Bloddy door salesmen!

booter

Fundamental wrote: »

This is quite interesting to me and my line of business.

I am a window cleaner having started from scratch last January following redundancy six months earlier. To build the business I had to go door knocking to ask each home owner whether they needed a window cleaner. This method has brought me approximately 85% of my current customer base. I did try leaflet drops alone but the uptake was very, very low. Since taking my service, some of my clients have placed those 'no cold callers' sign in their windows; so I enquired whether they would have minded me knocking on their doors even with the sign and the majority said they did not see my line of business as a 'nuisance caller' and would not have minded.

When canvassing now I still see these signs and tend to ignore them to be honest - if I had taken notice then I would have cut out a significant section of potential business. I have never had anyone object to my knocking where they display a sign.

I would like to know what your thoughts are - do you consider those signs only apply to the utility/double glazing companies?

Thanks in advance

FDM

I think that if you've gone to the trouble of putting a sign up, then that sign applies to everyone, regardless. Personally, I never buy or sell anything at the door - but as I say, I don't need a sign, I'm obviously very sad in that I take enjoyment from watching sales people squirm under the scrutiny of my OH

I find that generally, double glazing/utility etc sales are quite pushy, and the pitches instantly get my back up - usually assuming that you're completely thick and don't know how to get the best deal (as if!!)

However, I understand the need in your case to canvass potential customers - I wouldn't employ a window cleaner from a leaflet drop, I think you need to meet a window cleaner before employing them IYSWIM. However, I wouldn't look at a window cleaner knocking the door as trying to give me a sales pitch necessarily - it's more of a case of introducing themselves as a potential employee?! Hopefully, it's your manner towards potential customers that's prevented tongue lashings from those that have signs on their doors

Dave_C_2

Bodymass wrote: »

You've obviously had no experience with door to door sales yourself. When I was younger it was a challenge to convert those prospective customers who had signs on their doors, and they were more receptive than most in many cases than those without signs. There was nothing better than winning someone over when they thought they have the upper hand; that central trail of thought by which they approach all door-to-door sales people is very often their downfall.

And you see nothing wrong with this attitude? This typifies what is wrong with the mentality of door to door salespeople

Everyone should at least experience having done some form of door to door (whether sales or otherwise - maybe even just informing residents about a local event) at least once in their lives if they have any hope of how to deal with them.

Rubbish! I don't have to work as a toilet attendant to realise what a carp job it is. Any salesperson thick enough to ignore the notice on the front door deserves all the abuse I hurl at them. I take the attitude that they started it. If all else fails Foxtrot Oscar works wonders.

You can in many instances be nice to them and make sure that you will not be added into any more prospective runs in your area

In your dreams perhaps, but in the real world if you are nice it only encourages them.

Dave

Bodymass

Dave_C wrote: »

And you see nothing wrong with this attitude? This typifies what is wrong with the mentality of door to door salespeople

Why not try and put yourself in their shoes perhaps to get some understanding of where they come from? It's ignorant people like you who I don't much care for.

Rubbish! I don't have to work as a toilet attendant to realise what a carp job it is. Any salesperson thick enough to ignore the notice on the front door deserves all the abuse I hurl at them. I take the attitude that they started it. If all else fails Foxtrot Oscar works wonders.

Though it may not have occurred to you because of your limited intellect, there is a difference between not being able to decipher a sign, and instead interpreting it in a positive way. Your defeatism is typical of the type of person who views such challenges as beyond their capabilities.

I have also never heard of the term "carp job it is", so maybe you should consider taking a leaf out of your book by getting an education perhaps?

"In your dreams perhaps, but in the real world if you are nice it only encourages them."
Dave

Exactly that my friend; you can only dream of what it's like out there in the real world. It's incredible how one-dimensional some people think. I really do pity you. Besides not being able to fight yourself out of a wet paper bag, you wouldn't stand a chance against me intellectually either.

Dave_C_2

Bodymass wrote: »

It's ignorant people like you who I don't much care for ... your limited intellect ...your defeatism is typical of the type of person who views such challenges as beyond their capabilities

When your argument fails, just revert to ad hominem arguments.

