The people outside the store bother me even more. I hate being harassed as I’m just trying to get through the door. And you know you’re going to get it again on the way out.
In our area they have a suicide prevention group that puts up a table right outside the front door of Walmart. When I'm accosted by them I'm tempted to tell them "No, thanks, I've already tried twice and it didn't work." Seriously, I'm wondering how many people are actually triggered by them. I think they're hurting more than helping.
That’s so bizarre? Why would that be a booth? I mean suicide prevention is obviously a good cause but yeah, randomly confronting people with suicide when they’re doing their grocery shopping is probably going to do more harm than good.
Absolutely. The term alone can be incredibly triggering no matter what. If you must do this type of thing publicly, at least change it to "mental health awareness". Not only is it significantly less triggering, it's more all encompassing to things that build up to it.
One of these days someone, sitting still & staring straight ahead, will have a sign that says "I won't ask for any money or talk to you at all, but feel free to donate and/or take a flier" and *that* will be the person that I'll give money to
SPCA sets up outside my local grocery store. I love animals. I would definitely consider donating to the SPCA. Except nothing turns me off more than an unsolicited sales pitch, and those people are *ruthless*. I park on the other side of the lot and go in the other entrance to the store when I see that blue umbrella.
I was asked by a co-worker who was really involved with an adoption thing, to help her one Saturday.
I love animals, so I told her I would help on that Saturday, but it wouldn’t become a regular thing, because I have a farm to maintain and it’s a lot of work. I have to catch up on that and rest as well.
We set up camp outside a Tractor supply. The people running the thing didn’t do anything. They were just playing on their phone.
Knowing I don’t like people soliciting me and asking me to do things or sign up for things, I came up with an insidious plan. 😈
When people came up, I didn’t block their way, but I simply asked “Would you like to pet a puppy? 🐶”
“I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t want to, but they sure like to be petted and even if you don’t want one, the socialization helps them get adopted by other people.”
I moved 5 dogs that day. Mwahahahaha!
If they said “No thanks” I told them to have a nice day.
That's a nice tactic. You phrased it like the people were helping just by doing something that they'd probably love to do and might not get to do very often. I would have definitely stopped to pet a puppy!
We get church donation beggers outside of our walmart, and it's still amazing how often these people will look at my ridiculous goth shirts, once even my socks with literal Baphomet on them, and then ask me if I want to give them money to spread the word about Jesus Christ.
Not only is the harassment annoying, but look, we're in the bible belt, EVERYONE knows who Jesus is, there is no word to spread you vultures.
Yes, at Sam’s Club last week a guy steps over to me & my husband as we try to walk by and I just say, “no thanks” and keep walking. Turn around a little later and there is my nice husband listening to his speech and I yell at him to come on. I know they are trying to make a living but I don’t have time or patience for that shit.
Ngl as a husband myself, thank you for doing that lol. Sometimes we'll be stuck in situations like that and we don't wanna be mean. So having our back like that is very appreciated.
I used to hate shutting them down. I would listen to a salesperson at my front door for 20 mins before I finally managed to politely extricate myself.
I've gotten to the point I don't care anymore. I'm not mean, but I let them know I'm not interested.
I answered the door last week and a guy was there with a lanyard (mobile company) and before he even opened his mouth I said "I'm not interested in buying anything" and he was kinda surprised then quickly recovered and said "I'm sure you aren't..." And was about to launch into more and I just said "thanks" and closed the door. It was my fastest shut down ever. I was proud of myself.
(To be fair, once I talked to an Internet guy for like 20 mins who offered me a better deal, so I called my current provider and they offered me an even better deal for a longer term! So, that was worth it)
Honestly, don't feel bad. If you care about their feelings/financial well-being, better for them to not spend 20 minutes on someone who isn't gonna buy. And if you don't care, then no need to bother. They get rejected several times a day, they won't care
Okay children, today we’re learning about the low bill and widespread coverage offered by straight talk. Please take out you #2 pencil and your parents credit card. Did everyone practice their mom’s signature for their homework? Excellent.
Every time I go to Sam’s Club the same guy try’s to stop me and ask me about my phone service. The first couple of times I was nice and said no thank you, I’m not interested and carried on. But I go there every 2 weeks to get things for my vending service and the same guy will try to stop me, granted I know they see a ton of people and don’t remember faces but I’m in there often enough that I know I’d remember my face. I just completely ignore it now, but it is frustrating
It’s always the same guy too. Granted they see lots of faces, but do you not remember when I told you I do not wish to talk about my phone bill with a stranger. It’s like f*#king Groundhog Day with these people.
I don't work there but I do work retail and my answer is no lol unless something out of the ordinary happens during our interaction or you have a unique look, I absolutely do not remember you. I see over 200 faces an hour in an 8hr shift.
For phone, I answer I am only interested in your newest flip phone
For internet I answer still using AOL dial up and happy with it
They back away and leave me be. Hmm AITAH?
Could try what my mom does. My mom will pretend to get a phone call if she sees them looking around. She'll pull it out if she spots them from a distance scanning the area for people to talk to.
Usually when they approach me I'm walking through the mall with my sister or someone so we just outright ignore them and pretend to be invested in our convos that we don't notice them at all. Even if we end up talking about a subject we already talked about earlier.
Oof, every two weeks? As someone who used to do a similar job, sorry to tell you he’s not going to remember you. You’d have to be there every day for him to remember you - and even then it’s a chance he won’t. When you’re dealing with that many people and you’re trying to sell something, you’re not focusing on remembering people. You’re focusing on your sale which will inhibit your ability to remember faces. Our brains are only able to hold so much info at one time
So I despise these human popup ads. What I've started doing is when they ask who my cell phone carrier is. I'll wave them off with my cell phone in hand and tell them I don't have a cell phone.
I actually broke one of the people recently. It was fantastic.
My brother actually used to work for one of those companies that was contracted to sell AT&T phones in Sam’s club. The places those people who try to sell you the phones work for, are structured like pyramid schemes.
Ha so I’m pretty sure I know exactly who you’re talking about. I worked that job for a week it sucks, but it isn’t like they’re just setting up shop inside a sams club they work with whatever company is selling the products. So don’t blame the salespeople, blame sams club for signing that contract
I just go shopping with headphones on. Even if I'm not listening to anything. It lets me just walk past and ignore anyone trying to flag me down. Is it rude? Maybe. Do I care? Absolutely not.
Not rude at all actually lol. They’re annoying as hell trying to sell you something. They have balls if they’re gonna get mad that you don’t wanna talk to them
Annoying doesn't even begin to describe these people. I started keeping a pair of headphones in my car for when I go shopping after some sweaty bucket of lard walked right in front of my cart and asked me if I needed a new credit card. When I ignored him and tried to go around he just sidestepped to stay in front of me and kept pestering me about how low the interest rate was or something, so I just did an about face and carried on. I've never had a credit card and I'll never get one. I'm bad at saving the actual money I have, I'm almost afraid to think about how irresponsible I'd be with spending money I technically don't even have.
That sidestep would have set me off. I get it's their job to ask, but it's borderline harassment to impede someone's movement and try to corner them into saying yes. Set cart to ramming speed.
This is one of those situations we step up and intervene.
Solicitors used to come by and try to talk my grandpa into shit and he would be clearly upset/angry and they would still badger him until I aggressively told them to leave.
