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The door to door salesman from hell

By on October 23, 2008 in message responsible, strategically responsible

The door to door salesman from hell

Yesterday, an office supplies salesperson from Quill darkened our doorstep at Outsource Marketing.

It wasn’t pretty, and I asked my colleague to recap her experience for you.

Here it is:

He walked into an office building that says “No Soliciting” posted on the door.

I walking out of Mary Kate’s office and Renee was following me. Clearly we were on our way somewhere, but he cornered me at the desk and would not let me pass.

He did not smile and had an aggressive approach.

His body language and his eyes were strange. He kept squinting them as one does when you’re trying to figure out if someone understands what you’re talking about. I felt talked down to.

He tried to confirm 4 or 5 times that I could make buying decisions in our office. After I agreed to talk with him about it, he persisted as if he doubted that he should be talking to me. That was annoying—if I’m willing to talk to you, then don’t treat me like I’m nothing unless you can get something from me.

Still, I gave him a couple of options to leave info with me: a card, some other info (I was thinking a brochure) to look at later. I actually asked for it, and his response was “no, we don’t leave anything behind.” Then he continued his sales pitch to educate me on what they do. He wasn’t receptive to me at all—he just wanted to bulldoze through his pitch.

When I finally told him that I had a meeting and couldn’t talk to him any longer, he had the opportunity to once again leave something behind, ask for one of my business cards or at least tell me their website address. He did none of the above.

I consider his cold call a complete bust. It’s like he was trying to do his thing in steps as he was trained, and when it didn’t go his way, he gave up.

Bad sales guy.

It’s about respect

I overheard most of this exchange, and wanted to isolate the main reasons why this sales call failed. Clearly, it wasn’t strategically responsible or message responsible.

Then I realized, it was the fact that this salesperson showed a lack of respect on a number of levels:

  • “No Soliciting” means “No Soliciting.” It doesn’t mean, “No Soliciting if you don’t have something good to sell, and I have something good to sell.” No means no. Period. This shows a disrespect for our wishes to have a workplace free of unwelcome interruptions.
  • By physically obstructing my colleague, he disrespected her space—in her space!
  • By definition, you are busy when you are at work. Unscheduled meetings—even short ones—show a disrespect for time.
  • He disrespected my colleague’s ability to make a decision about office supplies. She handles big budgets for some of our best clients every day. She didn’t need this.
  • His failure to simply listen showed a disrespect for what she had to say.

    • Apparently, Quill’s sales force is prohibited from handing out business cards or collecting them. And as you read above, the salesperson didn’t even offer their URL (though you can order everything online).

    No, this sales call wasn’t about building a relationship. It was about getting an account set up on the spot.

    When will Quill get our business after this sales call?

    When hell freezes over.

    So, can door to door salespeople market a product or service without disrespecting the people they are selling to?

    Under what circumstances?

    Comment below to weigh in.

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    • vic hernandez

      how dare they call themselves salesmen? to make these straight, being a real salesman is ” earned “…. just because you are hired and trained you thought you are already one? NO NO NO. a real salesman is a real salesman.” THE COSTUMER/CLIENT IS OUR BOSS ”
      AT ALL TIMES!!!!!! SO, TO ALL PSEUDO-SALESPEOPLE—–SHAME ON YOU…

    • amy

      just dealt with this today at work – over a month ago a team of 2 girls came in and took over our front counter while we were trying to help customers in the gift shop – we finally got them out and today, in walk two young guys – after being told several times we do not permit solicitors in the store and we want them to leave – one actually followed me into the back stockroom area when I told them to leave again and walked away….he looked to see what paper we used…seriously? I almost lost it at that point – but I turned and told him firmly to leave and repeated that he had been asked that several times – he finally left – I would never buy from this company for my own personal use or for any company I worked for – they are rude and disruptive to business – plain and simple.

    • http://www.millerdesignstudio.net Tim Miller

      Another salesperson returned today and again refused to leave when I said I wasn’t interested.

      I called Quill. They said if they have the employee # they can reprimand the employee.

      I went out to the parking lot to get a license number. When she left, she walked across the street to where she had parked her bike.

