High pressure sales techniques at JcPenney

And if that does not work any of the wonderful suggestions by Jeffery
a few posts below this one should work beautifully.

I think eveyone can take it for granted that all stores do the same
thing. It's just part of being a consumer. It's not enough anymore
just have a credit card or a store credit card... but now you need a
store/visa or master card card as well. If it's a big purchase and
they're giving ten percent off, I'll fill the thing out just for the
promo then run the card through my shredder once I pay it off.
What bothers me more than the credit card offers is the "store" value
cards they swipe after each transaction. Basically you give them your
personal info and they know what brand of toilet tissue you use and
print out other alternative companies toilet paper coupons. They sell
these databases to Ad agencies to they know where to spend their ad
dollars effectively.
I know it's a hassle...I really don't blame them because there's money
to be made off of consumer debt, and I don't blame the salespeople
either ... it's their job to ask. And our job to politely accept or
refuse.

They also do this at all the bookstores i have been to, namely
Waldenbooks and Barnes and Noble. I follow Nancy Reagan's advice and
just say no. Yes, it's annoying--i just told them no the last time i
was there, but it's a big place and they don't remember me and it's a
requirement of their job. Blame corporate.

Try thinking about it in a different way. I am not sure if this is
the case for JcPenney, but this is how it is at Macy's: You make a
crappy low wage, but get commission for sales and signing people up
for credit cards. I have a friend who just got a job there. She's a
single mom with two kids, so she really needs that commission. I'm
not trying to get you to sign up for every credit card in the world,
but just use one of the humorous responses below. I hope that changes
your point of view a bit.

A few lines:

"I'd love to have one, but the court won't let me."

"Will you co-sign for me?"

"Sure" and then fill out the form as "I.P. Freely." Don't sign it, as
that would be a crime.

"Do you have one? Maybe I can just you use card?"

"What kind of bonus you getting for signing me up? Going to split it
with me?"

"No thank you. When I stole someone else's wallet and tried to use
THEIR JCPenny card, I didn't get the same rush I did from their Macy's
card."

"You asked me why? Free will."

"Sure, but first, let me tell you about AmWay."

Say as loudly as you can "CRACK PUSHER! STOP PUSHING YOUR CRACK ON
ME!"

"This is one of those cards where you never have to actually pay
anything back, right?"

"My religion forbids it."

"My sister was killed by a JCPenny card." (and then break into tears)

"I would, but the hookers on 6th prefer Visa."

"Oh, thank you! No one has ever been so nice to me, to offer me a
store credit card. You like me. You really like me."

Lick the person's face. Need I say more?

"Would you go out with me?" This works especially well if the
employee is wearing a wedding band. Even better if you're the same
sex.

"I didn't know that kids were allowed to have those. Neat."

"The last person who asked me that, lost an eye. You don't want to
lose an eye, do you?"

"Sure. Those cards are primo for cutting lines of coke."

Break into song. Good ideas include Memories from Cats, the Soviet
national anthem, or (if you're up to it), the Hamster Dance (see
www.hamsterdance.com).

"Geen dank u. Ik wil uw kaart niet. Heb een aardige dag." (Hint: It's
Dutch)

"Here's the deal. You ever heard of that gang initiation where you
drive with your lights off. And then, if someone flashes your lights
at you, you kill them. Well, since that one is so well known, my
gang's initiation is that I gotta kill the first person that offers me
a credit card."

"Do you have a copy of the application in pig latin?"

"Oh, goodie. Satan, my lord and master, has commanded me to get a
JCPenny card. And, well, steal your soul."

"JCPenny? I thought I was getting a card for the Bondage Boutique."

"Today is my first day away from the home. They're so nice to me
there. Wanna pet my puppy, Scraps?" (Hold up your empty hands, as if
holding a small dog)

"Wanna touch my gerbil?" Grin like Steve Buccemi.

Just stare. Don't say anything. Just stare. Drool, if you can.
Whatever you do, don't laugh.

Loudly fake laugh. Then say "yeah" and look annoyed.

"I just have to tell the gang back on my home planet about this."

"Why? To understand, we must examine the writings of Descartes. In
his piece on hyperbolic doubt, he posited that..."

"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?"

"Sweet, my pretty." Lick your lips.

"Bow, when you ask me that. You are in the presence of royalty."

"What kind of prize do I get for signing up? Macy's just offered me a
free car."

"10% off. Yeah, like I'm going to waste 20 minutes filling out an
application, hurting my credit score... just to save 50 cents."

"Y'ever hear the expression 'bust a cap?'"

And finally...

"Let me find a pen." Stick you hand in your pants and root around.
You choice where.

Extra points if, in fact, you do find a pen in there. You win if the
employee takes the pen.

I understand what you are saying, but I can't help but smile at your
"fresh meat" comment. It reminds me of the "new fish" scene in
Shawshank Redemption. I'm picturing all the sales associates lined up
yelling, "Fresh Meat! Fresh Meat!".

Guess it's been a long week for me already.

I usually tell the associate I already have one, and sure, they
sometimes look at me a little funny when I hand over a different card,
but that's generally the end of the pestering.

I used to work in a JCP store and I can say from first-hand experience
that some store managers really push the associates to get the credit
apps. On big weekends, we even had one associate roaming the store
stopping customers randomly and asking them to fill out an
application.
I know that when I worked there, I only asked the customer once, when
we were checking out. If the customer already had other payment terms
in hand, I didn't even ask. Yes, I was talked to about my
below-average performance, but I stood my ground and told my mgr that
I would not like it of someone did that to me, so I can't in good
conscience do it to someone else!
Good luck with your letter. Unfortunately, I don't think it will
lessen the intensity with which the stores go after these
applications, but it may give them a heads up that their approach
needs a bit of work.

It may or may not not be store specific. Have had no problem at JCP,
but there is a certain employee who does this at the Sears Hardware in
Easton PA. I went through his painful hard sell routine and hadn't
seen him for 10 months. I then was in line behind someone who had
just succumbed to his advances, and while waiting for her to get her
credit app paperwork processed I noticed he was giving her a hard sell
on an extended warranty. She was saying "no" but he kept asking "why
not?" She said to her friend "I only took the credit card to get him
to stop talking to me." I was not in the mood for his hyjinks when I
handed over my nonSears credit card. He his started his routine. I
said clearly "no thank you", and he continued. I said sternly - "I
said no thank you - how many times do I need to say it?" A fellow
employee noticed the exchange and said ", don't badger the customers."
He smirked and said "I am not badgering the customers, and mind your
own business." I looked at him and said "you are badgering me" took
my stuff and left. Kudos to that fellow employee for noticing what
should have. We shouldn't have to say no more than once. "I'm not
sure" - that would be different.

That's odd - - I shop regularly at JC Penney, Old Navy and Kohl's and
sometimes - - not often - - I'm asked if I'm interested in opening a
store account when I'm checking out and a simple "no thank you" ends
the inquiry.

Then avoid them. I have no problem just repeating no, or actually
saying yes, for when i need an outfit and its 2 days b4 payday :)