Posted on 04/26/2006 by avid reader
Viewed: 520 times
I live in the Chicago area and I am so sick and tired of these vultures trying to sell me everywhere I go. And by "everywhere" I do mean everywhere (including a bathroom!). I get two types. The first one (and worst) is Mary Kay and the other is Tony Robbins.
The Mary Kay one I can see coming a mile away now. These are women who hang out in places like Target, Ulta 3 and the mall. They walk around during the day looking for women to reel in. I lost of count of how many times a Mary Kay clone has come up to me trying to sell me. It's not even makeup they're seling but some sort of program or something. Each one starts the same way "Excuse me, I just have to tell you what a great look you have!" or something like "Wow, that's a great bag! You really have style!". They act like something you have has caught their attention and they just have to gush at this "amazing woman" they ran into. And then it comes..."So what do you do for a living?" followed by a lot of nodding and eye gleaming as they act fascinated. Then comes the sales pitch and the business card pawning. UGH! They come out of nowhere when I am trying to run errands on my lunch hour. Swarm!
Today is just the final straw with these people. I am sitting at Starbuck's over lunch when I see the Tony Robbins clone come in. "F*ck!" I think. Cause the last time I was at this Starbuck's, he walked up to my table and started his pitch. Sure enough...he makes his way over and like the Mary Kay numbskulls, tries the same angle "Oh is that a cool mousepad! Where did you get it?" I totally brush him off and he continues, "What do you do for a living blah blah blah". Finally I say "You know what, you already tried this before" and he acts like he doesn't get it. So I say "You're the Tony Robbins guy. I know. No thanks." But he keeps at it! Going on about how he talks to "so many people" blah blah blah. No duh, buddy now SCRAM!
What is it with you people?? Is this really how you make your living?? Preying on people who just wanna go about their days? Do I have a sign above my head that says "Possible Idiot: Talk to Me"?
Has anyone else had this experience? I feel like it's just me!
POST A COMMENTSpencer(04/26/2006)
That's how I feel when I go to Circuit City. "Can I help you?" "No, just looking, thanks", "Can I help you?", "NO. Just looking.", "Can I help you?" "NO!"
the cynic(04/26/2006)
I knew a guy I thought was pursuing me once, and thought he really liked me. he kept callin all the time, wanting to carpool to work with just me when he had other options, etc. Turned out he was trying to rope me into Primerica (I found out during the "elegant banquet" he had "felt honored" to bring me to as his date. :(
corporateSlave(04/26/2006)
Hilarious! A goof friend of mine was telling me about a time she was so excited about her first date in college. She had been studying so much and was so excited to get out socially with a guy she had a crush on. COME TO FIND OUT the "date" was to an Amway seminar where his whole family was in attendance! Instead of flowers she got a packet of Amway videos! Doh!
Chicagoan Too(04/26/2006)
Too funny! My wife was just complaining about this a few weeks ago! I had never heard of it and now I hear it twice in a month. I will mention it to her later. Unless...you're her! Hmmmmmmm.
tawanda(04/26/2006)
I'm quite certain the "clones" are as motivated as they are because rhey receive recruitment bonuses and commissions off the backs of every person they rope in...
tawanda(04/26/2006)
How often do you frequent Starbucks? Have you noticed other patrons being similarly harassed? I would hope speaking to the Starbucks manager would give you the relief you seek. Maybe they don't realize this man is upsetting and quite likely chasing their customers away.
Stupid Bosses(04/26/2006)
ok ok don't hold it against me but I once was was of the "clone" Mary Kay people. I couldn't stand it. They all feign excitment and happiness they actually teach you to be "excited". and yes they make a commission off their recruits sales and they receive promotions etc through recruting. It all was so fake and uncomfortable I quit it very quickly!
the cynic(04/26/2006)
I almost forgot...we have the Tony Robbins types in New York too, only they aren't trying to rope you into a pyramid scheme, they're trying to sell women a full facial/haircut/tan/styling package. I did the same thing the Starbucks poster mentioned once, in Washington Square Park. I told him, "Look, I know who you are, I know what you are doing, because you've already spoken to me." He got all condescending to me ("Oh come on little girl, you can't possily know. You're full of lies.") I quote! I continued to be rude, and he moved on to someone else. :P
avid reader(04/27/2006)
Yeah, tawanda, I was actually thinking about mentioning him to management at Starbuck's. But I don't go to this one that often, but you gotta think if the only two times I've gone there at lunch, I get bombarded by this guy he must frequent it. Funny thing, he was wearing one of those metal cowboy ties that "zips up" with a clasp thing in the middle (I bet the Mary Kay lady would know what it's called). His "clasp thing" was a big white polished stone. Yeah. Sexy. And Cynic - that's just how this guy was acting too. He just wouldn't let up! The first time he cornered me he started asking what I was doing that Saturday. I told him I was married and would be spending it with my husband (thinking he was trying to pick me up) he shocked me by saying "well bring your husband too" and then went on about the big Tony Robbins seminar that Saturday. BARF!
corporateSlave(04/27/2006)
Hey does anyone remember the chic in "Roger and Me" who was trying to do color consultations on women? This makes me think of her. I picture her walking up to people in Targets and trying to read their "color season". I'll never forget the scene where she does Michael Moore's color chart. Classic!
Spencer(04/27/2006)
Yeah I do. I think she's my mother in law.
New reader(04/27/2006)
Avid reader - I'm surprised those are the only two types of "business" reps have approached you; there are tons of them crawling around out there. By the way, if your interested in making more money I have an opportunity that will change your life... :)
C - -(04/27/2006)
Avid, I bet it was a bola tie, very silly western attire for men who have never been near a horse but think every woman is their cow. / / Two coworkers who never talked to me tried to chat me up when they wanted to sell something I did not need. After I declined they went back to stony silence.
you're over(04/27/2006)
i ended a friendship with a former coworker/friend when he tried to rope me into a pyramid scheme. he kept pressing and I said "if you send me those tapes I'll never speak to you again nor will i send your stuff back". haven't spoken to him since '96. Also beware of door to door "gas company" employees trying to scam you by signing up to "lock in your gas rate" one came to my door sunday afternoon(!) and after i told him i loved paying high gas prices he got indignant and i shut the door in his face a-la george jefferson! felt good too!
SouthenProgrammer(04/27/2006)
These comments compel me to segway onto another topic. I really DETEST that schools pressure kids into selling things. If you look into it, you find that most of the time the kids are actually selling products for a company that donates a small percentage to the school! So the kids are basically turned into salesmen for another company and the kids who make the highest sells are treated to parties or (in one actual case) a limo ride to a party! http://web.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/green/septembermeetingnotes.htm My head almost exploded clean off my shoulders when I read that one! If a school needs money, ask me, I will GIVE you money but I don't want the kids going door to door like salesmen. They should be out PLAYING and enjoying childhood...they have few precious years to be children and too much time to be adults worrying about making a buck.
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