A step too far or normal protocal??

another one, is to ask them what is wrote next on their script! But you need to have a lot of front.....I use to witness that when I lived at home. Dad would keep asking them what they had to say next, or guess at it and ask if he was right! They ended up hanging up on him!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Kate Moss

(Baring in mind I work in a rehab, I find that a little inapropriate!)

but it made me giggle. You should have broke down crying and tell him about how you hit rock bottom then admitted you had problem... got your life back on track etc.
then ask him if he ever feels suicidal about the fact that the ball point pens he sells are the closest thing he knows to a friend.

Originally Posted by Kate Moss

I do need to respond in a strictly business fashion and if that don't work, il direct him through to you shall I stu!

Pass the call to someone with a very deep voice who can ask him if he wants a cuddle, maybe tell him he sounds just like the "special friend" he had when he was "inside".

[Richie]

Damn Girl, you've been talking to Leroy Brown...

[tonyk]

get him to say things louder, as the speaker phone is on and all the girls want to hear !!!!!!
he'll either shut and fxxx off or start speaking properly.

[Sir Trev]

There were lots of unsubstantiated rumours at a former employers about at least one of the female sales team sleeping with clients to close a deal. Probably jeallousy as she was quite pretty, but if true

Tell Mr Sleaze you're too busy to talk whenever he calls - he'll get fed up soon enough. Shame the Mormons don't though... Every three months they knock on my door. I had just taken the first mouthfull of dinner last night so when I said I was busy and closed the door in their face I was actually telling the truth for a change!

Oh, and check your ethics/conduct policy KM before accepting the chocolate or anything else. We're not allowed to accept foodstuffs of any kind, dinner is completely verbotten, but the odd plain biro is OK.

Hmm..it does sound slightly over friendly and Im not suprised you felt a bit taken by suprise! If he calls back in the future, avoiding the call probably wont do much so you could just respond in one word answers or say "thanks but no thanks" and put the phone down. Or just tell him you are happy with your current supplier and will not be discussing it further and simply hang up.

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

There were lots of unsubstantiated rumours at a former employers about at least one of the female sales team sleeping with clients to close a deal. Probably jeallousy as she was quite pretty, but if true

What if it was true? Win-win situation. She's happy because she got the sale, client is happy because he got a shag with a pretty girl.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by wyrdness

What if it was true? Win-win situation. She's happy because she got the sale, client is happy because he got a shag with a pretty girl.

It's a bit corrupt tho init? Products should be sold on price or merit, not who bundles it with free sex.

I dont know where you guys work but this is very common practice in what I do, generally have a different rep take me out for lunch at least once a week, bottles of wine/whiskey/hampers at Christmas, if they are in the area visiting another consultant then they pop their head in with some biscuits.

Also had a couple of go-karting events for free through reps and they keep hassling me to go play golf, colleagues that I work with have even been taken abroad to look at their factories which basically means for a **** up.

As long as you dont let these "inducements" effect who you specify/buy from it doesnt matter, some of the more generous ones ive never even bothered looking in their product catalogue.

He might have been a bit overly familiar for you personally on the phone but I think you are over-reacting somewhat, it is standard sales tactics to build a rapour with a client.

why don't just tell him that his manner is not appropriate and you will take it higher in both companies if he does not adapt his technique.
Like many others with those that I have developed a relationship with it becomes informal (calling the Superintedent a wee star i think is a highlight) However even to me that would make my skin crawl a little too much.

Garry has had reps take him out to lunch and corporate hospitality at sporting events and I've tagged along and there have been a few stories to tell from them. I know he has a good rappart will the 'stationery bird' as he calls her but these things have died off death lately

everyone is different and for a first call I know I wouldn't be too happy with it