Don't Trust Salesmen

This post coincidentally ties in with last night's. In a sense, the opposite of an honest day's work is being a salesman. Not to say that the entirety of the sales profession is dirty or crooked, but it is incredibly full of seedy people and shady tactics.

The number one rule to remember is that salesmen make their money from you. And traditionally, the more money you spend, the more they make. Too many salesmen will sell you everything they have simply because you are willing to buy it. They are ruled entirely by self-interest and greed.

That said, not all salesmen are like that. I know this because I have dealt with such good eggs before, and I have been such a salesman myself. Some people truly believe in what they have to offer and simply provide good and services to people who want them. These salesmen care about what is best for their customers and have no desire to sell anything that isn't in their best interest.

So when I say "don't trust salesmen", I really mean don't trust them at first. It is very important to know which kind of salesman you're dealing with before you trust what they say as truth or what they suggest as beneficial advice.

What I like about this dichotomy of salesmen is the uncertainty of it all. I mean, if somebody is a professional deceiver, can they ever truly earn one's trust? Is there anything they can do that is a sign of faith, which cannot also be seen as a trick to persuade you? That is up to the individual. Different people may have different methods that they trust, and some people honestly believe that the entire world is out to screw them over. There is plenty to explore in this matter, and it goes well beyond sales and salesmen.