Solar seller rant

[gmerkt]

They don't come around to my place. The property is covered with trees. Which are a serious impediment to generating solar power. This is one of those deal breakers that salesmen hate. A situation where they can't come up with an argument that you should buy their product.

For the same reason, I get pestered by reps from tree service companies.

Some really aggressive, persistent sales people come around about pest control. One time, I played the game, kept the guy in conversation for a good 15 minutes. He finally got angry and frustrated with me for wasting his time. He actually had the nerve to say that.

Simply don't engage them in conversation. Once you respond, they figure they've got you on the hook and they press on. Anyone of them who says, "Don't you want to know about ..." is up to no good.

 

[gmerkt]

This is one of those deal breakers that salesmen hate. A situation where they can't come up with an argument that you should buy their product.

One of the guys I used to work with years ago was single, had time on his hands. He was a stroker. He'd get these solicitations to buy vacation property or time shares. "All" he had to do was go to their "one hour" presentation, and they would give him a free gift. Often some kind of small household appliance. He wouldn't go to the presentations where they offered a free weekend at their resort or whatever. Only tangible goods.

After the presentation, the real sales pressure comes into play. The sales people have an answer for every point of resistance the mark can come up with. Like, "We can't afford it at this time." Salesman, "No problem, we can arrange any kind of credit that you might need," as a prime example.

My former co-worker had a battery of frustrating ways to shut the talk down. Example, for real estate propositions, he'd say something like, "I don't like the angle of the sun as it comes up in the morning in this development." Things like that. They can't change the way the sun comes up. He'd get his free microwave oven and leave. In his apartment he had a spare bedroom full of merchandise that he got in this manner and would offer to sell things to coworkers.

Mrs. Merkt and I went to the "free cruise" offering gag. It was for a time share that we had no earthly intention of buying. She wanted to see what kind of cruise they were giving away. We sat through the "hour" long presentation, then said no. But the cruise had so many strings attached to it that it was virtually unusable.

 

[Member 53867]

I made up this sign as a joke for another thread, but you might consider having a real one made, say about 4'x8', for your front yard...

 

[boattail]

Speaking of scams, years ago when the "win a free cruise" thing was everywhere the wife and I were someplace that had people offering them all over the event. We filled out six of them.....five with fake occupations and fake huge salaries and one with our real info.

You guessed it we won five of the six. By the time the fifth place had called to tell us we won our reply was "again, we won again?" We had to beat those guys off with a stick to get them to go away but it was a fun experiment.

 

[Koda]

One of the guys I used to work with years ago was single, had time on his hands. He was a stroker. He'd get these solicitations to buy vacation property or time shares. "All" he had to do was go to their "one hour" presentation, and they would give him a free gift. Often some kind of small household appliance. He wouldn't go to the presentations where they offered a free weekend at their resort or whatever. Only tangible goods.

After the presentation, the real sales pressure comes into play. The sales people have an answer for every point of resistance the mark can come up with. Like, "We can't afford it at this time." Salesman, "No problem, we can arrange any kind of credit that you might need," as a prime example.

My former co-worker had a battery of frustrating ways to shut the talk down. Example, for real estate propositions, he'd say something like, "I don't like the angle of the sun as it comes up in the morning in this development." Things like that. They can't change the way the sun comes up. He'd get his free microwave oven and leave. In his apartment he had a spare bedroom full of merchandise that he got in this manner and would offer to sell things to coworkers.

Mrs. Merkt and I went to the "free cruise" offering gag. It was for a time share that we had no earthly intention of buying. She wanted to see what kind of cruise they were giving away. We sat through the "hour" long presentation, then said no. But the cruise had so many strings attached to it that it was virtually unusable.

I did this on vacation in Hawaii to get 2 free tickets to a fully catered luau. I guess the hour spent was worth the dinner party but I wont do that again. These type of sales are scam artists.

 

[Provincial]

Years ago, we were in no position to go anywhere or spend any money. My wife suggested that we could get a free meal at the Coast if we listened to a condo sales pitch, plus a three day free stay at a condo. That seemed like a way to kill a day, so we set a date.

The sales pitch was made at a small table, with the salesman applying the usual pressure. At one point, my wife said "my husband has a very busy work schedule, so I don't think he can get away to use the condo. " I looked at her and said "your boyfriend would probably like going." Quick on the uptake, she pretended to think about it for about five seconds, then perked up and said "You're right, I think he would!"

The salesman was completely taken aback, probably afraid we would start shooting at each other, and he would be caught in the crossfire. It threw him off his stride, sales-wise, and he never got back in the rhythm of the sales pitch. We got our dinner tickets and left.

It took my wife two months of phone calls pressuring the sales outfit to cough up the free condo stay, but she finally succeeded! It was at a low-rent place in Vancouver, BC, but it made for an interesting, and cheap, vacation.

 

[Yarome]

Interesting read, but I guess I'm just a simple person and not very creative.

Any unknown person at the door and bearing any kind of clipboard, logo'ed clothing or brochure in their hand... about the time they get about half way through, "Hi" I just say "Not interested, but thanks" and shut the door. On occasion I can hear them still trying to talk through the door for a few seconds, but it never lasts.

