Pressure Sales?

Bob-cat

My husband has just had another company ring him to try and sell us some energy saving device. We are vaguely interested but then they said they would come and talk to us but 'recent legislation' required that both my husband and I were present. Is this true? I guess they would prefer that we were both there so we couldn't use the excuse that we would discuss it (and change our minds) but they were adamant that it was a legal requirement.

shaun_from_Africa

Bob-cat wrote: »

I guess they would prefer that we were both there so we couldn't use the excuse that we would discuss it (and change our minds) but they were adamant that it was a legal requirement.

That would be my thinking as well.
The only time I could think of that 2 adults would need to be present is if one of them is acting as a guarantor for the other or one of them doesn't have the legal ability to agree to contracts.

If it was me, I would be e-mailing the company and ask them if they could advise you of which specific legislation they are referring to and when they can't supply this information, contact them again and let them know that you don't wish to deal with businesses who employ dodgy sales tactics.

lincroft1710

My OH never wants to be present when salesmen want to visit (not that many are invited). Just say it's not possible for your OH to be present if they don't want to be there.

cookie365

I'd have hung up at that point.


If what they've got to sell is any good there'll be competitors who aren't dodgy selling something similar.

unholyangel

No such regulation.

Try get them to repeat it in writing/email (that theres a legal requirement for you both to be present) and then pass it on to trading standards (might have to go via CAB if your local TS doesn't take complaints direct from the public).

Personally I never entertain cold callers. If their product/company was as good as they try to tell you, they wouldn't need to cold call to get customers. If they didn't cold call, they'd be able to provide the product more cheaply. So not only are they pushing crap products, they're doing so at an inflated premium.

societys_child

Think we can safely say the "energy saving device" will be even more dodgy than their sales tactics.

Carrot007

Bob-cat wrote: »

My husband has just had another company ring him to try and sell us some energy saving device. We are vaguely interested

That is your first mistake. Legitimate companies have no need to cold call.

Bob-cat wrote: »

but then they said they would come and talk to us but 'recent legislation' required that both my husband and I were present. Is this true? I guess they would prefer that we were both there so we couldn't use the excuse that we would discuss it (and change our minds) but they were adamant that it was a legal requirement.

And then they wanted the classic both people there to play you off each other salesmen scam. That is your second mistake.

pinkshoes

It's because they have a high pressure sales pitch, get paid commission on each sale, so don't want to waste their time if you can then use the 'I can't make a decision without speaking to my partner "excuse.

They intend to sit in your living room until you agree to a sale.

Personally I'd decline a visit.

Bob-cat

Thank you everyone. We have declined the visit but Google wasn't helping me discover whether their claim that there was legislation requiring both of us to be present was true. I like unholyangel's suggestion - if faced with this again I will ask for them to put it in writing and see what response I get.

cookie365

Bob-cat wrote: »

Thank you everyone. We have declined the visit but Google wasn't helping me discover whether their claim that there was legislation requiring both of us to be present was true. I like unholyangel's suggestion - if faced with this again I will ask for them to put it in writing and see what response I get.

Why? Don't even engage with companies like this. I can see whey they're targetting you.

oldagetraveller

"some energy saving device"
Would this be something that just plugs into a mains socket?
If so, it's just a large capacitor and possibly a couple of "show" l.e.d.s to fool the user into thinking it is saving them money.
Cheap Chinese snake oil! Something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Perfect-Power-Electricity-Saving-Energy-Saver-Box-Save-30-Device-EU-US-Plugsto/162844971420?hash=item25ea51119c:m:m8_iaPkZv6wZrLikXDkgJxQ:rotfl: