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You Want to Sell Me What?? And You Don't Even Know Who I Am?

By Kathy Streib

Home Stager

August 27, 2011 01:04 AM

You Want to Sell Me What?? And You Don't Even Know Who I Am?

First this is not a rant on telephone sales calls or cold calls... well maybe just a little. But here is how a call to me went today...

Me: "Room Service Home Staging...may I help you?"

Now this is where I here what sounds like someone finishing whatever he was eating.

Salesman: Pause... "Oh...is this um.. Interior Styles?

Me: "No... this is Room Service Home Staging. May I help you?"

Salesman: Uh- oh.. well ..I was calling for Interior Styles.. oh you're a Staging company.. that's just what I need. And, he then proceeded to try to sell me ad space in a Country Club magazine.

It was so apparent that he was Dialing for Dollars as well as finishing his breakfast.

I have no problem with someone calling me to try to sell me something. After all, we're all trying to sell something. However... if you call me:

1. Wait until you've finished eating, slurping or drinking whatever it is you're eating slurping or drinking.

2. Know who you're calling. I understand you may have this nice list of "prospects" you are calling and I may be # 20 on a long list. But put your finger on my name... underline it... use a colored marker!!!

(The above commentary was brought to you by Kathy Streib of Room Service! Home Staging. All opinions are hers and do not represent the opinion of the Networking Community. Wanna bet!)

And for your weekend pleasure.. .one of my favorite people:

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Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Kathy. This cracked me up and I enjoyed the laugh this morning. Amazing, talking eating and who is this> Oh well the cream generally rises. Have a good day.

Aug 27, 2011 02:28 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

I had to laugh because I think we all have had these type of calls. They get a quick click from me.

Aug 27, 2011 02:35 AM

Melissa Ostrom & Melville Capps Newton MA - The Mel and Mel Team

(617) 388-3151 | Century 21 Commonwealth - Newton, MA

Sociopaths need jobs where they can use their natural talents . . .

Aug 27, 2011 02:42 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Kathy - what's really funny to me about your story is while I never eat on the phone, yesterday I was grocery shopping and was starving. I opened a bag of sweet potato chips and started munching. Then I ordered lunch meat and when I only got a 1/4 pound of turkey, I knew the woman didn't hear me right because I was talking with food in my mouth! So, so bad, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I really did break my own cardinal rule - never talk while eating!

Aug 27, 2011 02:53 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Michael- you're right. I have had some excellent callers ask for my time and made an really good sales call.

Marco- good grief.. I bet her phone and computer were all greasy too. Yuck!

Gita- they don't care because they think you'll never do anything about it.

Mona- I'm laughing so hard I wish you could see me! I love your tactic. And yes... you've got to love Marco for being able to insert "whilst" into a comment.

Cathy- I was just going to suggest that you turn it into a blog! I look forward to reading it.

Rebekah- I so agree... I am always polite to callers but have the courtesy and smarts to finish your meal!!!

Kathy- I loved her on Laugh-In! Remember Edith Ann?

Sheila- you know what... i couldn't tell their name or the name of the company.

Anita- what's so bad is when you politely tell them no thank you and they keep selling. 'talking to dead air at that point.

Melissa- Oh my.. well we all have to make a living.

Kristine- LOL I think we've all done it. The sad thing is I think it gets worse the older we get. But we've all been sitting around the dinner table with our mom admonishing us for talking with our mouths full!

Aug 27, 2011 03:14 AM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

LOL -You make such a good point. Cold calling stinks-but it is even worse when they have no idea who they are calling!

Aug 27, 2011 03:27 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

So annoying! If I can add a #3 to the list.... Check to see if the person you're calling is on the Do Not Call list before you dial that number.

Aug 27, 2011 04:57 AM

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I love that skit from Lily Tomlin. She is awesome. You're right, if they are going to call, at least make sure they know who they are calling.

Aug 27, 2011 06:04 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Kathy, we get so many calls and sometimes when the person on the other ends does not take "NO" for an answer and continues to speak....I hang up! I don't like to be rude, but they are rude to continue talking when they hear the words .... no thank you.

Aug 27, 2011 06:18 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Allison- I have done my share of cold calling and I understand where they're coming from but they really do need to get it right!

Craig- Absolutely! And that's a good one to add. I read that a lady actually kept a record and went after the people who called her. BTW.... Stay safe where you are!!!

Debbie- I loved watching her on Laugh In. I think what I dislike even more are the computers that auto-dial so that when you pick up there's dead air while the caller sits back and waits for someone to pick up.

Rebecca- I know you would never just hang up unless someone on the other end just didn't get the message. I've done it too.

Aug 27, 2011 06:45 AM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Kathy, I really get annoyed at these people who are calling me because I am on the do not call list AND, they think we were all born yesterday and don't knoe their shenanigans!

Aug 27, 2011 08:18 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Oh I'm just fine with you representing my feelings on this one! I totally agree!

Aug 27, 2011 09:32 AM

Peggy Chirico

Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT

REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Hi Kathy - All I can say is how grateful I am for caller ID on my home phone. If it's someone who really needs to get in touch with me, they will leave a message. Most of the time, it's sales calls that I don't want to take and I am saved from so much harassment!

Aug 27, 2011 09:46 AM

Janice Ankrett

Burlington, ON

Staging Professional

Been there, heard that Kathy! LOL! I had the same guy call me twice recently wanting me to sponsor a speaker! No, you called me before and I declined ... oh, I guess the list is wrong ... geeeesh!

Aug 27, 2011 01:05 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Joanna- Yes, some of the comments have cited the infamous "do not call list". A lot of good it does.

Sharon- I'll count you in!!

Peggy- I have caller ID but sometimes I'll see "pvt caller" and it ends up being a friend.

Janice- Oh that is irritating! One guy was so aggressive I wanted to ask him what the make of the used car was he was trying to sell me! (no offense to used car salesmen!)

Aug 27, 2011 04:29 PM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I loved that clip. Hysterical. But I bet that salesperson didn't expect anyone to answer which is why he was eating. They certainly are dialing for dollars. It is a numbers game and they are not going to do any research ahead of time. If they did they may be a little more successful. I hang up on them all the time.

Aug 27, 2011 04:39 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Jane- don't you just love Lily Tomlin! That is a pet peeve of mine when they just let the computer dial and sit back until someone answers.

Aug 28, 2011 09:39 AM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Kathy, you're such a nice person. I would have just told him he had the wrong number! :-)

Aug 28, 2011 03:29 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Silvia- LOL-- I had to make these calls myself when I started out in business so I try to have some amount of patience.

Aug 29, 2011 12:35 PM

Anna Dovger

Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX

Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Kathy, totally agree!!!! I also like to find positive in any situation and if they can find me, than my potential clients will too.

Aug 29, 2011 02:02 PM