Don’t leave the customer with work to do

The other day I got a call from my insurance company trying to sell me something else.

Now, I dislike these sort of calls as much as the next person, but I have to admit I have a little weakness for salespeople – I was one myself and I think I am doing a bit of a community service by listening to their pitches. Sometimes I even give them a tip or two.

This pitch went along the usual way. The salesperson gave her spiel, I listened politely and then said I wasn’t looking for her product at the moment.

Undeterred, she asked for my email address and promised to send through some information. And then she said the fatal words: “If you’re interested, feel free to get back to me.”

Um, I don’t think so. You’re trying to sell something to me here – why on earth does she think she’s going to get me to do any work?

So I told her so.

“What you should have said was ‘I’ll call you in a week when you’ve had a chance to review that,’” was my advice.

The ball remains in her court – and she’ll have another chance to sell.

Get it done – today!