i think that he is weird/blur/strange...
By victorywp
@victorywp (3524)
United States
May 12, 2009 5:24am CST
yesterday morning, i called up a salesman (rodney) who is selling office supplies.
i said "hi i'm*victor* from*company*, are you still working with ABC because i would like to buy some*brand&model* facsimile ink films from you.
he answered "what ABC? i'm working with XYZ. yes i did sell the item & it's only*price*."then he asked for my phone number & said that he will call me back tomorrow because he is driving at the moment.
my curiosity:
1) he doesn't have to call me back because it's just a standard item & he already gave me the price. he just needed to send me or ask someone to send me, right?
2) he asked for my phone number? i thought my number already recorded in his cellphone after he picked up my call? anyway i gave him my office number assuming that he is asking for my office number. however, this morning he called my cellphone!
3) he pretended that he did not know ABC & said that he is working with XYZ but this morning he called & said "hi, it's me rodney from ABC!"4) he said that he will call me back tomorrow because he is driving at the moment. if 'driving' is his reason, i believe that he can call me back in the same day (if he wants) because it's still morning at the time i called. if he is on a long journey back, then he should have said that he is in 'outstation' instead of 'driving'?
5) he is able to write (my office number) while driving but he is unable to just confirm the deal with another sentence? writing while driving might be the easiest task for him than anything?what do you think of this person? have you met someone like this too?
7 people like this
23 responses
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
12 May 09
Well, first off it's very dangerous to use a mobile when driving - not least for the poor sap you crash into because you're not paying attention to the road! but then I'd assume any office cell phone would come equipped with hands free - hope so anyway ...
ABC/XYZee angle: Could be he freelances as a sales rep for more than one company - either that or he'd been driving for a very long time without sleep!
Re asking for your number: Sounds to me that he's got this 'sales patter' he uses in the office or out of it, and he just span off his usual 'one-size-fits-all' spiel that he'd use if, for example, you'd called when he was about to go to lunch.
The fact he called the number stored on his phone suggests he couldn't write your other number down, meaning he probably was driving - just had a thought? Couldn't be his boss from company XYZ was sitting there next to him, unaware his 'salesman of the month' was moonlighting for a rival company, could it?!
Intriguing discussion - not least because it proves some MyLotters do actual REAL work for a living!!!
2 people like this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
12 May 09
That's the trouble with MyLot - when you respond to a 'friend has started a discussion' email, you don't get to read the rest of the discussion first!
You must be getting fed up repeating yourself ...!
In that case, though, the person sitting next to him was his bank manager/business partner/someone else he'd ripped off.
And yes, you were quite right not to place the order.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
it's alright for me to repeat. actually i think that my response to the responder above came at the same time you responded. i believe that you won't see my response above even if mylot has the feature to show all responses. so it's not your fault anyway.:)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
i agree that it's dangerous to talk on phone while driving. but i don't think that is his reason because he could end the call earlier by agreeing to send me the item, rather than asking for my phone number, right?
for ABC/XYZ angle, i can say that he is not a freelancer or sales representative for more than one company. both ABC & XYZ companies are actually written in the namecard that he gave me earlier. maybe his ABC company is having financial problem & people keep calling for payments. LOL!
thanks for your response!:D
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi victory! I think that this guy is playing some kind of
game with you! I think that you should find somewhere else
that is reputable to get whatever the product that you
need is! This person is not reputable! And the next time
that he does call you I think you should tell him that he
shouldn't contact you again or you will call the police and
report him! Find a store to get the office supply from! It
is alot easier and safer! This guy is crazy and up to something!
2 people like this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
12 May 09
I work as an employee,and don't need to be calling Reps on their cellphones,so I was wondering Why did You need to ask the guy was he still working with ABC? how long has it been since you last ordered from him? Did He give some indication last time he was thinking of a change? It does seem a bit odd that the guy is able to juggle at least 2 companies in the same line of business,have such a good memory as to be able to give you a price quote of an item from his inventory for a model specific fax ink refill off the top of his head while driving somewhere,take down your number (I sure hope he has a handsfree setup in the car,cos using a notepad and pen while driving is a helluva trick..not to mention distracting,maybe illegal (depending where you are!) and dangerous..!) or maybe he could do this inventory check and pull up your details to verify your order on his laptop computer on the passenger seat? (still dangerous!) Maybe he works for a distributor XYZ and has a freelance sideline ABC that XYZ doesn't know about? If You've dealt with the guy before and had no problem with his price or service,what's the issue? If there was something funny about previous transactions or He'd not delivered as promised,then sure,go elsewhere..I've met guys like this before,having a "Day" job,and running an associated sideline in their time off..so long as they deliver in either capacity,I have no problem with that!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
12 May 09
With You now...Yep,it's not an easy decision to make to work with someone if there's something "Off" about the way they do their business!
