Am I Mad?

[Graham O]

Poor chap - imagine if he has just booked himself a North Pole expedition cruise and wanted a warm coat?*

I think you probably did the right thing though

+1 on the customer return issue

Company reputation at risk - selling the wrong item, selling the wrong item to a "vulnerable" person

Where would it end

(* it probably wasn't a coat though)

It will be a few years before the North Pole cruises take off, but I'm sure someone is planning it. Come and see where the ice was.

 

[philipbh]

http://www.polarexplorers.com/expeditions/cruises.shtml

 

[thomas]

Was it 'too good' for his needs? Some people just like something that is better...they might never use it, but like the idea of having it there.

 

[Graham O]

http://www.polarexplorers.com/expeditions/cruises.shtml

One of my customers!

 

[Shaun]

I admire your principles and honesty; you've given the customer the benefit of your experience and advised them that you think it is not suitable - that's a good deal more than some people / companies would do.

However, if someone insists they want something, in spite of your best efforts to persuade them otherwise, then you may as well sell them it and make some profit.

You've been honest and done your duty in advising them it's not suitable, so why give the sale/profit to another trader.

Personally, I would consider taking the cash next time ...

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[PaulB]

An interesting set of comments. However, if I tell you that the caller sounded old, as if he didn't know what he was after and gave the impression of being "vulnerable", would that make a difference?

And since it is specific to North Pole expeditions, I doubt it would be suitable for Newcastle!

Why don't you give us all the facts next time and then we can make an informed decision instead of trying to make those who said "take the money" look like aul' arses by then revealing it was an old man?

 

[Fnaar]

Pretty chilly in Toon today though but... I've just seen an old man standing in a bus stop blowing into his hands and pulling his delapidated coat around him in vain, as he tries to keep the last vesitges of warmth in his ageing body. Sure I heard him mutter "I could really do with that polar expedition coat" as I passed.

 

[Wolf04]

An interesting set of comments. However, if I tell you that the caller sounded old, as if he didn't know what he was after and gave the impression of being "vulnerable", would that make a difference?

And since it is specific to North Pole expeditions, I doubt it would be suitable for Newcastle!

So you sell T shirts then?

 

[Norm]

..if I tell you that the caller sounded old, as if he didn't know what he was after and gave the impression of being "vulnerable", would that make a difference?

Yes, it would make you seem judgemental as well as uncommercial.

I'll take advice and ask the pros but I work for my money to spend how I want. If I can afford something which is over-specified for my requirements, that's my choice. 'tis usually cheaper in the long run than under-aiming and having to buy again.

And I'd be mighty huffy if I was told that I couldn't buy something just because I sounded old.

 

[Night Train]

Though I can see your line of reasoning, depending on what the product was I would have sold it with the understanding that he accepts my explanation of why it would be unsuitable for his requirements and that it should not be used in anyway that would cause a danger or harm etc.

However, if it was something that would be dangerous used incorrectly or inappropriately then that would be another matter. Then I wouldn't sell it.

 

[XmisterIS]

This thread brings to mind a quote by Groundsman Willie from The Simpsons:

"I'm mad, I'm mad, I'm madder than I've ever been before!"