Vent! SCS Unethical Selling

shaun_from_Africa

The salesman doesn't know the OP's financial position and doesn't care, as long as he gets the sale!

We don't know the OP's financial situation either.
As they went to the store with the intention of making the purchase, they probably thought that the repayments wouldn't be a problem.
The OP has stated that they had past issues with credit, not that they are in any difficulties now.

It's this kind of pursuasive selling that gets so many people into financial difficulties

How could it be classed as persuasive?
It's not as if they were being forced to agree on the spot as they would still have to discuss it with their family to see if anyone would agree to help them out.

pmduk

Soapy955 wrote: »

Totally unethical of the company to allow this practise and I think it should be reported before someone naively takes the salesman's advice!

The Company won't be bothered and why should they? Their job is to make profits by selling goods. Their primary (perhaps only) responsibility is to their shareholders.

It's the consumers's responsibility to make sensible judgements as to what they can afford. If they are unable to do so, then they shouldn't be entering shops.

In the case discussed, the salesman has told no lies and misled nobody. If only they all behaved so well!

johnnyboyrebel

Soapy955 wrote: »

It's this kind of pursuasive selling that gets so many people into financial difficulties. The salesman doesn't know the OP's financial position and doesn't care, as long as he gets the sale!

Another case of people never taking responsiblity for their own decisions. Just like when people get 'scammed' because they have chosen to buy into something.

The salesman is doing his job (selling), the customer has to take responsibility to make a decision. You can't say salesman cannot be persuasive because people make stupid decisions. As long as people make stupid decisions, there will be someone there to make money off it.

Alexwild

It may have been off the record but surely it's the same as using a guarantor?

He probably shouldn't have said it but perhaps the guy just needed the sale, they work on commission remember and it is the end of the month. I'd cut him some slack.

Valli

So OP wants a sofa but is aware that she probably will not be offered credit facilities; nevertheless she goes into the store to find out.

Sure enough credit facilities AREN'T offered. As the OP suspected.

SCS salesperson suggests a way round this - and gets flamed by the OP who actually wants the sofa in the first place.

Evilm

kermitfrog wrote: »

So if a family member said to you, "Listen, I'll buy that sofa you want and you can pay me back", you'd still think that was unethical?

I have said no to this before. Loans between family do cause problems - We've been lucky enough to avoid it in my family but I've seen many others fall apart due to it. I've also seen a family member do a runner leaving someone else with their debt to pay due to this situations.

There is a difference between "unethical" and "feels wrong" however. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it myself. I wouldn't like the perceived pressure from the salesman to rope my family into this just so he could get the sale.

johnnyboyrebel

Evilm wrote: »

I have said no to this before. Loans between family do cause problems - We've been lucky enough to avoid it in my family but I've seen many others fall apart due to it. I've also seen a family member do a runner leaving someone else with their debt to pay due to this situations.

There is a difference between "unethical" and "feels wrong" however. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it myself. I wouldn't like the perceived pressure from the salesman to rope my family into this just so he could get the sale.

It's not pressure unless you are a weak person. He offered a solution, that was all. It is down to the grown up to decide if they want to do that or not.

C_Mababejive

It is clearly unethical but the salesman doesnt give two hoots about that. All he knows is sales targets and commission.

peachyprice

Soapy955 wrote: »

I totally "get" what the OP is saying.
SCS just want to make the sale, they don't care where the money comes from, or whether the OP can afford to pay the family member back.
It's this kind of pursuasive selling that gets so many people into financial difficulties. The salesman doesn't know the OP's financial position and doesn't care, as long as he gets the sale!

Totally unethical of the company to allow this practise and I think it should be reported before someone naively takes the salesman's advice!

Yeah, except the OP went into the store of their own free will with the intention of buying a sofa and taking out a 4 year credit agreement in the first place.

Oli.s

When I was younger mum parents took out finance for me on furniture for my first house because I had no real credit history. I paid the monthly payments via standing order to my mums bank account each month with no problems and was very appreciative.