Consumer Lessons Learned from a Lawn Care Salesman

March 14, 2008

Do you hang up on telemarketers? Why waste your time, right?  I feel the same way but last night was different. The phone interrupted our evening, “don’t answer it”, my wife said. “It’s that lawn care salesman calling back”.  Thirty minutes later, the phone rings again and I pick it up, thinking it might be […]

How Much Are You Really Saving With Holiday Deals?

December 1, 2007

Although retailers are facing their worst holiday season in five years they aren’t necessarily resorting to lower prices across the board to increase sales.  An article in Smart Money shows how stores are being smart about giving discounts that will not only increase sales but also benefit them in the long run.   Smart Sales StrategiesRetailers […]

Comcast Cable Bait & Switch – Sales Tactic #8

October 24, 2007

This post is part of the Sales Tactics Revealed series. Make sure you check out the other Sales Tactics. Have you read my post on How 5 Minutes Can Save You $120?  If so, beware the advice I gave because it may come back to bite you! How 5 Minutes Can Cost You $180Comcast just […]

Free Trial Subscription – Investors Business Daily Case Study

October 12, 2007

Investors Business Daily Free Trial Are free trials a selling tactic, a useful tool for consumers, or both?  I received a lot of comments and emails on the Free Trial Offer post the other day and decided to dig into this one a little more by looking at a free trial offer from Investors Business […]

Do You Fall for Free Trial Offers – Sales Tactics #7

October 9, 2007

Come on, sign up and give it a try.  The first 30 days are free, if you don’t like it just bring it back. Sound familiar? How many times have you been talked into signing up for a service or buying a subscription because they offer a free trial? “I’ll just see what it’s like”, you […]

Preferred Customers Specials – Sales Tactic #6

October 1, 2007

Remember the high school cafeteria where all the coolest kids sat at their own table?  You wouldn’t likely sit there without an invitation, what some people wouldn’t give for an invite like that.  Hopefully we’ve all grown up some since high school but everyone likes to feel special and a preferred customer invitation can still be hard to […]

Every Day is a Sales Event – Sales Tactic #5

September 20, 2007

Today is a good day to shop.  As was yesterday and will be tomorrow.  At least that’s what retailers would like you to believe.  Having a Sales Event is a favorite weapon in the arsenal of sellers and the fifth in the Sales Tactics Revealed series. Shop, Shop, ShopWhy is it that every holiday seems […]

Are You Being Held in Rebate Ransom – Sales Tactic #4

September 17, 2007

We have your money!  We’ll give it back if you follow these specific steps.  Make one mistake and we’ll keep the cash! Sound like a ransom note to you?  Think again, it’s actually the crumpled rebate receipt in your wallet!  When you buy something with a mail-in rebate the seller is holding the money you […]

Come On! Buy it Now, You Can Pay Later – Sales Tactic #3

September 14, 2007

Think back to a shopping trip where you almost made a purchase but wisely walked away because you couldn’t afford it.  Bad news, the marketing gurus have found a way to stop that from happening!  When your better judgment screams NO, they use the “Buy Now, Pay Later” sales tactic to ease you into a big […]

You’ll Be Sorry If You Don’t….. – Sales Tactic #2

September 13, 2007

What emotion could make you sign a blank check with no questions asked?  How about FEAR?  It makes us do crazy things.  Sellers use this tactic to scare us into spending money.  If you don’t spend money for this now, You’ll Be Sorry, later!  Sound familiar? If so, you may have fallen victim to the […]

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