I have also never heard of the term "carp job it is", so maybe you should consider taking a leaf out of your book by getting an education perhaps?

It is common on internet forums to use the word "carp" instead of the same word with the middle two letters reversed. This gets round the anti-swearing software on the forum, which would show it as !!!!) and avoids the mild expletive. This is me teaching you something. I believe it is called education.

Dave

arcon5

Bodymass wrote: »

Though it may not have occurred to you because of your limited intellect, there is a difference between not being able to decipher a sign, and instead interpreting it in a positive way. Your defeatism is typical of the type of person who views such challenges as beyond their capabilities.

So we should praise and admire those who ignore our request for privacy because of their optimism?


Weird logic!

Fundamental_2

booter wrote: »

However, I understand the need in your case to canvass potential customers - I wouldn't employ a window cleaner from a leaflet drop, I think you need to meet a window cleaner before employing them IYSWIM. However, I wouldn't look at a window cleaner knocking the door as trying to give me a sales pitch necessarily - it's more of a case of introducing themselves as a potential employee?! Hopefully, it's your manner towards potential customers that's prevented tongue lashings from those that have signs on their doors

A couple of people have pointed to the sign as they open the door but have capitulated once I have explained who I am and the purpose of my visit. I sometimes cheekily say that I only saw the sign after I knocked and thought it would be disrespectful to then walk away - that often gets a good response as they then tend to think I am doing them a favour

As you point out, a great deal is how I act with them; essentially I am just asking them if they have a window cleaner and if not would they like me to give them a quote - no sales patter or high pressure selling pitch to try to win them round. My approach is to try to develop a rapport with them from the off as we may have a relationship for many years - a friendly honesty if you will - which I believe is something that is very difficult to fake; I once had a Talk Talk rep call round and when I opened the door she spotted a couple of film pictures on the wall and made a comment about them; I spotted this as a simple ploy designed to strike up a relationship and congratulated her on it - she laughed on realising she had been caught out and freely admitted the fact - selling 101.

Thanks for the feedback

FDM

katejo

Fundamental wrote: »

This is quite interesting to me and my line of business.

I am a window cleaner having started from scratch last January following redundancy six months earlier. To build the business I had to go door knocking to ask each home owner whether they needed a window cleaner. This method has brought me approximately 85% of my current customer base. I did try leaflet drops alone but the uptake was very, very low. Since taking my service, some of my clients have placed those 'no cold callers' sign in their windows; so I enquired whether they would have minded me knocking on their doors even with the sign and the majority said they did not see my line of business as a 'nuisance caller' and would not have minded.

When canvassing now I still see these signs and tend to ignore them to be honest - if I had taken notice then I would have cut out a significant section of potential business. I have never had anyone object to my knocking where they display a sign.

I would like to know what your thoughts are - do you consider those signs only apply to the utility/double glazing companies?

Thanks in advance

FDM

I wouldn't treat a potential window cleaner in the same way as I would a double glazing salesperson or anyone selling from door to door. You'd be particularly welcome if you were willing to come on a saturday with a long ladder and an offer to clean my back windows too. My current window cleaner always turns up on a weekday when i can't spend the whole day in while he does it.

missile

Tell them to please call again tomorrow, then next week, next month and eventually they will get the message.

Perelandra

I've no idea how this will be received by the board, but I'll plough ahead anyway.

Back in the day when I was a young Perry and did door-to-door selling myself (carpet cleaning!), I had my own approach to these signs... I used to carry with me a bag of small chocolate goodies. If someone with a "No salesmen" sign answered the door, My sales patter was a simple:

"Good morning, my company would like to give you a free chocolate bar. Thank you for your time"

and I'd walk away.

Quite often I'd be called back by a rather bemused home owner, who'd then ask what I was really there for. The bemusement would sometimes turn to amusement at the novel approach to getting around the sign- after all I hadn't tried to sell anything, or give a quote etc until I was actually asked/invited to do so. I think the cheekiness won me more sales than any pushy sales talk would have done! :j

SailorSam

After reading what you think of col;d callers, that God i gave up trying to sell double glazing.