Sam's Club <<GDG>>

[badbullgator]

Alright, I like going to Sam’s Club with my wife when she goes shopping. You know, I can wonder around and look at big screen tv’s, get a few snacks, and just check stuff out. I am not saying I jump up and down to go, but it is one of the few places I enjoy shopping with the wife. That is until recently. We go there yesterday and as we walk in we are greeted by the greeter who is always pleasant. As we walk about 10 yards more we are accosted by a salesman for Direct TV who follows me down the isle trying to sell me DTV and when I tell him I already have Direct TV he proceeds to hard sell me about NFL Sunday ticket (which I also have). At this point I politely tell him to take a hike. We had gone no more than 15 feet when a cell phone salesman starts in on us. This one was not as persistent and easy to brush off. After we pass the phone guy we do our shopping without any other bothers….until we make our way to the checkout. As we approach the checkout a group of young women attack us trying to sell vacation plans! At this point I was less that willing to listen to them just ignored them as they tried to sell me a trip to somewhere. Now all this was enough to get me a little ticked off because I REALLY hate people trying to sell me stuff. I am the kind of guy that if I want something I will buy it and you are not going to convince me that I need something that I did not set out to buy in the first place. Well to make matters worse as we are checking out the cashier stops in the middle of ringing up our order and starts in on a scripted sales pitch to sell us a membership upgrade. I am talking hard sell here, even actually ringing up the upgrade so we could ‘get started saving today”. After about 2 full minutes of her sales presentation I had enough and told her so and how tired I was of feeling like I was shopping on a freaking used car lot whit a bunch of vulture like salesmen hiding around every corner to attack and try and sell me something.
Now I have nothing against Sam’s selling vacations, Direct Tv, cell phones, vacations, or membership upgrades, but I resent paying for a membership and then being subjected to sales pitches at every turn when shopping. At our Costco’s they sell all this stuff and there are no salesmen on the floor. There are big signs as you exit the store with all the various services they offer.
Anyway, enough rant. Is this happening in other Sam’s Clubs or is it just this one?

[DoubleHaul]

Sounds tough. I use Costco, which is not like that at all. If the checkout person had done the hard sell with me, I would have politely said that it the sales pitch didn't start and the checking out resume in a matter of seconds, I would walk away and they could restock everything.

My local hardware store has a gauntlet of someone selling replacement windows and a different non-profit pitching something every weekend. I cringe when I have to shoot in for something.

[Goose]

I joined the McKinney SAM's in March. The very day I joined, while checking out the gal asked me if I wanted to upgrade my membership. Annoying.

But I haven't been attacked by salesmen yet. Probably just out-of-work mortgage brokers trying to make a buck!

I do love the little food sample booths they set up! Gotta buy some of those Hebrew National hot dogs. They're pretty good.

[Dman]

I haven't seen that here.

[Jeff Huntington]

That is not right....hey I've got a started dog that I can sell you because he is awesome and you need him...you would be a great fit for him because you are special....Visa, MC accepted.

[TN_LAB]

Is this happening in other Sam’s Clubs or is it just this one?

Not happening here.

They do have 3rd party kiosks here, but they never seem to hound me.

Perhaps a polite bit of constructive criticism to the store manager would help.

[dnf777]

I try to avoid the big-box stores alltogether. They offer good prices, but I know most of the small business owners personally (small town) and want to give them my business. Often pay a little more, but get personal service, no question returns when needed, a cup of coffee, and a good BS session most of the time. And none of the used-car-salesman treatment.

[SCOTT C.]

Could be a sign of the times. Companies feel like they have to go out and get the sale rather than waiting for it to happen. Lots of competition out there and people just aren't spending extra money these days.

I hate it as well its happens at ours over here, very uncomfortable.

[Scott Parker]

I like Costco much better I dropped my Sam's membership a long time ago.

[badbullgator]

Not happening here.

They do have 3rd party kiosks here, but they never seem to hound me.

Perhaps a polite bit of constructive criticism to the store manager would help.

Did that. They were sorry it bothered me

I also email Sam's from their website.