Yesterday a salesman and his associate walked off the street into my Rulnick Realty office, carting a bunch of meat for sale. I didn't send them away, and say "No soliciting". Believe me, I give anyone credit trying to work hard to make a living, in any economy. The salesman said, "I've got an overrun in my steak shipment, and am trying to sell the rest for $3 a piece-- they normally go for $8-$10 each". We were really busy at the office, I had just hired a new agent, and I only had a quick moment. I thought that price sounded like a deal, and it would be nice to bring home a steak for dinner that night, and to help out the salesman. I told him, "Sure, I might buy a steak for $3. This isn't a sales pitch, is it, where you're going through a sales program with me?" He told me it wasn't, and asked where he could show me the steaks. I was in a huge rush, but grabbed my pocketbook, finding exactly $3 in it! I brought him into the conference room, and he opened up a box. He laid out about 30 steaks wrapped in plastic, and he started describing them. Uh-oh.... I could see where this was going. I said, "Sir, I really don't have time to listen... I am in a rush." That didn't deter him, he continued on telling me about all the steaks and the quality, etc. I pulled out the three dollar bills from my purse, and waived them at him. "OK", I said, "I'll take one". What happened next was very weird. Both he and his associate looked at me, and looked at the dollar bills in my hand, up in the air, gesturing to give them the money. They just stared in silence. Finally, the salesman said, "We won't sell just one, you have to buy the whole case." I immediately shooed him out of the office. Lesson #1 in Sales: Tell the Truth.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.
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Copyright © 2008 By Wendy Rulnick. All Rights Reserved. *#1 Lesson to Salespeople: Tell the Truth* Contact Wendy Rulnick regarding Destin Florida real estate and vicinity.
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That is called misrepresentation. Unbelievable. Thanks for sharing.
Tell the truth is really sales 101 and yet, some people just do not get it, worst they steal YOUR time onto of it.
I hope the steaks didn't go bad before they found someone to buy them.
O man that irritating as all get out. I hate when sales people try do that to one. ~ Newbie
No good will come out of not telling the truth. It is the only was to approach anything.
Marlene - "Ticked" couldn't describe my feelings enough.
Anne - Yes, and I was trying to help him out!
Richard - I half suspect they were plastic, now.
Roy - Trust meter goes down for all of us in sales.
Those steak people came to our door a couple of months ago, same sales pitch, too much inventory, need to unload. We ended up buying steaks and chicken, but bottom line, all the meat was small and some the seasoned meat was not that good. Learning lesson, we will not buy again.
Aloha Wendy,
I think all of us have had those same sales people in our office. In regards to the truth, I feel that my reputation is based on it. Sometimes the client doesn't like to hear what I'm telling them (especially in this market) but for me to represent them, they must know the truth. It's hard when clients have to sell and can't get what they paid for their property but they need to know what it is really worth.
Aloha nui loa
Bill Parecki RA, ABR
P.S. Please don't keep me a secret.80% of my business comes from referrals.Referring your family, friends and associates in need of Real Estate services and advice is greatly appreciated.
Hawaiian Island Homes Ltd
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Brad and Angela - Thank you for sharing. I don't think that guy will ever come back to my office again.
Kathy - That's right!
Bill - Not only is it the correct thing to do, in the end, your rewards will always be greater in one way or another for telling the truth. I love telling the truth about price, too!
Wendy, Great blog. I'll guess that everyone who responds believes. Now, we can only hope that those that don't believe can see the truth!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the words of wisdom, Lewis.
One day we had a tractor trailer stop in front of our home - a man came to our door saying they had a load of Thomasville furniture that they couldn't deliver and it was available at bargain prices.
Nope. Not for me. If it sounds fishy, you can believe it is fishy.
Sharon - Hilarious!
Hi Wendy--Ha ha, plastic! More than once I have had to tell sellers that we need to describe and market their home correctly to get the right buyer...same scenario here--if "sold" one steak just like he marketed one steak. Wrong marketing, no sale. Thanks for the story. Cheers, Harley
Bait and switch. Never a good thing and certainly no way to build credibility with clients.
Hey Wendy,
You may have dodged a bullet! I can't imagine buying (mystery) meat from a door-to-door salesman.
People selling meat door to door? I've never heard of anything like that. Wow, that's weird.
Wendy, that's an interesting story and I've certainly been in that situation before. They usually flock to the hairdresser I frequent or the bar where my husband plays poker each week. They try to sell anything from crab meat to steak to shrimp and beyond.
