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:
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.
Tags: door to door, no soliciting, Quill, sales, salesperson
Like any carefully thought out emergency fire escape plan, no company can afford to operate without a emergency salesperson reject-eject plan which helps protect you from hazardous, slick talking hucksters who’ve penetrated the company’s no soliciting borders. A comprehensive emergency salesperson reject-eject plan, puts you in control, empowering you to expel Mr. Cheap-Jack back onto the street with minimal interaction.
A good reject-eject plan always starts off with a friendly approach, which allows the uninvited guest an opportunity to save face and make a hasty retreat. But often times courteous plan “A” is ineffective against a determined sales jerk, forcing you to launch plan “B” of the reject-eject plan:
1) Take their picture, tell them you’re going to post it on salespeoplewhosuck.com, or digitally record your encounter and post it on youtube.com under the title, “Swindlers List.”
2) Keep a can of coins nearby each entrance. Shake it furiously whenever they begin to talk (if it works on dogs, it’ll work on thoughtless salespeople).
3) Whip out the SUPER SOAKER AQUASHOCK SCUMBAG SALSESPERSON STRIKE and DESTROY squirt gun, and unload the cat pee-filled container onto the front of their pants until it looks and smells like they’ve had an incontinent moment. (Ages six and up)
4) Lure the nitwits over the company trapdoor then pull the the secret lever, sending them plunging to the rocky, cavernous dungeon below, where hungry lions — and the scattered remains of last week’s vendor offender — silently wait.
5) Begin the reject-eject launch sequence: enter computer password, “youHaveAnnoyedMe4TheLastTime.”
Employees should practice the reject-eject plan, biweekly, to insure everyone understands how to effectively disarm the smarmy charmers and the grating ignoramuses. And be sure to give out recognition and awards (money is always appreciated) to those who diligently protect your borders from the evil shills of Quill.
Tracy,
That was one of the most hysterical comments I’ve ever received on this blog.
After reading the conversation they had, I think I know where this sales person comes from. I had an interview with the firm and did a job shadow for one day with them. They are a marketing group that targets B2B and relies only on Word of Mouth as their only advertising method. The reason they ignore the “No Soliciting” sign is because they claim they are not soliciting, “we are just using the WOM to let people know about our client’s business.” And yet, by the end of their “WOM” pitch they would try to sell you a promotional package. The sales person gets bonus for each promotional package they sell. HYPOCRITES!
If you ask me, yes their method ensures for maximum exposure in the public and provides accurate data to present to the clients (which is something that a lot of clients like to see and care about.) But annoying the heck out of your potential customers? I don’t think that’s a good idea, and it is not very responsible.
Someone should tell Quill (which is a very good, very service-oriented company–I’ve been a happy customer for 25 years) how this company claiming to represent them is alienating prospects. I doubt they’d keep the arrangement very long.
Tracy, I love your response! Fortunately, working from a home office on a rural farm, all I get is Jehova’s Witnesses once or twice a year, and the occasional PIRG canvasser. But just today I got another robocall from some idiot who thinks he’s going to sell me carpet cleaning by tying up my voicemail for two minutes.
BTW, in my books, Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World and especially Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First, I talk a lot about the right way to engage in dialogue with prospects.
Ok, I have been reading the comments putting down door-to-door salespeople and I would like to tell my side being one of these people.
In case you haven’t noticed the economy is not that great these days and the employment opportunities are not pouring in.
Yes, we have a script that we stick to, but we are supposed to keep it conversational, and respect the prospective customers. I apologize that you unfortunately came accross a salesman that is pushy and therefore probably will not last long in the business. All Quill representatives are not like him. I have never been rude to a prospective client or been overbearing and therefore I do very well in the business.
We are actually not solicitors, we do not accept cash or checks in return for products on the spot, we are simply introducing you to Quill which is an awesome company and actually does have lower prices than most office supply companies. It is a legitimate service and is in no way a scam or anything illegal.
When you encounter door to door salepeople like myself, please remember we are human just like you and we are only trying to do our job. We have families at home just like you, we have mortgages and bills, and need to work for a living…just like you. I am not implying that you must purchase something, I am just simply saying that if they are not rude or disrespectful towards you than really there is no reason to be rude or disrespectful towards them.
PS We make Quill alot of money and bring in alot of new clients and we do not “claim” to represent them, we do represent them and they are very happy with our success.
I am not being confrontational at all, I am just simply trying to put our side of the discussion out there.
Thanks for reading.
I, also, have had 2 horrible experiences with salespeople from Quill in the past month. The first time they sent 2 salespeople and the next time they sent just one.
It is unbelievable how pushy and rude they were.
Glad to have found the blog from Outsource Marketing. Next time they
come to my door, I will be more prepared. Thanks.
