To not want the electricity company in my face upon leaving the supermarket?

[PassingStranger]

Coming out of a well.known supermarket yesterday, an electricity company was in my face asking who I have my electricity with/do I want to save money etc?

I just object to this intrusion. There's often charities outside/set up in the foyer, I think businesses is taking it to far though.
It's like running the gauntlet when you've done the shopping?

Yes you can ignore I know but it's the fact they are there and questioning you that annoys me .you have got to start thinking how to act?
How does this work? I'm assuming they apply to the supermarket and then they pay to be there?

Do the supermarkets not consider their customers might not want to be accosted?
I don't really get it. I've gone into a private shop to do some shopping, then outside I've another business wanting my attention and asking me questions?

Am I the only one it annoys?

"Not today thank you..."

Job done. Just because someone asks you a question doesn't mean you must think about it or answer it.

It is very annoying. I just pretend they aren't there.

I think businesses is taking it to far though.

PS I had a job doing exactly this for wall cladding when I was a student. That was 1975, so it isn't exactly a new practice.

Quite hard,when they are right in your path as she was.

Does anyone know the other side of it?
Do supermarkets make much from this?
Do they get asked alot?

This isn't new. Just say 'no thank you' with a smile and go back to your day.

The supermarkets get paid to allow them to be there.

I just walk around them and completely ignore them. They find it confusing - I find it quite satisfying.

I just say no thanks and continue walking.

In supermarkets though? I don't remember it?
Lidl and Aldi never have anyone there?

My local Morrisons tends to have them at the self service exit. I make sure I am always polite as I have seen many that look a little defeated but I do say no thank you.

Exactly. If you don't stop they can't question you.

I don't engage at all. We have all (mostly) been brought up to be polite so ignoring people can be hard at first. This is one of those occasions I allow myself to be rude. I treat them like scam callers.

No thank you as you walk past and then forget about it

I remember this years back. Must be a soul destroying job, who is likely to say ah yes that reminds me I must change my electricity supplier outside a supermarket. I just say no thank you and walk on, same as anyone accosting me in the street really. Don’t hesitate to, just keep walking !

I had this with the air ambulance as I went in to pay for petrol. I would happily put a few quid in a collection box, but they wanted you to sign up and do a regular donation. Other people were saying no once they realised but it was really uncomfortable. In fact they would've got a fair few donations if they had a collection box instead. It did feel very pressured, especially if you got caught in the trap of them starting to fill out the form. The guy was calling out to customers and being pushy too.

I am very happy to donate to them in general but also thought this was out of line.

Was it Morrisons? I can't stand it either.

I once offered a few coins for a charity I agree with- but they didn't take cash and only wanted me to sign up to a monthly subscription- no thanks.

Know how you feel, PassingStranger. I avoid eye contact and have a purposeful look on my face that gives off an “I’m busy” vibe whenever I see salespeople by the supermarket exit/entrance in the hope that they’ll ignore me.
However, this does not always work, last Christmas I was literally weighed down holding a massive box of stuff in both hands accompanied by two squabbling kids and a very persistent sales rep for a charity pretty much barred our way out of the store. I gave a sharp “No, thank you!” and he moved. Seriously, read the room mate!!
I try to demonstrate good manners and curtesy to my children but it’s not always easy.

It’s awful isn’t it. So intrusive talking about your bills on the street.

it seems so old fashioned too, like something from 2004

I just blank them. I haven’t invited conversation so I don’t owe them a response. I find the chuggers far more annoying and they often have a sarcastic comment when they are ignored. If more people ignored them, there’d be fewer of them about

It was so long ago I am not sure which supermarket it was, but I think it was Asda. It was actually quite a good job for me - the company was fairly small and local, and a decent employer. I got a good hourly rate and commission on anything I sold - and they nicely paid up commission on leads even after I went back to uni.

When I was at uni there were no Lidl or Aldi!

I’m surprised that they continue to be there because nobody seems to stop and chat to them. Unless it’s to just subliminally put the name in peoples minds. It’s the ones that ask stupid questions that annoy me, asking my favourite gravy or something equally ridiculous to get my attention and then try sell
me new windows.

I just say 'No thanks' and don't even make eye contact. A very thankless job I should think.

If they ask, I always say i don't know, husband pays the bills (Which he does) , you'll have to ask the bill payer and he isn't here.

They’re always in Morrisons, sometimes Asda. I’m in every day for lunch / using loos so I come across them regularly.

I don’t mind the electricity ones so much they’re usually not too bad, but the charity ones can be aggressive

The ones selling wills don’t bother me, maybe I don’t look old enough 😂

I would also happily donate to a collection box but I refuse to sign up to a direct debit, they have no chance and get offended and question why you don’t want to sign up

Asda / Octopus is my guess ….

It is very annoying and I suspect those who stand there trying to get new people to sign up have targets to meet but that's not for me to worry about. I'm sick of accidentally having eye contact and/or hearing loudly love your jacket!! or some other compliments. I tend to smile with a thank you as I hasten my step. 😀

🏃