I have to deal with copier salesmen from two competing companies at work. I honestly never understood how one could be purely a seller of copiers until they showed up. It’s a huge market, with lots of business and a ton of products to deal with. They’re both, very obviously, salesmen, and present everything with smoke and mirrors. The thing is, I’m actually looking to lease a new printer here, because the company could potentially save a few hundred dollars a month with the new, more aggressive marketing campaign that I’m trying to push. It’s a hassle to have to see through all the bullshit and sort out the relevant information. I’m trying to give them both a fair chance anyway, since a new printer would definitely benefit the company.

It’s funny to see how they try to handle clients my age. They come in with their suits and ties, have these generic salesperson characters, and talk with lofty words. I don’t think they expect to be dealing with someone my age, who looks and dresses the way I do. I’m extremely comfortable with it though; I communicate well with people who are older than me, and these guys must be twice my age. They think it’s going to be easy to get a contract signed, just by telling me what the company supposedly needs. I may be green, but I’m not stupid when it comes to business.

The only advantage to all of this is being treated like a real client with respect and having things presented to me the way I want to see them. I suppose it’s only fair though, if they’re trying to get a 60-month lease signed, with quarterly payments of over $1000.