The Introverted Detective: Pushy Sales People

I'm getting people on Twitter (X) and Instagram who are advertising services. I have even purchased some services from these people. What we need to talk about is when people get pushy and how we deal with it.

Courtesy of yoursalesmaven.com

While some people understand you aren't just the money they make, others just want a sale - and they want it right now! In my DMs, a good half of the salespeople who reach out are these pushy salespeople. I give credit to those who have not tried to shove me into a sale. Those people might get my money later on (for real, they might).

Online and in-person are two different problems, though. You see, I can stop responding to pushy people rather easily in my DMs. I can even block pushy salespeople in my DMs. In-person interaction is not as easy to deal with. We'll talk about general advice and what to do when someone is standing in front of you.

We'll also talk about why pushy sales practices don't work. I have elaborated as to why they don't work. The outcomes are not good.

Why Pushy Sales Don't Work

If you've ever avoided in-person retail stores because you hate salespeople pushing you into anything, you aren't alone. The number one word in a HubSpot survey about salespeople was "pushy". HubSpot suggests several things to be a less avoidable salesperson. I'll give you the basic gist, but you can look at the whole thing in my sources (the first link).

Many of these rules are basic decency, such as letting your prospect off the phone, not messaging repeat messages, and not spamming. Others can be summed up as listening to objections and not saying "but..." in response. It states you should take no for an answer. If you are with a salesperson online or in person who doesn't do this, ask for a new person or leave. Stop interacting with them entirely. Online you have the luxury of blocking them. It's much easier online. At the end of the day, getting a sale comes down to creating a relationship and understanding when to back off.

I can tell you why pushy doesn't work. Introverts like me will run for the hills and take ten steps back, no matter what you offer and how great it is. Being loud at someone who doesn't want your attention is the worst way to sell something. They might dodge you by leaving the store or ghosting/blocking you. DMs can also be "loud", especially when you spam someone and insist on an answer when they clearly aren't interested. I lead those messages with the fact I'm not a guaranteed sale. Not listening as a salesperson can cost you sales in the future. Pay attention. "I'm here if you need help" goes a long way. Learn from bookstore salespeople. They know what they are doing.

Mind And Metrics talks about sales tactics that don't work anymore. Online sales have changed the game for many salespeople. We can do the research. We don't usually need help looking up the information (minus a few cases here and there). The first sales tactic they condemn is excessive contact. This is bombarding customers with emails, calls, texts, or messages. Unless someone is actively responding and interested, give them 24 hours before sending anything else. Another mistake is telling instead of asking. So, "you need this" vs "do you want my services?". I don't think I have to explain why this turns anyone off (especially me). Rushing customers will also wreck a sale. I have experienced this personally and no one who rushed me is getting my business. Pushing the most expensive packages in an era where Google is at someone's fingertips is also a mistake. Arguing, interrupting, faking enthusiasm, and selling to the wrong people are not good either.

What's worse than a pushy salesperson, though? The aftershock of it to whomever they represent - or they block their own success in their small business. Why is that? Let me explain. The tactics you just read about can make someone with no backbone buy something to get a person off their back, but they'll never come back and their word of mouth might deter others. Others may just walk out and report aggressive sales behavior on the internet, where the business takes the blow and a bad review is posted. Like me, others hate the pushy "buy my stuff" attitude and won't suggest or use that business because we don't want to work with pushy people. Too much rude spamming and argumentative behavior will shove clients out the door and bury a business. One bad salesperson might not take it down with them (especially if they are not hired for long), but consistent bad salespeople can take a business and wreck it. Or they can kill off their own business.

How To Deal With Salespeople Who Get Pushy

The first tip is to ask yourself if they are assertive or aggressive. Assertive will give you more information when you hesitate and ask questions to understand you more. Aggressive will push to get the sale and get frustrated at you, maybe threatening that the discount is for a limited time only. In other words, if they don't accept "no" as an answer, you've got an aggressive one on your hands.

Secondly, be aware of your emotions. Listen to your instincts. If someone tries to guilt you into a product or feels phony they are playing you. Trying too hard to be your friend is a neon sign. When you buy with a spouse, don't let them separate you and always present a united front. Trying to get one person to agree to a higher price by coaxing them away from their partner is dirty dealing. Don't fall for it.