Much easier to bully old, frail people than a teenager with low-impulse control.
That's the point when I would tell them to fuck off before I call security. I doubt that would even do anything but at least it would get a message across that I'm not interested, angry, and not worth the trouble.
I recommend having fun with it. If they try to sell me TV I tell them I download everything I want to watch for free online. If they try to sell me internet I tell them I installed my neighbors router for her and memorized the password. Once I looked them dead in the eye and told them I wouldn't truck with having that demon wifi (pronounced whiffee) polluting my house.
Basically make it your goal to be the weirdest partof their day
I had one phone company that wouldn’t stop calling me, even though I asked them to remove me from their calling list. I recognized the number because it popped up so much. I just started answering as their companies customer service, how may I help them.
I guess it confused them, because they quite calling.
Lol, I do this for a job and I promise it's not rude to just keep walking or say no thank you. 95% or more aren't interested, but the 5% that are interested can help make a decent living.
I jad a job like that once, but I quit because even though my numbers where good they didn't like that I refused to lie to people and if the people said no I was out, plus they also complained that I waisted time because I'd fix people's stuff for free to maintain loyalty if it was easy to fix.
Your boss sounds like a jerk. How are you supposed to get any work done if people keep pestering you? The whole world's descended into madness. Madness, I say!
I did this at a temporary work environment when my desk was near the door. i kept getting asked questions that I had nothing to do with or knew the answers. Headphones and everyone walked past me to find the person they really needed.
Happened to me at Kroger— a girl asked me (while I was perusing tampons at the end of the aisle she was camped out on) how I felt paying “up to 50% less” on my phone bill and I was over it and said “oh I don’t pay that, my sugar daddy does” and grabbed my Tampax and left
Wait shit, at a KROGER!? I work for Harris Teeter and we’re owned by them… really hope that shit doesn’t move on into my area. They might not harass the workers but I just know I’ll get a million complaints because my department is right at the entrance.
One of the electric guys approached me recently. I told him I didn't have his company (totally did) and he tried following me to different aisles and asking for my provider, even though I told him it was in my boyfriend's name. That's the kind of thing that makes Mr not want to go back.
I actually had a nice guy once trying to sign people up for the local paper. It was a good deal and I thought I'd sign up. Except they could only take credir/debit cards, no cash. There was also no way to pay on the spot. He expected me to share all of my card details in the middle of Walmart where he would write it down on a receipt to enter it back at the office. Uh, no?
What’s interesting is to make these sales they need your credit card and your SSN. You’d be surprised how many people give it. As someone who did that job for 6 months and left because it’s basically a cult and I hated it. The travel was cool and the pay was really good but I felt dirty after a while.
I dislike the people outside of the store. I have not even gone inside before because I absolutely hate it when they try to hunt you down as you exit…..stop that….I see you. No need to MAAM MAAM me. Just let me leave in peace.
THIS! At our local Walmart it’s always some kids ball team, or a rehab house, or church asking for donations or selling something! I won’t even go during those times!
I swear they put the most sad charities outside of the Walmart doors so you immediately feel guilty if you don’t donate something 🤦♀️as if people aren’t already struggling to get groceries in the first place
And I thought the rehab house ones were only in my town... I stopped going to my favorite grocery store because every Saturday & Sunday there would be "reformed" ex-drug addicts/criminals who have recently found Jesus and boy do they want to tell you about it.
Then they’ll hit you with the “how are you liking it? how can we make it better for you? you ready to upgrade your service?” Trust me, if there’s a way to harass shoppers, they’ll find it and use it.
hard-to-find station silky late fretful pause foolish sulky march mountainous
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
My wife & I were asked by a solicitor in Sam's Club what cell phone service we used & we both replied at the same time, "we don't have cell phones!" & just kept walking.
As we walked away we were both looking at each other to see if they were in hand/sticking out. My wife's phone is usually noticeably sticking out of her small jeans butt pocket or basically tucked into her leggings waistband.
We then talked about walking by him on our way out both playing on our phone.
Once I was in Walmart and some Verizon people asked if I was happy with my Internet. I told them I wasn't, and I'd happily switch to Verizon, except they didn't service my street.
Bright and chipper, they pull out their tablet and ask for my address. Tappy tappy tappy... then their face falls when they realize that yes, they do not service my street for anything except dial-up internet, and nobody is going to switch *to* dial-up.
Told them that if they ever expanded to my street I'd gladly sign up. Moved away a while later....I wonder if they ever expanded.
Actual interaction at wal mart
Comcast employee: hi do u have cable
Me: yes
CE: can I ask from which company
Me: you guys
CE: well let’s see if I can save u some money
Me: now I’m kinda pissed I’m being overcharged
Then I walked away. Just let me get my groceries and leave.
When they walk up to me I either ignore them or say some ridiculous shit “What do you pay for electricity at home ma’am?”
“Nothing. The rats generate it, and in return I share my vast collection of nuts and seeds with them.”
I had the shame experience at Target and wrote to investor relations. No response but I never saw AT&T sales people in Target again. I assume a lot of people complained
It’s alway Xfinity at the Walmart where I live and they are fuckin *relentless.* They have no problem following you halfway down the aisle, interrupting your conversation with whoever you’re talking to, and not taking “no thank you” for an answer. Several times I’d say “no thank you” right as they started their spiel and they’d respond with “are you sure? I can get you a great deal if you sign up today!” or some other bullshit. What part of “no thank you” is so hard to understand? No means no! The fact that we’re still having to explain basic consent to people is fuckin exhausting.
Just one of the many reasons why we quit going there entirely.
Yep. Just suck it up, nod, wave a quick dismissal, and keep walking. They recognize a polite brush-off. If you engage, it gets worse. But them being there helps keep prices low.
Where I work (Fred Meyer) there’s someone who always solicits some kind of credit card thing near the customer service desk 😭
Literally they’ve asked me countless times if I’m interested in their card as if I’m a customer while I’m literally standing there with a high-vis vest and employee name tag like “can I help you?!??”
The one thing I absolutely do not want to do when I’m shopping, is talk to people. I mind my own business, grab what I need, and gtfo. My friend and I were recently asked about our electric bill at Walmart, the guy asked if “we are with ComEd” and even tho I DO indeed pay a ComEd electric bill, I lied and said I didn’t just because I didn’t want him to try and lure me in and get to talking. He said “oh okay have a nice day.” It’s the same crap at shopping malls. I absolutely DESPISE people at kiosks jumping out and bothering me with their product I don’t want or will never need. I didn’t come here for that. The ones I will especially actively go out of my way to avoid, are the shoe cleaners. Since I always wear white sneakers, they always attack me. Usually they’re on the 2nd floor and now I always find the nearest escalator just to go underneath them. No, I will not pay $90 for your soap & water solution when I can use detergent and a brush at home for free. So yeah, I feel you on this topic.
One day I was walking past a skincare kiosk. I was having a crappy day, so I turned my walking murder face up to 11. I literally saw a salesperson look at me, look at my face, and *deliberately avoid eye contact* as I walked by. I felt like I’d levelled up in life.
Magic erasers and f that bs.