Leslie
There are companies like this all over the U.S. now. It is not right to call it a scam in the fact that they are selling a legitimate product to businesses that need the office supplies and are buying them from someone else anyways. The part that is a scam in my book is they way they try to lure people in to a door to door sales job by disguising it as an opportunity to own your own marketing firm one day. If it was explained up front that it was simply door-to-door selling with little to no chance of moving into any other role then that would be ok. It is obvious that these companies are reaping the benefits of many others hard work. The rep’s go out and knock on 50-60 doors a day making maybe 500 a week, and the company owner sits back and collects 150-200k a year. That to me is the scam. beware of what you are getting into if you interview at one of these places, if you want a door to door sales job until you get sick of making no money and quit, then this is the real deal by all means please go do it, there is no shame in making an honest living, but if you truly think you are going to advance into a career or ownership position, keep looking.
just had one stop by today, when I was trying to lock up for lunch. While polite, she was extremely annoying when she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer serveral times, and insisted on stopping by again, when I politely declined. I’ve posted a new sign on my business door that states “No Solicitors / Salespeople, No Quill Representatives.”
To Susan, if the Quill reps were respectful, like you then maybe I might consider doing business, but in the past I’ve had several pushy ones, who wouldn’t leave after I politely declined their pitch and quite frankly I never want to do business with Quill.
To J,
Congrats on making $6 million last year. I don’t have time dealing with door to door salespeople, much less rude ones. If you think that we as business owners are rude, please understand this. “No thanks” means “NO!” If they don’t leave by the time I say that three times, well then…. Who’s the rude person now? What business are you in and what’s the name. I’ll be sure to not do business with you too. “Grow a pair” give me a break, you need to “Grow up.”
I enjoyed Tracy Adams reject/eject plan and her clever reply, but that’s the only amusement I get from door-to-door salespeople.
I make absolutely NO buying decisions based on someone ignoring the ‘No Soliciting” sign & barging into my office. I put the sign up so that I could conduct business without being interrupted. In 5 years at this location, I have been accosted by a Quill representative about once a month. I have yet to buy so much as a paperclip, nor will I ever.
Yes, they are people trying to make a living, but so are we. Once the words “I’m not interested” have been uttered, they need to turn around and leave without arguing. In all fairness, I don’t make my buying decisions from phone solicitors either.
Can we amend that sign to include a certain insurance company too? I believe they have an animal who represents them….
Same thing just happened to me this morning. We are a two person office and keep the door locked. And, there is a No Soliciting sign with a phone number for people to call to make an appointment. They tried to come in, rang the doorbell, banged on the door, and even checked for another entrance into the office. When it appeared as though they weren’t going to leave, I opened the door and told them to give me their card. They wouldn’t leave a card and just wanted a few minutes of my time. I would not let them in, so they asked me to step outside to talk with them, which I would not do. I told them again to call for an appointment, then I shut and locked the door. These two guys were very aggressive and scared me. I am calling Quill to complain and to tell them to never call on us again. I will call the police the next time they come. I say, “beware and be very careful.”
I just had 2nd intervew with the company that reps Quill. It sounded all great untill yesterday. I dont like the idea of cold calling. I was led to believe the clients were already establised and I was just going to maintain the relationship.
We Just had EXACTLY the same experience it was like being in the sales version on “who’s on first” I asked for catalog or card he asked me to place order… after 10 LONG minutes of polite rebuttal I asked him to leave & he asked me to place a order, I then explained that the tiny chance of my EVER purchasing from him or his company was evaporating THREE TIMES and he asked when he should come back …I said never and explained WE NEVER DO BUSINESS with UNSOLICITED sales people and he said “how about next week?” it took at least 5 more minutes to get him a his silent partner (observer trainee trainer ???) out the door.
Im a door to door salesman myself and in allot of cases it is necessary to ask further questions to ignorant employees who say “we arnt interested” before we even explain why we are there. In my experience with quill we usually need to speak with who ever buys the products and its pathetic how often we cant get passed the first person we see that has absolutely nothing to do with office supplies. While seeing those 50-60 doors in a day l could account for at least 20-30 general employees who say that they are not interested, and when asked if they handle the office supplies they say well no. Ok then dont speak for who ever does and we wouldnt have to ask so many questions. Like susan said we are not soliciting, in my opinion the businesses who opt to treat these sales people who are just trying to do their job ignorantly shouldnt benefit from the reduced pricing the quill people are just trying to offer anyway.
I just ejected a Quill salesperson. The offices on either side use them, so I’ll ask for a recommendation, but I NEVER purchase items or set up an account when someone just walks in. Leave me a business card or a brochure, give me a chance to check around and see if your prices really are that good, and I’ll be happy to do business with you. When a rep says that they’ll order a product for me in order to set up an account and I need to do it RIGHT NOW, it raises all kinds of red flags.
Hmmm, I wonder if I could buy a Super-Soaker from Quill…. (thanks, Tracy!)
