we’ll have a contract within the next 3 days to have happy sunshine rainbow farts.”

Look vendors, if you want me as a client, I understand, that’s why you’re here, but if you haven’t found out by now, if you try to force the hand of any IT person… they are going to tell you to Jog On and email you a cyber dog turd. Don’t be a pushy wanker.

(Companies name with held to keep them in good standings with the community)

35 Spice ups
2

I have had this before as well. I sign up for a demo of their product, download and install and figure its not for the company. Next thing I get is a sales call, then a quote, then a conference call asking me when they should expect a PO. I tell them that I am no longer evaluating their product due to their sales tactics. If they dare ask what they did wrong I tell them you put me in a conference call when I didn’t ask for one!!!

4 Spice ups
3

Yeah man I just wanted in on a prize :-P, and I also wanted to learn a thing or two about a new product, and YES give me stuff to evaluate for the sake of getting online reviews and such, I’m MORE than willing to spend my time FOR FREE to test stuff and write about. This whole “give us your money, and talk to my 5 friends with ties and slicked back hair” approach SUCKS!

4

I quit answering the phone if I don’t know the number and if the number has no associated name with it they may as well not call. As far as emails, if I am expecting to receive one then I will try my best to respond otherwise I unsubscribe and delete. Lately I have been getting a call from a number that has no name or company associated with it and they do not leave a VM. I guess it’s not that important.

3 Spice ups
5

Yup, same old tech sales story. I stopped using legitimate phone numbers when I sign up for demos because I cant stand the flood of phone calls after I download one. I wont name any companies, but I have had a few call me 5 to 6 times per day just to see if I am ready to buy. When I am ready to buy, I will call you! Until then, forget my phone number. I also hate getting a quote then being pressured to get it signed instantly! Where I work, that will never happen and things have a process.

3 Spice ups
6

Why not just share the vendor? Maybe they’ll make adjustments if they hear your feedback.

7

There is two ways I can approach this. Loud and proud, or subtle and selective.

Loud and proud usually ends up in a flame war or ignorance.

Subtle and selective, I get my point across, and PM the vendor, letting them know I’m displeased, and display their shenanigans for the public to see so they can straighten up without having to hide.

2 Spice ups
8

sales in the IT world seem to fall into two categories, Friendly non pushy sales, this usually means they know they have a good product that you want or need and dont really need to push the sale…

The other type of IT sales is the IT sales BULLY, this method works similar to what you have described.

I dont do business with pushy BULLY like sales people.

2 Spice ups
9

Hmm I have thought about using my YouTube channel for my company instead of my actual work. I wonder if that would work.

But anyways I have never had that happen, probably because I have only been working IT for 5 months. But it sounds like a real nuisance.

10

Phone numbers are blocked :slight_smile: I’m not doing business with them either. If they want to give me a trial product for my blog, sure I’m onboard, otherwise… nope done with them.

11

I haven’t gotten any guff yet :-).

1 Spice up
12

Amen!

I filled out a survey yesterday… hit ‘submit’, the page refreshed… and the switchboard operator 30 seconds later asked me if I wanted to take a call from the vendor… 30 seconds!!

Um, NO. Now on my email blacklist. I just cannot work with pushy salespeople.

13

bye bye pushy sales weenie! =D

3 Spice ups
14

I think I understand what you’re saying…but I don’t understand your reasoning. I can’t say I’ve seen such a complaint that ended with a flame war before but I think you’ve been with SpiceWorks longer than me so I’ll take your word for it.

1 Spice up
15

I understand your frustration, RAM… That’s why I think my Pushy Sales People Repellent ™ would be perfect for you. I would be more than happy to mail a sample for you to try. If you would please send me your mailing address (both home and business) as well as a series of phone numbers so I can contact you at any point during the day. Also, I will need a credit card number that we can associate with the account I’ve already created for you. In fact, I’m so sure you’ll love my product that I’ve signed you up for an auto-renewing, yearly subscription.

When would be a good time to call you so you can connect with 20 other members of my staff, including 1 janitorial member and a homeless woman I found while going to lunch?

@doctor-who

9 Spice ups
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4 Spice ups
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1 Spice up
18

Seems to be a trend that has been building, not that I have been here a really long time.

Maybe it’s time for a definitive guide of how-to-woo a Spicehead…

1 Spice up
19

I can’t stand pushy sales people. We have one guy who has been phoning us every day looking for sales, and won’t take no for an answer. All he has managed to do is blacklist his company, we’ve tried telling him this and yet he still calls.

20

talk about putting the cart before the horse

what an idiot - I have a product, who cares if you actually have a use or need for it, lets work out your “special price”

and no doubt he was offended if you told him to p!ss off, hung up on him, etc.

sales training is there for a reason, the art of selling hasn’t changed for a millennium, or it shouldn’t have. the products or services change, but the methods work

Muppet of a man, or man of a Muppet?

1 Spice up