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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!allegra!alice!rabbit!pyuxnn!srm
From: srm@pyuxnn.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: You have just won ...
Message-ID: <166@pyuxnn.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 31-Oct-83 15:34:34 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxnn.166
Posted: Mon Oct 31 15:34:34 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Nov-83 04:58:36 EST
References: <314@hocda.UUCP> <870@mit-eddie.UUCP> <623@ihuxi.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway
Lines: 31

Two stories followed by a NEW theory.

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STORIES:
I've experienced a couple of situations where the "husband AND wife"
requirement was a factor. One was from a Home-meat-delivery company (I
don't recall the name). First, they said they'd like to stop by and
simply drop off a sample of their wares and some literature for us to
peruse (no spouse requirement yet). The day before they were about to
arrive they called to confirm and wanted to make sure that both me and
my wife would be present for the sales presentation. I called the
thing off at that point, passing up some free meat. We received
several follow-up calls, wondering why we passed up their free offer.

	The next occurrence was with LAWN DOCTOR. I initiated the
visit by their salesman since I was already sold on their service.
The guy wouldn't begin his salespitch without my wife, until I told
him that I wanted to buy what they were offering anyway.

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THEORY:
	I have a non-sexist theory for why they want both spouses
present. If you're both there at the same time, in the same place you
can't use the following excuse: "It sounds like a great product you
have, but I have to check with my husband/wife first." 
Most of these salesman, especially in person,
don't want to take no for an answer. Rather, you give them an
optimistic response, say you'll get back to them and don't, or get
back to them on the phone, which you can hang up. BUT, if both spouses
are there, you don't have that excuse. I'm convinced that this is the
reason for the requirement in many cases.