Re: J – March 7, thanks for sharing your thoughts and mentioning multiple times how much money you made last year. I on the other hand do not allow solicitors to walk into my store. The one time I tried to be a nice guy, the pushy little Texan from Quill not only wouldn’t take NO for an answer, but reached over my desk, picked up my phone and tried to call his “supplier” to beat my existing price. I had to physically remove him from my store. I too run a very successful business, but 1. I don’t brag about it on someone’s blog and 2. I am smart enough not to allow a grifter into my place of work when I am trying to run a business.
A salesmen is just like you. He is trying to make a living. Dont be rude. Take 5min, see what he has and go from there. I own a food dist company. I get people all the time coming in. I even got some great coloring books for my kids this way. Once i got a Asian rug that would have cost like $500 in a store. I only paid $50!!! Sorry, but you guys are crazy if your rude to a salesmen. IT MIGHT REALLY BE A DEAL….DUH!!!
So I have been doing the business to business marketing for Quill for a few days now and see nothing wrong with what they have going for small businesses. They are honestly priced lower than all other major office supply retail stores because they have no retail stores…and we are not there to sell businesses a million things and maintain the customer relationship, we are simply there to sign people up for a no contract, no obligation, no minimum account that can be cancelled at any time. As for the “no soliciting” signs, they just piss me off more than you will ever know. Isn’t every business that has that damn sign posted on their door selling in one way or another to keep their business alive and well? Why do they feel they are so much better than the rest of the world? I understand you don’t want shady characters selling watches out of a briefcase in your place of business but just kick em out! I want to get a shirt that just says no soliciting and wear it to every office with the sign to be as rude about it to them as they are with us. I am by no means a salesperson, just a guy who graduated college looking to work his way up the ladder. This is that bottom step. Give us a break
I work at a church and have had to deal with a Quill salesperson about once a month ever since I started. Reading this was like reading about my own experiences! The Quill sales reps always are very pushy and won’t take no for an answer, even after I have repeatedly made it clear that I am not interested. They also always refuse to leave a business card or any other information when I request it. I always try hard to be nice (this is a church, after all!), but I find their aggressive approach to be rude and disrespectful to my time.
I am going to try to get in touch with Quill to request that they not send their salespeople here anymore, but I don’t know how much good that will do.
I also read in another reader’s comment that she works in an office where they keep the door locked, and the Quill salesperson looked for another entrance. At the church where I work, we also keep the door locked, and their sales reps have been known to go to the other entrance where the preschoolers come in and enter through there. If I were a parent of one of these kids and a strange salesperson were wandering around my child’s preschool, that would probably make me pretty angry.
I had a RUDE OBNOXIOUS QUILL door to door sales person come into our office today we were quite busy. We tried to get this guy to leave and give us a business card but he would not
The point here with all these comments is that
THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT and I am the customer. In addition this is our office and our space where we do business not a space for QUILL to do its business. This is simalar to the telephone sales person that calls at dinner time and wont take no for an answer.
The sales call failed because
1. No business card (how can I call ??)(how do I know who they are)
(how do I know that they are for real)
2. When we tried plan A to let them leave gracefully they would not.
3. By staying they wasted our time and interfered with our business so
this means if we were ever going to be a customer
We have decided not to do business with QUILL EVER
My experience is similar to Caroline and Dale above.
I’m often the only person in my office, and Quill sends 2 or 3 men over to our office. It’s a small business. I’m doing the accounting, and like others mentioned, I’m busy all day.
The agonizing thing is that these Quill guys won’t leave, whether asked politely or more directly. I told them I wasn’t interested 4-5 times, and explained why, etc. They still persist, and since I’m outnumbered by these men, I’m uncomfortable. They’ve interrupted.
I’ve called Quill TWICE and asked for them to stop sending these people and they have agreed over the phone – yet obviously they keep coming. I will NEVER do business with Quill ever.
My experience with Quill salespeople hasn’t been unpleasant but it is becoming slightly annoying. We are also a small office, usually 2 people (women at that) in at once so we keep the door locked. The sales people that have now visited twice where nice enough, polite and when it was obvious that I would not be letting them inside where perfectly happy to stay outside and even moved back to make me feel more comfortable. However, I’ve made it clear that I will not be signing anything and they have come back. At leas the second time they said the website.
Listen Quill, when a sales person says they do not have cards or some form of ID number from the company they claim to represent it raises red flags in me and everyone else I know! How would it not? This whole Word of Mouth marketing gimmick is what I find annoying. I know cards are easy to fake but at least I can then call the company and verify who these people are.
Over the years we’ve had a number of scammers do door to door donation funds and office supply proposals, and even had some guys selling what turned out to be stolen office furniture out of the back of a rented panel truck. I do not go to work to spend my time weeding out scammers from real sales people.
