by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC RSP
I’ll be brief is one of a cold call salesperson’s biggest lies. “I’ll be brief’ was Eric Stratten defending the Delta fraternity house at the probation hearing in the movie Animal House (below left). “Pre-law, pre-med what’s the diffrence?” he asked.
Despite being on a do not call list, I get more than a few calls a week from Mr. Pump and Dump stock brokers reading from a canned script. I’ve done my fair share of cold calling over the years, but some of the stuff I hear from these peddlers is ridiculous.
The call usually begins with some vague reference to a purported call with an associate of his that you spoke to a few months ago and that he’s calling with a recommendation. The same shpiel. “Get a pencil to write this down and ‘
So today I decided to take the call and with a boisterous cheerful voice I answered “Hello Mr. Pump and Dump, what are you peddling today? I know you’ll be brief”. Went right over the guy’s head.
Everyone has the right to make a living, but you don’t have to put up with people that don’t listen who are ill-prepared, try to sound slick in seeking the impulse buy, the low hanging fruit. It makes as little sense to buy from a cold caller trying to sell you a stock as it is to buy the argument from “a pre-med student” who claims to be “pre-law”.
Work with someone who takes the time to understand you and your needs.
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