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
you are right, shepherdspy. actually i also called another office supplier & the salesman said that he is on something & will call me back. but this person called me back within 10 minutes time. compared to the strange salesman who wanted to call back the next day, this salesman is more serious in doing business.:)
@celticeagle (167031)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 09
I can't say as I have dealt with people like him. I think I would check into it alittle more before doing business with him. See if BBB has anything on him. Now days you just can't be too sure of anything. If he can flit back and forth between companies ABC and XYZ I would wonder. Maybe arrange a meeting face to face and see what you think. Nothing is more giving in a situation like this than a look see.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167031)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 09
Sometimes they contract out and those two companies are probably the main ones he uses. The other companies give him a good deal and he buys the stuff you order from them and get a percentage back by upping the price to you. That is one reason I think I might go to the source not through a middle man.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
actually i have never bought anything from him before. on one day he came to my office & passed me his namecard. it's written both ABC & XYZ companies on the namecard. maybe he owns both companies or having partnership with others. then he starts calling me every fortnight. so i gave him a try because of his persistence & sincerity. but he really disappoints me with these kind of strange behaviours.:(
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
LOL! i would not contact him anymore, since my current supplier is very serious in this business while he is very disappointing (at least in my first experience with him).
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
12 May 09
In my experience working in Kuala Lumpur as a despatch rider, clerk, and administrative executive,the guy's behaviour is not that strange. Many salesmen officially work for a particular company, but at the same time they moonlight either for another company, or for themselves.
Most probably he is trying to get maximum profit out of the order, but is still looking for the best deal for him. Hence the excuse in the hope that you will not go to anothe supplier.
all the best,
rosdimy
rosdimy1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
hi rosdimy. actually both of the companies were printed in the namecard that he handed me earlier. i just wondering why he pretended not to recognize ABC in the beginning. i suppose his ABC company is having trouble (maybe financially) & people keeps chasing him on payments. can be a reason?:|
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
12 May 09
Highly possible. Many people think that there is easy money from supplying office supplies. Though this is true most of them do not take into consideration factors like competitors and customers' request for credit. Getting one big order per month does not pay all expenses. I know about this because I was involved for a short period of time. The hassle and the actual capital needed to stay afloat made me back out. Many started the business with limited funds, leading to problems later on.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
you are experienced in many fields, rosdimy. hope to learn more from you.:)
@Hvaniday1 (550)
• Malaysia
12 May 09
Lol...ya you are right. He is very unconscious with the time you called. Reason being unknown, it could be taking some medication or drinking. No lah..I think he don't want the deal is it? No, I have not met such a person before. Nice sharing though. Happy Mylotting.
1 person likes this
@Hvaniday1 (550)
• Malaysia
12 May 09
What to do? He did not serve his customer in a correct way. As the old saying, if you can't treat your customer well, someone will.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
you are right! i did called another office supplier & the salesman also said that he is busy at the moment. but one thing different is that he called me back within 10 minutes time, compared to the one who is asking for 1 day! so that salesman got my deal right after his call back.:)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
i don't think that he did not want the deal because when i said that i have bought from others already because of his delay, he sounded sad & asked me to buy other items from him. but if he cares so much about his business, he shouldn't have let his customer to wait for a day, right?
@jend80 (2071)
• United Kingdom
20 May 09
are you sure it was a genuine salesman and not somebody trying to scam you - either by pretending to work for either of the companies and them pocketing the money for the goods themselves, or trying to get people's details for identity theft and/or stealing money from their accounts?
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
21 May 09
wow i have not think of this before... but i think he is not. just my feelings told me so. can't be sure though. thanks for alerting me of this possibility.:)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
you made me think that he had split personalities! LOL! that's cool! one day he works at ABC & at another day he works in XYZ. so on the day i called, he is working with XYZ. he needed to wait for the next day for his second personality who is working with ABC to call me. in this way, he did not get mixed up, but it's me got mixed up! LOL!
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
12 May 09
I'm like you this sounds strange. He had no reason to ask for your phone number. But they do usually do this so it might have just been a habit. He also may have had to check and make sure that what you needed was in stock and they would be able to get it to you in a timely manner otherwise he would have to call you to let you know the situation. As some people are not allowed to have their cell phones on at work he may have wanted your office number thinking this.
As I don't know what really was on his mind it's hard to say what he was thinking when he took the call.