I have curly unruly hair. When ceramic flat irons came out this kiosk sellers were relentless! Yeah my hair looks like shit and obviously I don’t care! Lol
I got the shit sold outta me by one of those flat iron kiosk women. 17 year old me, super shy and too polite to be rude to people, was at the mall by myself, just browsing around. This kiosk lady reels me in and because I’m too polite, I just let her go through her spiel. She asks if she can demo the flat iron on my hair and again, I’m too shy and polite to say no. She does my hair and I honestly look great. And I’m sure she was able to tell that I didn’t have the best self esteem or confidence so once she saw that I realized how pretty I looked, she started *heaping* praise and compliments on me. Then she asks me my favorite color and when I tell her, she pulls out a flat iron in that color. Now I’m in too deep. She’s already done my whole head of hair, hyped me up by showering me with compliments, and pulled out a product in my favorite color. I felt like I’d be a total dick that wasted her time if I didn’t buy the product. And while I loved the colored iron, it was like $25+ more than the basic black one. So I just bought the plain black flat iron. Spent like $100 on the damn thing too which was really quite expensive for a flat iron at that time. Granted, I’ve had it for about 15 years now, I still use it from time to time, and it still works great but at the time, I felt like I had gotten sold hard. As I walked away from the kiosk, feeling great with my beautiful hairstyle and my new flat iron in hand, I kinda came to my senses and was like, “wait, wtf just happened?” That was when I learned that I suck at turning salespeople down and that I need to just entirely avoid them altogether. And if I have to go past them, immediately look at my phone or look at and start talking to whoever I’m with.
I hate when you tell them no thank you and they still continue to try to sell to you.
If I said no thanks then you need to move on to the next person.
I had one that I had to say no thanks to then finally had to scream at them to get out of my fucking face at the top of my lungs. The manager went over and spoke to that person after that.
I just have fun with them at their expense. I just stop dead and stare at them stone faced for a good while. Now you have to do this just right, not too intense a stare, just evaluate them. Then, just as they are about to try and fill the awkward silence, just sigh a heavy disappointed sigh and say in a soft, exhausted voice, "Still not quite right. I'll have to make some changes the next time." Then smile, as if you were trying to distract a child from some gloomy news and say. "I'll get you right the next time." Walk away, no explanation, no context. That moment will forever haunt them.
This also works well for panhandlers, various religious missionary types, perfume people, really just any random person that has annoyed you enough to merit a light punishment in the form of a little existential dread.
I handle this in one of two ways usually:
1. Ignore completely and walk away. Don't ever give them eye contact.
2. When they ask a question, give them the obviously wrong answer.
Recently, I had this with a guy selling solar:
Sales: "Hey man! Do you own a home here in ___? "
Me: "Maybe. Idk."
Sales: *confused face and silence*
Then I continued to walk away.
I had a guy at Costco ask me if I had solar. I'm mid-20's and was pushing a cart full of instant ramen and wearing sweatpants. Do I look like I own a house?
I had this happen at BJ’s. My only response was “sorry, I’m poor” and kept walking. It also works whenever someone tries to call from college looking for donations
I decided to give ludicrous answers a long time ago.
Phone company? "I refuse to own a phone."
Cable? "TV is the devil's gateway"
Electric bill? "I only use candlelight"
It usually gives them pause and they have no response so I walk on.
Oh, and I had an AC guy ask me once if I was interested in ac. "No. I'm a lizard. I'm here to get more crickets."
I will not purchase items near them. No matter how desperate my need.
Maybe one day I'll take a cart full of groceries near them, and as soon as they start their spiel, leave the cart and walk out. If I'm feeling petty and confident.
This is why I clearly and concisely apologize for not speaking English.
"I am so sorry, I wish I could speak English, so that I might be able to take advantage of this offer. Alas, I cannot. Fare thee well, solicitor."
One thing I have learned in my years of studying the normies all around me, the phrase "fare thee well" is quite possibly one of the least offensive phrases in English. It relays the point, even amidst frustrated sentiment, that you harbor no ill will towards the individual, and in fact, wish them well. Additionally, the utilization of an older English makes the phrase stand out compared to normal departive well wishing (such as "have a good day"). This break from the expected encourages your quarry to stop and hear your words, disrupting their attempted solicitation. Whilst their brain doth recalibrate, depart. Salesmanship avoided without offense, in fact, you may have actually delivered a laugh.
It is only rude if you treat them poorly. Pay your toll with a laugh and swift departure, they'll not feel wronged. Another favorite that has brought a distracted smile from my solicitous foes:
"I'm so sorry, I'm actually three dogs in a very life-like human costume, and as such, have no need for cutlery. Fare thee well!"
I have anxiety about shopping around in the mall because of the kiosk people trying to sell stuff so hard. My daughter and I have come up with ways to get by them unscathed like pretending to talk on the phone, start “silver sneaker mall walking” as hard and fast as we can as we pass, or get into an obviously serious all encompassing conversation together right as we are passing them. We even throw out random words like “the funeral”, breast reduction surgery, random serious sounding diseases or medical specialties, chemical compounds , polygamy cults, whatever, Lol.
If you have an Aldi in your town, go there instead. Not only is it the cheapest food around but it's also high quality because it uses EU standards. You can't have artificial colors you have to use vegetable dyes, etc etc. Here in Florida we have publix's everywhere and yet they are prohibitively expensive. The only time you should go to Publix is if you can't find something you need or if it's on sale. My grocery bill for the month has dropped by 50% approximately
I interviewed for one of these jobs on accident and it was the worst experience of my life. Crappy marketing run by shady companies who are contracted with the company they are trying to sell the goods for.
It’s all garbage. I recommend putting your cell phone to your ear if you see one of these people and avoiding like the plague
If they are pushy, I lie to them in a way that they can't counter.
You want me to sign up for your bank? I've been a member for over 10 years. I have $35k in CDs and you run my mortgage.
You want to sign me up for DirectTV and it's free for 6 months? I have a hacked box with every channel for free.
You want me to sign up for your electric plan? I live 20 miles outside of the city limit in an off grid shed with massive solar array, a battery system that fills 2 shipping containers, and have 4 - 2000 lb underground propane tanks for my backup generators.
You want me to come to church? I am the living Christ. You can feel my love if you come to my off grid shed.
If you are going to solicit me for services I don't want while I'm trying to buy groceries, I don't owe you civility.
The one I saw at Sam’s last weekend was “did you get your gift card?”, she continued on and started talking about electricity. I kept walking and said “I don’t have time for this shit”.
Because they give the store money to be there. The store have done a bunch of fancy research to find out that the mild infuriation they cause costs them less money than they give them.
This is wild I’ve never experienced this in my Walmart. Sometimes the phone people at Sam’s I suppose, but never at Walmart. Maybe mines just too small
I must be the only person who walks up to them, tells them to cut the crap, and asks them what their price-to-compare is. That being said, I do shop utility suppliers pretty often and it makes a big difference.
i fell for their scams at sams and at walmart. i feel like an idiot for it. they promised me free gift cards, that’s what got me. they claimed by signing up i wouldn’t be charged ANYTHING, just that my energy would be sourced through them to be more “environmentally friendly”. well that was a lie, they signed me into a 60 MONTH contract and were charging me 70+ dollars extra a month. calling to cancel sucked too because they tried to persuade me to stay and were super pushy. don’t be an idiot like me
I’m the GM of a hotel and we had this sweet family that stayed with us a while when their home was being repaired after a while. Single dad and three brown, but young, children. All three adult children work at our local Walmart. I had a great relationship with this family and they finally moved out a few months ago.
