Towards an educated class of consumers
Caveat emptor. The two words should be printed on money. If you have a personal shopping bag, take the time to print (in indelible ink) on the side of the sack. Be prepared, oh shopper, because we live in a world of deceit.
I exaggerate, barely. Despite the effort needed to be an informed, aware consumer, the people across from me at the bargain table are past masters in psychological techniques. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. From time to time I tune in to Marketplace, where Ms. Mesley and her team do their duty in reminding me that I am silly and likely to be duped at every turn.
This evening, the program had a list of seven sins of the sales profession. Let me share:
I am not a sales person. The necessary skills tend to clash with the philosophy of a good teacher, because the goal is not to educate. Rather, it is to convince the potential client that life will be vastly improved if only a small transaction can be completed.
The Marketplace episode is available, in part, online.
Today was a minor feast day in the calendar of personal commerce, as the only thing I purchased was a large quantity of food. By shopping at the same store and avoiding the “products most likely to be advertised” I can come home, week after week, within my budget. It’s reassuring to know where the tins of tuna or the best bagels are located (I hate searching instead of shopping). There’s even a reward for my goal-directed activity, because I’m home again, home again, jiggety-jig (in time for supper which was cooking in the oven).
