Yesterday I woke up with a terrible migraine. Anyone who suffers from these knows the feeling of pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and tiredness. After I got my kids on the bus, I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke 2 hours later, I still didn’t feel like moving. It’s like having a late night without any of the fun. With the remote in reach, I turned on the television. After the morning news, I rarely watch anything on the tube, so I began channel surfing. When I landed on QVC, I took a moment to see what they were selling. The item up for sale was a mattress. Having just had a bad morning, it immediately caught my interest.
In 4 easy payments (easy…. really..what does that mean?) adding up to less than $500.00; I could have a memory foam mattress endorsed by a certified chiropractor. It looked soft and comfortable. It would solve all my sleep issues and never lose its shape. For a fraction of the cost of a well-known national brand, it could be mine. Oh did they lure me in. I was so tempted. Then I remembered that my current mattress is only 3 years old and was made by a nearby mattress company.
Years ago I visited my grandmother and her sister, Aunt Mary, for a week. Aunt Mary loved contests and had been the big winner on more than one occasion. She wanted to know if I wanted some jewelry she bought from the Home Shopping Network. It had “real” diamonds, about the size you find on a drill bit, but they were real. She went on to tell me that the woman on the other end of the phone knew her when she called. Being elderly, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the woman knew everyone. She never spent a lot of money on these items so it was harmless. What stood out was how these marketers are able to sell, and how good they are at attracting customers. They know how to appeal to the senses and have a way of making you feel like you need their product. I give them credit for salesmanship, a skill I never possessed.
I was never able to sell anything. Fundraisers for school, the YMCA, girl scouts, and other organizations never made much from my sales. Candy bars, wrapping paper, cookies, and other items were products I couldn’t promote. It is an art and a skill that few possess, and many give into. I can see a sale coming a mile away. I don’t like the hard sell, and am put off as soon as it starts. Yesterday, in a moment of weakness, I almost bought a mattress. Oh, but it was so comfortable, cool, soft, offers support………click went the remote. I feel better today. So does my wallet.
Simple Sensibilities 