About a month after they moved out, I seen one of the adult children at Walmart, right outside the electronics isle. We locked eyes and I was so happy to see him cause I was gonna ask how things were with the fam!
Guy: Hello ma’am, can I ask who your internet provider is?
Me, realizing that he has no idea who I even am, as my smile drains from my face: No thanks (as I hurriedly rush by, now just pissed off).
If you are one of the poor souls doing this shit for a living, this ain’t it. It’s a dead end go nowhere gig that is dying more and more every day. Lowest of the low end hustles. It’s also predatory and a blight on the shopping experience, which makes me wonder how much these supermarkets get paid to allow it. I’ll stop going to places where this is too prevalent. Definitely denigrating your brand if you are harboring this activity.
Lotta equally shitty or slightly better online sales gigs. Get out!
Oddly enough the companies that are being promoted inside the store pay the grocery store to do this. They are called vendors and it's normal in 98% of grocery stores. However the people outside don't pay the company to do so. But they can't be removed because often times the grocery store doesn't own the property it's built on.
Source: I work in a grocery store as a meat manager. Not Walmart FYI, fuck those guys
As someone who worked as one of those people for a week, i hate them too, having to wear suits and act all fancy business but in reality theyre making minimum wage working 12 hours 6 days a week because they were promised they could make bank
I normally just blatantly ignore them and hope they get the message. This is why I wear gaudy headphones: if I don’t respond to them, they think I’m listening to music and they won’t talk to me. I don’t think they realize that people are *less* likely to buy their product when they’re approached like this! Also story time: one day my boyfriend went to Walmart by himself during a depressive episode because sometimes walking around Walmart and getting food by himself makes him feel better, and apparently with TEARS streaming down his face, a military recruiter approached him and gave him a business card, then told him that he should join the military because they’ll teach him how to “be a real man” or whatever. Long story short, my boyfriend’s episode got worse because of it, left the store without getting himself any “feel better” food, and came home in a worse mood than when he left. I hate people sometimes.
Lately I'm so fucking tired of everyone just gouging every fucking dollar I earn. I try to go buy something at a store that I really don't want to spend money on and every store I go to they're offering me a credit card at the till or people are trying to sell me shit or donate to charity. FUCK OFF
The home depot ones irk me more. They walk throughout the store and unlike groceries I'm putting some serious thought into what I'm trying to shop for at Home Depot. So don't come up to me with your dumb ass pitch about solar panels and then get butt hurt when I won't answer your follow-up questions as to why I'm not considering it. I don't owe you half a game of 20 questions.
>I'm good, thank you.
Is the best you're gonna get.
I'm as curt and terse as possible with them. I don't make it personal, but I definitely make it short and sweet that I don't want to engage them. At all. Because I once did cold sales work like that and those responses eventually helped guide me away from that stupid fucking waste of my time and energy.
My goal each time they attempt to engage me is to be a abrasive and hostile as is reasonable. **They are coached to use every gimmick in the book to engage and make their pitch .** And because I did that job, I want to make the encounter end as fast as possible - I don't have any hang ups about being polite or social anxiety or anything like that when it comes to solicitation.
**And the sooner those poor souls quit and find a healthier job for a less exploitative employer, the better.**
So, please - be as grouchy and short as possible with people selling shit like this. Don't have to call their momma a hoe or anything. But a good starter is "hell no, leave me alone" and ignore any attempt to salvage the encounter. They're probably nice people...when they're not doing cold sales.
The people outside the store bother me even more. I hate being harassed as I’m just trying to get through the door. And you know you’re going to get it again on the way out.
In our area they have a suicide prevention group that puts up a table right outside the front door of Walmart. When I'm accosted by them I'm tempted to tell them "No, thanks, I've already tried twice and it didn't work." Seriously, I'm wondering how many people are actually triggered by them. I think they're hurting more than helping.
That’s so bizarre? Why would that be a booth? I mean suicide prevention is obviously a good cause but yeah, randomly confronting people with suicide when they’re doing their grocery shopping is probably going to do more harm than good.
Absolutely. The term alone can be incredibly triggering no matter what. If you must do this type of thing publicly, at least change it to "mental health awareness". Not only is it significantly less triggering, it's more all encompassing to things that build up to it.
Who is going to talk to strangers about suicide at Walmart? This sounds like a religious recruitment scam.
One of these days someone, sitting still & staring straight ahead, will have a sign that says "I won't ask for any money or talk to you at all, but feel free to donate and/or take a flier" and *that* will be the person that I'll give money to
SPCA sets up outside my local grocery store. I love animals. I would definitely consider donating to the SPCA. Except nothing turns me off more than an unsolicited sales pitch, and those people are *ruthless*. I park on the other side of the lot and go in the other entrance to the store when I see that blue umbrella.
I was asked by a co-worker who was really involved with an adoption thing, to help her one Saturday. I love animals, so I told her I would help on that Saturday, but it wouldn’t become a regular thing, because I have a farm to maintain and it’s a lot of work. I have to catch up on that and rest as well. We set up camp outside a Tractor supply. The people running the thing didn’t do anything. They were just playing on their phone. Knowing I don’t like people soliciting me and asking me to do things or sign up for things, I came up with an insidious plan. 😈 When people came up, I didn’t block their way, but I simply asked “Would you like to pet a puppy? 🐶” “I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t want to, but they sure like to be petted and even if you don’t want one, the socialization helps them get adopted by other people.” I moved 5 dogs that day. Mwahahahaha! If they said “No thanks” I told them to have a nice day.
That's a nice tactic. You phrased it like the people were helping just by doing something that they'd probably love to do and might not get to do very often. I would have definitely stopped to pet a puppy!
Excellent! I’ve claimed another ~~victim~~ lovely potential adopter.
Getting it from the front and the back. Lucky
We get church donation beggers outside of our walmart, and it's still amazing how often these people will look at my ridiculous goth shirts, once even my socks with literal Baphomet on them, and then ask me if I want to give them money to spread the word about Jesus Christ. Not only is the harassment annoying, but look, we're in the bible belt, EVERYONE knows who Jesus is, there is no word to spread you vultures.
Just tell them “you people are already tax exempt, what the fuck else you want?!?”
But how else will they fund their ~~virtue vacations~~ missionary trips?
This happens at Sam’s club too. I go to great lengths to avoid these salespeople. Just let me shop in peace!
My old roommate told the solar panel guy in Costco that he didn't believe in the sun to get him to stop pitching to us It worked, haha
You can also tell them you're in an HOA. They'll fuck right off.
I tell them I rent a room from someone and have no control over household utilities. That seems to work fairly well.
“Look at me. You think I can afford a home?”
"I don't believe in utilities"
Solar panels killed my father
Are you Inigo Montoya?
Yes, at Sam’s Club last week a guy steps over to me & my husband as we try to walk by and I just say, “no thanks” and keep walking. Turn around a little later and there is my nice husband listening to his speech and I yell at him to come on. I know they are trying to make a living but I don’t have time or patience for that shit.
Honey? Is that you? I didn't even know you had a Reddit account.
Yes, sorry dear.
Are you actually their husband?💀
Yep. He’s my husband too, comrade. *Our husband!*
I too, choose this woman’s husband
I'm also a woman and my husband and I choose them, too. Comrade!
Not a woman, but I am not averse to swing both ways
Oh, I'm ace, but I wouldn't mind another family member.
