Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I had the pleasure today (happy, happy, joy, joy) to try to collect some money from a few of our customers here at work. Why is it that when they don't have any money, they ALWAYS start the conversation off with "How's the weather over there"???? I am not kidding! I had 6 different people today ask me that same question and then tell me they don't have anything to pay me right now or that they would call me back later. Do they think that I am so involved with the sunshine we finally have here today that I would forget that they owed me $15,000 that's well over 90 days old?? LOL This brings me to a question for all of you: What diversions have any of you used in the past to skirt around an uncomfortable moment?
Originally Posted By Terminus I guess this week, I'd have to tell them a story about some Hippos in Africa that don't have and spinach, or something. I guess when people don't really know what else to talk about, they talk about the weather. Happens on a lot of conference calls while we're waiting for someone at my job, too. Of course, most of the time they're in Minnesota, so I love telling them it's cold out here in the winter... Like 60.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Just today a guy came to my door wanting money for him painting my house number on the curb. I told him I didnt ask for the curb to be painted and he told me I had to pay him anyway. I lied and told him I just had lost my job. I didn't know what else to say!
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin You just would have had to set up orange cones around him...that right there would have scared him away.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Just today a guy came to my door wanting money for him painting my house number on the curb. I told him I didnt ask for the curb to be painted and he told me I had to pay him anyway. I lied and told him I just had lost my job. I didn't know what else to say!*** You really want to get him gone quick? I would start with "what's the name and address of your company?", and/or "can I have your name and contact information". Then move onto "in all fairness, I should inform you that I'm a lawyer, so you might want to obtain one yourself before continuing this conversation". By then, he will have left the premises, but if not, probably about time to just slam the door.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 HAUNTS, you could do what I do and not answer the door If clients don't have payment with them when they come to pick up their packet we don't give it to them. This is SUPER uncomfortable but really they KNOW the rule. Most are OK with it but some get weird. What do I do? I go and get Dave All of a sudden the client becomes a different person He tells them the same thing I told them and suddenly its all cool I'm a whimp. If I'm asked to sign a petition I say I'm not a registered voter. If I'm asked to donate money outside a grocery store I say "Not today." If Wittness's come to the door, I don't answer it. I don't like to hurt peoples feelings and I don't want to talk to them so I figure it's better to ignore the bell.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I tend to tell people what I think, plain and simple. Sometimes I get in trouble for it, but I often sleep best that way.
