The "Up Sell"

[Sly]

I come to a simple message board to read about television and music. Now I am being asked to join a worldwide movement. Seems like an upsell to me.

 

[Sly]

I come to a simple message board to read about television and music. Now I am being asked to join a worldwide movement. Seems like an upsell to me.

Hey, those people are just doing their jobs. They don't want to ask you any more than you want to tell them no.

It won't cost you anything other than being prepared with snappy retort when cashier does more than just letting your pay your bill.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Why do you hate America?

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Saying "no" can be so taxing.

 

[KJIM]

For me, it's the post office that's exhaustive.

kjim: I'd just like to send this media mail, please.
usps: Is there anything fragile, flammable or perishable?
kjim: No. It's media mail - just a book.
usps: Would you like confirmation of delivery?
kjim: No thank you. Just media mail, please
usps: Would you like to purchase any stamps, envelopes, shipping material or phone cards?
kjim: No thank you. Just media mail, please.

Yes, life's too short, but get real. It takes almost no time for them to ask (and they're generally continuing to push buttons and ring up merchandise as they're talking anyway - they're on automatic, too) and little time for me to respond.

Perhaps you've watched "Falling Down" once too often.

 

[21]

I'm amazed by the way people give out their phone number just because the sales clerk asked for it...like it's required by law to give your phone number when purchasing towels or paper towels.

Then they can't understand why telemarketers are calling every night during dinner.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

No means **** no.

 

[Boom_70]

XM Baseball, phone numbers, wtf? How did this thread morph like that? Anyway, at this one takeout joint near my house where the food's too good not to go elsewhere, they always ask for the number. So now I always read their own number off the menu, which somehow only registers with a small fraction of the silly kids taking the order.

If I am asked for phone number I either say it very fast or give them Jenny's phone # 867- 5309

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Fixed.

I hope.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

If I am asked for phone number I either say it very fast or give them Jenny's phone # 867- 5309

I actually did that once. And the clerk types it in and the computer says its a fake number, so the clerk says if you didn't want to give your phone number just say no. I just thought to myself, don't ask for my phone number so your people can call me at all hours then.

 

[Starman]

If I am asked for phone number I either say it very fast or give them Jenny's phone # 867- 5309

I actually did that once. And the clerk types it in and the computer says its a fake number, so the clerk says if you didn't want to give your phone number just say no. I just thought to myself, don't ask for my phone number so your people can call me at all hours then.

1-800-382-5633.

 

[zeke12]

Am I the only one to whom this thread makes absolutely no sense?

 

[21]

Am I the only one to whom this thread makes absolutely no sense?

It made sense this morning when Boom started it--then it got moved and stuff got lost and poor Sly is wondering why he ever registered here at all.

Here's the gist--You go into the bank to get some cash, they ask you if you are happy with your mortgage rate. You go into the 7-11 for coffee, they ask if you want a pastry or lottery tickets with that. You go into Sports Authority to buy socks, paying with cash, they want your address. Why do they need your address? For 'marketing opportunities.' Boom tells the clerk 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the clerk asks for the zip code.

Then some gremlins got into the thread and everything got weird. Still looking for the thread on The Band, if anyone finds it behind the sofa cushion or under the floor mat in the car.

 

[Moderator1]

Still have no clue about that one.

 

[Gold]

21: I think the zip code for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is 20515.

 

[21]

21: I think the zip code for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is 20515.

Well, too late now, we had to go to Target for the socks.

 

[Boom_70]

I come to a simple message board to read about television and music. Now I am being asked to join a worldwide movement. Seems like an upsell to me.

Sly - I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

When I worked at Crack Barrel, we were constantly being told to increase our transaction percentage, or the percentage of transactions in which at least one retail item was purchased. Reason -- it made the retail manager look good. Didn't do a damn thing for the bottom line that matters (mine), so **** it. As a cashier, all I can really do is sell the impulse buy items on the counter, and oddly enough, people who don't want licorice aren't going to want it any more because you asked them to buy a package while it's staring them in the face. Besides, isn't harassing the guest (never call 'em customers at the Barrel) counterproductive to enhancing guest service? You'd think.

Could be worse, though. Could be the passive-aggressive Barnes and Noble clerks asking you for your member rewards card (PROTIP: If I had a ****ing member rewards card, I wouldn't need you to ask me for it because it'd already be out). Could also be the department store whores asking if you want to sign up for a 25.9% store credit card. But you get 10 percent off your first purchase! Yeah, I got your 10 percent right down here.

 

[Boom_70]

When I worked at Crack Barrel, we were constantly being told to increase our transaction percentage, or the percentage of transactions in which at least one retail item was purchased. Reason -- it made the retail manager look good. Didn't do a damn thing for the bottom line that matters (mine), so **** it. As a cashier, all I can really do is sell the impulse buy items on the counter, and oddly enough, people who don't want licorice aren't going to want it any more because you asked them to buy a package while it's staring them in the face. Besides, isn't harassing the guest (never call 'em customers at the Barrel) counterproductive to enhancing guest service? You'd think.

Could be worse, though. Could be the passive-aggressive Barnes and Noble clerks asking you for your member rewards card (PROTIP: If I had a ****ing member rewards card, I wouldn't need you to ask me for it because it'd already be out). Could also be the department store whores asking if you want to sign up for a 25.9% store credit card. But you get 10 percent off your first purchase! Yeah, I got your 10 percent right down here.

Exactly - the rewards cards are the height of annoyance. Buy a million dollars of pills with us this year and we'll give your 20 cents and a bunch of worthless coupons. We'll also sell your address to a bunch of list companies so that your are inundated with junk mail.

You hit on the word - HARRASMENT

I tell the clerks that I have no room left in my wallet but that I would be happy to wait list them if spot opens up.

 

[audreyld]

I worked at Walgreen's once, and had to encourage people to buy crispy Butterfingers or reusable disposable cameras.

Both were an easy sell in the end, the candy bars because they were really cheap and the cameras because they seem like a good deal.

But I hate selling and was completely miserable there. The easiest upsell in the world is "Would you like fries and a drink with that?".