You LOST Me At “Hello”

My phone just rang.  The caller introduced himself as Dave Somebody. 

“Hi Dave, how can I help you?” I asked.

Well, I represent a company that compiles memorabila for your loved ones.” -pause – HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.

I am racking my brain. Is this a prank? Is this my brother? I’m thinking back over his name – did I recognize it?  Nope. He continues.

“We compile photos and stories into a book that you can present to your aging loved one, kind of a ‘this is your life’ keepsake. We find they like it a lot.”

HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.

pause.

I said “okaaaaaay.”

HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.  “I always love to hear how people respond to our product. I’ve been in sales a long time and this is a very different product for me to sell.” HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.

“So do you think this is a product you’d be interested in?”

This whole time I am waiting to see if this is a prank but I don’t think so. This is the guy’s sales pitch. Now he can’t know that my neighbor died unexpected yesterday or that I have a very close friend just diagnosed with stage four cancer. And yet the product he is selling is geared towards those wanting to provide a retrospective of someone’s life- perhaps a gift you give toward the end of someone’s life.  A sensitive product.  A product that would be filled with love and memories and yes, perhaps laughter but not the HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER this guy was giving me shortly after he said hello.

“So is this a product you’d be interested in?” he asked.

“No.”

“Oh.”  He sounds very surprised. 

“And frankly,” I continued. “Your sales approach is offensive given the sensitive nature of your product.”

“Oh.”

I am still not sure if this was a prank.  Or his first day on the job.  Or just his approach. It is like the guy in the bar that comes up and says “haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” And you are like – really?  That really works for you?

This isn’t a sales blog but certainly that sales conversation is all about make or break moments.  Moments when you begin to develop a lifelong relationship with your customer.

HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER over a product that encompasses the gift of memories isn’t going to win friends or influence people.

I just had to share because if you know someone who thinks this approach works…..it sure doesn’t with me.