How NOT to make a sale

I don't mind if a company contacts me to solicit my business.  I try to look at emails and snail mail that comes in, and I'll even give someone a quick moment on the phone.  

If the pitch comes in via phone, I'll listen for a few seconds and, if even remotely interested, I'll then ask the caller to send me information by regular mail.  I tell them, truthfully, that I don't make a purchase decision from a phone call, but that I will read material and then decide.  It's interesting, but by asking people to snail-mail me information, I put an end to about 75% of the pitches.  They want to email me stuff, but I don't need more email clogging my Inbox.  And I resent having to use my toner and take my time to print someone else's sales material.  But many call centers are not equipped to handle mail follow-up, and they lose any possibility of getting business from me.

Lately, I've been seeing a new -- and really offensive -- type of pitch.  The one I just got moments ago from Google trying to sell me ad space on Google+ is an example.  My phone rang and I hear someone saying he's calling about some opportunities in my business sector.  I asked him, "What sector do you think I'm in?" since people sometimes think Reich Communications is a cellular reseller.  The guy kept talking, and I again asked him a question.  He kept talking, with the normal hesitations and "uh"s that made me think I was speaking to someone live.  Finally, as I was about to hang up, he said for more information and to place an order, press 1.

Damn!!  I hate being tricked! 

I dialed 1 and really told off some poor Google sales rep.  I also told him since my number is on a "do not call" list, the next time I get a call from them I'll report them to the FTC and they'll get a fine.  And I mean it.

But the thing that astounds me about this is, how do people think they will actually sell anything if they are so impersonal about the sales process?  We hear all this talk among marketers about connections and relationships with customers and potential customers.  Obviously, the marketing folks at Google, despite all the site's success, don't get it.

One thing I do know... Google will not get any business from me.

 

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Comments

[Peter R]

David -

I so enjoy reading your messages of righteous indignation. You're the spokesman for thousands like me who are too lazy to do it themselves!

[Jeanne Byington]

David,

That's why caller ID is a blessing.

I don't think "Do not call" lists work anymore.

[Hannele Kantee]

Those are also one of the annoying telemarketer,now a days we cant really avoid those unwanted calls in fact in Helsinki Finland some telemarketing also annoy on something like that.