I had ever been visited by a travelling
vacuum salesman. Please imagine this happening to you...
THE SETUP:
My lovely wife took a phone call last week from some company that wanted to do a survey. They took her opinions on the different products of vacuums. Then they called back 3 days later and asked if they could come and show her something and get her opinion (we also will receive a free gift for our time). She says sure!!! (by the way, this is the second time since we've known each other that she's ever talked to a telemarketer. I usually take them, because she can't say no!). So tonight she tells me someone was coming over to show us something and wants our opinions. Of course I say "What??!!" She's says it's ok and that it will only take 10 mins. I asked if it was a
vacuum salesman. She wasn't sure, but recalls a survey about vacuums! So 9:30 comes around. I am watching my American Idol 5 in HDTV and the hot chick is about to sing. Sweet right ??? Nope, Dingdong... oh dear... Hercules is barking like mad. I answer the door and this guy has a big box beside him. Oh dear...
The
VACUUM:
This thing is amazing. It picks up everything! Of course it does. It's called a Tristar MG2 and they have been around for 59 years! They KNOW vacuums! But honestly the
vacuum was great. It picked up stuff I didn't know was there. We used my
vacuum and he used his as well. It picked up a lot of stuff my old one didn't get. He used coffee filters, to show us what was still on our carpet. Everytime he would
vacuum the same spot over and over again. There was always stuff there still, I can't believe it! The genius of this
vacuum was the design of their patented lid. It creates a high pressure zone, in the washable nylon bag. It also creates and low pressure zone. Because of this, the dirt that gets sucked into the bag will come in, but get blown away from the sucking motor?? Exactly! The dirt stay away from the motor area to leave it clear of debris so that the suction power is constant. Because of the design of traditional vacuums, the all the dirt gets pulled towards the motor and clogs the area for less air to pass. It only take about 8 mins of vacuuming to lose 80% of it's suction power with a clean bag. He then proceeds to fill the bag inside with 2 pounds of sand. He puts on the clear lid for me to see the hi/lo pressure zones. Whaddya know?? It's works! And with 2 pounds of sand in there, this thing was sucking up all the dust mites and dead skin off my carpet. He takes off the lid and leaves the power on. He then puts the whole
vacuum over his head UPSIDE DOWN with the sand inside. All 2 pounds of it, he reminds me.
It's made durable and study with a magnesium casing for strength and weight. The hose is very cool as well. Piano wires and nylon. That's right, piano wires. The hose can spin 360, so it won't twist up. Neoprene bumpers all around so you don't damage corners or furniture. It has an exhaust filter using hepa, static charging and carbon for odors. I could even put some "Eternity for Men" on some tissue paper, then put that in the exhaust filter so my house can smell good. Wow, I think they thought of everything. Even a 25 year warranty. This machine is meant to last the rest of my life. People are still using their 1949 model of the Tristar. Wow, I can buy something that my grandkids can use after I die. I'll leave it in the will for those *******s.
THE PRICE:
I'll get right to it: $2798.00 --TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT DOLLARS--
This is where I got lost. This
vacuum looks like the same
vacuum they sell at Sears for $299.99. Sans the cool lid and efficiency, I suppose. But he tells me they like to help people. They wanted everyone to be able to own one of these, so this is what they'll do. He pulls out a red marker and a paper clip board. They'll take my old ****ty
vacuum and credit me $300. And since the "OLIMPICS" (that's how he wrote it) are on, there is a special. $300 more off. If I can donate 2 boxes and Kraft Dinner (for charity, not for the salesman's family) they'll give me another $100 off. Right there is $700 off, holy cow. I look at this
vacuum again. "This is a hell of a mark up. 50 bucks to mass manufacture this
vacuum and you want $2100 for it? "
He tells me it costs more than that, like a $100. He also made it clear he doesn't make any commission. He just wants everyone to have this wonderful product. $25 is all he gets per house call. Anyways, I said forget it. I told him I was thinking earlier that I would probably pay $700 MAX for this thing. I was $2000 off. That's what I paid for my Accord. Then he asks if he could call his boss on my house phone. Umm.. ok.. He calls his boss and told him how we were an amazing couple and everything went so well. He was so happy to offer us this chance to change our health forever. He told his boss I didn't like the price and was wondering if it was possible to give us the "Family and Friends discount". Awww.. how sweet.. We're friends.
And for us, only $1598. I must be a good negotiator, I knocked this guy down $1200 just like that! They offer financing as well. At only 1.65% per month. So cheap!! Oh wait, that's 19.8% like my Visa. Good one. Finally I had to tell him time was up. It's 12:15am (2 hrs 45 mins) and he interrupted American Idol (PVR so no prob). He started to wipe off his
vacuum and packed up his sand. He told us because of the "Alberta Fairness Act" he can not offer us this same price for one year. Can anyone actually clarify this? He left happy he made is $25 "for sure" pay. He doesn't get commission anyways, so it really doesn't matter. Even though it looked like he was going to
.
THE FREE GIFT:
As seen on TV Ginsu Knifes. 3 of em. Nice
Moral of my story: Don't let your wife talk to telemarketers.
I hope you didn't think you wasted your time reading my post. Sorry it was long, but I wanted to share. It only took you 4 mins to read it. I saved you 2 hrs 41 mins if these guys ever come knocking.
- Neeper
Tonight was my first time...
Time left: 16 hours 39 mins
I just about fell off the chair and shat myself when he told me the special price. And the financing deal.
