Breaking Ground

It's spring. That means it's time to change things around. Twice a year, in spring and fall, I get really restless. These are times to think about my plans and re-focus. As a result, I'm diving into the blogging world once again.

There's my business blog, Wayswriters' Weblog. And now, a more personal blog, because writing about business all the time gets dull.

Not that I don't love what I do - I do love it! It's such a relief to have finally figured out what I wanna do when I grow up. At the age of...well, at my age...I should know.

I've been asked some pretty darn personal questions today, for reasons that baffled me. My mom's financial planner asked my age. I couldn't see what that had to do with my mom's money, but I told him anyway. Then he asked me how business was going. And he wouldn't take "pretty good" for an answer - he wanted details. Granted, he's thinking of becoming my client, but still...it's none of his business. Later, a window salesman in our driveway asked how long my husband and I had been married. Why? He claimed that he was thinking of getting married and wanted advice. From a sales prospect? Is this a new marketing tool they're teaching in Salesman School?

Ack...TWELVE YEARS. We've been married TWELVE YEARS.

Seriously, though, salesmen are sneaky. I’ve been to some sales seminars, and I always felt like taking a dozen hot showers afterward. Make the prospect your friend, they say. You’re just like him. You’re doing him a favor, letting him in on this awesome deal just because he’s special. The window salesman said we were selected to showcase his company’s work because our yard was so well maintained. Such flattery!

And my husband, the Yard King, fell for it hook, line, and sinker. He’s ready to write the check.

I’d like new windows. But I’ve never heard of Joe Bob’s Window Emporium, or whatever this outfit is called. Fifty percent off, the guy said. Off what?

Call me picky, but I’ve learned to steer clear of statements like “fifty percent off”, “forty percent better” or “thirty percent more”. Off, better, more than what? Next these folks will ditch their usual fake testimonials in favor of “they”, as in “they say we’re the best.” If “better” and “more” works without “than”, why bother clarifying who “they” are?

I’m a tough sell. I made the decision long ago that if I wanted something, I’d do the shopping – and anyone who came to me instead could go hang. If I get “sold to” I don’t get to compare prices and features. The salesman’s job is to interrupt that process. Nine times out of ten, the products or services that “ask for the sale” are no bargains at all.

And every time this happens, I have a selling job of my own to do, which is to convince my husband that his new friend really just wants to rip us off. He’ll thank me later.