Filter Queen / Heartland Health Systems . . .

[venson]

@saravacshack . . .

Regarding the example . . . I think it doubtful the kids were waiting for Mom to croak but were probably ready to keel over themselves on learning she'd spent not $100, $200 or even $300 or $400 but more than a grand.

I know lots of seniors who are perfectly capable at managing their affairs and even they would question why?

The situation should not be taken lightly because it does happen and happens too often. It should be also considered by all of us because none of us are getting any younger. I feel perfectly capable now but wonder where my strengths may or may not lie in x-years from now.

 

[kirbysthebest]

3 business day right of recention or "cooling down perio

In our state any product that is sold to any consumer where it is not purchased from the seller's physical place of business, office, store, dealership qualifies for the cooling down.

This applies to Avon, vacuum cleaners, even cars if you happen to buy at a tent sale and not on the regular lot. At the point of sale the sales person is required to give the buyer a copy of the revocation form, along with the mailing address, phone number, and physical address of the seller.

The buyer has until midnight on the third business day after the sale to recend for any reason. They can trigger revocation by simply calling the place of business at 11:59 P.M. and leaving a message on the answering machine. (Though this is hard to prove) At this time the seller must return the trade, deposits and original contracts marked void as well as any cash, credit card slips or checks used for the purchase. The buyer must return the merchandise in good condition and can be charged for usage and damages.

There are some very stiff fines if the seller does not comply with this law, one of which the merchandise becomes their property free and clear. I have only heard of two companies locally that got burned by not complying, one was a car dealer, the other a water treatment company.

The main reason consumers gave, though they are not required to give a reason. "We/I was high pressured and just said yes to get rid of them" So as deamonsdandy said, qualify the buyer, and make sure it's a good sale before you leave, or risk getting the now used merchandise back.

Of all the Kirbys I sold, I never got one back from a recention. A couple because credit wouldn't go through, a couple because their checks bounced, but none because of a bad, or high pressure sale. I may have sold fewer that some of the hotshots, but I had less returns.

 

[billybud21]

Honey, guess what I bought today ...

I think Trebor makes an excellent point about advertising. Bernays' book is a wonderful read and really speaks to the unseen and often times artificial demand that is created by advertising. It may not seem fair, people who sell products might be greedy and unethical, but ultimately, we are all responsible for the decisions we make -- even if we do not want to be.

Add this to Lloyds point about the whole story probably not being conveyed in this article -- come on, let's face it, DTD gets a bad rap in our internet, information driven world and an elected official, like a sheriff, is going to do what is in his best interests, and playing the concerned official -- and we have the perfect storm.

Now, as to fair price, we are all for a free market, until we get screwed. It seems to me, but I am no expert, that most of the people in the DTD business are younger folks looking to make a living, sometimes a fast buck, and have themselves been overwhelmed by the advertising Leviathan of the distributor they are working for. Does that excuse price gouging, rude behavior, pressure sales or that damn Kirby shampoo demonstration, no. However, ultimately, the price a product is sold and bought at is what the market will bear. If you buy a machine for more than your friend did, that is not your friends fault or the salesman’s fault, it is yours.

Finally, I think Kirbysthebest has a very good story to tell on the sales dynamic of vacuums and has some great insight into the whole process of selling in general. I have never sold vacuums, save a few on craigslist, but I did sell cars as my first job out of college. Crap job, but I learned a lot about life, people and selling/buying. What are the best cars to sell? Well if you didn't know, it’s used. Why? There is far more margin -- even taking into account holdback and manufacturer incentives -- in a used car than in a new one. If you made it seem like you are working to get a person the best possible deal, and you still know you have, say $2000 dollars in profit, then it is a win, win for everybody. From what I have read, it seems the same is true of high-end vacuums, if the salesman leaves with more money in his or her pocket then they started out with, and the consumers feels like they got a good deal, then life is good.

I wonder if they ever had problems like this in Mayberry?

 

[venson]

@kirbysthebest . . .

Thanks for the info. Kansas sounds great AND fair-minded.

Venson

 

[kirbysthebest]

I wonder if they ever had problems like this in Mayberry?

Oh, Yes. Remember the Used Deep Freeze. Andy had to watch Aunt Bea and Clara something fearce or they would have give away the farm.