    • http://www.millerdesignstudio.net Tim Miller

      I thought of another solution:

      Apparently the salespeople receive a $50 commission on every new account. Why not make a small purchase (such as a $2.50 binder) and open a new account?

      Then, don’t make any additional purchases for 6 months. Your account will close and you can repeat the process.

      Quill will spend at least $100 a year on $5 of business (they offer free shipping to business accounts).

      If enough people did that, perhaps they would change their procedures.

    • http://Quill.com Bill

      I am one of these “awful salesman” for Quill. I have never refused to leave an office, never cornered a customer, or made anyone feel uncomfortable. I have a job just like anyone else and it is to try to help small to medium sized companies realize that they don’t have to pay retail prices. Alot of people are not cut out for door to door sales and are trained to be persistant, but if you actually look at the sales flyer which we are supposed to leave for you instead of a business card (because we are hired to generate new clients for Quill not be each company’s personal account manager) the prices are much lower than Staples or W.B. Mason. I have helped out tons of businesses by saving them money by switching to Quill. So I apologize for those awful salesmen, but not all of us are like that. Thanks,
      Bill

    • http://twitter.com/fakequillcom Offended Customer

      Hi, Bill,

      Actually, no Quill salesperson I’ve dealt with has ever left a sales flyer or anything for me to look at. And I did ask.

      After they wouldn’t leave anything, I asked them to leave. They didn’t do that either.

      You may well be a nice guy and a good salesperson, but if so, you are swimming upstream in that corporate culture.

      http://www.twitter.com/fakequillcom

    • http://www.vividcircle.com Melissa Walter

      Five minutes ago I tossed a W.B. Mason Sales Rep out of our office. Again. Over the course of 6 years in the same office building, my partner and I have thrown these guys out over 15 times.

      They disregard the large plaque at the building entrance that states “No Solicitation” as well as completely ignore the red sign on our door that clearly states “No Solicitations, Meetings by Appointment Only”. They seem to think that using the line “I was visiting our customer next door” as an excuse to disregard the building (and our) anti-solicitation request, and to walk into our office uninvited. We’re a boutique studio without a receptionist. They’ve walked in on meetings, on phone conversations, and on photo shoots. It’s extremely irritating. Additionally, with the ever-present danger of random shootings and crimes, I don’t take kindly to strange men entering my office suite uninvited.

      I understand that sales people have to make a living and I don’t necessarily blame the sales people directly. At the end of the day, my annoyance is with W.B. Mason for not training their sales staff better. I won’t do business with a company that breeds a culture of reps that blatantly disregard clear directives. I think it’s a direct reflection on W.B.Mason’s values and brand integrity. Some of the reps leave without question Others will stand there and actually argue with me in MY office not realizing I’m one of the owners.

      To address your question directly “can door to door salespeople market a product or service without disrespecting the people they are selling to?” Yes, I believe it’s possible. But only if they’re not breaking “No Solicitation” rules, if they’ve identified the appropriate person to make their offer to, if they’re not disruptive, if they show up with their manners intact, and if they have Branded Materials to leave behind.

      I’ve actually had sales reps (usually 3rd party resellers of Verizon and Comcast services) try to sell me something on the fly, with no supporting materials to leave behind. Do I look like a fool? Why don’t I just give you my house keys, car keys and credit cards while I’m at it?

    • http://www.Glinthammer.com Glint

      No Soliciting signs are bad news for everyone including the knuckle head who puts one up! If every building in America hung out a no soliciting sign and demanded that no one marketing or selling anything ever enter, the economy would screech to a dead stop. Face to Face marketing is the oldest and must effective means of developing new business period. Not knowing that is fine, but trying to stop it is equal to saying “You shouldn’t be asking for our business!” Now I am not saying that any disrespect should ever be perpetrated or tolerated. What I’m saying is there’s a better way to handle walk ins. The best gate keeper I ever met looked up when I entered the office and asked do you have an appointment? My gut said no, but my training over rid that reaction and I asked to set one. She then asked what are you selling? My gut said office supplies. My training kicked in again and I responded with, the entire range of products used by you and all of your coworkers for no less the 20% off what your company pays now – who would you recommend I meet with in your office? She asked for my name and after I responded she said can you come back and see me Monday at 8:30am? I set the appointment. I met with her that next Monday and earned the business. More importantly we both won.

