Is your mom or dad home?

Just a few minutes ago, I heard a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone so I was somewhat annoyed, but I opened the door anyway to find a guy standing there who said he was with DirecTV and DishNetwork customer service. It was misleading at best. Those are competing companies, so there’s no way he was employed by both. He was probably with a 3rd party company that installs and upgrades satellite TV equipment, and he wasn’t off to a great start with me.

He started to give me a mixed pitch for sales or upgrades, looking around the outside of my house the entire time. He was obviously unsure whether I was an existing customer, which annoyed me. I told him I was already with DishNetwork. He then informed me that he was in the neighborhood seeing if people were happy with their service and if they could upgrade anyone’s equipment free of charge. Not a bad pitch, but it was too little too late. However, you haven’t heard the kicker yet. He then looks straight at me and says “So, is your mom or dad home? Someone that I could talk to about your satellite service?”

I’m 27 years old. I know I look young for my age, but that was ridiculous. I simply answered “no.” Mostly because I didn’t think he deserved much more of an answer. Undaunted, he pushed on, asking if there would be a better time to talk to the home owner. I explained that I was the home owner, which was why he wouldn’t find my parents living here. I then dismissed him. I’m pretty sure he was ready and eager to move on to a less embarrassing scenario anyway.

A note to all door to door sales people:
If you think that the person you are talking to may be able to drive, consider phrasing that question a little better. Try something like “So, who would be the decision maker on your satellite service?” This way, if it’s the parents you’re after, the person can say that. If not, they can assume you were asking if it was them or possibly their spouse, and you don’t look like an idiot. Having said that, I do always like a good laugh!