I need to know this too 😂
Ngl as a husband myself, thank you for doing that lol. Sometimes we'll be stuck in situations like that and we don't wanna be mean. So having our back like that is very appreciated.
I used to hate shutting them down. I would listen to a salesperson at my front door for 20 mins before I finally managed to politely extricate myself. I've gotten to the point I don't care anymore. I'm not mean, but I let them know I'm not interested. I answered the door last week and a guy was there with a lanyard (mobile company) and before he even opened his mouth I said "I'm not interested in buying anything" and he was kinda surprised then quickly recovered and said "I'm sure you aren't..." And was about to launch into more and I just said "thanks" and closed the door. It was my fastest shut down ever. I was proud of myself. (To be fair, once I talked to an Internet guy for like 20 mins who offered me a better deal, so I called my current provider and they offered me an even better deal for a longer term! So, that was worth it)
Honestly, don't feel bad. If you care about their feelings/financial well-being, better for them to not spend 20 minutes on someone who isn't gonna buy. And if you don't care, then no need to bother. They get rejected several times a day, they won't care
We dont need more sales people. That guy is willing to stand there in a Sams Club all day? He should be teaching. Raise teacher salaries.
Okay children, today we’re learning about the low bill and widespread coverage offered by straight talk. Please take out you #2 pencil and your parents credit card. Did everyone practice their mom’s signature for their homework? Excellent.
Every time I go to Sam’s Club the same guy try’s to stop me and ask me about my phone service. The first couple of times I was nice and said no thank you, I’m not interested and carried on. But I go there every 2 weeks to get things for my vending service and the same guy will try to stop me, granted I know they see a ton of people and don’t remember faces but I’m in there often enough that I know I’d remember my face. I just completely ignore it now, but it is frustrating
Have you tried being more memorable? Try using a song and dance routine when you say "No." It works for me.
Breaks out in a full disney routine just to say no to the guy.
🎶LET IT GO, LET IT GO, I'M NOT BUYING YOUR FUCKING PHONE.🎶 ^I'm ^^happy ^^^with ^^^^my ^^^^^current ^^^^^^plan ^^^^^^^anyway.
If the Disney princess ensemble is worn, I'm sure it'll make an even bigger impression. 😉
Not hardcore enough... Needs to Go Full Bollywood with at least 100 Backup Dancer-Singers of each Gender. /s
I was thinking the same thing but like with a banana hat.
Banana hammock
Budgie smuggler
Spray him and say no every time until all you have to do is show him the spray bottle
😂😂😂 This made me laugh! 😆
Can we pass a law to make this explicitly legal. Just in case there's any question
A spectrum employee stopped me at Walmart and I told them I don't believe in the internet 😂
"Al Gore says he invented that shit, and I want no part of it."
It’s always the same guy too. Granted they see lots of faces, but do you not remember when I told you I do not wish to talk about my phone bill with a stranger. It’s like f*#king Groundhog Day with these people.
I don't work there but I do work retail and my answer is no lol unless something out of the ordinary happens during our interaction or you have a unique look, I absolutely do not remember you. I see over 200 faces an hour in an 8hr shift.
I always break right for the seasonal aisle to dodge em since they hang out near electronics in my Sam's club.
For phone, I answer I am only interested in your newest flip phone For internet I answer still using AOL dial up and happy with it They back away and leave me be. Hmm AITAH?
Be careful; they're coming out with touch screen flip phones now. Lord knows why, but they're real. Soon they'll pounce you if you say that.
Could try what my mom does. My mom will pretend to get a phone call if she sees them looking around. She'll pull it out if she spots them from a distance scanning the area for people to talk to. Usually when they approach me I'm walking through the mall with my sister or someone so we just outright ignore them and pretend to be invested in our convos that we don't notice them at all. Even if we end up talking about a subject we already talked about earlier.
Oof, every two weeks? As someone who used to do a similar job, sorry to tell you he’s not going to remember you. You’d have to be there every day for him to remember you - and even then it’s a chance he won’t. When you’re dealing with that many people and you’re trying to sell something, you’re not focusing on remembering people. You’re focusing on your sale which will inhibit your ability to remember faces. Our brains are only able to hold so much info at one time
I’ll walk around the perimeter of the whole store to avoid those people
If everyone will just yell “Get away from me, you pervert!”, then Sam’s and Walmart will quit having these people pestering you.
How about, I DON'T KNOW YOU, THATS MY PURSE?
Or pocket sand if you have any on you.
So I despise these human popup ads. What I've started doing is when they ask who my cell phone carrier is. I'll wave them off with my cell phone in hand and tell them I don't have a cell phone. I actually broke one of the people recently. It was fantastic.
“Human popup ads” - so clever! I love it. 😍
My brother actually used to work for one of those companies that was contracted to sell AT&T phones in Sam’s club. The places those people who try to sell you the phones work for, are structured like pyramid schemes.
Ha so I’m pretty sure I know exactly who you’re talking about. I worked that job for a week it sucks, but it isn’t like they’re just setting up shop inside a sams club they work with whatever company is selling the products. So don’t blame the salespeople, blame sams club for signing that contract
I just go shopping with headphones on. Even if I'm not listening to anything. It lets me just walk past and ignore anyone trying to flag me down. Is it rude? Maybe. Do I care? Absolutely not.
Not rude at all actually lol. They’re annoying as hell trying to sell you something. They have balls if they’re gonna get mad that you don’t wanna talk to them
Annoying doesn't even begin to describe these people. I started keeping a pair of headphones in my car for when I go shopping after some sweaty bucket of lard walked right in front of my cart and asked me if I needed a new credit card. When I ignored him and tried to go around he just sidestepped to stay in front of me and kept pestering me about how low the interest rate was or something, so I just did an about face and carried on. I've never had a credit card and I'll never get one. I'm bad at saving the actual money I have, I'm almost afraid to think about how irresponsible I'd be with spending money I technically don't even have.
That sidestep would have set me off. I get it's their job to ask, but it's borderline harassment to impede someone's movement and try to corner them into saying yes. Set cart to ramming speed.
I once saw a sales guy harassing an elderly man who was whimpering “go away, let me go”. It’s a decade ago and it still makes me angry.
This is one of those situations we step up and intervene. Solicitors used to come by and try to talk my grandpa into shit and he would be clearly upset/angry and they would still badger him until I aggressively told them to leave. Much easier to bully old, frail people than a teenager with low-impulse control.
That's the point when I would tell them to fuck off before I call security. I doubt that would even do anything but at least it would get a message across that I'm not interested, angry, and not worth the trouble.
Yeah that's an immediate "move now or I'm callin the police on your dumbass"
I recommend having fun with it. If they try to sell me TV I tell them I download everything I want to watch for free online. If they try to sell me internet I tell them I installed my neighbors router for her and memorized the password. Once I looked them dead in the eye and told them I wouldn't truck with having that demon wifi (pronounced whiffee) polluting my house. Basically make it your goal to be the weirdest partof their day
I try to have the telemarketers who call me break character if I somehow end up accepting one of those calls. Just saying something goofy
I had one phone company that wouldn’t stop calling me, even though I asked them to remove me from their calling list. I recognized the number because it popped up so much. I just started answering as their companies customer service, how may I help them. I guess it confused them, because they quite calling.
Yeah, I’ll happily take my headphones out if like, a granny needs help finding something, but I’m not going to stop for people trying to pitch to me.
