Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Filler Words


I am in the process of possible buying a new car. I am not in a hurry, and I am looking for the perfect pre owned deal. I have never been in this position before, and frankly with every single car I have ever bought, I always wondered if I could have done better, so this time I am being the proverbial pain in the ass shopper.

What this has done is put me in front of a lot of salesmen. And since I myself sell for a living, I am aware of mannerisms and techniques as I interact with various car salespeople. I find it fascinating.

I have made a list below of the "pet peeves" I have developed from my interactions, and have made sure I do not have them in my selling "vocabulary".

"Honestly" or "To be honest with you." This one is a big red flag for me. I know that it is a habit for many people, or just a filler, but it infers that there has been some previous dishonesty. It immediately raises suspicion, (even if it is subconscious).

"Obviously." This one is another filler word, but if you start to notice it, it is surprising how often some people use it. "At the end of the day" or "in effect" is similar. I had a salesman use "in effect" twenty six times in a fifteen minute conversation.

"No problem." (in response to thank you.) This one isn't a big deal, but it is a bit unprofessional. "You're welcome just sounds better.

New age words are my most recent pet peeve. Words like integrated, cutting edge, seamless, synergistic, or user-friendly. It seems like they may have been in some car salesman handbook, and everyone seems to be using them. Again once or twice is OK. But a few will beat you over the head with them.

Ok there is my little gripe-fest. Not really real estate related, but interesting none the less.

Am I the only one who notices this kind of stuff?
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