Do I want fries with that? Hell no!
Sep. 2nd, 2003 10:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poltr1This morning, I pulled into a McDonald's for breakfast and ordered my favorite breakfast sandwich from them -- a Sausage McMuffin with Egg (also called the Sausage Egg McMuffin) -- and a cup of hot tea. The voice at the other end of the speaker asked me if I wanted to make that a combo. There were several things I thought about saying in response to that question, but in the end, I just said a polite "No, thank you."
If I wanted the combo, that's what I would have ordered. Duh! How stupid do these people think I am? I didn't order the combo because I'm (still) trying to cut back on my carbs, and hash browns or french fries are something I don't need. So now I "just say no" to potatoes if they're offered on the side in any form, or substitute applesauce or a salad if I can. Most places can accommodate me. And for the few that don't or can't, I ask for a separate plate on which I can place the spuds and get them off the plate and (hopefully) out of my sight and/or reach. I hate wasting food, so it's rare that they hit the trash right away.
But suggestive selling isn't limited to the fast food restaurant. It's nearly everywhere I go.
When I go to the movie theatre and order a drink, the kid behind the counter says, "For a quarter more, you can go up to the next size drink." What, and miss an important part of the movie because I'd have to run out to the bathroom at that time? Thanks but no thanks.
When I go to one of the local ice cream shops and get a small dish of ice cream, they offer me the opportunity to get a medium for a quarter more. Again, if I wanted the medium-sized dish, I would have ordered the medium-sized dish. Hello?
If I buy an electronic item at one of the chain stores, they always push the extended warranty. A leading consumer magazine (whose name I cannot disclose for legal reasons) advocated declining the extended warranties, since it's nothing but a money-raiser for the company selling the item -- it's rare that they are ever used or needed.
Why do people do this? Are they out to annoy me? Are they out to fatten me up for the slaughter? Or ar they trying to maximize their total sales? It comes down to one of the things these clerks are told to do -- suggestive selling.
Who was it that first came up with the idea, and why were they so conviced that it works? I know the tactic doesn't work on me. In fact, I'm offended by the very idea of suggestive selling. I'm perfectly capable of reading the menu and making my own decision without any help from them. And if I want something, I'll specifically ask for it.
If I wanted the combo, that's what I would have ordered. Duh! How stupid do these people think I am? I didn't order the combo because I'm (still) trying to cut back on my carbs, and hash browns or french fries are something I don't need. So now I "just say no" to potatoes if they're offered on the side in any form, or substitute applesauce or a salad if I can. Most places can accommodate me. And for the few that don't or can't, I ask for a separate plate on which I can place the spuds and get them off the plate and (hopefully) out of my sight and/or reach. I hate wasting food, so it's rare that they hit the trash right away.
But suggestive selling isn't limited to the fast food restaurant. It's nearly everywhere I go.
When I go to the movie theatre and order a drink, the kid behind the counter says, "For a quarter more, you can go up to the next size drink." What, and miss an important part of the movie because I'd have to run out to the bathroom at that time? Thanks but no thanks.
When I go to one of the local ice cream shops and get a small dish of ice cream, they offer me the opportunity to get a medium for a quarter more. Again, if I wanted the medium-sized dish, I would have ordered the medium-sized dish. Hello?
If I buy an electronic item at one of the chain stores, they always push the extended warranty. A leading consumer magazine (whose name I cannot disclose for legal reasons) advocated declining the extended warranties, since it's nothing but a money-raiser for the company selling the item -- it's rare that they are ever used or needed.
Why do people do this? Are they out to annoy me? Are they out to fatten me up for the slaughter? Or ar they trying to maximize their total sales? It comes down to one of the things these clerks are told to do -- suggestive selling.
Who was it that first came up with the idea, and why were they so conviced that it works? I know the tactic doesn't work on me. In fact, I'm offended by the very idea of suggestive selling. I'm perfectly capable of reading the menu and making my own decision without any help from them. And if I want something, I'll specifically ask for it.
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no subject
Date: 2003-09-02 08:13 pm (UTC)And it does work. Very well. My personal favorite was "Would you like cheese on those Krystals?" because it was less intrusive, and folks often found that they had meant to say cheese krystals anway.
I often think that everyone should have to work fast food or some other menial labor in one's life because it gives you a lot of insight. If nothing else it is definite inspiration to finish that college degree!
no subject
Date: 2003-09-02 08:17 pm (UTC)Now some folks might forget and do it anyway -- particularly if it's been a long shift and they are on autopilot, but most won't.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-02 10:47 pm (UTC)I have bought things based on suggestive selling in the past and will probably continue to so that's why they do it.
Just continue to say "No thanks" and let the poor slob making minimum wage alone. :)
no subject
Date: 2003-09-03 04:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-03 08:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-18 07:44 pm (UTC)