Is it rude to tell a salesman you know better when they say a lie?

Question

Recently, a salesman came to my house and tried to get me to buy an overpriced water filter. I said no after his 2 hour presentation. Anyway, he said a lot of blatant lies during the presentation which I knew weren't true. I just smiled and ignored it, but I wanted to call him on it.

Answer 1

You've received some good answers already.

While I agree with pasdeberet about how gulliable a lot of Americans have been over the past several years, that is not answering your particular question.

Based on my own experiences over my 5o+ years on this earth I also agree with the majority of people who say letting a salesperson into your house, especially if you are alone & double especially if you didn't need the product being sold in the first place, is a no-no.

As soon as I heard the first lie I would have questioned the source of the information & asked to see it in writing. If the lies continued, I would call the person on each of them. I believe in the adage - 3 strikes & you're out - so if the person continues lying, as soon as the third lie was told, I'd escort them to the door telling them never to return.

I'd get right on the phone to the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) & ask for the forms to be sent to me to make a complaint, or go on-line to fill-in a form.

Next, I'd contact the main office of the company they're selling for, via a letter detailing all the lies that were told to me & also letting the company know I'd reported the incident to the BBB.

Finally, I'd post a sign on my door saying "No Solicitation Allowed" & I'd stick with it.

Nowadays you can shop or research anything on-line, then go to a brick & mortar store to see it in person, so in my mind, there is no need for a salesperson to come to my door unless I specifically do all my research, then invite them to my home.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

I don't trust any salesman. Anywhere. Salesmen (and saleswomen) who work on commission will do or say anything to turn a dollar profit.

Why did you invite someone into your home for a 2-hour presentation on a water filter? That is time you will never get back.

I think lies should always be called out. The USA is currently being led by the nose by an administration that bases many of its policies and procedures on blatant lies. When they (the administration) is called on it, they declare 'executive privilege' and withhold documents and data, scrub email records, ANYTHING to keep their lying mechanism in full swing.

You lost 2 hours in a presentation by a salesmen.

The American people are losing lives, personal freedoms, civil rights and billions of dollars in a presentation by a 'salesman' known as George W. Bush.

I ain't buying it.

Answer 3

Write a letter to the head of the company he works for. Detail exactly what he said and point out the lies. Make sure you tell the CEO that you would not purchase the item because of the lies. That will have WAY more effect that approaching the the sales man. He'll just walk away and look for another customer

Answer 4

Sure, I'd call him, politely, on his lies, but here's another perspective just for grins and giggles-

If I were a salesperson, and I was giving out misinformation, I would want to know!

There's always the possibility that he's just saying what he was told is true, and is actually an honest person at heart.

So, yes, I'd say something and if he was rude, I'd write a letter to his boss (cc to better business bureau) as the other answerer suggested.

Answer 5

Sometimes I just let them go on with their little stories so I can get the heck out of there even quicker. If you plan on actually buying something, then you can question his version of the truth.

The bigger question is why you sat through a two hour presentation on water filters : )

Answer 6

I would say, "Look, I know you're trying to make a living, but I can't waste my time and ultimately yours by allowing this to continue. I wish you well, but hope you'll consider lying to people and taking advantage isn't a great way to go through life. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't know you're spreading around a load of BS and that you're merely parroting whatever the company has told you to say."

Keep walking towards the door as you say it--and never let anyone in to sell you anything when you're alone.

I recently had this experience in a furniture store where we caught the guy in a bold face lie. We called him on it, but allowed him his dignity in saying we were sure he wasn't aware of the facts.

Answer 7

After listening to a salesman for two hours rude wouldn't even come close to describing what my mood would be, but I would have been rude from the start and he wouldn't have made it into my house at all.

Answer 8

He took up 2 hours of your time lying to you and you are concerned about being rude? You are too nice girl.

First Lie: Say I am sorry but What I have heard is that.....blah blah blah

Second Lie: Say "Now Jeffrey how are we going to do business if you keep fibbing to me?"

Third Lie: Say, "Yeah we are done for the day. I have way to much respect for myself to sit here and listen to half truths and lies. Good day."

He will protest.....

You say, "I SAID GOOD DAY!"

Answer 9

I'm in sales. I have been for a lonnng time so if you call them out on something it will help them in the long run.

It's been done to me and I was sooo embarassed that I researched my stuff and made sure it never happened again.

As a sales person I'll always admit my faults also.....JUST SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN!
*face turns red*

Answer 10

I would have. It's not rude in the least. What IS rude is to take up 2 hours of someone's time and be lying in the whole dang process.