When a salesperson comes to the door (or calls), everyone in our office, even if they have no purchasing authority is instructed to 1) Not allow them inside no matter what 2) Ask for a card 3) Say that -we- will get back to them and 4) If they have time or the inclination, get some details about the product / service to pass to the office manager but do not commit to anything.
Listen, salespeople, I know there are jerks out there who think that being rude is the same thing as being direct and professional and I’m sorry if you have to routinely deal with that sort of bonehead. But! If you are a door to door salesperson and consider our above protocol rude then you might want to go into another profession.
Because when all is said and done, you are taking up my time unannounced. I will not be rude to you unless I feel like you are but I will attempt to minimize this interruption nor will I be pressured into an on the spot purchase/agreement. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.
these people come into our offices as much as twice a day, sometimes, but usualy once every few weeks and it wastes our time trying to tell them in subtle ways to go away. they presist that they need to talk and if they can schedule an appointment and who should they talk to, trying to get any personal information like names and every time they insist they need to take a business card from us, even when we say no they say they need to take a business card. its so annoying…
I have worked for Quill as a B2B sales person, I had found the methods of some sales people a little hard to bear but it is a good product. I don’t do it anymore but I was proud of what I was selling, lower cost office supplies for less than Office Depot or Office Max. I know that for sure the first time I needed ink to print my class work. OD had 2 colors of the required 3 for 16.99 each look it up Brother LC51Y, but I had decided to go home and wait one more day until it arrived and got all 3 colors for $21.99 total. I would have spent $32 for only 2 colors.
But I didn’t want to continue being treated like a second class citizen by a secretary who felt she was being interrupted from her Facebook conversation to ask the purchase person if they would be interested in adding a vendor to their menu to price compare, because I have saved people tons of money, $100s at a time. I went back to check at OD after.
Someone once even handed me a printout of their OD shopping cart and we bought everything and 2 extra inks for his HP DeskJet and a box of G2 pens and was still $50 less then the OD shopping cart total.
People don’t understand how hard it is out there while sitting at their desk in the lobby of some small business just wanting to be left alone to procrastinate, how much money they could save but they refuse to even treat a person in a suit with any respect as if they were a vagrants. Most of the time I looked better then the person I was introducing myself too. This is what we are supposed to do. Then allow you an option of joining with a start-up order. This is necessary because a code is needed to get a bigger discount over the consumer rates online.
If I were in that position even before I did the salesmen job I would have just bought the Paper and been done with it and use Quill when their prices are better which is allot.
These people when they come into your office, if they seem pushy or desperate it is because they are. People treated me badly, and if I don’t sign anyone I made $0 for the day but had to spend $10 in gas on the way to your area. I never really cared about pushing a sale, I just wanted to offer the option and if not leave. And we are told to not leave anything behind but I did, If a person seemed interested I would leave a brochure and come back.
Either way when someone is well dressed and trying to offer you a deal listen, if you don’t like it politely decline and go on with your day. When you treat someone badly just because they want to talk to someone it is wrong. Imagine if it was your kid doing that job because there is no other jobs available. Would you want people treating you them like crap? I left because of it, I dressed nice, I smelled nice and I was nice, but at eye contact I was told to get lost as if I was a loser.
I had to lie to my mom about how nice people are, but are honestly not interested sometimes. I am still affected by the treatment I have received when I meet new people I have that fear of rudeness in the back of my head.
I would suggest imagining it as you doing their job and give it at least an honest listen and thought. Yes these people are trying to make a living rather than sit at home and collect your tax dollars. And believe me they really don’t make much at all. One week I made $20, but what else was I supposed to do give up and do nothing.
Please pass on a little kindness to people in hard times, and in return maybe you will get some back, rather than just brushing hardworking people off because your day at a job you don’t like isn’t going well.
The business card thing, Think about it for a second then ask yourself. If the sales people were required to have business cards with their cell phone # on it who is responsible for the bill? Would you pay the cell phone bill for 100s of employees at your office? No you wouldn’t
Glad I found this amusing and helpful site about Quill office supplies that employ scam marketing strategies. I work in a small office too, and the Quill reps came by today – same experience as the previous comments. They wanted to talk about the movie that was playing in our office, yes, we can work and play at the same time, while giving us their cookie cutter sales pitch. I asked twice for a business card, but said they don’t have one, but they took 2 of ours and wouldn’t leave us a catalog or brochure.
Both young men kept asking where we bought our office supplies and when we would likely buy our next paper supply or pack of pens, office furniture, etc. I explicitly stated that we were strictly an online business, and whereby had very little need for other external office supplies (we recycle or reuse everything we can). All the while, I kept working on my computer as if I didn’t have any time to spare.
It’s unfortunate that “traveling” salespeople, as they called themselves, have to rely on these type of sneaky and unethical tactics to earn a living.
I understand business must solicit other business for their products, but a NO is a NO. I honestly listened to what the first representative told me, and I determined that he would not offer me any substantial savings. I had no hard feelings toward THAT gentleman. It was the ones that followed ever three weeks that I had a problem with.
