Up-selling / pestering you to buy things you didn't ask for

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robjh

Legendary Member
I went into a garage this morning to pay for petrol (I was in the car, not on the bike) and the woman serving said '"£40.05 and would you also like to buy a bottle of water or a bar of chocolate?'
I snapped back something like 'if I wanted anything else I would have asked you', and we then went into a 5-minute conversation in which she tried to justify the practice of 'up-selling' (as I've now learnt it's called), and expressed shocked disbelief that anyone other than me could ever be irritated by it.

I get very annoyed by it - it smacks of hard sell and pestering customers. Am I the only one who feels this, or was the saleswoman right when she said that 80-90% of her customers actually like it and are grateful to her for suggesting things they had forgotten?
 

ASC1951

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
I snapped back something like 'if I wanted anything else I would have asked you', ...
You ******.

Not pleasant, is it?. Try "Er ... no thanks." next time.
 

Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef
I hate it too, but more shops seem to do it.

WH Smith's are forever trying to get me to buy a large bar of chololate with my newspaper.

McDonalds will always ask you if you "want to go large" or "do you want fries with that"

And pubs will always offer a double spirit or a large glass of wine.
 

deptfordmarmoset

Full time tea drinker
Location
Armonmy Way
I have a little ritual with the cashiers down at the local Iceland. They have to ask every customer if they have a bonus card, and then if I want one. We've gone through this so many times that I now arrive at the till with ''Good morning, I've got my own bag, no and no!'' It's all very friendly and if there's no queue I'll stop for a chat with Debbion, who's a lovely woman, a bit too much into the Lord for me, but she's more person than preacher.
 

Ciar

Veteran
Location
London
I thought this was normal procedure in all honesty, phone your bank they ask if there is anything else, or mention that you have been listed for particular offers, petrol stations normal procedure, dominoes pizza they do it as well, oh and virgin media!

worst culprits for me lately have been vodafone, i get a text from vodafone select, promoting some product or another, in the last 2 weeks phoned them 3 times to tell them to remove me, each time they say they have, only to get another text, yesterday I wasn't as polite as normal, told em to stop the texts or I will switch provider as I am sim only... no text so far!

generally though I try to be polite as they are only doing their job :/
 
OP
OP
robjh

robjh

Legendary Member
think how annoying it's also for the staff who know 99.9% people are not interested but still have to ask as they have been instructed to do so by the boss.

Yes I agree with that - or that's what I'd always thought but this woman told me - really, her words not mine - that 80 to 90% of her customers appreciated it, and what's more that she was doing it through her own professional training and not as part of a company policy (but then possibly contradicted that last point by adding that all other sales people at that garage would do the same).
 

Cheddar George

oober member
Ordering a Coke in a bar to be told that " we only have Pepsi, would that be Okay ?" ..... like i give a s***.
I suppose I'm to set in my ways to look at the dispenser and order what the sign says.
 

Cheddar George

oober member
I thought this was normal procedure in all honesty, phone your bank they ask if there is anything else, or mention that you have been listed for particular offers, petrol stations normal procedure, dominoes pizza they do it as well, oh and virgin media!

worst culprits for me lately have been vodafone, i get a text from vodafone select, promoting some product or another, in the last 2 weeks phoned them 3 times to tell them to remove me, each time they say they have, only to get another text, yesterday I wasn't as polite as normal, told em to stop the texts or I will switch provider as I am sim only... no text so far!

generally though I try to be polite as they are only doing their job :/

"Is there anything else i can help you with today ?"

Thinks : You were no help with what i just asked you !

Says : No.
 

Night Train

Maker of Things
I find it annoying too but I just politely decline the offer. Often it is a case of the checkout person just doing their job and following instruction in order to keep their job.

I have wondered if a reciprocal response would make things more fun and interesting but haven't figured out anything witty to say yet.
 

green1

Über Member
When it happens to me I always turn it round and ask them if I can sell them something I have on my person. After a couple of times they tend to remember you and stop asking.
 
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