Would you respond?

[fashionx]

I can't stand how many people seem to join and try to sell me on coming to these various selling organizations, like Mary Kay, Arbonne, Tastefully Simple, etc...

I usually decline invites and most people take the hint and stop inviting me to things after awhile. Today I got a message from a guy I went to high school with and recently accepted his friend request on FB. We were not at all close in high school, but I pretty much accept anyone I know from there, and have them on a different privacy setting if I wasn't close with them, so they're not reading every detail of my life on my wall, etc. Anyway, this guy sends me a message and wants me to sign up to get my skin analyzed by an esthetician with a machine, to be able to then recommend products from whatever skincare line he/they are selling. Since this wasn't a general event invite, but a PM, do I need to respond?

ugh!

[house]

I would and say thanks for thinking about me but not interested.

[NachoProblem]

Whatttt? I probably wouldn't bother with a response. But I'm an a-hole.

[mrst2]

I would probably just delete the message.

[FormerCityGirl]

I'd ignore it if you weren't close. If you engage, he may just try to persuade you even more. If he went to the trouble to PM you, I think he may get more persistent since it seems like he has a more aggressive sales style. People who are that aggressive have issues with boundaries and just need to be ignored to keep drama to a minimum.

[fashionx]

lol Nacho. I don't try to be, but in all honesty I don't really care if this guy thinks I'm an a-hole! If it were someone I saw *ever* I might care what they thought of me.

[ILikeSloths]

I LOATHE invites to this kind of stuff.

I rarely respond to requests like this any more from people I don't talk to unless I think they may not get the point and will continue to bother me, LOL.

I certainly don't think you're obligated to respond just because it's a PM but it may help to say you're not interested. That way he won't think you didn't get the message or continue to ask.

[fashionx]

FCG You are probably right about that. Part of the message included him saying "I'd like to drop this off tomorrow or Wednesday, which is better for you?" classic pushy sales tactic. I clicked his profile and if it's correct he still lives in my hometown. And I don't. So whatever.

I'm ignoring.

[thatgirl]

Sept 24, 2012 19:14:36 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

I LOATHE invites to this kind of stuff.

I rarely respond to requests like this any more from people I don't talk to unless I think they may not get the point and will continue to bother me, LOL.

I certainly don't think you're obligated to respond just because it's a PM but it may help to say you're not interested. That way he won't think you didn't get the message or continue to ask.

I second this.

[sarahbear]

LOL that he doesn't even live near you and wants to drop something off! I'd ignore. He probably sends the same form email to everyone. Ignore.

[ralphlauren]

Ignore.

[glendi]

Big fat ignore.

[carylee07]

So this happened to me, too! She was trying to sell me makeup. We have a ton of mutual friends but i consider her more of just an acquaintance. I tried ignoring but she actually sent a follow up message a week later. I dug up my response:

"Yes, sorry, a little crazy here!

My hesitation is that I have a bunch of products that have been working great for me for years that I am married to - Laura Mercier for foundation and powder, Philosophy for cleanser, moisturizer, retinol night cream, Urban Decay Eye Primer, Clinique long wearing mascara and MAC liquid liner. They work so well for me that I'm not really interested in trying new products. I know that sounds close minded and I don't mean it to- its more so- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Aileen turned me on to Clarisonic and that, in combo with my Philosophy products have been great on my skin. I also don't have too many girl friends here (sad face) so I really don't think I'd generate money for a party. I tried once with a jewelry party, and it fell flat. And, I barely have time to sleep so I definitely would not be able to commit to doing this part time.

Sorry- I really don't mean this to sound so Debbie downerish. I am happy to support you in any way I can- spreading your name out there, maybe buying gift sets for others or making financial donations, so to speak, towards your business. But as far as me buying for myself, I am going to pass.

Hope that makes sense! Let me know what other things I may be able to do to help you!

I do appreciate you thinking of me!"

Pretty politically correct and possibly too nice. But I'm awful with confrontation.

[FormerCityGirl]

Sept 24, 2012 19:16:17 GMT -5 fashionx said:

FCG You are probably right about that. Part of the message included him saying "I'd like to drop this off tomorrow or Wednesday, which is better for you?" classic pushy sales tactic. I clicked his profile and if it's correct he still lives in my hometown. And I don't. So whatever.

I'm ignoring.

I hate it when they threaten to drop crap off. My Mom got roped into Melaluca and tried to get me into it. Now, they are doubling her mothly orders into 2 separate shipments. She has to keep declining the crap.

I recently got unfriended by an overeager Mary Kay lady and can't say that I miss her at all. It was 10 statuses a day about a free lip gloss.

[bethaboo]

Carylee, I like your response. Did you get a reply?

Fashionx, I think in this case, it is better to just ignore. I don't like confrontation and so I would avoid with this guy.

[livinitup]

Of course. It's just a sales solicitation. You don't need to respond to those.

[carylee07]

Sept 24, 2012 20:58:47 GMT -5 bethaboo said:

Carylee, I like your response. Did you get a reply?

Fashionx, I think in this case, it is better to just ignore. I don't like confrontation and so I would avoid with this guy.

Yep- her reply:
"No problem. I understand being hooked to stuff that works. If you're ever in the market to try something different, let me know. Our products are pretty competitive with most of those brands that you mentioned, including Claresonic... And you can get them at wholesale prices as a consultant. Thanks for checking it out, Caryl!! Let me know if you want to try anything out!"

And honestly, she hasn't tried to sell me anything since! So my essay worked! Haha

[bimbi284]

Sept 24, 2012 21:38:10 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

I would ignore and unfriend.

If you engage further, so will he.

This 100%

[house]

Fashionx, I have a feeling you will still get another follow up message. For motivated sales people, as long as they didn't get a "NO" they will keep trying. A firm direct "NO" is far more effective with them.

[ILikeSloths]

Sept 24, 2012 21:45:09 GMT -5 house said:

Fashionx, I have a feeling you will still get another follow up message. For motivated sales people, as long as they didn't get a "NO" they will keep trying. A firm direct "NO" is far more effective with them.

This is my thought as well and what I meant by my post above. I've had better luck with rejecting offers from pushy people rather than ignoring.

Also, I wouldn't hesitate to unfriend if he doesn't take no for an answer.

[fashionx]

Thanks guys, I will ignore for now and if he follows up again this week I will say no, and un-friend.

[fashionx]

LOL Mav!