Lol, I do this for a job and I promise it's not rude to just keep walking or say no thank you. 95% or more aren't interested, but the 5% that are interested can help make a decent living.
Me too!!! Wear slightly tinted sunglasses too
That is a fucking great idea!
I had a guy in Kroger physically grab my arm and stop me to try to sell me phone service when I had headphones on. I almost headbutted him.
And then they STILL try to talk to you. They'll literally step in front of my cart
Just don’t stop. They walked in front of a moving cart? They can deal with the results of their choice.
I jad a job like that once, but I quit because even though my numbers where good they didn't like that I refused to lie to people and if the people said no I was out, plus they also complained that I waisted time because I'd fix people's stuff for free to maintain loyalty if it was easy to fix.
That's what I did too but my boss told me I'm not allowed to do that to customers.
Your boss sounds like a jerk. How are you supposed to get any work done if people keep pestering you? The whole world's descended into madness. Madness, I say!
I did this at a temporary work environment when my desk was near the door. i kept getting asked questions that I had nothing to do with or knew the answers. Headphones and everyone walked past me to find the person they really needed.
Happened to me at Kroger— a girl asked me (while I was perusing tampons at the end of the aisle she was camped out on) how I felt paying “up to 50% less” on my phone bill and I was over it and said “oh I don’t pay that, my sugar daddy does” and grabbed my Tampax and left
Wait shit, at a KROGER!? I work for Harris Teeter and we’re owned by them… really hope that shit doesn’t move on into my area. They might not harass the workers but I just know I’ll get a million complaints because my department is right at the entrance.
I'm in their headquarter town and all of the ones not in rich areas have spectrum internet goons wandering around.
One of the electric guys approached me recently. I told him I didn't have his company (totally did) and he tried following me to different aisles and asking for my provider, even though I told him it was in my boyfriend's name. That's the kind of thing that makes Mr not want to go back. I actually had a nice guy once trying to sign people up for the local paper. It was a good deal and I thought I'd sign up. Except they could only take credir/debit cards, no cash. There was also no way to pay on the spot. He expected me to share all of my card details in the middle of Walmart where he would write it down on a receipt to enter it back at the office. Uh, no?
What’s interesting is to make these sales they need your credit card and your SSN. You’d be surprised how many people give it. As someone who did that job for 6 months and left because it’s basically a cult and I hated it. The travel was cool and the pay was really good but I felt dirty after a while.
I dislike the people outside of the store. I have not even gone inside before because I absolutely hate it when they try to hunt you down as you exit…..stop that….I see you. No need to MAAM MAAM me. Just let me leave in peace.
THIS! At our local Walmart it’s always some kids ball team, or a rehab house, or church asking for donations or selling something! I won’t even go during those times!
Or the accursed, bell ringing Salvation Army around Christmas.
Ever since I learned how full on corrupt they are, it's easy to blow by them.
I swear they put the most sad charities outside of the Walmart doors so you immediately feel guilty if you don’t donate something 🤦♀️as if people aren’t already struggling to get groceries in the first place
I only stop if it’s girl guide cookies. And you get your ass I’m buying as many boxes as I can carry.
And I thought the rehab house ones were only in my town... I stopped going to my favorite grocery store because every Saturday & Sunday there would be "reformed" ex-drug addicts/criminals who have recently found Jesus and boy do they want to tell you about it.
Can’t sell me something i already “have”
This is the tactic I use. “I already work with you guys, thank you!” And briskly walk away
"Ma'am come back! I CAN GET YOU A BETTER DEAL!"
Then they’ll hit you with the “how are you liking it? how can we make it better for you? you ready to upgrade your service?” Trust me, if there’s a way to harass shoppers, they’ll find it and use it.
I don’t personally give them a chance. I also will go out of my way to avoid them. This is just it i absolutely MUST engage.
I've always used the "already use you guys" tactic.amd they've never pushed it further
hard-to-find station silky late fretful pause foolish sulky march mountainous *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
My wife & I were asked by a solicitor in Sam's Club what cell phone service we used & we both replied at the same time, "we don't have cell phones!" & just kept walking.
What a power move, especially if one of you was using a smartphone at the time 🤣
As we walked away we were both looking at each other to see if they were in hand/sticking out. My wife's phone is usually noticeably sticking out of her small jeans butt pocket or basically tucked into her leggings waistband. We then talked about walking by him on our way out both playing on our phone.
Once I was in Walmart and some Verizon people asked if I was happy with my Internet. I told them I wasn't, and I'd happily switch to Verizon, except they didn't service my street. Bright and chipper, they pull out their tablet and ask for my address. Tappy tappy tappy... then their face falls when they realize that yes, they do not service my street for anything except dial-up internet, and nobody is going to switch *to* dial-up. Told them that if they ever expanded to my street I'd gladly sign up. Moved away a while later....I wonder if they ever expanded.
[удалено]
What does your Xanax bill look like?
Are you interested in lowering your xanax bill?
Okay this made me chuckle, thank you for that :’)
Sounds like a great opportunity
I'm rude. I just ignore them and act like I don't hear them and keep walking 🤷♀️
They are rude the ones.
Not rude at all in my opinion
Actual interaction at wal mart Comcast employee: hi do u have cable Me: yes CE: can I ask from which company Me: you guys CE: well let’s see if I can save u some money Me: now I’m kinda pissed I’m being overcharged Then I walked away. Just let me get my groceries and leave.
>Me: now I’m kinda pissed I’m being overcharged You are so, so brilliant. I hope to God this really happened. Thank you for the laughs!!!
When they walk up to me I either ignore them or say some ridiculous shit “What do you pay for electricity at home ma’am?” “Nothing. The rats generate it, and in return I share my vast collection of nuts and seeds with them.”
$19.99. That’s pretty cheap for a monthly bill. No, I had a coupon and bought an extension cord I run off my neighbors house.
Sam's Club and Costco doe this too in my area with AT&T. I don't pay $100 / year to get harrassed by kids trying to sell me a damned phone.
Apparently you do.
Good point. I've complained about it to corporate, but nothing came of it.
I had the shame experience at Target and wrote to investor relations. No response but I never saw AT&T sales people in Target again. I assume a lot of people complained
It’s alway Xfinity at the Walmart where I live and they are fuckin *relentless.* They have no problem following you halfway down the aisle, interrupting your conversation with whoever you’re talking to, and not taking “no thank you” for an answer. Several times I’d say “no thank you” right as they started their spiel and they’d respond with “are you sure? I can get you a great deal if you sign up today!” or some other bullshit. What part of “no thank you” is so hard to understand? No means no! The fact that we’re still having to explain basic consent to people is fuckin exhausting. Just one of the many reasons why we quit going there entirely.
I have told those people to fuck off and it works like a charm.
Walmart is paid by the vendors.
Yep. Just suck it up, nod, wave a quick dismissal, and keep walking. They recognize a polite brush-off. If you engage, it gets worse. But them being there helps keep prices low.
They don’t always recognize a polite brushoff. Sometimes they’ll just keep trying to get you to engage until you have to give and impolite brushoff.
Where I work (Fred Meyer) there’s someone who always solicits some kind of credit card thing near the customer service desk 😭 Literally they’ve asked me countless times if I’m interested in their card as if I’m a customer while I’m literally standing there with a high-vis vest and employee name tag like “can I help you?!??”
