Yes, there are things salespeople do that customers hate. However, hate is a strong word. Personally, I can’t say I hate salespeople who do these ten things, but when they do them, I’m done. Not only am I done, but I tell others about my unfortunate experience, for example, an HVAC company that came to my house last year, but that’s another story. So, what are the top ten things that salespeople do that customers abhor? Here are mine.

My Top 10 Things Salespeople Do that Customers Hate

  1. A Song and Dance

I don’t want a canned sales presentation that’s the same for every client.  I want a salesperson who knows and understands my needs. I don’t need or want a song and dance.

  1. A Confidence Buddy-Up Approach

I like to get to know people as much as the next person, but when it’s evident that a salesperson is only trying to find common ground to gain my confidence and build trust, I shut down.

  1. Old School Sales Psychology Techniques

Don’t attempt to trick, cajole, or lead me to a sale because I want to be advised not sold. “Today’s best sales consultants are problem solvers. They don’t have a one-size-fits-all for every customer because no two customers have the same concerns, wants, and needs.” —  Old School Sales vs. New Age Consultants

  1. Short-Term Thinking Rather Than Long-Term Planning

I don’t want to solve a problem today by creating one in the future. Help me with my long-term goals and permanent solutions to my most pressing issues if you want me to listen to what you have to share.

  1. Over Promising

Don’t tell me what I want to hear if it’s not going to happen. Prepare me for all contingencies or lose me as a customer forever. “If you over-promise to secure an order, chances are you will have a difficult time with an unhappy customer, who will never call you again, and then tell others about their poor experience. Not such a good plan, is it?” —  Should You Under-Promise to Over-Deliver?

  1. Opinions

Unless I ask for it I don’t need your opinion; I need facts.

  1. Hard Sale

I don’t want to be sold; I want to be helped, advised, and consulted.

  1. Unsolicited Advice

Don’t give me advice I didn’t ask for, especially when it has little to do with solving my problems.

  1. More Work

I don’t want to have to jump through hoops to work with you. Be easy to work with, and put me, the customer, first.

  1. Lies

Lying isn’t only telling a bold face falsehood; when information is withheld, watered down, or spun, it’s still a lie, and that’s the end of the road for me. Once a salesperson has misled me, there’s no coming back.

What’s Your Top Ten?

There are my top ten things I don’t want from a salesperson. What did I omit? What would you add? So, what stories can you share?

 New Age Consulting

When I was younger, I used every sales trick in the book and even invented a few. I used these tactics to sell and taught others how to dupe a customer into buying the product I wanted to sell, which was only sometimes what the consumer needed. I’m not proud of my early years in sales. I was “that” Salesperson.

Eventually, I learned that helping customers rather than “selling” them built lasting relationships. It not only made good business sense, but it also felt good. It was the right thing to do. Are you ready to do the right thing? Do you want to learn how to be a compassionate sales consultant and increase sales while building your customer base? If so, read this book. How to Sell Without Becoming “that” Salesperson

If you like this post, you might also appreciate 5 Things Top Consultants Do.

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