This thread -- where overcoming last-minute resistance is compared to a salesperson overcoming customer objections -- prompted this question, as many blue-leaning commenters expressed disgust/skepticism over routine sales practices. For example:

  • "Comparing pushing past LMR to pushy sales techniques isn't that great a metaphor when you consider how used car salesman are widely regarded."
  • "No we would say that sale techniques work best on gullible people."
  • "If nobody willingly buys your hand cream unless they're somehow coerced or pressured into buying it, then either your hand cream sucks or you need better marketing strategy."
  • "Who likes salespeople? So red pill is the dating equivalent of an Amway sales course."

I have about five years' experience working in and around sales. I've done operations analytics in support of mortgage sales teams for a major bank, I've trained in-person salespeople for two Fortune 500 companies, and while my current position doesn't involve persuading clients to pay my company, it does involve persuading them to trust our company enough to allow our workers on dangerous jobsites. I have a decent feel for what sales looks like, and those comments sound like people who've never worked around sales in their lives.

The question, then, is how many blue pillers have worked in or around sales? And no, a few disgruntled weeks in a flimsy MLM scam don't count. I'm talking time around a real sales organization in a real company -- cars, mortgages, cell phones, insurance, etc. Follow up questions for those who have:

  1. What's your opinion on the comparison of LMR to customer objections?
  2. What are your thoughts on the salesperson (and there's always at least one) who brings in the most commission each month and still gets great reviews on customer experience surveys?

Discuss.