This may just be a bug a boo of mine but I hate it when a sales person puts down his competitor. Maybe it’s that I don’t like sales pitches to begin with but if I have to stand there and listen to trash talk or gossip about another company from someone I begin to tune them out and go to my ‘happy place.’
This happens in any industry I’m sure but in pest control it seems quite common. Maybe it is because the person has called out this new company who’s not quite living up to their expectations already so it’s easy to pile on or perhaps it is a new sales tactic that since I’ve been out of the morning sales rah rah environment for so long, I never heard about it.
When I present my services I almost never mention the other guy, how do I know the ins and outs of that company and why should I make a comment on hearsay or secondary gossip that can’t be proven. I’m often asked about so and so or my program is compared to theirs which would be an easy lead in to start slinging negative arrows but I never take the bait. I do point out the differences sure, but not to the point of running someone down.
Does this bother you? Are you turned off by this type of conversation or do you think it is something important that can help you make a buying decision? Take a moment and give your answer with this quick poll and let us know what you think.
Thanks for reading.
