How can I be assertive with pushy bank clerks/managers?

Bandido

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this.

I called my bank to ask them to write me a cheque (savings account money) however the clerk inundated me with question after question 'what is the money for? did you find a better interest rate elsewhere?' stupidly I replied 'yes' and she came back with more questions 'what is the rate? who is it with? how long are you saving it for? we have X products' etc. I understand she is doing her job however I am really not an assertive person and I feel as if I am being 'seized upon' whenever I go to my branch (it happens every time I go in). I know I need to grow a pair but i'd like some guidance. She said 'we can discuss your options when you come in' which means i'll have more questions to dodge! She is very assertive and borderline aggressive and I feel very anxious when dealing with her. I'm a really timid woman by comparison! What do you say to clerks when they ask you open ended questions like the ones above?


Thanks.

newDude

Bandido wrote: »

What do you say to clerks when they ask you open ended questions like the ones above?

Thanks.

NOT INTERESTED, thanks.

financial_illiterate

Bandido wrote: »

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this.

I called my bank to ask them to write me a cheque (savings account money) however the clerk inundated me with question after question 'what is the money for? did you find a better interest rate elsewhere?' stupidly I replied 'yes' and she came back with more questions 'what is the rate? who is it with? how long are you saving it for? we have X products' etc. I understand she is doing her job however I am really not an assertive person and I feel as if I am being 'seized upon' whenever I go to my branch (it happens every time I go in). I know I need to grow a pair but i'd like some guidance. She said 'we can discuss your options when you come in' which means i'll have more questions to dodge! She is very assertive and borderline aggressive and I feel very anxious when dealing with her. I'm a really timid woman by comparison! What do you say to clerks when they ask you open ended questions like the ones above?


Thanks.

If you're a really timid woman, I wouldn't recommend growing a pair. :eek:

You just need to politely and confidently tell them you're not interested, thank you very much. I know exactly what you mean, they can be pushy but once you learn to deal with them it gets easier.

Phrases like:

'I am not interested, thank you'

'I am really not interested, thank you'

'It is none of your business' (or if you prefer 'it is no longer any of your business')

'My mind is made up, thank you.'

'The decision has been made/taken'.

'I must ask you to stop with this line of questioning'

And 'I am not buying anything'

will all usually work, and if they don't, you can be a bit ruder :cool:

talexuser

Only you can do it....

"What do you need the money for?"
"That is my business."

"We have a special offer X"
"I'm not interested."

"Are you interested in X% interest?"
"No."

"This bond guarantees your money back in 5 years with X%."
"That's no good to me".

"Can we show you....?"
"No."

"You really should have a financial discussion with us."
"I don't have time now."

"Can we make an appointment?"
"No."

finally

"Goodbye, and please put on my record do not contact me by telephone unless there is a specific problem with my account."

Lokolo

"My husband deals with it all, I just do as I'm told".... might work, but then they might start asking you questions about your "husbands" finances!

newDude

By the way, this happens to me all the time when i go into Halifax, as i have £80K in their 2.8% web saver, and they are always asking me to make an appointment "to discuss my options". I don't want to pay the money into a term account, as i haven't made long term plans for it yet...ISA full and missed out on the NSI offering, but moved some of the original money into the 3.15% Poppy Saver.

mgarl10024

Playing devil's advocate, isn't it a good plan to listen to their options in an openminded way. Perhaps they've something decent to offer that you've missed?

Of course, don't be railroaded, and you can usually come away to make up your mind.

Just a thought.

Old_Slaphead

Lokolo wrote: »

"My husband deals with it all, I just do as I'm told"....

Top answer Lokolo.

My OH does that all the time.

I usually start the 'interview' with - I wish to withdraw £x because I'm moving it to a higher rate account elsewhere. Please don't try & offer any alternatives as I've done my research and none of your accounts are acceptable. I'll return my money if/when you offer me market beating rates.

If they ask, I tell them where it's going and the rate offered.

Strategy has always worked so far. Only thing they've tried to sell me is a funeral plan !! Hmmmmph!

Wobblydeb

I usually repeat the same phrase after every question or suggestion - it seems to help it sink in.

Some variation of "I'm not interested, thank you".

WastingMyTime

I use " I would be grateful if you would just deal with my request. Thank you." as a default, when I'm caught on the spot. I also repeat it (like a broken record) very time they deviate.

I found it useful to practice it often (and a few variants) so that it seemed natural to say when I was confronted with that type of situation.

Good luck.

newDude

mgarl10024 wrote: »

Playing devil's advocate, isn't it a good plan to listen to their options in an openminded way. Perhaps they've something decent to offer that you've missed?

I doubt i could get "something decent" from the Halifax. After all, they will only be pushing their own products. My own research, and reading these boards, could easily beat anything they had to offer.