Salesmen today aren’t like they used to be a couple years ago. I asked the guys at applicant.com if they would let me rant my experience with a salesman and they were cool since it is career related .

There used to be a time when I enjoyed talking to salesmen. Yes, it sounds weird but it was one more way for me to know about a person, how much they liked their job and how effective they were in their communication skills. And of course, my wife seems to enjoy any new product cause it gives her an opportunity to empty my wallet a bit, which she seems to love for some reason. I enjoy talking to salesmen. The one that I call out to give me a quote and information about their product and the ones that come knocking on my door. I often offer a cup of coffee and if they are smokers, they can grab a cigarette out of my pack too. In short, I don’t send someone back or be rude simply cause they are salesman, after all it’s a career and I have nothing against them.

However, this month I came across a salesman who was rude and had no salesmanship whatsoever. I had called the salesman to get some information on putting some new siding on my house. You see, I recently bought a new house and in an effort to make it look in par with my neighbors I thought I needed to put some new sidings. Two salesman came to my house the other day. The initial impression was good. We talked and they showed me their products and how good their company was and all that sales stuff as you all know it. After about an hour (one salesman stayed for three hours, yes three hours) one of them left since he had an appointment somewhere else. This is when the second salesman started showing his true colors. He started bad mouthing his colleague as soon as he left. I don’t want to hear a salesman bad mouth his colleague, especially when he was all buddy buddy with him before.

Well, I let that slide by. Then he kept yapping and started showing me a few cool deals. They sounded pretty good. You know one of those deals where you get it now and it’s 25% off and all. Well, I told him I would need at least a couple days to think about it and would rather think and pay the full price than taking a 25% off and jumping on board right away. I like to think and see what other options I have before I commit to buying products or services. I think that’s a fair and smart thing to do on my part. He kept insisting and I kept saying that I would like to take a couple days to think about it. After all, covering your house with a pretty siding isn’t cheap. Once I told the guy that this was my final deal he got all aggressive and said in a loud voice “I think this is the dumbest thing to do.” Ummm, excuse me. I told him again I would have to think about it and will pass the 25% off offer. He said “This is stupid.” I told him that it’s my money and if I want to come back later and spend more on it through your company that’s actually smart sale for him. Well, he packed his bags and said a few other things to me which I can’t remember exactly but none of them were good that’s for sure.

I asked him for his business card just cause I didn’t want him to feel discouraged (I told you I am a nice guy) and he threw the business card on the floor and kept walking. While walking out the door he muttered these words “You are stupid. You should have taken this offer and paid only $8,000.” He slammed the door and left. I sat on the couch and kept thinking what the heck just happened? Why did that guy flip out so bad? That was a total meltdown and because of that person’s action I will never do business with that company.

All in all, this guy came to my house with another person. Was very friendly and spent three hours at my house. When I told him I would like to think more about the product before buying, he got all mad and aggressive at me, to the point where it seemed like he was going to hit me, in my very own house. Buying a product or service that is upward of $5,000 takes some thinking on my part and that salesman didn’t seem to understand that.

I am so confused guys. What happened to the good ol’ days of salesmanship? The days when it felt like they were your friends recommending you products and services (although their own) and when it didn’t work out they shook your hand and left in almost such a graceful way that you wanted to stop them and say “fine, I will take it.” I have had a few encounters with sales people lately and almost all of them seem to take the answer “not today” as a 5 year old who doesn’t like to hear the word “no.” I have heard a few other cases from my family and friends as well.

I have one question to ask ,

Are good salesmen a dying breed?

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