I am totally shocked by this. I worked at Quill a few years ago and it was great place to work. When I would tell people I worked at Quill, they would relate stories of how so and so really wanted to work
there. They truly valued their clients and the client was like god. Rightfully so.
To all of you have written in, I challenge you to call Quill and talk
to their Sr. VP and/or their VP of Operations. They would want to know.
First, I’d like to say that I have spent plenty of time as a commissioned sales rep in a B2B format. I worked for the nation’s #1 uniform company, and a lot of it was cold calling. I respect all salespeople and am willing to listen to most pitches, usually just out of curiosity (and I want to see how good you are). The biggest thing to me, however, is that a salesperson LISTEN to the client and address needs, instead of just bulldozing through points/spec or prices.
My Quill sales guys walked in and took a seat at my desk. They didn’t ask to sit down, nor did they introduce themselves fully before sitting down. They just came in, sat down, and said they’re from Quinn and they work with so and so. Nothing wrong with being aggressive and assertive, but you have to gauge your audience. To me, this was not a good start. Strike one.
Next, they didn’t even ask me for my name or who I was – so how were they to know if I was even the right person to talk to? Strike two. Second, they didn’t ask what I did – they just started with telling me how much I could save. Then one of them got up and went to my printer (behind another desk) and started reading off the model number. They went straight to price. I hate that kind of sale. Two minutes in, and it’s already strike three.
Having spent plenty of time over coming objections, I rattled some easy ones out to them, and they couldn’t overcome them. Instead, they just insisted on me agreeing to buy something. I declined, and they pitched again – never asking me why. They even used the whole “we’re special reps and are only here every few months” trick – in other words, the time close. After a few minutes, we shook hands and they left. They went next door, and a few minutes later they were outside my window, smoking and talking crap about some people they’ve met today while waiting for their ride. That left an awesome impression.
Now, Quill might be a great company, it might not be. Their prices may be awesome, but it’s very hard for me to deal with a company that has such poorly mannered and trained sales staff. I understand some people’s concerns over “helping out” a guy during tough economic times, but to me, in these times, you have to up your game or you will die. I will pay a little more to know that I don’t have to deal with poorly mannered people.
I have been in sales many years and have always believed that products sell themselves and agents or reps only do demonstrations. Something is wrong if you have to push a product or a service. Like T_lee mentions, the rep tat visited him stroke out, no hits, no bunt; every swing was a failure.
As sales people you identify a need and provide a solution, having your client’s best interest in mind, because eventually, if the product or service is, you will be taken care of.
Been pushy is a sign of desperation; not been able to get the prospect to make a decision immediately may signify that the prospect never will, or may do a research to compare and decide. The idea is to place the individual on the spot, and since humans are in essence kind and given, there is a chance for the prospect to agree to a purchase. In my opinion, having you make a quick and on the spot decision is the key. Good for those that did not fall for it. I almost did today. If a product or a service provider really cares about you, he/she will give you the time you need or want to digest the information.
The salespeople aren’t from Quill…Quill is the account. I honestly can’t remember the company’s name – I know they are based in California – but I do know it was founded by some putz that started out buying cheap pots and pans, marking them up, and selling them out of the trunk of his car. I wish I was kidding.
Anyway, I used to work for this company. I was hired to be one of these pathetic salespeople. In ‘02, I graduated college and needed something to put on my resume. The economy was much like it is today, and so was the job market. The online ad I found on Careerbuilder or Monster basically stated it was a sales position looking for “energetic” professionals to “manage Fortune 500 accounts”. The pay was advertised as 30-50K…for a new grad, that’s great, right? I applied and got an interview. The office building was in a non-descript (cheap) office park near the interstate. The interviewees sat in the lobby and waited for their turn to go into the lone office. The lobby had chairs for the candidates, a receptionist behind a desk and that’s it.
Anyway, I was like 22 at the time. I walk in and lo and behold the girl that interviews me can’t be more than a year or two older than me. Red flag number one. I ask about the 30-50K thing, and I’m told I make of 25% of *new* accounts I open (an important distinction – more on this later), but I don’t get a base, I don’t get gas reimbursed – nothing. Red flags 2 and 3. But, I plan on living with my sister for free at least for a while, and I get the offer. I start right after graduation.
The salespeople are to show up around 7:30 or so. Then, you are told to pair up and role play – role playing is huuuuge there – one person is the ‘client’, and the other is the salesperson. The ‘client’ is to give objections – “No soliciting!” – and the salesperson is to repeat what they have been taught (“Actually sir/ma’am, I’m not selling you anything right now, I’m trying to help you save money on your office supply orders”, etc. etc.) In the beginning, you go along with one of the “senior” salespeople to get a sense of a typical day (for no pay, I might add), before you are allowed to get your own territory and start on your own (about a week later).
