Re: [LM_NET] TARGET: uninvited vendors

[Betty Winslow <bwinslow1165@YAHOO.COM>]

Rude vendors don't deserve more than a curt "I'm sorry, I'm not interested, please 
do not call me back!"  and a brisk hang-up. Keep a list near the phone and if any 
do call again, remind them they were asked not to call again and ask for their 
supervisor's phone number. Call that number and complain. Vendors who show up 
unannounced should be told the same thing. Just keep repeating yourself each time 
they ask. That should take care of it! 
 
I've also solved the problem in the past by telling persistent callers, "I'm sorry, 
I don't have any budget money available to buy anything from you and I won't have 
any next year either! Calling back will be a waste of your time and mine. Have a 
nice day!" and then hanging up. Vendors who come unannounced to the office have to 
cool their heels while the office lets me know they're there. If I'm not expecting 
anyone, I just tell them, "Please tell the visitor no thanks, I am not interested, 
and I cannot take time out from classes to come tell him or her in person." I 
always let the office staff know if I'm expecting someone, too, so then they know 
it'll be OK to send them up. 
 
A side thought, which may also apply at your school -  ever since Columbine, any 
visitors who show up at our school must sign in at the office before they are 
allowed anywhere else in the building. People who show up in the library without a 
visitor's pass (gotten after signing in downstairs and getting permission to 
proceed) are breaking our building law and are told to leave. 

Betty Winslow
Media Center Director
BGCA
1165 Haskins Rd.
Bowling Green OH
bwinslow1165@yahoo.com

--- On Sun, 7/26/09, Andrea Moreau <andreaemoreau@YAHOO.COM> wrote:


From: Andrea Moreau <andreaemoreau@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: [LM_NET] TARGET: vendors
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 6:49 AM


TARGET: handling vendor phone calls

Hi Everyone,
I have a question concerning vendors and being inundated daily with vendor phone 
calls.  I work in an elementary school library with a fixed scheduled where I see 
30 classes (5 classes each of K-5) weekly.  I have very little time to talk on the 
telephone and/or meet with vendors.  I also choose not to preview books because it 
is a hassle to me. I pretty much know what I need to get year to year through 
compiling teacher requests and reviewing my collection and inventory.  Though I've 
asked the office to hold vendor calls during my class times, sometimes vendors are 
very persistent, calling 2 or 3 times a day and sometimes they show up 
unannounced.  I've been at my library for 6 years and I still have vendor reps 
saying that the former librarian used to buy from them all the time and why don't 
I?  I am wondering how you handle pushy, persistent reps and if this is a problem 
for anyone else. Let me also say that I have very good relationships with a
couple of reps who are courteous, patient, and understanding of my busy days. But I 
still do have uncomfortable conversations with reps who put me on the spot and 
demand to know why I don't buy from them or preview their books.



Andrea E. Moreau
Library Media Specialist

andreaemoreau@yahoo.com
amoreau@hancock.k12.ms.us


East Hancock Elementary
Hancock County School District
www.hancock.k12.ms.us
4221 Kiln-Delisle Rd.
Kiln, MS 39556

228-255-6637
228-342-3240 (cell)




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