I have not had anything like this happen with me.
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
12 May 09
That is strange and weird. I just don't know I would not have given him my number and I would have told him I'll just call you back if I need to. If he calls your cell phone again report him to someone in the head of that company.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
i think he is the one who owns both the companies. maybe i just have to ignore him & not to have any business relationship with him or his companies. you are right, that will be much safer. thanks.:)
@dropofrain (1167)
• India
19 May 09
I know a few sales person are really weird and they stick to you like anything. It is really difficult to get rid of these person. I am actually irritated by these kind of person. I hope I do not even accidently bang into these people.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
21 May 09
i hope i would not bang into these people too... but i did! sob sob... LOL! good luck to you! :P
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 May 09
It does sound strange doesn't it especially if he cannot decide who he works for! When he phoned back the next day could he have made an error and said he was still at ABC out of habit? Seems unlikely but you never do know and there's the fact that he is always driving! Did you place the order with him and did you receive it? I would give the office administration a call just to clarify the situation.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 May 09
i did asked him this question, "i thought yesterday you said you are working with XYZ?" but he replied that both are his companies. if both are his companies, then why he pretended he did not know ABC? no, i did not place an order with him because i think that he is not serious in this business.
2 people like this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
27 May 09
Hello my friend victorywp Ji,
I think, the product asked for was not readily available, so evrytime, you made call,
he was beating around the bush and wanted to pass some more time. In case of my hubby
he would have cancelled the deal. These are not good practices by any good/branded companies rep.
May God bless You and have a great time.
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
28 May 09
Hello my friend victorywp Ji,
You are an intelligent myLotter.
May god bless You and have a great time.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
27 May 09
hi maygodblessu44! that seems to be logical too. thanks for your response. i wonder whether you mention about your hubby in all your posts? LOL! he is such a lucky guy to have you.:)
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
15 May 09
This whole entire affair sounds rather strange. This does not sound like someone you want to conduct business with.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
17 May 09
you are right, canellita. i really don't expect this to happen. i thought that he is someone who is serious in doing business until the day i called him... quite a disappointment...
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
13 May 09
Yours is a very strange story. and your salesman, a very strange person. I don't I would be buying my office supplies from someone as odd as this.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
yes i agree with you, mipen2006. i don't buy from him because of his weird behaviours. i afraid that he would be sending me a facsimile machine instead of facsimile ink films. i don't run the risk... LOL!
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
13 May 09
lol =D MAybe he's busy with something else while your call came in, thus creating the confusion.. While the other scenario is that, u might have called the wrong number, and he happens to be selling what u wanted.. lol =D So, he had to pretend and gain sales for himself.. THat's the reason as to why, when he called u the other day, he told u he's from 'ABC'.. haha =D
I dun think he's that honest, and u will know when u do get your supplies from him.. lol =D
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
yes, he might be busy with something else when i call but no, i did not call the wrong number. both ABC & XYZ company with his name at below are correctly written on his namecard. i'm trying to reconfirm with him by asking whether he still works in ABC because ABC is at the top followed by XYZ & his name with phone number.
i bought from another supplier already because he delayed me one day while the other closed the deal on the spot.:D
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
15 May 09
Maybe he is Jekkyl and Hyde, or was 'other wise occupied' at the time
.
There are some strange people out there though. One of our neighbours only ever mows their lawns when it if raining! Which makes it 10 times harder to do! lol.
.
There are some strange people out there though. One of our neighbours only ever mows their lawns when it if raining! Which makes it 10 times harder to do! lol.1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
15 May 09
LOL! i like you relate him with Dr Jekkyl & Mr Hyde. split personalities!
other wise occupied? demon possessed? LOL! i think so!
i think that your neighbours are weird/blur/strange too... LOL!
1 person likes this
@sweetyethot (1737)
• China
14 May 09
So what happened next?lol You are very good at analyzing.I can see that he's not a good liar.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
15 May 09
what happened next? i told him i bought from someone else already. then he asked me to buy other things from him. but i don't think i will still deal with him anymore.:)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 May 09
actually he has been calling me every fortnight saying that he is from ABC promoting office supplies. i have never bought anything from him & just gave him a try because of his sincerity & persistence. what a disappointment for me...:(
1 person likes this
@jakill (835)
•
14 May 09
I just wouldn't do business with anyone unless I was totally confident about it. It sounds like you gut feel is that there is something not quite right about him. Nine times out of ten our gut instincts are right. I always trust mine. You should do the same.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
15 May 09
thanks, jakill. i trust mine too & i don't deal with him anymore.:)