The territory I got was about a 35-40 minute drive to the nearest border. Having grown up in rural NoVa, where you had to drive that far to go to the mall or the movies, the distance didn’t really bother me at first. Paying for my own gas really bothered me, of course, but I wrote everything off. I closed a couple accounts, but the pay was abysmal. I remembered getting paychecks for like $350.00 every other week – I probably burned it all paying for gas.
Now, getting back to the pay structure – you got paid $25% for opening NEW accounts. A new account is classified as either a) a brand new account to Quill, or b) an account that had been inactive for 6 months. There were times I’d go through my spiel and actually close the deal. The office supply manager would tell me what they needed – mostly printer paper and HP cartridges, and whatever I could get them to buy after upselling like crazy, of course – and after filling out the order form, I’d dial Quill’s 800 number from their office. I’d speak to a rep and give them the name of the company and address, and they’d pull it up. “It looks like they already have an account,” the rep would say. My stomach would drop – “when was the last sale?” If the date was within the 6 month window, I received…drumroll…$5 for my efforts. Five. F$^%ing. Dollars. Of course, I always made sure to ask the buyer if they’d use us before, but what do they care? They never knew. I once closed a sale that was literally 2 weeks away from being classified as new.
The experience going in business after business after business and giving a smile and the pitch really hardened me. I was excessively polite to most – just my nature – but I also remember pushing back a bit and taking an adversarial approach to folks like yourselves who simply didn’t want to be bothered. I was never too obnoxious, mind you, but it did bother me that I would feel the urge to be combative with folks that were just trying to be left alone. That’s what this company teaches you.
I left after probably 2 months and waited tables until I found a REAL job a few months later. I have a great career now. So why am I here? Today I took my young son to an appointment in an office park and was waiting in the lobby. In walked two well-dressed young “professionals”, one male and one female, the male playing the dominant ‘trainer’ role, and the young girl holding the bag. “Hi, we’re with Quill Office Supplies – who is in charge of ordering your office supplies?” The guy was a complete douche – he gave the whole “I have nothing to sell you” line after being asked nicely to leave, and even opened up his sportscoat as stupid joke, as if to say “see?” I was amused…at first…then I started to feel angry. This damn company was still at it, taking kids out of school, paying them jacks$&*, and turning them loose on the business community. How is this still an acceptable business model? More importantly, how is this horrible PR (for an otherwise seemingly respectable business such as Quill) make this shenanigans worth it? It raised to the surface a lot of anger that I haven’t felt in years.
My last memory of this terrible company was trying to track down my W2 for those 2 months so I could file my taxes. The people in corporate (again, somewhere in CA) couldn’t have been more rude or unhelpful.
Has anyone else worked at this place (or God forbid, is anyone still there?) If so, could you post the name of the company?
OK, I will end this rant now. Thanks for publishing this post about this scumbag company.
Colt – Thank you so much for taking the time to share your first hand experience. You’ve provided an insider’s view the gives the customer just a little better appreciation for what’s going through the mind of the salesperson when they are trying to close a sale. Thanks for your candor.
I’m going in to “fill out paperwork” in the morning so that I can burn my bridges with this company. If I were to follow throught with my 10 day “commitment,” I think I’d shoot myself.
All I have to say is that I feel extremely manipulated and I honestly wish I could go back to the 300 and some-odd businesses that I’ve walked into over the past week and apologize for ignoring their “NO SOLICITING” signs, interrupting their work day, and feeding them a pitch just as rehearsed and manipulative as the one this company fed me to get me on board in the first place.
Oh and you better believe I’m going to spend the rest of my day tomorrow catching up on the quality time with family, sleep and nutrition I’ve been deprived of for the past week!
Ahhh I love the internet when you can type in a question and here you all are; having the same aweful Quill NONRep experience that I just encountered. In this day and age why would any person let a stranger who carries a Quill Catalog come in and inspect their printer models for price quoting of supplies? When he could not leave any type of brochure or business card I feared that the intent was to come back and steal office equipment that he’s valued/inventoried. The only salesman thing about him was his insistance which just got him a “please do not return” response from me.
Anyhow thats to you all for being here and calming down my worry of being robbed tonight!
CJ – Agreed, Quill’s tactics should make just about any business person nervous. A complete stranger comes into your office asking questions, won’t provide a business card and wants you to place an order on the spot? Scary.
Same here…this time they sent in 4 people and ignored our “no solicitation” sign. I feel bad that they have to do this kind of work to make a living but at the same time, this is pretty pathetic way to do it. I’m writing quill to complain today.
Funny, I just experienced the same thing. I thought i would check out the website to see if they were cheaper but found this.
I just had a similar experience today with a Quill rep. She came to my office twice in 2 days- after I had already told her that I was not interested the first time. I dont care how cheap their prices are, I will not buy from this company just based on their rude salesperson.
