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Linda A | all galleries >> Galleries >> Every Day I Write My Book - 2004 diary > 26th April 2004 - bizarre conversation number 1,703,222
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26-APR-2004

26th April 2004 - bizarre conversation number 1,703,222

It’s funny, since I changed my job about 18 months ago, I keep getting people phoning to try to sell me stuff at work. There’s only a small change in my title but yet it’s inspired countless people to try to get me to buy their wares.

Today, I had the most bizarre of calls. A man phoned me and introduced himself….let’s call him Arthur Ramsbottom for the sake of his anonymity – I’m sure he wouldn’t want this conversation attributed to his real name for reasons that will become clear. So, picture the scene (it’s the second time in a few days I’ve asked that of you I know but believe me it’ll be worth it). I’m sat at my desk this afternoon after spending the morning with a client. My phone rings.

‘Hello Linda (that bugs me for a start – he doesn’t know me), I’m Arthur Ramsbottom, we spoke a while ago do you remember?’

(me)‘Er, well no, actually, I’m afraid I don’t. What did you call in connection with?’

‘You MUST remember me, Arthur Ramsbottom.’

(me)‘I’m very sorry – can you tell me what we spoke about?’

‘Well, you had this thingy – erm, you remember, an article thingy.’

(me)‘What sort of article? One I’d written or one I’d read?’
‘Umm I’m not sure’

(me)‘Can I ask you why you’ve called me today?’

‘Well because I have something you want to buy.’

(me)‘Oh – what’s that then?’

‘Well, I’m not sure – can’t you remember what I called about to try to sell you a few months ago?’

‘No’

‘Well look, you must remember what it was, I’m Arthur Ramsbottom, you must remember?’

‘no’

‘Are you sure you can’t remember me trying to sell you something?’

(me) ‘No, sorry.’

‘But you must be able to, it was something about an article or something….’

(me)‘I’m sorry, can you get to the point, I’m busy’

‘Well look, if you can’t remember what I tried to sell you, it’s your loss. If you have a think about it and remember what it was that I’ve got that you might want to buy, can you give me a ring back?’

(me)’OK’ (by this time I was desperate to get this guy off the phone).

‘Do you want my phone number?’

‘Er actually, I don’t think I need it do you? Goodbye.’

How strange is that? I really have no recollection of the original call and no recollection of the man’s name. But the really odd thing was his insistence that even though he couldn’t remember what he was trying to sell me, I must want it and would want it so badly I’d phone him back for it.

I’ve been through all the sales training there is – need satisfaction selling, account development strategies (all the sales folks who look at this will know the titles of these Xerox courses), negotiating to win-win….etc etc and no-where in all of that training was phoning someone and rambling on at them about how much they need the thing you’re selling but you can’t quite remember what.

It was one of those weird moments when you are having one half of a conversation and you realise the other person in the conversation is talking about life on Mars!!!

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Lara S30-Apr-2004 17:10
hmm, weird. very weird.
Chris Brooker29-Apr-2004 22:08
How very strange. I think Eric must be right.
Eric Hewis28-Apr-2004 09:53
Could have it have been Albert Ramsbottom, looking for his 'stick with the 'orses 'ead 'andle'?
Guest 27-Apr-2004 16:01
ODD! Maybe he wasn't selling anything and was just trying to tease you...!! I got conds on some of my phones too and "play" with them everytime I'm on the phone... why is that strange?
Dawn27-Apr-2004 03:20
LOL, too funny, hehe, I like Dazed's idea too.
virginiacoastline27-Apr-2004 00:39
I have phones with cords too . .the one in the kitchen is ten feet long. I'm stillstuck mid-century
Guest 26-Apr-2004 23:00
I had a similar one recently trying to sell diferent phone line to BT because theres was better. When I asked how it was beter the answer was "er I don't know" ! nice photo
Beth 26-Apr-2004 22:52
I think Dazedgonebye is onto something there. Agree v wierd!
I had a guy call me from India and tried to convince me to trial 30 days free American Life insurance. I was happy for the info, but he couldn't send me the brochure without getting all my personal details over the phone. I thought that was quite wierd too...
Larry Ahern26-Apr-2004 21:40
Hell of a way to make a sale!
Guest 26-Apr-2004 21:23
Wow... that is strange....
Guest 26-Apr-2004 21:04
You are clearly a magnet for wierdos!!!!!
Guest 26-Apr-2004 20:52
I'm more stunned that you have a CORD attatched to your phone?? Don't tell me your OTHER phone is a rotary phone??
Guest 26-Apr-2004 20:47
Weird? But I see you're a cord twiddler too!
Pall Gudjonsson26-Apr-2004 20:32
Now this IS funny !
Guest 26-Apr-2004 19:58
haha that is the FUNNIEST thing in the world! hahahaha! a salesman that doesn't know what he's selling? or at least it sounds like it. GREAT!
Guest 26-Apr-2004 19:49
LOL That guy is definitely out there!! Totally bizarre.
Jill26-Apr-2004 19:30
Great image. I feel that it was perhaps someone using trickery.
Guest 26-Apr-2004 19:23
Sounds like someone practicing a Monty Python bit.
You should have told him you'd take three, in blue if he did not mind, and how's about delivering them next Sunday?
Let him figure it out.
Si Kirk26-Apr-2004 19:20
LOL i get them too in my job, glad i am not alone