Everywhere I go, the cashier, clerk, or whomever I deal with is trying to sell me something in addition to what I've just purchased.

Went to a card shop/cheap store the other day. The cashier asked me if I wanted to buy any "ring pops" today. No thank you.

Went to a chain pharmacy store today (M&M's on sale), the cashier asked me if I wanted to buy any "featured items" today. No thank you. Another store is asking for donations to various charities. (usually a yes) The last time I shopped at JC Penney, I was asked if I wanted to "round up" my purchase and donate to an after school program. (Yes to that one.)

It's everywhere. They all have to follow a script. Along with the upsell is the "fill out this survey on the back of your receipt and get a % off coupon or a chance to win $$$$". I've filled those out a few times, I've even used the % off coupon on the next shopping trip, but most of the time, the coupon will expire before I shop again. I don't bother with those much anymore, unless it Christmas shopping season.

Then there is the "You saved $$XX.XX today. Well, in these times, I generally try not to shop UNLESS there is a sale. I certainly didn't put the difference between the regular price and sale price in my savings account. Who does? So did I really "save" any money?

And of course, we can't forget having your car serviced. Bring it in for an oil change and they do their "free inspection" and try to sell you an exhaust system, a tune up, coolant flush and a brake job. I'm glad Rick just takes my Jeep to work when it needs service.

So what have people tried to sell you lately? Have you bought any "ring pops"?

 

For me, this overlaps with that "grumpy geezer" thread that's been so active lately.

I don't get set off by these questions and requests, but I can slide into grumpiness pretty quickly. HPH

 

What are ring pops?
I bought a copier last week and today I got an email from the seller "People who bought your copier also bought X, Y and Z". Good for them, now buzz off.
In some cases that type of selling works. Had a client with a cookie store. He told me when people bought a cookie, he'd ask if they wanted a coke with that, and more times than not, they'd buy a coke. Depends on what you're selling, I guess.

 

Being a grumpy geezer, I'm glad I seldom go shopping. Then, otoh, maybe they don't offer me those things since they can see I'm a grumpy geezer.

 

I hate (with absolute passion) when a cashier tries to upsell. Same goes for the "can I help you" when I'm in a store looking around. It's not like I'm anti-social, it's that I'm perfectly capable of asking for help if I need it. I do get that it does limit shoplifters, though, although I would prefer not to be painted as a potential one. Anyways, I refuse to buy any upsell in sheer protest to the upsell policy. Except donations to charities, I usually donate unless I am dirt poor at the moment.

 

I especially hate the "upsell" when I take Bea's Murano into the Nissan dealer for service. They always try to sell me something that is nowhere mentioned in the owner's manual. I have come to the conclusion that the service writers must get a commission on these "recommended" services. On the other hand, I take the S2000 and the NSX to the Honda/Acura dealer, and they never try to sell me anything other than what I ask for.

Oh, another thing that bugs me is when I buy some kind of electronic item, that may only cost $25 or so, they try to sell me an extended service contract that I'll more than likely never need. Again, pure profit and a good commission to the clerk.

 

Just checking the local trends. I'm always polite when I decline, never too geezerish.

If I said I HATED the upsell, Legal Bill would add that to the "things Lainey hates" list, and that list is plenty long enough already.

 

Oh they do, Gene. Most dealerships stick those service writers on salary plus commission. They get suck working a ton of hours because they are exempt from OT. If they don't upsell enough, out the door they go. It's dog eat dog at many of those dealerships, especially the larger ones.

 

I forgot when I wrote ^ that I just went for an upsell last week. I had my Rav4 in for service and the guy told me about a tire deal running through Friday. I did need tires and turns out the tires I need were cheaper on their deal than even Tirerack. So they are putting on a set as I type this. I think that was my first positive response to a pitch at a dealers.

 

I haven't encountered any up-selling here yet. All I get is requests for a small donation of a dollar or so for the food bank, or some other charity, when I checkout at the grocery store. Those I don't mind, but constantly getting hit with attempts at up-selling would make me cranky(ier), too.