Modern Sales Tactics

Pyrotex · 05-01-2006

The following is true, and occurred on Friday, April 28, 2006. I attest that the following actually happened to me, no shit!

I needed bids on a new Air Conditioner (AC) and called Sears first, and made an appointment. I took off my lunch break, Friday, and went home to meet the AC sales rep. The Sears guy showed up on time, and proceeded to examine my outside unit, and go up the folding ladder into the attic to see the internal components. He 'cluck-clucked' over the terrible condition of my 20 year-old AC, heater and ducts.

And he told me that the light bulb in the attic was burned out. He tried to turn it on, but nothing happened. I made a note to have my wife change it, since I cannot climb ladders.

He then warned me of all the "nasty tricks" those small independent AC dealers would pull on me to get me to buy into their so-called bargains. We agreed to change out the AC and the ducts, but keep the heater. The total cost was $10K. But... he would give me a 10% discount if I signed on the dotted line immediately.

I said I had to get at least one more bid before I made up my mind, and that penalizing me a thousand bucks because I waited a few days to make a decision was unfair and quite frankly, offensive business practice. He departed soon after.

That afternoon, the cool, drizzly weather passed over, the sun came out, and the house began to warm up. By 7 PM, it was really warm, so I went to adjust the thermostat. The AC would not come on. Neither would the fan! I spent the night at 80 degrees with no AC and just a small electric fan.

Saturday AM, I called a local, well-established AC dealer/repair shop. The guy showed up on time, climbed the folding ladder--"click"--and the AC came on! He told me that someone had turned off the master AC/heater switch for the entire house! It was the Sears guy! He thought he was turning on the attic light, but instead, he had turned off the master switch which was clearly marked "AC & Heat"!

The local guy gave me a bid. He would replace the AC --and-- the heater for $6,500. A savings of $3,500 with a NEW HEATER thrown in for free!! And, it was a higher quality AC with greater efficiency. And, he told me to keep my original ductwork, it was in great shape, and of an older type that could not be bought any more. Replacing it would have been a big mistake.

With the local guy sitting there, I called the Sears guy on his cell phone. With great and gleeful delight, I told him how he had really fucked up, and left me to sleep in my own sweat all night long. He squirmed like a worm on a hook and tried to apologize every way he could think of. I hung up on him.

Ahhhh, satisfaction.

Racoon · 05-01-2006

Those guys are crooks. Guy probably got off on turning off your AC.
"Oops! I'm sorry I meant to do that."

We had the same problem with my Grandpa's heating. Guy came over: "oh yeah, you're gonna need a new one"
We called the PUD, and had one of their guys come over. a $75 dollar sprocket wire or whatever...not a whole new setup.

What pisses you off is that they think they can fool you!
Sorry Asshole, I wasn't born yesterday you greedy, no-good, son of a &*#^%$(#@!&&()

Other slimey sales Tactics...

Buy NOW!, No payments or Interest for 3 years!

Pyrotex · 05-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racoon

Those guys are crooks. ...Other slimey sales Tactics...
Buy NOW!, No payments or Interest for 3 years!

Yeah.
Right.

What they really mean, is that they won't require you to PAY the interest for one year. But the debt DOES accumulate interest!! So, at the end of the year, instead of owing, say, $5,000, you owe $6,000!!! GRRRRRR...

Buffy · 05-01-2006

Its amazing that companies think this is a good sales tactic, but the fact is its like spam: because so many people just don't want to lift a finger to check things out, its easy to rip people off (cf. oil companies by the way).

I've got a friend who's an electrical/plumbing/a/c contractor and I've used him for everything: he gives me advice, but he's happy to have me take him down to Home Depot or the local distributor, use his contractor's discount, put it directly on my card: he hauls it back to the house and installs it. I pay him well above the going rate for the labor because its *cheaper* for me, and he's happy to handle emergencies on weekends (I might have a problem during the Superbowl or his wedding anniversary, but...)

There really are honest people out there. Make sure you network with your friends: you can find the good ones if you work at it....

Can barely tell the water heater from the A/C,
Buffy

InfiniteNow · 05-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffy

I've got a friend who's an electrical/plumbing/a/c contractor and I've used him for everything: he gives me advice, but he's happy to have me take him down to Home Depot or the local distributor, use his contractor's discount, put it directly on my card: he hauls it back to the house and installs it. I pay him well above the going rate for the labor because its *cheaper* for me, and he's happy to handle emergencies on weekends

I sometimes forget just what the world might be like if I, too, were an intelligent, attractive woman such as yourself.

Pyro... see if Houston has a rebate program for the new high efficiency A/C. I just installed one in my new home and city of Austin is giving me something like $700 back.

Cheers.

Buffy · 05-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

I sometimes forget just what the world might be like if I, too, were an intelligent, attractive woman such as yourself.

Tee hee! But I'm better friends with his wife than with him, and while he's working, we sit in the backyard and make jokes about his manhood.... so my looks are really not it: its the size of the fund for his well-stocked bar at home for him and his buddies that I'm contributing to...

Catty,
Buffy