I read this story as I was doing some research on LED signs because I want one for my business. I almost fell victim to the same scam as others on this site. I got the Signtronix phone number off of a small sign I saw and called them. A salesman called me back and told me he was the regional manager, and that he would just happen to be in the area next week. He said he would stop by before noon the next Thursday.
That Thursday I got a call from my wife at 10:30am letting me know that the Signtronix salesman that? Drove all the way from Indianapolis to meet with me? Was at my business? For our scheduled appointment.?
The salesman Dave Grossman introduced himself as? One of the owners? Of the California company and was in the area for a special project. This guy also had a twangy Alabama accent. He brought in a couple of examples of signs, one LED and one cabinet style sign.
He spent about an hour giving us his sales pitch. I told him to price a sign to replace the one on my pole. He said great and started to work on a proposal right there in my business. I let him know that I had other things to do (bank, supplier, etc) and he said? No problem? To go about my business and he would figure it out. I figured he would just leave the information with my wife.
Well, I come back 3 hours later and the guy is still camped out there? Waiting to show me his proposal. He spends another hour explaining how his sign will make me $40,000 per month and then gives me the price - $57,000!!!
Then he launches into the? Special project? - same story, some special? Showcase? Deal where the company will pay for the sign if they can put their name on the sign and feature my business in a video. OK, I am greedy, so I agree to listen to another hour of sales pitch. The deal ended up being? Only? $4000 deposit, and a payment of $700 per month, but I have to decide NOW and sign the contract NOW, and pay the deposit NOW. LOL I guess this guy thought I was stupid enough to fall for the old? Time-share? TODAY ONLY bullshit line.
I tell the salesman there is no way I am going to make a decision on the spot and it is late (after closing) and he keeps talking, and talking, and talking? No listening. I finally tell him he will need to come back another time as I am turning the key on my front door.
Friday, I am pulling into my parking lot and guess who is already parked in front of my business? Yep, the salesman from Signtronix! I want to be polite, but this guy already spent almost 8 hours in my business the day before. Long story short? He dropped the price from $57,000 to $17,000, got on the phone with someone to make it sound like he was getting? Authorization? For something, and then tried to get me to sign a contract. I finally got pissed off and he left, wishing me? Good luck with my business? As his parting shot. 16 years in business, and this hillbilly is wishing ME good luck? LOL.
A few weeks later I was at a Chamber of Commerce meeting and a local restaurant owner was talking about a sign he purchased that he could not put up because of city ordinance. He got it from the same company, Signtronix. They would not help him in any way. He said the salesman was very persuasive and guaranteed a huge increase in business. After talking to other business owners, almost every one of them had been visited by a door to door salesman from that company the same week as me. I guess they travel in groups, like the Irish Travelers.
Its a good lesson for business owners? If you have to make a purchase decision on the spot from some high pressure salesman, you should pass.
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