My response is always the same, "thanks, but no thanks." I have no idea how they've been storing this food. Exactly how long has this stuff been in their non-refrigerated car trunk? Are you kidding me?
Another issue is whether or not the merchandise was ill-gotten? You might burn your fingers picking through this stuff, if you know what I mean!
Hi Wendy!
That was me before. Sorry...just logged in.
Harley - Yeah, it's kinda like saying a house has a water view... if you hang off the balcony and crane your neck.
Christine - I wished I had more time to tell the guy exactly what I thought.
Laurie - That's what I've been hearing.
Diane - It was a first for me!
Lanette - Eewww!
That's terrible!! What a jerk. I completely agree about the importance of honesty. My very first listing was from a FSBO who listed with me because he had been burned by dishonest agents and liked the fect that I was honest about not having a buyer at that time. One point for honesty!
Kristen - You are right. Honesty costs nothing, and gains lots!
The sales guy should be thinking of the lost opportunity, due to his little trickery. Honesty might have brought him a deal and a good referral for future business. Way to kill a lead.
I have no patience for anyone tries to mislead. I have walked out of stores or car dealerships for that.
The moral to the story is...if it sounds to be good to be true....it is !
I liken this to the agent that takes an overpriced listing and if you have ever had an expired then it was over priced. They come to my office at least once a month and I will tell regardless of their sales approach they have some great steaks. I buy five boxes a month and give them to the first four agents that bring in a contract. The other one is for me. I have even got people (about ten altogether that meet him at the office). One manages the temp services and actually send me leads.
A while back I was very honored when a prospective client called me back after calling some references. He said that (1) our clients loved us and (2) that what we tell them may not always be what they want to year but it is always the truth and what they "need" to hear. Always nice to know our efforts are recognized!! G
I've seen the same scenario for fish, TV's, pool tables, etc. (do i look like a sucker Lol). I agree with Laurie, who the heck KNOWS what is in the plastic.
Great lesson Wendy! Wonderful to see a featured blog from an Emerald Coast neighboor on the Active Rain Home Page.
Become a vegetarian, Wendy. :-) Hope you have a great weekend. Enjoyed the nice post.
Ouch ....
I'm glad you shut him down Wendy!
Did you go out that night and buy that steak you were craving? LOL. Thanks for the post.
Hi Wendy,
I have learned never to entertain a salesman unless I initate the contact. The lesson learned, if it sounds too good to be true is usually is!
HI WENDY!
That's not funny, but really it's kinda funny. I can just imagine a bunch of meat sprawled out on the conference room table!!! He didn't tell the entire truth, which is just as bad as not telling the truth at all.
Have a great weekend!
Wendy,
What a great story. Unfortunately, our industry has never rewarded quality. We honor quantity. That is sad.
James Engel - I was thinking he could have announced he had 20 steaks for $60 right away instead of the stupid game.
Randy Prothero - I'm with you. He was "dismissed!"
Sally & David - I guess I am a soft touch! That's what I get for being sympathetic. They always say salespeople are the easiest to sell.
Charles - That is wild!
Glenn - That was really nice to hear. Goosebumps.
Frank & Jodi - Now that I've been burned, I won't be so nice, thanks for the warning.
Thanks, Hunter, Back at ya!
David Saks - Thank you! I will.
Pippa - I wish I'd had more time to really tell him what I thought. You should have seen the look on his face.
Guy Berry - How sage. Thank you for commenting.
Jeff Rogers - No, but I will building myself up for one.... Leftover chicken!
Hal - Lesson learned.
Yvette - I never saw meat flung about so quick in my life.
Thctat's a slick tactic I'll admit but probably not one that will work all that well.
I used to have an office on a busy highway and that happened frequently to us! Shipments of meat, roses, perfume! Always the same story
Wendy, that is such a great post! LOL, but I have to admit that case ended up in my freezer and if it makes you feel any better...they weren't worth $3 a steak...you see, I also ended up buying the chicken and the fish cases.
Now, they didn't get to those with you did they? You are a very smart lady. Thanks for the memory...
Later in the rain~Deb
Wendy, Way back when in another life time I used to sell meats door to door. I lived in San Diego at the time and was 18 years old. We used the EXACT same line!!! That was 34 years ago.
Jesse - It's especially slick coming from the right personality.
Erica - But I do believe the guy with the extra pizzas.
Deb - Funny!
Bryant - You're killin' me! No Way:)