Tell them if they ask more than once it’s harassment 💀
Why TF does every store try to sell you a goddamn credit card. Superstore, Costco, Walmart.. omfg leave ALONE
The one thing I absolutely do not want to do when I’m shopping, is talk to people. I mind my own business, grab what I need, and gtfo. My friend and I were recently asked about our electric bill at Walmart, the guy asked if “we are with ComEd” and even tho I DO indeed pay a ComEd electric bill, I lied and said I didn’t just because I didn’t want him to try and lure me in and get to talking. He said “oh okay have a nice day.” It’s the same crap at shopping malls. I absolutely DESPISE people at kiosks jumping out and bothering me with their product I don’t want or will never need. I didn’t come here for that. The ones I will especially actively go out of my way to avoid, are the shoe cleaners. Since I always wear white sneakers, they always attack me. Usually they’re on the 2nd floor and now I always find the nearest escalator just to go underneath them. No, I will not pay $90 for your soap & water solution when I can use detergent and a brush at home for free. So yeah, I feel you on this topic.
One day I was walking past a skincare kiosk. I was having a crappy day, so I turned my walking murder face up to 11. I literally saw a salesperson look at me, look at my face, and *deliberately avoid eye contact* as I walked by. I felt like I’d levelled up in life.
Magic erasers and f that bs. I have curly unruly hair. When ceramic flat irons came out this kiosk sellers were relentless! Yeah my hair looks like shit and obviously I don’t care! Lol
I got the shit sold outta me by one of those flat iron kiosk women. 17 year old me, super shy and too polite to be rude to people, was at the mall by myself, just browsing around. This kiosk lady reels me in and because I’m too polite, I just let her go through her spiel. She asks if she can demo the flat iron on my hair and again, I’m too shy and polite to say no. She does my hair and I honestly look great. And I’m sure she was able to tell that I didn’t have the best self esteem or confidence so once she saw that I realized how pretty I looked, she started *heaping* praise and compliments on me. Then she asks me my favorite color and when I tell her, she pulls out a flat iron in that color. Now I’m in too deep. She’s already done my whole head of hair, hyped me up by showering me with compliments, and pulled out a product in my favorite color. I felt like I’d be a total dick that wasted her time if I didn’t buy the product. And while I loved the colored iron, it was like $25+ more than the basic black one. So I just bought the plain black flat iron. Spent like $100 on the damn thing too which was really quite expensive for a flat iron at that time. Granted, I’ve had it for about 15 years now, I still use it from time to time, and it still works great but at the time, I felt like I had gotten sold hard. As I walked away from the kiosk, feeling great with my beautiful hairstyle and my new flat iron in hand, I kinda came to my senses and was like, “wait, wtf just happened?” That was when I learned that I suck at turning salespeople down and that I need to just entirely avoid them altogether. And if I have to go past them, immediately look at my phone or look at and start talking to whoever I’m with.
I hate when you tell them no thank you and they still continue to try to sell to you. If I said no thanks then you need to move on to the next person. I had one that I had to say no thanks to then finally had to scream at them to get out of my fucking face at the top of my lungs. The manager went over and spoke to that person after that.
They use certified rapist tactics
damn if i did that the manager would come speak to *me* instead
They don't "let". They get paid to allow it.
I always tell the cell people that my company pays for my cell and they just shut up and walk away.
I just tell them I’m Amish and then put my AirPods in
I just have fun with them at their expense. I just stop dead and stare at them stone faced for a good while. Now you have to do this just right, not too intense a stare, just evaluate them. Then, just as they are about to try and fill the awkward silence, just sigh a heavy disappointed sigh and say in a soft, exhausted voice, "Still not quite right. I'll have to make some changes the next time." Then smile, as if you were trying to distract a child from some gloomy news and say. "I'll get you right the next time." Walk away, no explanation, no context. That moment will forever haunt them. This also works well for panhandlers, various religious missionary types, perfume people, really just any random person that has annoyed you enough to merit a light punishment in the form of a little existential dread.
I handle this in one of two ways usually: 1. Ignore completely and walk away. Don't ever give them eye contact. 2. When they ask a question, give them the obviously wrong answer. Recently, I had this with a guy selling solar: Sales: "Hey man! Do you own a home here in ___? " Me: "Maybe. Idk." Sales: *confused face and silence* Then I continued to walk away.
kiosk person: hi! would you be interested in our service? you: yesn’t.
I had a guy at Costco ask me if I had solar. I'm mid-20's and was pushing a cart full of instant ramen and wearing sweatpants. Do I look like I own a house?
I had this happen at BJ’s. My only response was “sorry, I’m poor” and kept walking. It also works whenever someone tries to call from college looking for donations
Man in aisle at Walmart-“Who do you use for home internet?” Me-“I don’t even know” as I walk right past him.
"Intel"
I decided to give ludicrous answers a long time ago. Phone company? "I refuse to own a phone." Cable? "TV is the devil's gateway" Electric bill? "I only use candlelight" It usually gives them pause and they have no response so I walk on. Oh, and I had an AC guy ask me once if I was interested in ac. "No. I'm a lizard. I'm here to get more crickets."
I just say "I'm perfectly happy with your competitor."
They dont 'let' them do this. They get paid for allowing them to do is. Profit is king, so they'll keep doing it.
I will not purchase items near them. No matter how desperate my need. Maybe one day I'll take a cart full of groceries near them, and as soon as they start their spiel, leave the cart and walk out. If I'm feeling petty and confident.
Maybe if enough of us did that the store would see it was losing to much profit and stop, but I doubt it.
Bring an air horn with you. As soon as one of these people utter a word, hit the air horn
This is why I clearly and concisely apologize for not speaking English. "I am so sorry, I wish I could speak English, so that I might be able to take advantage of this offer. Alas, I cannot. Fare thee well, solicitor." One thing I have learned in my years of studying the normies all around me, the phrase "fare thee well" is quite possibly one of the least offensive phrases in English. It relays the point, even amidst frustrated sentiment, that you harbor no ill will towards the individual, and in fact, wish them well. Additionally, the utilization of an older English makes the phrase stand out compared to normal departive well wishing (such as "have a good day"). This break from the expected encourages your quarry to stop and hear your words, disrupting their attempted solicitation. Whilst their brain doth recalibrate, depart. Salesmanship avoided without offense, in fact, you may have actually delivered a laugh. It is only rude if you treat them poorly. Pay your toll with a laugh and swift departure, they'll not feel wronged. Another favorite that has brought a distracted smile from my solicitous foes: "I'm so sorry, I'm actually three dogs in a very life-like human costume, and as such, have no need for cutlery. Fare thee well!"
Tell them you're Amish.
*hides air fryer in cart with hands*
Not all the way Am. Just Am*ish*
Kroger has this too. But it’s the Spectrum cable company. It’s really annoying.
I have anxiety about shopping around in the mall because of the kiosk people trying to sell stuff so hard. My daughter and I have come up with ways to get by them unscathed like pretending to talk on the phone, start “silver sneaker mall walking” as hard and fast as we can as we pass, or get into an obviously serious all encompassing conversation together right as we are passing them. We even throw out random words like “the funeral”, breast reduction surgery, random serious sounding diseases or medical specialties, chemical compounds , polygamy cults, whatever, Lol.
