Allow me to preface this-
I really don't mind my *friends and family* asking me to host a party for their business; and I don't mind hearing about the products they sell. In fact, I love having Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Scentsy, Tupperware, Ladies Night Out, wraps, Avon, etc. parties at my house IF I have the time and if I can get a group of my friends together for it.
I also understand that picking up a phone and cold-calling people is tough. But calling someone you don't know and pretending you're long-lost pals is probably not the best way to get business.
The following is a phone call I just received:
Caller: "Hey, is this Cari?
Me: "Yes, this is Cari. What can I do for you?"
Caller: "Oh, it's so good to talk to you again! This is (NameIsn'tRingingaBell). I met you at that event in July."
Me: (pause) "Oh! Uhm," (trying valiantly to remember) "Which event was that?"
Caller: "You know, the one at the golf course."
Me: (rolling eyes to self) "Ah, okay. Which golf course?"
Caller: "The Fernandina public course. I sat at the table next to yours."
Me: (Gee, that narrows it down) "Ok, yeah, I think I might... uhm, what the name of your company again?"
Caller: "Well, at the time I was with ____ real estate but now I'm full time at my side job. I love it!"
Me: (still wracking my brains) "Oh! Well, that's great! I'm glad you're enjoying it more than your old job!"
Caller: "That's why I called you. I wanted to see if you're interested in joining my team?"
Me: "I'm sorry, what did you say your name is again?"
Caller: "(RepeatsUnfamiliarName) I can't believe you don't remember me! I gave you my card."
Me: (Eleventy-two events and a hundred business cards later...) "I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning. (self-deprecating laugh) I'm sorry; to be honest, I don't remember meeting you. You're gonna have to help me out here, what is it that you do again?"
Caller: "I sell scented candles for ____."
Me: "Oh, okay! (still don't recall meeting this person) Which event did I meet you at?"
Caller: "It was the one that the ____ sponsored. I am having a special this month if you want to become a distributor. It's only $350. for the start-up kit! But you make all your money back after one show! The kit includes..."
(tells me all about it as I shuffle through old business cards)
Caller: "Doesn't that sound like a great offer? You can pay off your car and make all sorts of extra money for Christmas! I have my calendar right here in front of me, I can schedule a time to come to your house."
Me: "I really don't have time..."
Caller: "Don't have time to make some extra money?" (laughs like I'm stupid for rejecting this fabulous offer) "You know the saying, 'If not now, then when? If not you, then who?' It's a great opportunity!"
Me: "Listen, I really do have a lot going on right now..."
Caller: "Oh. This doesn't take up a lot of time- just a few nights each week."
Me: "I don't have a couple nights each week to spare."
Caller: "Are you sure? You won't get this chance again! This is a once in a lifetime offer!"
Me: (losing patience) "I'm *sure* I don't have time to do this right now but I appreciate you thinking of me."
Caller: (getting huffy) "If you don't want to become a distributor, can you host a party? It's the least you can do for not remembering me."
Me: (flabbergasted) "I beg your pardon?"
Caller "I was just kidding! Would you like to set up a time to have lunch and we can discuss this?"
Me: (Speaking slowly) "As I said, I really don't have time..."
Caller: (in a sing-song chirpy voice) "You could make the time if you really wanted to."
Me: "As I was saying before you interrupted me- I have many commitments. I don't have time to take on anything else right now. Also, I'm still not sure who you are. I don't mean to sound rude, but I've met a lot of people over the last six months and I really don't remember meeting you."
Caller: (snotty tone) "Well, you could have just said that from the start!"
And then she hung up on me. /sigh I can't win.
First- I need to learn the fine art of saying, "Not no, but hell no. Not today, not tomorrow, not next week. No, no, no, no, no, NO!"
Second- am I required to be polite to people like this? I was tempted to call her back and tell her off, but grace and manners kicked in and I decided against it.
Third- she was right about one thing- I probably would make the time if I really wanted to do it. I wish I knew how to politely say, "I'm sorry but this isn't something I'd be interested in doing." It's just a few little words; it seems like it'd be so easy to say. But somehow, I can't bring myself to utter them.
Is it my upbringing? My sense of propriety? WHY can't I come right out and say, "No, thank you", never worrying about hurting someone's feelings or being rude?
Fourth- I have a lot of old business cards.
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