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Original poster

To be so tired of 'upselling'

290 replies

scaryclown · 02/08/2017 10:01

It's just bloody relentless! I took a bike into a nice independent bike shop today. It's a £45 fix, yet all the conversation was about 'time to buy a new bike', every day I say 'single espresso' to be met with 'double?'
I swear I'm going to punch someone!.

Throwing away a perfectly good bike to meet some oily dickhead sales target!?

Jesus Grin

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 02/08/2017 13:49

How about online upselling ?

Anyone booked a cinema ticket online, and had to decline all the gut-busting buckets of popcorn and vats of fizzy drinks before (finally) checking out ?

Mysteriously, the one "preference" you can't set using the site is "don't upsell me"

Ollivander84 · 02/08/2017 13:49

I remember wanting a price on a piece of furniture. So I rang up, and spoke to someone. They wouldn't give me the price Hmm they wanted measurements so they knew it would fit (obviously I was quite aware it would!), and had to "come and view the property" before they sold it to me
After the most baffling 20 minute conversation I've ever had with me mouthing at my dad in the background they won't give me the fucking price I finally dragged it out of them. Something like two grand. I said oh is that all, it's far too cheap for what I'm looking for and hung up. What a bloody palaver, just tell me how much it is!

NicolasFlamel · 02/08/2017 13:52

The two that annoy me are Superdrug with their "any stamps or top up?' (Top up?! I haven't known anyone to need top up for years) and WH Smith constantly trying to peddle No 7 and rank chocolate.

Housemum · 02/08/2017 13:54

I always give a polite "no thank you" but I really wish the shops wouldn't make their staff do this. As for receipts, I'll only give my email for something significant - for clothes etc I try them on as soon as I get home, for anything else I ditch the receipt as soon as I'm happy with it. I accepted the email receipt for my TV and sofa just in case of a warranty claim.

Not been to America for years now, but when I did go to Florida 10 years ago, we arrived in the evening - I was tired and pregnant - and went to a pizza place. I wasn't that hungry so whilst the kids ordered kids' meals, DH ordered a pizza, I ordered a starter portion of pasta.

"That's a starter Ma'am"
"yes, I know, but I'm not very hungry"
"But it is really just an appetiser, you wouldn't be happy with that as a meal"
"are you absolutely sure? I'm really not that hungry"
"yes ma'am"

Ordered a "normal portion and it was fecking enormous - ate about a quarter of it and felt annoyed and conned!

And as for every flipping restaurant trying to sell you a "better value" souvenir glass - I "did the math" and in no way was it cheaper. Yes, it was cheaper than buying a glass and a drink, but the drink size in the glass was also smaller than a standard drink in most cases and I wasn't buying a glass anyway! How big do you think my suitcase is?! As you can tell I wasn't a fan of Florida - had only ever stayed with friends in Illinois before so had never experienced pushy tourist areas.

rabbitcakes · 02/08/2017 13:55

I had it with a coffee machine today. 'Can we interest you in more pods?'

No you idiot, I phoned because the bloody thing has broken and you've not sent the part out. I can't use the fucking thing so why would I want more pods?!!

EarlGreyT · 02/08/2017 13:55

How about online upselling ?

Ryan air (who I now refuse to fly with) are the worst for this. Trying to find a way to remove the insurance from the booking is almost impossible and required google to do it.

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 13:56

Also, I have just remembered...

Every second or third time I go into my local post office, they try and sell me insurance. Car insurance, pet insurance, holiday insurance, house insurance, home contents insurance. 'I am fine with what I have got actually... honestly.' 'Yeah but I bet we can better it!' 'I have just signed up for 12 months insurance on my car last week. 'We can pay the cancellation fee for you.' Confused

They just won't quit, so I have lost count of the amount of times I have taken the info, (and made an appointment even 'chat' to someone' which I have cancelled!)

Also, every time I go into Wilko's. (great shop, friendly staff, but...) every time I go in, they give me some spiel at the end of the transaction about how I can win £250 worth of goodies if I fill in this online survey. It literally IS so they can get your personal info.

I am also sick of going into Asda and have them asking my postcode (so they can see how far people travel to their store apparently.) Confused I give a fake one of course. I always give the one of the community centre 10 minutes walk from my house.

And is it just me, or does anyone else think it's odd that Starbucks want to know your name, so they can 'put it on your cup?' Confused

IMO the 'annoying thing that trumps everything else' HAS to be the insistence that you take additional breakdown cover/extra guarantees.

DH and I had quite the 'debate' with a certain major store the other week, when they tried to sell additional cover for a £9 mp3 player. The MP3 player was £9, and the additional insurance was £5. DH said 'are you serious? It's not worth it.' 'Yeah but if it breaks and you bring it back, we can replace it completely.'

I said 'you have to do that anyway, under the normal 12 month guarantee! If I lose it after 13 months, I don't care, it's nine quid! We spent that in Costa yesterday on 2 lattes and a cake each.' 'Yeah but it covers accidental damage.' I said 'Our house insurance covers that.'

They went on and on and on. We said 'look, we know you get brownie points for selling extra insurance, but we're not taking it. Can we just pay for the MP3 player now, or shall we go somewhere else to buy it?' Cue the assistant shutting up, and selling us the item after wasting five minutes of our precious lives trying to sell us extra shit we didn't need or want!

Why the F do they get rewarded for selling insurance no-one needs? very annoying. Hmm

I predict that one day, there will be a fuck load of claims from people claiming they were mis-sold additional insurance plans that they didn't ask for, for items they bought! It HAS to happen!