      My point is; If you think your doing yourself or your company any good by demanding no soliciting, you’re wrong. EVERY COMPANY HAS SOME FORM OF SALES AND MARKETING- EVERY COMPANY! Every time you make a concerted effort to deny this you hurt your company and others.

      Just ask: Do you have an appointment? If the sales person is worth the time they will seek to set an appointment.

    • http://twitter.com/InversionCanada Teeter Hang ups

      In the United States, door-to-door sales are illegal in communities that have passed a Green River Ordinance. Also, during school fundraisers, the schools often recommend the students don’t go door-to-door because of pedophiles.

    • SwimMama21

      Just had 3 Quill “Promotional Sales Reps” pay me a visit yesterday morning. 1 guy, 2 girls….complete disregard for our office, the privacy and work of the company president, and my time. Opened our copier, went through my supply shelves, and just basically pissed me off. I actually opened an account and bought $588 worth of toner and paper…just to get rid of him, plus he kept promised Net 30 terms, no risk with 30 day return, blah blah…but that didn’t seem to be enough, as the dude just kept bashing our Canon copier and tried to push a Brother copier on me. He mentioned that we were would have the Net 30 about 10 times, but then came back and said we might have to pay with a CC for anything over the $500 on the first order. He called it in, and pronounced that “he got it all done…net 30 on the whole thing”. Ten minutes after he left, I get a phone call “in regard to my office supply order”…..I’m told that for the 1st 90 days I’ll need to prepay my account. Nope…not giving anyone the business credit card. I told the rep on the phone to cancel and hung up. What a crock.

    • http://www.responsiblemarketing.com Patrick Byers

      Wow, that’s a new one. Feels a little “bait and switchy,” doesn’t it?

    • WOW

      WOW just had a party in my office… 1 rep.. 2 rep … 4 reps… This is an office people!!! Talked me into buying something because of this great deal they have. NOT! Said there would be 20% off ink and toner cartridges. NOT! Got the invoice conformation via e-mail and there were no discounts. Could have purchased the cartridges next door for the same price… DO NOT BUY OFF THESE SALES PEOPLE!!! ITS A JOKE!!! Support your local sales people even if its a buck or two more! I bet you will be able to contact and see them instead of no contact for the “sales person” of Quill!

    • anonymous

      what a pain in the ass. if anyone is considering using this company, consider yourself warned. get ready for the ongoing harassment. after not seeing any reps for a few months, i thought i was off the visit list. then 2 new girls showed up. i hate how they all come into the office the same way with the ridiculous chitchat. i always cut them off and ask them to leave but they continue to keep talking as if they don’t see me getting angry or hear me getting louder. they asked for my phone number to see what discounts i can get. uh, i am yelling at you to leave my office and i cannot stomach the ongoing harassment so no, i will not give you my number and i will never use you again. they acted surprised as if noone has ever felt harassed by their reps. i told them they must not have googled themselves lately cuz there’s a crapload of angry folks out there. so ridiculous.

    • Pam

      Had two Quill reps come by my office yesterday. They wouldn’t take no for an answer. Extremely pushy. No matter what I said they wouldn’t leave. I decided the only way to get rid of them would be to place an order. They wanted to use my computer to place the order! I told them there was no way that was going to happen. They placed the order via their cell phone. Two hours later I checked my email for the purchasing info. Decided that the prices of the few items I ordered were not any cheaper than what I can purchase them for at the office supply store down the street. Called to cancel the order and was told it was already shipped. Told me I could refuse the order when it’s delivered. Thankfully I’ve not prepaid for this order. Never will I do business with this company.

    • Daniel

      “Quill Corporation is Staples most profitable division, accounting for nearly 25% of the company’s net income. Between 1998 and 2009 Quill grew from $500 million in revenues to over $1.3 billion. The company is still one of Staples’ fastest growing divisions and is led by Michael Patriarca, President of Quill Corporation.”

      Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staples_Inc.

      Staples acquired Quill in 1998. Also in 1998, Staples signed a contract to outsource QUILL’s marketing to firms that specialize in direct sales. Those “annoying” sales people are driving serious revenue for QUILL (acquiring thousands of new accounts daily) and is one of the principle reasons as to why Staples is gobbling up so much of the market in this industry.