Ignoring them completely seems to be an invitation for them to simply try back again later. Give them no opening to work with and they shut down pretty quick.

 

[Member 53867]

Open the door naked, covered in blood, holding a dead chicken and a copy of the Necronomicon and yell, "DO YOU HAVE ANY PAPRIKA?!?!"

They don't come back.

 

[MannyGlocks]

Mike,

Thank you for that 'laugh out loud' moment.

I'm still laughing...!

 

[edzz]

Soon after moving into our new (to us) city house I was greeted by two young (20 ish) attractive Mormon girls. They explained they were doing their missionary work and asked if they could help me with anything.

As I looked at them my dirty old mind thought "anything?". However being "I think" a good person I just smiled and expressed appreciation for their offer, chatted pleasantly for a few minuets and before they took their leave. Every so often I think back to that encounter and wonder if...

Now as to the sales people and the joeho's (not to be confused with joe and the ho, those two seem to stay clear of north Idaho) being a large grumpy old marine veteran with little patience for the stupidity of others once told to GTFO.

 

[OrPackrat]

Have a sign on the front door, I've had people come up, see it, take a picture, and then leave...

I have enough cameras that cover every vehicle that comes down the private road so I know you on the road before you make it to my house and then if your coming up to my house, another set of cameras alert me and start recording...

Should I encounter you, and I don't want you there, I ask if they read the street sign, the street sign says it's a private road... Do you see the no trespassing signs? There is a bunch of cameras that have been recording you already. It's time for you to leave....

I've had one person insist they are not trespassing by being on the road what they think is a public street, so the Sherrif gets to inform them, it is in their best interest not to step foot anywhere near the property again including the private road...

 

[dangerranger60]

To get to my house takes two gates and a walk through the dogs yard. We don't get very many people we are not expecting. But we did get the solar sales pitch. My wife told him to go away but he insisted on coming back when the man of the house was home. My wife said "Good Luck with that!" He was about a half min into his spiel when He said, "Only an idiot would not buy solar!" Things went quickly downhill after that. DR

 

[kmk1012]

Solar is the new Kirby vacuum! I'm glad that I live rural enough that I don't have to deal with solicitors. Before we moved over 5 years ago from unincorporated Salem, we would get door knockers at least once a week. We had no soliciting signs that routinely got ignored. All of my immediate neighbors and us were in collaboration when they would come through. I'd get a text from neighbor "a" they were coming my way, I'd ask what they did to them and try to one up them. Then, I'd warn neighbor "b" and so on. We would get a group chat going, really having fun with the solicitors and watch them walk down the street looking defeated.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I think they're selling the tarbaby from hell brand of solar where they actually have a lien on your house and good luck selling it. So no.

 

[Camelfilter]

Soon after moving into our new (to us) city house I was greeted by two young (20 ish) attractive Mormon girls. They explained they were doing their missionary work and asked if they could help me with anything.

As I looked at them my dirty old mind thought "anything?". However being "I think" a good person I just smiled and expressed appreciation for their offer, chatted pleasantly for a few minuets and before they took their leave. Every so often I think back to that encounter and wonder if...

Now as to the sales people and the joeho's (not to be confused with joe and the ho, those two seem to stay clear of north Idaho) being a large grumpy old marine veteran with little patience for the stupidity of others once told to GTFO.

Many Mormon folk I know are pretty decent.

Had a couple on mission offer to help with our move, when we were amidst moving from up North to down here. Would have accepted the help, but the truck being loaded at the time was firearm stuff...

 

[edzz]

Many Mormon folk I know are pretty decent.

Had a couple on mission offer to help with our move, when we were amidst moving from up North to down here. Would have accepted the help, but the truck being loaded at the time was firearm stuff...

Spent ~5 years renting a room and shop from a Mormon family, was treated as a member of the family. They respected my beliefs and I respected theirs.

 

[bradsteen]

We were getting slammed with solicitors for a while. We put up this sign, and the frequency has dropped dramatically.

Amazon.com

 

[osprey]

I do sustainability stuff for my company and have looked into solar. Like many green ideas it is a stinker. Even with govt. subsidies the ROI ends up being about as long as the expensive panels currently last, 20 plus years. This varies a bit with location but it is not a very viable way to save on energy costs. Now if you have an off grid cabin at a sunny location it may have some merit.

 

[DeltaRose]

True story- while in High School, I was in the kitchen breaking down a large loin roast into chops with my trusty Buck 119. A knock on the door…. who could it be?…..

I opened the door with bloody, juicy hands while holding the knife. The two women from the local Kingdom Hall just said "We can see you is busy" and scurried away. They never, ever came back…..

 

[gmerkt]

I do sustainability stuff for my company and have looked into solar. Like many green ideas it is a stinker. Even with govt. subsidies the ROI ends up being about as long as the expensive panels currently last, 20 plus years. This varies a bit with location but it is not a very viable way to save on energy costs.

I'm thinking there are also the usual maintenance issues. Plus when stuff gets mounted on your roof, there is potential for roof maintenance issues.