It's a funny old thing the world of renovating and home improvements, which is largely a sexist industry from my personal experience. Case in point: this morning, I received a telephone call from a solar power supplier confirming an appointment I had made with them for a quotation next week.
Apparently, they want Jason, as my husband, to be present. But Jason's not interested and is happy to be a passenger on such matters...which makes perfect sense since I am generally around home and he is at work.
I told the lady on the end of the telephone this, but she said that they couldn't proceed as they wanted to speak to both of us at the same time.
I said, that wasn't possible, explaining that Jason won't take time off work and is not really interested in having someone come after hours to our house. He genuinely couldn't care less and is happy enough to go with whatever I think is the best option, if at all...
Then, I started posturing that I was the main decision-maker in the family...that I was perfectly capable to make a decision without The Hubby (Well, I am! Jason does the shirtless grunt work, while I do the strategic planning). Anyway, the lady agreed with me 100 per cent but she still had to check whether it was okay for me to still get the quote and would get back to me!
You have to laugh. If they do call me back, I am tempted to say that Jason can make the appointment after all and that I can't make the appointment. I wonder if they will still insist that we both be present? I wonder...
Jason finds this whole scenario highly amusing and is now dancing around the house, singing I've got the power. You gotta love the 1990s! Or is that 1890s?
Apparently, they want Jason, as my husband, to be present. But Jason's not interested and is happy to be a passenger on such matters...which makes perfect sense since I am generally around home and he is at work.
I told the lady on the end of the telephone this, but she said that they couldn't proceed as they wanted to speak to both of us at the same time.
 |
| It should read: "That's why tradies prefer to speak to men." |
I said, that wasn't possible, explaining that Jason won't take time off work and is not really interested in having someone come after hours to our house. He genuinely couldn't care less and is happy enough to go with whatever I think is the best option, if at all...
Then, I started posturing that I was the main decision-maker in the family...that I was perfectly capable to make a decision without The Hubby (Well, I am! Jason does the shirtless grunt work, while I do the strategic planning). Anyway, the lady agreed with me 100 per cent but she still had to check whether it was okay for me to still get the quote and would get back to me!
You have to laugh. If they do call me back, I am tempted to say that Jason can make the appointment after all and that I can't make the appointment. I wonder if they will still insist that we both be present? I wonder...
Jason finds this whole scenario highly amusing and is now dancing around the house, singing I've got the power. You gotta love the 1990s! Or is that 1890s?
Could also be a sales technique. Timeshare sellers, for example, only talk to both partners so they don't get the "oh I have to speak to my ... " brush off.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a simple technique and a fail-safe. They want any discussion between hubby and wifey to be said in front of the rep, so they don't waste time on the first - or second - visit.
DeleteI guess I was taken off guard when they wouldn't take no for an answer and were still insisting for Jason to be there after I said he couldn't make it. They must be on a winning formula if they can turn away potential business. x
DeleteI'm sure that's part of it too! But is that a tactic they employ when they approach the female first? I'm certain if Jason was approached first they would not require my presence...and he thought the same too.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thing happen to me when I was planning on getting quotes for a large cafe blind for our back deck. It's a sale strategy. They won't you both present so they get a signature there and then with no "I'll get back to you after I speak to my husband".
ReplyDeleteI know they don't insist the female's present if the man sets up the appointment...I hate it, like you, because I'm the one that usually makes the decisions on things like this and MONT couldn't care less.
What I have found though is that places that use this tactic have sales people that really try to do the :"hard sell". That's why whenever I get that response now i tell them they're sexist and I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
For cafe blinds too? I knew they did it for time-share but I just never envisaged it for blinds or even solar? Ha! I might have to man-up or say I'm a single the next time I get a quote... xx
DeleteAs a newlywed, I lived through the bad old days when women couldn't get credit without their husbands' permission, and it makes me crazy that companies are still operating like that today.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love mid-century style, I certainly don't like mid-century attitudes to women and other minority groups! I know that having both of us there is a tactic but after telling them it's not terribly practical, I kind of feel like the little woman....not cool and a poor sales tactic in this day and age! xx
DeleteArgh, nothing annoys me more than episodes like this! And coming from a woman?!? Shame on her!! I'm sure she has her instructions to follow, but still...
ReplyDeleteMe too. But I don't blame the lady on the phone because she's running off the script...I guess that they don't want to waste their time in doing quotes for people who may fob them off...but having Jason there is no guarantee that we'd sign up either...xx
ReplyDeleteEw, please don't give them your money! That's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteNo fear there! Ha! xx
DeleteAre you shitting me? I certainly would not tolerate this sort of thing! Find another supplier - quick. xx
ReplyDeleteI wish it was a joke...such a bad way to put people offside. It's one thing to say they'd prefer to have both people there, but it's on an entirely different level when they call to confirm the appointment and still insist for the hubby to be present. On the bright side, Jason's chuffed to be so in demand!
DeleteI guess single, divorced, widowed and lesbian women can't buy solar panels for their houses then.
ReplyDeleteThey might need to ask their Fathers to attend the appointment? Not sure what they do in that situation...because I don't see what the difference would be between someone who is single and someone married/coupled up when obtaining a quote...
DeleteI had the same reaction when the salesman I made the appointment with turned up to measure for plantation shutters for our bathroom (shutters not $1,000,000 mortgage!). I told him I was paying for it not my husband. He still insisted and I asked him to leave.
ReplyDeleteNo way! What century was he living in? Some people really can think beyond the suggested sales pitch...which is incredibly impractical!
DeleteOops! That's 'can't'. xx
DeleteCould you tell them you were awarded a huge amount of money in your recent divorce, and are naturally keen to splurge a considerable quantity of it on upmarket solar panels? I would definitely not buy from them.
ReplyDeleteMise, I think we will just draw electricity the old-fashioned way. You don't need a partner to sign up for it like these new fangled green technologies! xx
DeleteExperienced the same attitude when wanting to purchase an online tutoring programme. I was a single, (working) mum at the time and they would not send a rep without my husband. Then boyfriend. Then father. I was livid and took my money elsewhere. I wish I had made a complaint against them with fair trading....
ReplyDeleteSeriously? They wanted your Dad or boyfriend there? That's ridiculous and you are justified to have been so angry. xx
DeleteDisgraceful! What if you were single or gay? Take your business elsewhere - you now have the power!
ReplyDeleteThanks anonymous. I'll take you advice and find a different supplier. xx
DeleteCrazy! I am the strategic one in the household too and have experienced sexism a few times. It's hilarious if my husband is there and he has no answers to their questions I've got the power!!
ReplyDeleteMadness! And good to hear you're the strategic one. Lol. xx
ReplyDeleteI recall an older friend telling me she couldn't buy her first house from her bank because she was single and they would only give her the money if her father acted as guarantor. She was 28 and an engineer. Seems times haven't really changed that much!
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible. xx
Delete