Ah, I am very thankful that I stumbled across this…Especially Colt’s post. I had the day long unpaid “interview” today with a company that represents quill. These companies are a third party outsources logistics provider for Quill and are not directly associated with them….I was promised the opportunities of quick promotion and lots of money. Which I’m sure are possible…if you’re willing to sell your soul. I am a recent college graduate with two degrees and a respectable resume….and to think I was almost so desperate to fall into this trap.
I had the unpleasant experience of running into three of these henchmen. I found them walking around my building, they had entered through the loading dock, and asked them what they were doing here. They were reluctant to say, and I thought they were casing the place looking for something to steal. Those suits don’t fool me. Upon further investigation, they wouldn’t give me an ID and were completely rude. I contemplated calling the police until they handed me a pamphlet about toner and copy paper. I told them to go away, still thinking something was up. It wasn’t until after reading this post that I thought my building was safe again. Thanks for clarifying that they were just scummy salesman and not skilled thieves.
so another first hand experence……
a little backgroud, i just graduated college and needed to make some money to start living on my own and what not, i saw this add, and decided to apply and i got the first interview….they said i would be a “senior account executive” thats a big fat lie.
after i went with a “senior account executive” she made about $200 that day, from bounes, and new accounts which we got 28%. i thought yes this is what im talking about i can do this…so i decided to stay with them.
after a week of training with the same girl she didnt make any more money, and first i thought well everyone has bad weeks, boy was i wrong. i get that not everyday you will make money for this was kinad crazy. but she let on that it was okay and that everything would be good.
After learing my stupid pitch that made me seem like a monster to people in the companies and seemed to be little them. i went out on my own. the second day my commission was $200 and i was like awsome and really didnt see anything wrong with it and then the next day it was $20 roughly. and the next 3 weeks zero money
i decided to quit, beacuse one i felt annoying to people, and i couldnt belive i let myself fall for this. it was be little me, yah some people were rude to me, and im nice by nature if they told me to get out i would, no pushing me out. the company i worked for got mad and said i had to take 5 no’s. this was very hard for me, im to nice. but i felt it was wrong.
needless to say i quit. i stayed for a month. and i should have recived my pay for the first week of training (which they said i would get after the 3 week mark) and i got my first one (they split it up in two parts) and im still waiting for the next 100. its been over 3 weeks and nothing. i called they wont call me back….i feel like i wont get the 100.
NEVER ever ever buy stuff from the quill reps, and report them, the companies that run this people out there are shady…..and are not doing the customers right or the reps….they person who heads it makes 52% of waht everyone makes, there getting rich and keep money from the people who need it.
I worked for a marketing company like this years ago. I was barely 18, just out of private school, and very nieve. We were not selling office supplies, but other products to individuals. But we were trained in the same way. Harass the crap out of the person until they break down and buy something so you will go away. Can’t tell you how many times the marketing manager said that he made hundreds a day.
After a week of unpaid training we were dropped off in a not so good part of down town. I was paired with another young lady, left on the side of the road, and told to sell to people on the street. We were so scared, but being young we did not speak up fast enough and our ride was gone. We decided to walk to a payphone and call someone to pick us up (this was before everyone had a cell phone).
But before we could find one I was pulled into an alley by two men, infront of others, in broad daylight. There were hands all over me. I was left with no illusions about what they intended to do. I had to fight to get away.
When we finally got a ride back to the “office” the sales manager stopped me and actually asked me to give him a ride home. He told me that he was making hundreds a day and he doesn’t have a car? I said things that would make a trucker blush.
A Few years later I went to an interview for a marketing position. The minute I walked through the door I knew. Small office, cheap chairs and a receptionist, not to mention music blasting in the reception area. I decided to stay because I was going to give that marking manager a piece of my mind.
He took two of us in for an interview (the other person was a young lady just like I had been). He stared on his spiel about how we were going to make money selling some BS product. I glared. After he was done he actually told me that he was sensing some hesitation from me. Uh, no a**hole, its hostility.
I grilled him on safety plans for his female employees. Well, needless to say he had never been asked that question. He acted like I had just dumped a bucket of water in his face, sputtering idiot.
I made sure that I grumbled that it was a scam loud enough for all to hear before I left. I am happy to say that the young lady followed me out.
Today, two girls came into my office and spoke to me about Quill. They were polite and when I declined they left. I hope that things have changed and there is consideration for these sales subcontractor’s safety. Becfause the fact is, you do not know who you will run into. You do not know if you are safe with the person they team you up with. You do not know if a man is waiting for you between a couple of buildings.
I did the Quill thing for about a month… Fresh out of college, looking for a job, need money just like everyone else. I was never rude to anyone, and honestly, when I seen a No Soliciting sign, I didn’t go in that business. We were told to ignore them & that we weren’t solicitors & all of that BS, but I still wouldn’t go in those doors.