      Like any big corporation (look up Microsoft, Dell, Best Buy, Subway, etc.) you’re going to find a very loud minority of people complaining about its products, services, or sales tactics.

      You even have people coming on here to complain that they were terrible at their job selling Quill – looking to blame someone for their failures…

      The bottom line is that these techniques have worked since the beginning of time. Quill is a multi-billion dollar company as a result. And it’s not going away.

      These complaints are as fruitless as whining about foreign policy, gas prices, or whether or not the US should have invaded Iraq.

      Finally, here are some tips for all of you:

      1. Lock your front door if you do not want sales people walking into your business. If you cannot, then accept that people will walk in a few times a week to promote or sell something.

      2. No Soliciting Signs are as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane. Don’t waste your money – they don’t deter anything. As a matter of fact, they are so prolific, people do not even pay attention to them. If anything, they serve as proof that they are insignificant as sales people love to take pictures of them after they just signed you up.

      3. You might want to consider hiring or training people to do B2B sales for your company if you have products or services that are marketable and a necessity. But even if you aren’t a service-based corporation, B2B sales people can sell luxuries very effectively too.

      4. Just so you know, the time it took you to write this complaint, more than likely an additional 100 new accounts were acquired for QUILL by those “annoying sales people”…

      :)

    • http://www.responsiblemarketing.com Patrick Byers

      Daniel – So what you are saying is, “might makes right,” then? SPAM works too. Doesn’t mean it’s a responsible way to market a product or service.

    • Daniel

      Patrick,

      I think this needs to be put into perspective.

      If your business is currently paying $400 a month for 4 phone lines, unlimited long-distance, and a 6 mbps DSL from AT&T and a Comcast Sales Rep rolls into your office (unsolicited) and demonstrates the same services plus a 12 mbps cable modem for $180/month with no installation fee – unless you absolutely hate Comcast for whatever reason – it’s a wise decision to switch. You can thank the Sales Rep for helping you save over $2,600 a year and more than likely, you’re going to get WAY better customer service. Easy business decision.

      What about this scenario: A Direct Energy sales rep knocks on your door at your personal residence and demonstrates an immediate savings of 40% a month on your bloated energy bill. What do you do? Run the guy off for knocking on your door or seriously take that kind of savings into consideration?

      Another: A little girl walks into your business to sell you girl scout cookies. You purchase a box and enjoy some delicious cookies for the rest of the day.

      All three scenarios were performed using the OLDEST form of marketing, face-to-face. The one you just suggested is an “irresponsible” way to market a product.

      Your perception of it being “irresponsible” is because you either didn’t care to save a few bucks on office supplies or you just didn’t like the Rep and/or his or her pitch/mannerisms.

      All three scenarios might be very favorable for you and if you were pitched by a REP concerning those products and services, your attitude might be completely different about direct marketing.

      Marketing Campaigns are designed to generate leads. They do so by cold-calling in person or on the phone or through email, blasting your TV with advertisements, posting billboards on your streets, inundating your mailbox with informational pieces, etc. How many of these were solicited?

      “Well I went to Best Buy to purchase a TV all on my own!” Sure you did, after you saw an unsolicited advertisement on TV.

      What does that mean? That means that you Market your products and services to people via the means mentioned above. That means that if you run a business you TOO are guilty of unsolicited advertising. Is that wrong or irresponsible? Of course NOT, it’s Marketing and that is how you generate your SALES. Whether someone likes it or not, is a matter of perception not whether it’s “right or wrong”…

    • http://www.responsiblemarketing.com Patrick Byers

      Daniel – Perspective is important. Thank you.

      It’s not about people soliciting high value services and products (who doesn’t like Girl Scout cookies?). If you read the many comments to this post, you’ll see the thing that irks people is Quill’s approach. If Quill’s sales reps consistently provided professional, courteous service this post never would have been written, nor would the comments be so passionate.

      It wasn’t about the “No Soliciting” sign as much as it was about the approach once they were in the door. Essentially sticking your foot in the door and not knowing that ‘no” means “no” aren’t just irresponsible marketing – they are irresponsible and offensive social behavior.