(And yeah I KNOW it's not the fault of the assistants, but this particular one got quite arsey when we wouldn't take the extra insurance, that cost more than the fucking item we were buying!)

lalalalyra · 02/08/2017 13:57

When we were organising my relative's funeral recently when we were going through the details we were asked if we'd like to 'upgrade' the flowers that were included in her pre-paid package. It was like a fucking McDonalds order. They tried to brign out coffin brochures as well - despite the fact the package was done so that her DH didn't have to deal with shit like that. I'll never ever use that chain of funeral directors ever again.

It's everywhere.

IJustLostTheGame · 02/08/2017 14:21

I hated doing this when I worked in a shoe shop.
We had to bring out the shoes that the customer wanted to try on plus a bag and another pair of shoes.
If we didn't do it we were given warnings and three strikes later we'd be out. If we did do it most customers wouldn't go for and be annoyed (quite rightly) too.
It sucked.

The80sweregreat · 02/08/2017 14:28

Funerals are doing it now.
Its so sad really.

zukiecat · 02/08/2017 14:38

Nicolas

What's wrong with asking if you need a top up?

I still have a pay as you go phone, I'll never have a contract. Loads of people I know are the same

LurkingHusband · 02/08/2017 14:39

I hated doing this when I worked in a shoe shop.

Shoes shops have a special place in my heart ... the last time I was in one (about 6 years ago) I found a pair of shoes and (you can tell this is the voice of experience) I asked for 3 sets of matching laces as well.

Asst: "We don't sell the laces, sir"
Me: "But you're happy for me to buy the shoes ?"
Asst: (puzzled) "Of course ..."
Me: "Sorry ..." (walks out).

(see also "bin bags" ....)

All shoes bought online since.

Kailoer · 02/08/2017 14:54

They did that at the funeral planner? Shock that's really not on

SittingAround1 · 02/08/2017 14:57

Had the same experience with insurance for Ryanair. Very annoying. Other airlines do it as well.
They make you feel like you're taking a massive risk not buying it.

I hate it when hairdressers try to upsell hair products and highlights. I go to the same one now as he knows if I ask for a cut that's all I want.

ScrambledSmegs · 02/08/2017 14:57

Funerals?

That's just tasteless.

wherearemymarbles · 02/08/2017 15:06

I dont seem to notice tbh. I think i must have a face that says no means no.

As far a email receipts i give them a hotmail account ive had for decades and only now use for this type of thing, compare the market etc etc. This way i dont get bothered by spam.

The80sweregreat · 02/08/2017 15:13

I guess we have to be firmer with all this. Just say no thanks and make it clear we 're not going to fall for it.
Maybe it will fizzle out one day.

annielouise · 02/08/2017 15:17

Santander terrible for this. Every month I would go to pay a cheque in. I wanted to use the counter rather than the envelope and box option so that it was done instantly rather than have it credited at the end of the day/next day.

Each and every time they'd say oh, you've got this much in your account why don't you swap to the 123 account. I'd say no, I just want to pay this cheque in thank you. Are you sure, they'd say. So I'd have to say no again.

I got so annoyed and complained as 1) I didn't want to explain myself every time, 2) didn't think it right people on the counter were looking at my account balance in an analytical way to upsell to me, 3) didn't want to be treated like a cash cow and be upsold to when all I wanted was to pay a cheque in, 4) didn't want my business discussed while other were in the queue behind me, 5) didn't want to be patronised - if I wanted the 123 account I'd make that decision myself (as it was the current account would build up but then large amounts would go out with tax being paid so it wasn't worth it). Hated it. Your my bank, just do what I ask of you and don't use me as an opportunity to upsell to your benefit.

Anyway they put a note on my account not to ask me this everytime. Yet the next time I went in, the woman on the counter did, then the other one chimed up "ooh, she doesn't want asking every time - there's a note on her account", loudly in front of five other customers. I emailed the CEO and told him his bank was shite and I was off. Close my account then.

annielouise · 02/08/2017 15:18

you're my bank not your my bank

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 15:21

That's horrible @annielouise

But totally believable. I have had similar things happen quite a few times.

Freshprincess · 02/08/2017 15:23

Funerals? Ffs that's got to be as low as it gets.

MiddlingMum · 02/08/2017 15:30

My stock answer in WH Smiths to the chocolate at the till is "Why would I want a greasy slab of palm oil and refined sugar? Do I look like I need it?" Said with a smile so as not to appear rude. I have been known to ask them to ask their manager why they are supporting the destruction of the rain forest by pushing sales of Cadbury's chocolate.

Recently I went to a posh cafe. I asked for a peppermint tea and a piece of cake. The upselling options I was offered were ridiculous, to the point that I asked if I could have what I originally wanted or should I go elsewhere. If I ask for a peppermint tea, the chances of me really wanting a coffee made from beans ground by unicorns and topped with sparkly fairy dust are minimal.

I avoid any upselling on principle, so it's a lost cause on me.

Mitzimaybe · 02/08/2017 15:36

Funeral directors do it a lot - they're in business to make money just like anybody else, but you're at your most vulnerable. It's all "Of course you want xyz to give him a good send-off" and you feel like you're not giving the deceased the respect they deserve if you go for the cheaper options.

Ellie56 · 02/08/2017 16:01

ShockThat is obscene Mitzimaybe

BeyondThePage · 02/08/2017 16:23

Glad I work for the NHS so I don't have to upsell anything

it comes about in subtle ways though...

I had a prescription for codeine - "Oh I'd better give you some Laxido with that, since it causes constipation."
and for NSAIDs - "oh I'll give you some Omeprazole so your stomach is protected",

had to sign up to a monthly pre-paid prescription just to afford the "extras"