The doorbell rang this morning. When I opened it there stood a chap holding a framed photo, which he held out in my direction. I made a point of not taking it, having read about the tactic of putting the goods for sale into somebody’s hand and then standing back out of reach.
“Hi.” Says he. “Do you recognise this?”
I peered a little closer.
“Yes.” I replied. “It’s an aerial shot of our house.”
“It was taken in September.” Says he, smiling and nodding. “I’ve got a Cessna light aircraft.”
I knew what was coming next, but waited for him to make the next move. I felt a bit angry at the intrusion and rather surprised that somebody who could afford his own airplane would be reduced to knocking on doors hassling for money. Perhaps Christmas had cost more than he’d bargained for…
“My pictures are usually fifty nine pounds, but today I can sell this for just thirty nine pounds. Maybe buy it for your partner’s birthday present?”
“Ooh.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t think so. Bit pricey I’m afraid.”
“What about twenty five then?” His eyes lit up with hope to see our front door had stayed open. “Go and ask your partner what he thinks.”
I shook my head, knowing what Sam would tell him to do with it. However, he still wasn’t giving up. Somehow I knew he wouldn’t be going away until he had flogged it.
“You can have the price I usually give to pensioners if you like?”
“Oh yeah?” Says I. “What’s that?”
“Twenty quid, frame and all.”
Actually it wasn’t a bad picture to be fair. Sam heard our voices and came downstairs to find out what was going on. He saw the picture, nodded, and surprisingly produced twenty quid without a murmur. We’ve now got a framed photo of our house from above, but actually…do you think this bloke had a bit of a cheek, hassling people for money in the privacy of their own homes? Leon laughed and told us we were mugs for handing over the money, now that there’s Google Earth and printers, and that he could have done one for us for £15!
Would you have shaken your head and closed the door, or parted with £59 straight away? Perhaps this can be my new sales tactic for 2018 – knock on doors, shove my books in people’s hands, and then stand well back!
OMG really? People taking photos of your homes then knocking your doors to sell them? What else can one think of to make a buck? Well I probably would have said thanks, but no thanks. And if I did buy it, you can be sure I’d have bargained the heck out of him. I do that so well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got him down to £20 but did wonder if he would have gone lower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL 🙂 Good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he was very brave (and a bit stupid) he could easily have received a bloody nose for his cheek!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLike
The days of door to door salespeople is not over! My parents purchased a lovely photograph of their farm in much the same way. It is now hanging in my son’s home as it has such good memories for all of us. I guess he could sell it for less as it would be of no good to him if you didn’t buy it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how much he would have reduced the price by? I should have kept going I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thing is he had a better hook than anyone’s book would have – a picture that was quite obviously relevant to you and only you! You might not be too well received if you tried to sell a complete stranger a book featuring a husband with an addiction to porn, for example, claiming it was relevant to her!
I might have threatened to sue him for taking a picture of my house without my permission! But, as your son pointed out Google do it all the time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nothing is private anymore. Big brother is watching all the time and taking photographs.
LikeLike
I would’ve shut the door and said goodbye. But I think you’re right. Might be a good way to sell my books!
LikeLiked by 3 people
If you’ve got the nerve…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, I don’t! Just sounds good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it, actually I try and do a couple of conventions a year where I try a slightly more genteel version of that tactic 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
You will never have to to shove books in anyone’s hands. They are too good.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Bernadette. I wouldn’t have the nerve to copy him anyway…
LikeLiked by 1 person