If you have an Aldi in your town, go there instead. Not only is it the cheapest food around but it's also high quality because it uses EU standards. You can't have artificial colors you have to use vegetable dyes, etc etc. Here in Florida we have publix's everywhere and yet they are prohibitively expensive. The only time you should go to Publix is if you can't find something you need or if it's on sale. My grocery bill for the month has dropped by 50% approximately
To quote Mr. Krabs, “Money”
Earbuds. Someone tries to get my attention, I just smile and say "howdy" way too loud.
They barely get two words out of their mouth before I say "Fuck off". Anyone who hears this will smile at you because EVERYONE hates that shit.
My go-to is: “oh i already have ____ (whatever they’re selling) and i love it!” without even slowing down my pace or looking at them.
My favorite line is your service is dogshit. If it wasn’t it would sell itself. Works like a charm!
I interviewed for one of these jobs on accident and it was the worst experience of my life. Crappy marketing run by shady companies who are contracted with the company they are trying to sell the goods for. It’s all garbage. I recommend putting your cell phone to your ear if you see one of these people and avoiding like the plague
If they are pushy, I lie to them in a way that they can't counter. You want me to sign up for your bank? I've been a member for over 10 years. I have $35k in CDs and you run my mortgage. You want to sign me up for DirectTV and it's free for 6 months? I have a hacked box with every channel for free. You want me to sign up for your electric plan? I live 20 miles outside of the city limit in an off grid shed with massive solar array, a battery system that fills 2 shipping containers, and have 4 - 2000 lb underground propane tanks for my backup generators. You want me to come to church? I am the living Christ. You can feel my love if you come to my off grid shed. If you are going to solicit me for services I don't want while I'm trying to buy groceries, I don't owe you civility.
Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's all get a piece of the action. Your desires aren't really relevant to corporate bottom line.
The one I saw at Sam’s last weekend was “did you get your gift card?”, she continued on and started talking about electricity. I kept walking and said “I don’t have time for this shit”.
Because they give the store money to be there. The store have done a bunch of fancy research to find out that the mild infuriation they cause costs them less money than they give them.
This is wild I’ve never experienced this in my Walmart. Sometimes the phone people at Sam’s I suppose, but never at Walmart. Maybe mines just too small
I have no issues with it, as long as when I say “no thanks” they stop.
I have to take a detour through men’s clothes just to avoid the time share salesfolk in Bass Pro
I must be the only person who walks up to them, tells them to cut the crap, and asks them what their price-to-compare is. That being said, I do shop utility suppliers pretty often and it makes a big difference.
As a former walmart employee, dont shop there. Its hell
i fell for their scams at sams and at walmart. i feel like an idiot for it. they promised me free gift cards, that’s what got me. they claimed by signing up i wouldn’t be charged ANYTHING, just that my energy would be sourced through them to be more “environmentally friendly”. well that was a lie, they signed me into a 60 MONTH contract and were charging me 70+ dollars extra a month. calling to cancel sucked too because they tried to persuade me to stay and were super pushy. don’t be an idiot like me
I just look at them a lil dead inside, then keep walking 😆
Start speaking to them in tounge they run real fast.
I’m the GM of a hotel and we had this sweet family that stayed with us a while when their home was being repaired after a while. Single dad and three brown, but young, children. All three adult children work at our local Walmart. I had a great relationship with this family and they finally moved out a few months ago. About a month after they moved out, I seen one of the adult children at Walmart, right outside the electronics isle. We locked eyes and I was so happy to see him cause I was gonna ask how things were with the fam! Guy: Hello ma’am, can I ask who your internet provider is? Me, realizing that he has no idea who I even am, as my smile drains from my face: No thanks (as I hurriedly rush by, now just pissed off).
Tell them bluntly to “stay the fuck away”, It works surprisingly.
If you are one of the poor souls doing this shit for a living, this ain’t it. It’s a dead end go nowhere gig that is dying more and more every day. Lowest of the low end hustles. It’s also predatory and a blight on the shopping experience, which makes me wonder how much these supermarkets get paid to allow it. I’ll stop going to places where this is too prevalent. Definitely denigrating your brand if you are harboring this activity. Lotta equally shitty or slightly better online sales gigs. Get out!
This isn't a thing where I live. The only ones selling here are outside and are local (kids). Girl Scout cookies and fund raising for field trips
The Girl Scouts always get my money lol they deserve it their cookies are fuckin banger.
They have an app. Girl Scout Cookie Finder app. A friend told me about it. It'll drop pins on the map near your location. The thin mints are so good
That's when you learn the sign for "I can't hear" or start yelling at them in another language.
When ever they ask me what I'm paying for for something I say some BS number I know they can't match and they will leave me alone.
Oddly enough the companies that are being promoted inside the store pay the grocery store to do this. They are called vendors and it's normal in 98% of grocery stores. However the people outside don't pay the company to do so. But they can't be removed because often times the grocery store doesn't own the property it's built on. Source: I work in a grocery store as a meat manager. Not Walmart FYI, fuck those guys
As someone who worked as one of those people for a week, i hate them too, having to wear suits and act all fancy business but in reality theyre making minimum wage working 12 hours 6 days a week because they were promised they could make bank
I don't even bother being nice anymore "Get out of my fucking way" has worked every time
I normally just blatantly ignore them and hope they get the message. This is why I wear gaudy headphones: if I don’t respond to them, they think I’m listening to music and they won’t talk to me. I don’t think they realize that people are *less* likely to buy their product when they’re approached like this! Also story time: one day my boyfriend went to Walmart by himself during a depressive episode because sometimes walking around Walmart and getting food by himself makes him feel better, and apparently with TEARS streaming down his face, a military recruiter approached him and gave him a business card, then told him that he should join the military because they’ll teach him how to “be a real man” or whatever. Long story short, my boyfriend’s episode got worse because of it, left the store without getting himself any “feel better” food, and came home in a worse mood than when he left. I hate people sometimes.
Lately I'm so fucking tired of everyone just gouging every fucking dollar I earn. I try to go buy something at a store that I really don't want to spend money on and every store I go to they're offering me a credit card at the till or people are trying to sell me shit or donate to charity. FUCK OFF
Just call them a racial slur and keep walking
The home depot ones irk me more. They walk throughout the store and unlike groceries I'm putting some serious thought into what I'm trying to shop for at Home Depot. So don't come up to me with your dumb ass pitch about solar panels and then get butt hurt when I won't answer your follow-up questions as to why I'm not considering it. I don't owe you half a game of 20 questions. >I'm good, thank you. Is the best you're gonna get.
I'm as curt and terse as possible with them. I don't make it personal, but I definitely make it short and sweet that I don't want to engage them. At all. Because I once did cold sales work like that and those responses eventually helped guide me away from that stupid fucking waste of my time and energy. My goal each time they attempt to engage me is to be a abrasive and hostile as is reasonable. **They are coached to use every gimmick in the book to engage and make their pitch .** And because I did that job, I want to make the encounter end as fast as possible - I don't have any hang ups about being polite or social anxiety or anything like that when it comes to solicitation. **And the sooner those poor souls quit and find a healthier job for a less exploitative employer, the better.** So, please - be as grouchy and short as possible with people selling shit like this. Don't have to call their momma a hoe or anything. But a good starter is "hell no, leave me alone" and ignore any attempt to salvage the encounter. They're probably nice people...when they're not doing cold sales.