      You are absolutely right when you said “whether someone likes it or not, is a matter of perception not whether it’s “right or wrong”…” The entire point of this blog is to discuss the line where commerce and conscience either come together — or collide. That’s what makes Quill such an interesting topic.

      Some, like you, will tolerate questionable, insensitive sales tactics in the name of commerce. If it works, do it.

      Others know that when it comes to office supplies there are plenty of other options available and will hold their vendors to a higher standard.

    • Jill

      We had one of these salespeople visit us last week. Actually one salesperson and one (very nice, very embarrassed and naive) trainee. The lead salesperson was so obnoxious and pushy I have never, never seen worse sales tactics. I also asked for a business card or a website and she replied..I will come back next week. I told her I would contact her if we wanted to order and she said she could not leave a number or a website. It was an awful experience! I will NEVER order from these people. I don’t care how inexpensive they claim to be. What a horrible way to conduct business!

    • http://advantageschoolsupply.com Victor

      Quill has been using these tactics for years. They get paid well for that first order, that is there whole intention “get the first order”. Once your on their list you will find they use multiple pricing schemes to bump your pricing over the next few months. We have 3 company’s in one office and have seen flyers come in for each of our company’s at the same time. The same exact flyer with different pricing. One company had recent purchases and their prices where higher than the other two who hadn’t ever bought. Viking is another company that plays this game with pricing as do most mail order office supply company’s. You might find this site helpful. reduceofficeexpenses.com

    • kristie

      OH BOY!! They scare me and I’m a very patient nice lady but I’m not feeling this situation at all. I asked several time for contact info, email, phone and they refuse saying that they don’t communicate that way because they dedicate all their time to face to face customer contact. I’ll gladly pay 10% more to avoid these people. I’m sad to report they are coming back at the end of the week. help me…

    • Matt

      I hate Quill with a passion. I don’t care how old the marketing tactic is…people used to cut the gums of babies with a knife to relieve pressure from teething and the babies died…

    • Aaron

      I may be accepting a job as a sales rep for Quill. I am not the type of person to be overbearing or disrespectful by any means, but these comments sure make me second guess taking the job. I definitely do not want to be stereotyped as that type of sales man.

    • http://twitter.com/DetroitPolitics Detroit Politics

      We’re not talking “annoying salespeople.” We’re talking salespeople who won’t leave when you ask to, salespeople who poke around your printer and behind your desk, salespeople who take valuable time when you clearly don’t have it. Seriously high pressure.

    • Rein48

      I know I’m going to get flamed, but a really pretty Quill sales lady came to my office today.  If I wasn’t working I would have had a pretty hard time keeping my eyes level if you know what I mean.

    • Karen

      I think this is 100% ridiculous.  Unfortunately this salesman was hired by Quill and did not represent the company well.  I agree he was rude, and pushy.  I am a business owner and I have had Quill sales rep in my office about once every 6 months for the past 10 years.  Every single time it has been a different rep and every single time they were courteous and respectful.   Sometimes they come at inconvenient times and when I give them a better time for them to come back and meet me in person they are more than happy to accommodate my schedule.  Blame the individual not all Quill reps and DEFIANTLY not all door to door salesmen. 

    • Karen

      Grow Up

    • Ret Tret

      Why did you choose to share this with the world?

    • Ret Tret

      When I need to buy office supplies, once every two years, I go online and look for the lowest price. There has always been someone cheaper than Quill. Even when the pushy sales people waste my company’s time with coupon codes, free shipping, and the joy of being interrogated about my printer model. I used to wonder how it was profitable to continue to operate like it’s 1965 until I realized Quill sales jobs were scamming poor, outsourced kids in a crappy economy.

      I will never buy from Quill or Staples now, cheapest price or not.

