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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Notice to Mattress salespeople

Notice to mattress salespeople - stop.

Stop trying to sell a mattress to me by describing the pounds of human cells, sweat and other bodily droppings that are imbedded (imbedded! HA!) in my mattress.  I heard a commercial this morning that basically described any mattress as a toxic dump.  Your scare tactics won't work, instead I am going to keep my mattress a bit longer and just ask my exterminator to spray it.

And while I am at it, the new commercial for. "I've fallen and can't get up" sounds more like water boarding than someone at the bottom of the stairs.  Please stop.

How about the folks who call selling medical supplies pretending like they work with your doctor.  "it's time to reorder, what would you like?"  One caller made a terrible mistake when he suggested I didn't want my husband to stay healthy since I wasn't buying his particular medical line of love.  The last person who threatened me that way dealt with impotence and baldness after a small but reliable curse I place on people who displease me.   We had an understanding before he hung up that he would never call again.

How about the calls that sound like they are from your credit card company, but are really just folks looking to consolidate your debt?  They make it sound like you missed a payment?  Mistake

And while I am on the subject, never ever respond to anyone calling me about carpet cleaning.  They offer a great deal, come to your home and tell you they cannot possibly clean your hideous carpet without using the same formula Superman drinks every morning.  Which by the way is far and above the quoted price.  No matter what..do not ever allow them to clean your carpet, I don't care if all of your furniture is outside and you have a party the next day....get them out of your house and find someone who isn't using fraud as a marketing tool.  Be strong!!

Ever get your oil changed only to get a list of possible problems that claim would keep you from getting your children to soccer practice safely?  Aren't you a better mother than that?  And then 60 minutes shows up....fabulous.

There is a solution....find someone with a personal reference.  Ask your friends for referrals and then take a minute to call and ask about their experience.  Find someone who has used their exterminator for years, the same carpet cleaner, the same mechanic, the same appliance repairman the same caterer, the same hairdresser and stockbroker.  Buyer beware means it's on you.  There are lots of people out there who do a great job.  Repairmen who get a charge (ha!) out of fixing your stuff. It's like a puzzle to them...they love it, and they know how much their time is worth.  There are air conditioning guys who are thrilled to turn on a newly repaired unit and give you relief, my carpet guy (All American Carpet Cleanres) is the happiest man I have ever met.  When I get new carpet - which I desperately need - he is going to miss me.  We have a great relationship because he has singlehandedly gotten my carpet through years longer than it should have.  We have shared salsa recipes and family stories.  Mark Andrews (markandrewphotography.blogspot.com) who took all the pictures for my website and is simply amazing.  Also, I love my butcher because he is thrilled to find enough chicken for me when we put an event together.  Melissa who lovingly grooms my dogs so well that they wag their tails when we arrive at Love-A-Pup!!

Think of all the people who make your life work....reward them with referrals and your thanks.  I am not saying you shouldn't learn to do things for yourself, right now my husband is changing my daughter's brakes, but don't think you have to do everything yourself.  I heard a man admit he hired a handyman to tackle a list a mile and a year long that his wife had waved in front of his face for months.  The squeaky door, the leaky faucet, the broken window, the door latch, the fan that needed to be installed and some shelves that needed to be hung.  All so annoying!!  When his wife came home to an all fixed house she was elated!!  Weeks later he confessed to her he had hired it out.  And guess what?  She was furious!  She felt he should have fixed everything himself and he felt nothing but relief and peace that it was done.  Isn't that what keeps us from some projects?  We think we can do it, and either we can't or don't have time and it never gets done.

So, bless my heart, I am opening the cage, fly my friends, fly!!  Hire someone you trust, someone that you will have to pay, but deserve the pay for a job well done.  Lets get the economy going!!




19 comments:

  1. There's a scam for every day of the week, isn't there?

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  2. I love the reference to carpet cleaners-- I actually know someone that went to prison for exactly what you mention. You are exactly right about getting references-- and with social media, it is easier than ever. Just post what you're looking for, and you'll have lots of options, and really quick!

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    1. social media has helped our business very much...the carpet thing actually happened to me, It gave me such pleasure to toss him out and then call his company!

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  3. Wife and I discussed the Is your Mattress over 8 Commercial. Funny, They come with a 20 yr warranty.

    I love doing the Family brakes, folks at works brakes and the neighbors brakes. I do not know why. I just cant stop.

    Ah, and the OOfishal looking letter from your supposed car warranty company saying it is expiring. Well Duh its 14 yrs old.

    Lawn company sales guy showed up at the house this morning. We talked a while cause he interrupted my work so I interrupted his route. He admitted he didnt use his company. Really......

    Fun post, I love watching sales gimicks.

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    1. LOVE the mistep on the warranty and the replacement times!! So funny...I love that you read my blog...thank you so much!!

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  4. Hey!... we won a boat! A Free boat! A two man blow up boat..Shipping & handling only $695. You WON! $300 waterless cookware & well fix you dinner! Just invite at least 4 couples?... shepest pan- $395 for a single pan!...or a 10" electric skillet only $895? Super Scam! Carpet Cleaning ...3 rooms only 29.99? Yep, you'll need a stronger chemical cleaner only $50 more...OUT-OUT OUT! There's a "Ripoff.com" I think...there are so many! lol

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    1. Who really responds to those things? I guess I have....I did end up with 2 airline tickets, but it is so much work getting them. Easier to just earn more money

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  5. Funny! Roof guy game to tell us he could see the damage to our tile roof from the street....& our insurance company would pay for an entire new roof because our roofing tiles were obsolete... Offered a free inspection...but we thought it strange he had a hammer in his tool kit. Everyone has a gimmick!

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    1. I think most people are depending on us being really stupid or just sleepy. Love the hammer routine. I hope it is rubber so you wouldn't be able to hear him breaking tiles

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  6. What you describe is why (a Baby Boomer!) disposed of our land line telephone. After a move a few years ago, we had to get a new land line telephone number. Nobody ever called it except all the types of folks you describe----and you didn't even mention the robo calls from politicians ---- and I raced across a room, tripping over the dog, to answer that call?? Now, we just use our cell phones. PS: My Monday job---waiting for the plumber to come fix a leak he supposedly fixed last year.

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    1. I keep trying to get rid of my land line, but they pull me back in!! I hope the leak gets fixed, if not....I've got a guy!!

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  7. I always ask my friends for referrals. Just had a water leak in the house... :-( They didn't fix it right the first time...this time=no charge. The plumber said his reputation was more important than the money!

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    1. That is a great plumber! Every time I go in my closet I think about you. I hope your move is going well!!

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    2. We decided not to move for at least another year.

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  8. I use friends for referrals a lot, and I also use Yelp. If there are enough reviews, it's quite reliable. We've found some excellent helpers that way.

    =)

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    1. i got a great referral from yelp...the woman called me seconds after my daughter posted it. We all felt it was divine intervention...

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  9. We have a simple solution at out house: we just never answer the home phone. We've successfully evaded all politicians (including Mitt Romney who I might have wanted to talk to) and all sales people, crooked or otherwise. For now, no one has bothered us on our cell phones. *fingers crossed* And yes: referrals from friends are golden!

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  10. I agree with some of the sales pitches being totally generic and prompting fear. I was in sales for Fortune 500 companies for 27 years so I enjoy a good sales pitch and recognize a bad one!

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