Guilty Conscience :-(

Is a guilty conscience a "newbie affliction"? I've been shopping for two months now, and have done several new car shops. There is a part of me that feels like a real jerk because I know these salespeople are really working to get my business, but I know I am not buying a car.

Intellectually, I understand that I am doing a job and that these folks probably face lots of rejection every day. Just wondering if anyone else gets these guilty twinges while doing certain shops? And I'll be totally honest, I won't stop doing them despite that bit of guilt. I grab them when they have big bonuses and the money is too good to pass up.... so what does that say about me? LOL

Thoughts anyone?

I used to see a life coach pretty regularly.... back when they were called bartenders.

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Some companies give the salesperson who was shopped a nice bonus when they get a good shop review. I know someone who works at a furniture store, and she said she really does not mind the mystery shoppers. She said that the mystery shoppers generally take up less of her time than many of the customers who browse but do not buy. And she said that she at least gets something out of the shop if she gets a good review, whereas she gets nothing from the customer who decides not to buy anything.

Thanks, @5ineveryroom! I didn't realize that the sales person may get a bonus for doing a good job. That does help assuage any guilt I may have.

I used to see a life coach pretty regularly.... back when they were called bartenders.

There is always concern, especially when interacting with a salesperson who is working on commission. I look at it a little differently. I am generally not visiting a location during a busy time. Generally I am dealing with a salesman who was just standing around, waiting for someone to show up. Would he/she be happier if there was nobody around to talk to? I try not to take too much of the salesman's time, even though some obviously do not offer me the same consideration.

I did my first auto dealer shop yesterday and I feel exactly the same way that you do. When I told the salesman that I would pay cash and buy in the next few days, I could hear the "cha-ching" in his mind.

I felt like an oaf.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Yes, just like Flash said, it's about visiting during periods where the dealership is not too busy. That works well in other types of shops too.

I wouldn't feel guilty. We're not the "brains behind this operation." If you weren't doing it, some other mystery shopper would be. This is me with my whole one week of experience, haha. But as long as you give them an honest assessment and they did a good job, nothing to be worried about. Everyone gets evaluated in their jobs and not always by neutral people like mystery shoppers.

Another thing I always have to consider is that it is the Parent Company that is requesting the shop. The purpose is to improve customer service.

IMO, keeping the interactions as short as possible is key to making it more worthwhile and less detrimental to a commission sales associate. I shudder when reading about shoppers who find test drives or touring apartments to be a great way to spend time because it often means spending too much time. I learned from video it's important to pick it and stick it. We should not be touring several apartments or test driving several cars. If you love red cars and all they have is white, you now love white cars. If you like first floor apartments and they have none, that fourth floor walk up will work just fine. When new home agents have want to sit down to go over options to give me a price, I love every single expensive upgrade in the model home we just visited and a print out of that will work just fine.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Yes, Kim? Look at it as you watch them jerk other poor ppl around. Guilt gone :-)

Lol, try this, no cure or help for stupid. My first thought with Kim's, snobby kids high school, " omg so cute" barf. Yours? My daughter. Relax, fruitcake everywhere spreading crumbs, it'll be okay

@KimRod wrote:

Is a guilty conscience a "newbie affliction"? I've been shopping for two months now, and have done several new car shops. There is a part of me that feels like a real jerk because I know these salespeople are really working to get my business, but I know I am not buying a car.

Intellectually, I understand that I am doing a job and that these folks probably face lots of rejection every day. Just wondering if anyone else gets these guilty twinges while doing certain shops? And I'll be totally honest, I won't stop doing them despite that bit of guilt. I grab them when they have big bonuses and the money is too good to pass up.... so what does that say about me? LOL

Thoughts anyone?

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

Guilty, you bet! Getting them to fess up for my car not so much,

Personally, I'm all over the idiots that worked my brain. My brain, decided I had to buy a 2014 Forester. Suckiest car...ever1 Now I need to work it

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

Sorry, I'm so wrong.

I've been having a big bad news of what was I thinking.and singing the song.

Sorry I was an idiot!

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

Yes. I do get a little guilty every now and then. But hey. When I do a job for Mercedes they can't expect me to buy a $70,000 vehicle. So just enjoy the ride and some free cash.

That cash is not free! It is paid for with our work!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Some employee rewards were $100 gift card to $500 in Company Stock if you got ten "perfect shops" in a row. Auto Dealers must provide Top Tier service or buyers will leave quickly, your helping them become better salespeople and the employee get's a bonus or reward from their Boss. You have a very kind heart, nice to see good people like I've met on our site exist in the Real World! Bless your heart!

Personally I can't stand dealing with auto sales people when I'm actually looking for a car so these are just the kind of shops I don't feel comfortable doing. I can do other sales shops just fine like cell phone coverage and stuff but auto sales shops are not my thing. Maybe one day if I'm really looking for cash I'll start doing some but as of now I don't take those shops

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Guilty Conscience :-(

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