    • Brock

      When does NO SOLICITING mean NO SOLICITING!!??
      A tag-team of three Quill sales people just left my office.  Had much the same experience.  They waltzed in, ignoring the eye-level “no soliciting” sign on the door, and one stepped up and said “Hi, I’m Austin and these are my N Sync backup dancers.”  Ugh!  The fact that I am BUSY WORKING on deadline and didn’t laugh at his opening line probably got his presentation off to a rocky start.  Nevertheless, Austin and his backups insisted they could save me really big money.  After repeatedly responding with no, I really don’t need your service or have time to listen to it right now, the head trainer rolled his eyes, muttered some comment under his breath and left our office.  I realize these kids are just starting out and trying to do their job, but after this disastrous approach, I seriously doubt I’ll ever recommend or do business with Quill.

    • rockstarian

      Well why did you tell them to come back if you did not want them to come back?

    • Ianalberes

      This is completely wrong fwiw. 

    • Young and Dumb

      In Denver, Colorado the company that employs these kids is Skyline Marketing.  At least that is the name of one of them.  I had my “second interview” with Skyline Marketing today and after a day of door to door sells FOR FREE I was told that I wasn’t qualified for the position.  I think in reality, I asked too many questions and they knew hiring me would be an uphill battle.

      To start the day the put me and two other young guys, fresh out of college, dressed to the T in a small office in the penthouse of marketing building.  The walls were painted loud “fun” colors, the receptionist was young and cute and blared loud music.  If Skyline was to be an actual marketing company, they weren’t markeing themselves in a very good way.  Upon looking around a little bit I realized the all the offices except for one were pretty much empty and their would be no seating to actually go over a “marketing deal”.  

      After that they sent me out with a guy named Clint, who apparently is this annoying salesman you speak of.  They whole day and in the first interview these “mangers” pretend to relate with you by listening to what you say and then making up a similar story.  That is also what they teach these sales people to do to you in your office.

      I encourage you as business owners not to buy from Quill because they let their products be marketed through companies that wrongly employ individuals and practice horrible marketing schemes.

      If you are here because you are thinking about taking a job with a marketing firm like skyline marketing DONT DO IT.  It seems glorious but its all a trick.  They make up all these positions so you think you will advance quickly.  They don’t give you business cards because they don’t expect you to last long! A full time job with no benefits? SCAM

    • Chameleon2192

      I had a Quill come by last week and I told him we were happy elsewhere with our products but I spoke with him a few minutes on pricing, which he INSISTED there was NO WAY we could get as much life out of our refurbished toner that we were getting. So apparently he was insinuating I was lying. Great going Quill. Then he pops in today saying I told him last time he came in to come back today so we could place our first order. I told him he was higher on everything and he said that they were lower and I basically went over EVERYTHING with him again.
      And they were higher.
      Like I told him they were.
      *sigh*
      They have tough jobs, but don’t make MINE harder by bugging me constantly. At this point, even if they were lower, I wouldn’t buy from them.

    • Chameleon2192

      Very nice of you to share that info! :)

    • KC

      I don’t think I’ve had a Quill rep invade my personal space, but they are overly aggressive and that’s why I’ll NEVER order anything from that company. I feel bad for the reps that come into my office because they’re just trying to do their job. At the same time it annoys the heck out of me that despite asking them to remove us from their lists (mailing/stopping by/etc) they continue to send catalogs and continue to stop in. On the off chance a rep makes it to my office they start looking around trying to find something to sell me. And then start with the snippy sarcastic not so under their breath comments. I don’t care if buying from Quill could save money, I flat out refuse to buy anything from any company that’s this pushy and obnoxious.

    • Guest

      I hate the walk-ins.  We had a Quill rep come in my office JUST yesterday! We too have a no soliciting sign posted, and I was very firm and told him we never do business with walk-ins, and he would have to call & make an appointment. I myself was just coming back to the office from an appointment, and I had a bunch of things lines up for the afternoon. He tried to get me to commit to an appointment right then & there, again I told him he would need to call. He was slightly pushy, not overly so. But one thing I did notice was that when I reiterated he would HAVE to call to set up a time, he looked like he was put off. Well I hate to tell him, but, that’s what you will get when you walk into an office with a plainly displayed “No Soliciting” sign.

    • Non Prejudice Guy

      You do realize that by placing that sign on your door you are singling out a multi-billion $ company that can retaliate, right?

    • Tom Lewis

      I had someone from Quill darken our door today and do almost the exact same thing.  And I am all about giving someone a chance as I have to make sales in my business too but this guy would not leave a business card and had no catalogue.  Apparently if I wanted to start getting the catalogue and get in the system, I had to make an order right then and there.  I laughed and said, “well that is not going to work, time for you to leave.”