Say you are just looking every time. You're not? Too bad. Say it anyway. It sets a boundary right off the bat. "No, thank you" and "No" are phrases you should be able to say to salespeople everywhere. No is a complete sentence. Say it if you're not interested. It saves both you and the salesperson time.

Courtesy of yoursalesmaven.com

Also, come there with research (car lots, appliances, big purchases...). Say you have a limited budget in car lots. It helps them not add stuff or suggest add-ons. Say you don't have time for a sales pitch and create your own time limit. It shuts down what you didn't ask to hear. This is good for car sales, but also for many other areas. Let them know you are open to all the options. On cars, it is also better to finance your own (not dealer financing). Eat before you get there so you don't rush yourself by needing lunch. Again, specifically on cars, visit dealerships towards the end of the month because sales quotas leave no time for long-winded pitches.

Knowing a real limited-time offer from a fake one is huge. It gives you the power to call their bluff in the store or showroom. If someone dodges questions it is a red flag. Go elsewhere if the questions are being dodged or they refuse to clarify (or make it more confusing).

Oh, and my favorite thing (sarcasm), artificial deadlines! Don't let them shove you into that. It's a sham. There is no deadline most of the time. Some things are limited time, but if someone claims "you must buy it now!" without giving you time to think it's dirty sales. Insist you need to speak to someone about it or tell them you need time to think in a firm voice. If you need to leave, do so. I'd even advocate the risk of being called a "Karen" and calling a manager. When the manager shows up (or they are the manager), leave that complaint with their name attached to it. I don't often advocate complaints, but this might actually stop them from being pushy in the future.

Phone salespeople are never fun, unless you asked for the call yourself. If you didn't, ask to be removed from their call list and hang up. Don't feel guilty about it. Don't prolong the conversation. While you could have fun with them and try to keep them on the line for an extended time, I wouldn't do that all the time. Also, phone calling is exhausting so they might just hate their job (in some isolated cases). Be merciful.

Stall that salesperson. Say you'll come back later. I do this in my messages and ghost them. Many have gotten the hint and others message days later asking for a yes or no. In person is when this is the most effective, as long as you never come back. As a seller at a flea market, this hits differently. Flea markets are full of little vendors and you have to make a decision on what you truly want. Sometimes it isn't pushy people that make customers say "I'll come back"; sometimes you're in a flea market or there are too many options to choose from. But in the case of pushy, this at least gets them off your back.

Remember commissions exist. Those people that say "oh, but it isn't complete without (fill in the blank)" probably get some money from add-ons. Bring friends for a second opinion when dress shopping and getting cars. Extended warranty anyone? Yeah, they only want the commission.

Watch your agenda and the agenda of the person trying to sell to you. If their agenda is to get you to pay more than x amount of dollars and you don't intend to, you can push back more effectively once you've figured it out. It gives you control when you know the agendas of who you're talking to. In this case, "no" will be effective. You can then take control and enforce your agenda (for example, the goal to only spend Y amount of dollars in the store). Ask yourself "where will their agenda take me?" or "if I look at exceptions will I see this differently?". Bias shows up everywhere. When you find it you'll save yourself from manipulation. That's a good thing to do in any situation with pushy people.

Repeat yourself. Be a broken record. Avoid "I can't" and go straight to "don't", "won't", and "no". This is hard to do in person. This is easy to do online. I ghost and block online. It gets the job done. In person, though, you have to have that backbone. Say you are not interested in a firm, strong voice.

Let me add one thing here; they are people, too. Remain calm, firm, and kind. Make complaints if you need to and tie their name to that complaint. There is an option for making them uncomfortable, but put yourself in their place. I know petty is what comes out in some people, but please, don't harass any individuals if you opt to make them uncomfortable. Look them in the eye, say you need them to leave you alone, and move on. It's the higher road. Besides, if they still pursue you can add that to a complaint (tied to their name). This is one situation where "I want to talk to your manager" is appropriate. They can call you a "Karen" if they want to, but it is a power move to talk to their manager and leave a complaint. It might make them stop the aggressive sales tactics.

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