Describe either a good or a bad experience with a sales person. What made it good or bad - Essay Example

Running head: marketing Describe either a good or a bad experience with a sales person. What made it good – or bad My experiences with sales persons have been innumerable. However, one interaction remains always on my mind, which had caused much pressure, dissatisfaction, and ultimately rejection of that product. This experience was with sales promotion of a holiday package, which was a new product introduced by a well established hotel brand. This product was rejected, not be cause of its features or concept, but more because of the approach adopted in the personal selling process.

As expected, this personal selling process was initiated without the consumer’s initial interest. I received a call from the holiday promoters that I had won a short holiday to a beach resort, and to avail this prize I had to visit their office. As advised, I reached their office and received a warm welcome by the marketing agent. Before explaining about the prize that I won, this agent started explaining about their company and various products they offered. The bottom-line information was not being provided.

I had to intervene and ask specifically about the product because I did not have the time as well as patience to listen about something that I was not really interested. Upon interrupting, the agent started explaining about the prize, which was a holiday to a beach resort. When I confirmed that I would be interested to go on a holiday by using this prize, I was shown a very different picture. The agent then started explaining the process of availing this, so called, prize. I then realized this was not a prize, but a marketing and sales promotion activity.

To avail the holiday, I had to spend money and would be given stay at subsidized rate, and hence was not free of cost; the rest of the costs had to be borne by myself. This was totally shocking and displeasing experience as I was not ready for such risky expenses at that time. Upon learning about my low level of interest in this scheme, the agent put me through his marketing manager. This manager, indeed, continued with the sales promotion of the holiday package and also tried to meet his other targets by promoting products like ‘life-time’ holiday membership to various destinations across the world and so on.

The initial holiday package, which was promoted as a lucky prize was a trial sales purchase promotion that did not impress me and also did not seem genuine. Although this attempt from the hotel company was an attempt to reach customers, the sampling and proposed contests did not cohere with my requirements, interests and situation. Moreover, the entire process used up 2 hours of my precious time with no outcome for either parties in addition to leaving a displeasing experience and notion about the brand.

Although, at one point I was convinced to buy their product, their terms and conditions seemed too pressurizing, which eventually resulted in complete termination of considering this holiday package. Another annoying experience during this process was the way the marketing manager intruded into my personal life such as inquiring my earnings, assets etc and linking this with the holiday package that I would be eligible for. This process could have been taken up if consented to their offerings.

This entire experience taught me that marketing communication is highly sensitive and has to be planned and timed properly. Obtaining the right sample of consumers is also essential. Although informational, emotional, humorous appeals are good to attract consumers, these approaches should not be offensive or intimidating to the consumers. ReferencesPhillips, B and Alyn, K. (2011). How to Deal with Annoying People: What to Do When You Cant Avoid Them. Oregon: Harvest House Publishers.