    • Focal2

      Wow, all these posts about Quill is disturbing. I had a pair of Quill salespeople drop in on me yesterday after ignoring my No Solicitors sign on my front door. I have had this happen a couple times over the last couple of years with the Quill “salespeople” but let me tell you this is the last time I will let them in. Jeff and his protege, I forget her name, came in and started in with their standard pitch, but before even starting, the protege needed to use the bathroom. After several unsuccessful attempts at trying to make a sale, Jeff and ”her” left. The state of the bathroom was not pretty afterward. Veeery messy and piggy girl. Way to make a first impression I guess. Quill….two thumbs down. 

    • Calvinosibley

      Regarding what Karen wrote below, I have an insider’s perspective on this issue, having worked as a door-to-door salesman for Quill myself.  Although I do agree that not all door-to-door salesmen are rude and pushy, you also have to remember that corporate culture starts at the top and the attitude of management and the executives is reflected in all of the employees.  When I worked for Quill, the management was quick to be nice when you were providing them services as salesmen, but as soon as I voiced my opinion about some of their questionable sales practices the got nasty.  In fact, during the meeting when I brought up my concerns with the branch manager and my immediate superior they got so rude and insulting that I quit on the spot. 

      Quill needs to understand that effective selling is based on relationships – not on just making an effective “pitch”.  If this salesperson had actually listened to the author and respected their time and space, he would have been much more effective with this sales call.  This is really a good lesson for anyone in sales, as I still am although not of the door-to-door kind.  If you want to know what not to do, this is it.  Be a good listener, respect your prospect and focus on building relationships.

    • Crock

      I just turned down this job after going on the second interview and deciding I’d rather pursue other opportunities (after reading this blog fyi). They broke down the commissions for me which is as follows…

      28% commissions on new account purchases ONLY
      20 dollars if you have them do it online.

      100 dollar bonus for 8 new applicants in 1 week, 250 dollars for 10

      It doesn’t sound too bad until you get to the fine print, which basically states that in order to receive ANY commissions whatsoever, the buyer has to
      A) never used or bought from quill before or
      B) hasn’t had any account activity in 1 or more years.

      This means that if you sell somebody 500 worth or paper and ink, but they bought a box of paper clips 11 months ago, you don’t get crap! (I think its 5 dollars or so but still)

      This is why these fresh college grads are so desperate to make you buy something while they’re there, because if you don’t, they don’t make any money.  They also have to pay for their own gas without being reimbursed. I actually saw myself losing money if I took this job.  They also “promise” promotion within the first year, but yet when I asked my “shadower” when he expects to be promoted he said “hopefully within the next 6 months”. He has already been working there for 2 years and has to relocate to NYC from Chicago for there to be any chance of that happening. I asked what it takes to be promoted and he said “you’ll have to wait until after training and they will explain all that to you”.  While I was out with him I said to myself…F THIS. But instead of declining the offer I accepted to put a little sh*t thru there fans. I “started” today but was a no show. F them they’re scamming kids like me to basically start their careers here and reap all the benefits of paying for your own gas and making 200 bucks a week.  If you get a job offer that seems too good to be true, it most likely is. If your applying to sales jobs online I recommend only taking interviews from legit businesses like AT&T or Enterprise.  As for the non-A hole quill reps, give them a break they’re unfortunately too naive to see thru these company’s. Shine some light for them and tell them to quit and run like hell.

    • Crock

      REPOST BUT MUST BE SEEN

      I just turned down this job after going on the second interview and
      deciding I’d rather pursue other opportunities (after reading this blog
      fyi). They broke down the commissions for me which is as follows…

      28% commissions on new account purchases ONLY
      20 dollars if you have them do it online.

      100 dollar bonus for 8 new applicants in 1 week, 250 dollars for 10

      It
      doesn’t sound too bad until you get to the fine print, which basically
      states that in order to receive ANY commissions whatsoever, the buyer
      has to
      A) never used or bought from quill before or
      B) hasn’t had any account activity in 1 or more years.

