WTF!

Its spooky this "you and your wife" stuff. They will play the couple against each other, ie. womens emotion / keep up with jones's etc, and try to make the man look stupid etc. Nasty. Some of these folks are real skilled manipulators. Do not talk to them ! Simon.

Very good advice.

In the presence of a salesman my wife always turns to me and says "Which do you like best". Implying that a purchase is a foregone conclusion. I then have to find a justification for not concluding the purchase. This I do and the salesman shoots it down. To find a second objection at this stage appears churlish.

Nowadays we just don't get involved with high pressure sales situations.

DG

The above is often true. But the requirement to have H&W both present is also because if you only get to talk to one they will (hopefully if you are their SO) say that they cannot come to any decision until they have discussed it with their partner. And the cold light of day last night's special deal will probably look anything but special.

Read this request as a big warning sign.

WHAT?

You think men don't do that? I've never known a woman want to keep up with anyone.

There's no need to try.

Seriously, it's wrong to waste a couple's time when either knows what s/he wants. I'd be tempted to have them round, ply them with tea, keep them talking for a l-o-n-g time then refuse to buy anything.

Mary

If anyone *has* to have these people in...

Arrange the seating so that it's impossible for the salesman to look at you both at once (i.e. angle A-B-C is something like 150 degrees, saleman being B and you being A and C). Really puts them off their stride.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are people out there who have invited this type of salesman round with the intention of taking the piss and winding them up, but have in the end have bought whatever they were selling.

Did once with a Kirby saleswomen, as soon as she found out my wife had gone to work she took my free gift back and left, Bloody Cheek!!!

Dave

The message from gort contains these words:

I wouldn't have let her. It's a free gift - it's mine.

Pete, you mention the North West so if you're anywhere near Preston give Sharbeck Windows a call. Regulars in this group will know I've mentioned them before. They're just a two-man band and they've been in the business for around 30 years. They are listed in Yellow Pages but they don't actually advertise - they don't need to. All their work comes by word-of-mouth, personal recommendations from satisfied customers, and friends.

I've been friends with them since around 1979 but I'm also a very satisfied customer (as was my mam and other friends), which is why I have no hesitation in recommending them.

John.

good idea.

Mary

That's the best recommendation for any service.

Mary

Could be, although it's a waste of an evening. We did actually buy double glazing some 20 years ago, and invited our shortlist of three on successive evenings. This screwed up their 'sign tonight' spiel anyway (they capitulated and said we had 3 days) but in the event we went with a company who gave no additional discounts and no time limits.

And arrange *lots* of phone calls from friends/neighbours to keep interrupting them - especially if the phone's in another room and you take turns to answer it.

Also use large cups and put a diuretic tablet in the sales rep's tea.

Owain

And tie up the ballcock arm so he can't flush the lav ...

Mary

Oh that one I'm going to remember!

The answer is "I love this one" (either one), "but it's so much more expensive than the one we saw last week", "it would need to be A LOT cheaper than that".

Or "I think they're both really, really shoddy, I wouldn't fit them in a cowshed"

Making up tactics with yor partner beforehand to get the upperhand with salesmen is fun.

Remember the answer to "What car do you drive now sir?" , "Beige Lada".

Also "I can't see you until tomorrow, as I have my insolvency hearing"

"I'm already a member"

"It's rented"

"I just bought one"

"We're actually not interested in your product at all, we invited you round for a laugh, and to see how crap your product is"

Realistically, I wouldn't do that sort of thing with any but that the most pushy, intrusive salesmen, that haven't accepted a polite "No thank you".

funny, but risk of jail

NT

Might be a bad idea, he'll probably end up using the washbasin instead.

Some chilli paste smeared on the bathroom inside doorknob might be interesting; it'll be the last thing he touches before unzipping.

Owain