How to Deal With Annoying or Frustrating Salespeople

Salespeople are employees whose job is to market a product or service to potential customers. Salespeople may perform their duties either in-house, door-to-door or over the telephone. Some people report that it is exhausting and frustrating dealing with salespeople who talk excessively, are forceful, are overwhelmingly persistent, use manipulative tactics and/or are selling something that is not wanted or needed. Additionally, people who simply don't want to be assisted with their spending decisions may find any type of salesperson to be annoying. There are things you can do to counter a salesperson who is bothering you. Follow these suggestions for how to deal with frustrating or annoying salespeople.

Steps

In-house or Door-to-door Salespeople.

    1
    Use direct language. Be very clear that you are not interested in the salesperson's assistance. Remember that it is a salesperson's job to persuade, so you must state firmly and definitively that you wish to be left alone.
    2
    Avoid inviting body language. Being confronted with annoying salespeople face to face requires that you also provide non-verbal cues as to how you feel.
        Do not make eye contact, which may be seen as an invitation into a discussion. Instead, scan the surrounding area.
        Close your posture. Rather than face the salesperson, turn your body away. You may also cross your arms to signal that you are not open to interaction.
        Maintain a straight face. Smiling may provoke frustrating salespeople to intensify their sales efforts.
    3
    Ask for the salesperson's information. Tell the salesperson that you prefer to shop on your own, but that you will make contact if you decide you need assistance. Many annoying salespeople will be happy to know that they will still get credit if you do make a purchase.
    4
    Report inappropriate behavior to a manager. When dealing with salespeople you find to be uncomfortably aggressive, it may be necessary to ask to speak to a supervisor in order to remedy the situation.

Telephone Salespeople.

    1
    Act quickly, the longer you are on the call the more motivated salespeople become. As soon as you realize you are being called by a salesperson state, "I'm sorry, I do not accept 'cold calls.' Thank you, goodbye." Then hangup.
    2
    Tell the salesperson you are not interested. It is not enough to say you are not sure, or that you want to think about it. Annoying salespeople may persist if you do not tell them directly that you do not want what they are selling.
    3
    Ask for the salesperson's contact information. If you feel that you may be interested in the product or service at a later time, then tell the salesperson that you will make contact when or if you change your mind.
    4
    Request to be put on the do not call list. If you tell a salesperson that you are not interested, but then continue to receive phone calls, you may request to be put on the do not call list. Once you are on the company's list, the law protects your right to no longer be contacted by any salesperson working for that company.
    5
    Speak with a manager. When frustrating salespeople cross the boundary between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate, it may be necessary to report their actions to a manager.

 Tips

    You are never obligated to give your business to annoying salespeople. You are the customer, and you have the right to ask to work with a different salesperson.