      This
      means that if you sell somebody 500 worth or paper and ink, but they
      bought a box of paper clips 11 months ago, you don’t get crap! (I think
      its 5 dollars or so but still)

      This is why these fresh college
      grads are so desperate to make you buy something while they’re there,
      because if you don’t, they don’t make any money.  They also have to pay
      for their own gas without being reimbursed. I actually saw myself losing
      money if I took this job.  They also “promise” promotion within the
      first year, but yet when I asked my “shadower” when he expects to be
      promoted he said “hopefully within the next 6 months”. He has already
      been working there for 2 years and has to relocate to NYC from Chicago
      for there to be any chance of that happening. I asked what it takes to
      be promoted and he said “you’ll have to wait until after training and
      they will explain all that to you”.  While I was out with him I said to
      myself…F THIS. But instead of declining the offer I accepted to put a
      little sh*t thru there fans. I “started” today but was a no show. F them
      they’re scamming kids like me to basically start their careers here and
      reap all the benefits of paying for your own gas and making 200 bucks a
      week.  If you get a job offer that seems too good to be true, it most
      likely is. If your applying to sales jobs online I recommend only taking
      interviews from legit businesses like AT&T or Enterprise.  As for
      the non-A hole quill reps, give them a break they’re unfortunately too
      naive to see thru these company’s. Shine some light for them and tell
      them to quit and run like hell.

    • Kevin

      All you little receptionists that are on here bitching crack me up. Its irresponsible and ignorant to state “i dont care about saving money, i wont buy because he was pushy whatever…”

      you dont care BECAUSE ITS NOT YOUR MONEY..you just dont want to be bothered.
      Quill can save you money on office supplies, the savings may seem marginal but you know over the year they add up.  You all get annoyed with these salesmen, well they’re annoyed at the constant ignorance at these businesses. They know they can help you save and are trying to help you out. so give them a break. and care about saving your workplace money, you’d care if we were talking about your personal checking account.

      If my receptionist or account manager pushed a salesman out the door before I had a chance to see what was up with what he had to offer I’d fire her ass.  

    • Kevin

      nice Glint, I like your style.

    • kevin

      A “no solicitation” sign is not a rule. and it shouldn’t deter anyone. 

    • kevin

      yeah sure Tim.

    • Sully8384

      Quill outsources sales to fly by night pyramid scheme marketing firms, insulating themselves from responsibility for the actions of staff, mainly to allow them to offer no benefits and no pay to the “contract employees”. They wouldn’t let him take or leave a card, because Quill views this as the first step to building a relationship with a customer, and as such their hired guns are not allowed to build a client base as they would be able to take that group of contacts with them if (read when) they left, they are not allowed to follow up with clients, and are only compensated if the customers they follow up with re-order 3 times in the next 6 months, this coupled with not being allowed to call them back on pain of termination virtually assures they won’t have to pay the commission they promise, another immediate termination infraction is tell the customer that Quill is owned by Staples, the conglomerate wants to expand Quills market share, but not at the expense of their Staples customers who pay more for the same exact products. He was working off the hard sell script, and clinging to it so desperately because it is drilled into his brain at uncompensated 1-3 hour “atmosphere” training indoctrination and brainwashing sessions before and after every day of work, I came across a deceptive job posting for one of the direct marketing pyramid scheme subcontractor/liability shield companies in Braintree MA, and responded, I went to an interview, and went along with a “Sales Rep/Manager” He had a kid to feed so I don’t blame him for staying, but his job is as much about recruiting, and retaining a “Sales Team” of reps, and taking a cut off the top of all their sales, as selling pens and paper, google sydcor cydcor pyramid scheme and Quill, your can read about this for days, and hilarity will ensue, I assure you.

    • C2kazg

      Get real. If I let one of these pushy reps who refuse to take no for an answer through to my boss, she might fire “my ass.” Those who refuse to take no for an answer or bully their way in are an every day annoyance, either by phone or the front door. Our administrative assistant is trained to let them know we are not looking and politely turn them away, but there are those who won’t take no for an answer.

    • Polly

       Thankk you sooo soo much for sharing, I just got done with the whole job shadowing bull**** and I had so many doubts but the money does look good. You just saved my future!

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