When someone said they were busy, or I could tell they had a lot to do (of course they were busy, they were at work just like I was). Even though we weren’t supposed to for whatever reasons, I always left a mini-catalog, or an advertisement or “hot-lead card” as they were called.
I stayed long enough to get my 1st check, and somehow I doubt I’ll receive the other 2 that are owed to me, buy maybe I’m wrong & the woman in charge of of the shared offices of the 2 companies in Farmington Hills will actually send the checks… again I doubt it…
I understand completely about being annoyed about the people coming into the businesses unannounced, and I always tried to make an appointment. Remember, not all of the Quill people are rude, most are just young adults, fresh out of college, trying to find a decent job, but they have yet to realize they’re being screwed over by the “Marketing Companies” that are basically promising them the world. Most of the salespeople aren’t really rude, they’re just trying to make a living, and unfortunately they got suckered into the only interviews they can find at this time…
That is why all of you see so many different salespeople pushing Quill. It’s because the person who was there before them quit, and there is no communication left behind on who is not interested, who uses Quill already, who can’t use quill because of Corporate contracts, and so on.
Here’s a little tip to all of the business owners or office managers and so fourth: Simply tell the Quill Rep that you have a contract with Staples, and when they ask which type, say Staples Link.
In saying this, they are NOT ALLOWED to sell to you, Staples owns roughly 50% of Quill, and the Quill salespeople are under a no-compete clause, so if you say you have a Staples Link Contract, they have to quit the pitch, and walk away. This way you don’t have to listen to it, and you save the person the frustration & embarrassment of going back to their office & haven’t made a sale. Remember, without them making a sale, they make no money. Then the f’n “owner” of the marketing company collects more commission off the poor young person selling quill then the person actually going business to business! It’s brutal, but people need some type of job right now, and the employee turnover rate in these places is unbelievable!
So, to keep it easy, instead of saying NO or GET OUT, simply say you have a Staples Link Contract – it’s the ONLY objection you can throw out that they won’t try to get around!
These companies Quill outsources to are VERY GOOD at what they do and have a long list of fortune 500,100, and 50 companies chomping at the bit to work with them. If you are still reading this then you are some of the few that navigated to this page not out of frustration. Either way go ahead and be rude to these people the only reason why I say that is it toughens them up in their training. These people aren’t worried about you and your “no’s” the reason why is because they will absolutely make more money than you someday. I am actually one of the people who did make it through the training and I GUARANTEE my $250,000/year business i run puts me in the top 1% of the U.S. Sorry frustrated gatekeeper if I got your feathers ruffled when you said “no” and i couldnt care less. I am here because I went to the business next door and signed them up time and time again(all while forgetting about you as you rant on some blog…pathetic. challenge yourself and do something with your life). Your “no’s” are pathetic. And so are your $50k/year jobs. Your frustration and rude antics to get rid of me, just motivated me…so think about it – You’re helping me out no matter what you do. No matter if you tell me “yes” or “no”:) Maybe you should get a job like that too…..remember the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing and expecting a different result”. So please, do us all a favor, dont complain about your life and monetary situation if you are sitting there reading this while on the clock. You now have no value as an employee…:)
Bob – I sat on your little screed for a few days trying to decide if I should approve it or not.
I decided to approve it to provide your “counterpoint,” but also because your unbelievable post completely validates every negative comment about door-to-door salespeople that came before it.
Congratulations, you just fanned the flames.
We too get sales calls from Quill – every 4-6 months. They walk in, right past our 2 No Soliciting signs. The same woman with a second person – presumably training them to be annoying Quill representatives.
Each time I’ve pointed out our signs and she either says she didn’t see them or she says “I didn’t mean to disrespect your No Soliciting sign” and in the same breath continues her pitch (disrespecting our sign) and makes smart comments to every response I give her.
It takes a lot to get them out of the office – they don’t take no for an answer. They have an answer for everything we say. We try to be nice but get them out.
Today I was on the phone with a client and they put me through the same BS they always do. When I vented to my client she said she’d had the SAME experience withe QUILL as well.
NOTE to QUILL if you are reading this – clearly your tactics work or you would have changed them but you will NEVER get any business out of our company.
We will be changing our no soliciting sign to No Soliciting (yes, that means Quill too).
MAYBE then they will get the idea? I won’t put any money on it.
I’m sure I’ll be logging back on in 4 months to complain about how they went past our sign that was made just for Quill.
Bob,
I’m glad you are happy pushing your wares on people, having an answer for ever line, It’s obvious that your kind “couldn’t care less” about what we think. For you it is the bottom line – make money. Pissing people off along the way is almost a bonus for you – “it motivates me…”.
I realize this response will make you smile. So smile away. Wallow in your 250k “job”
We’ll smile knowing we are actually producing something of value for our happy clients and their customers. Again, we know this will make you smile. Funny, it makes us smile too.