Dealing with Skeptical People

[SaMutHerr]

I'm sorry about venting about a touchy subject for some people. But I know that many moms in this forum will understand me.

My venting session is about skepticism and scams!
On one hand, I totally understand that people have lost thousands of dollars by being scammed by multiple companies. I'm very sympathetic of their situation.

However, on the other hand, if they are still continuing to look for work from home then they probably know to some degree that there are very legit companies out there.

So,my issue is not that they are protecting themselves from potentially being scammed. My issue is the rudeness I sometimes get from people.Some people are so rude when they inquire about the business opportunity that I offer. I'm not a bill collector or collection agency!

I suppose I'm supposed to be their punching pillow for the times they were scammed before? Is it not enough that they can research the business I work for and see that it's registered with the BBB(Better Business Bureau)?

My perspective is that there is a balance with being skeptical. Skepticism is good - but only within reason. I don't believe that skepticism has to be so extreme to the point that you let a legit opportunity pass you by.

I sometimes get e-mails like "what is this?" or "tell me more". I'm sorry, I understand their skepticism ,but if you can't even write a full and professional sentence then you are not yet meant to be in a professional business.:mad:

[Audrey]

I actually have many answers to your post.

I don't know what you're offering, so I don't know why you're finding so many skeptics.

My next thought is those who send emails with 2 or 3 words. It has been my experience that often this is out of laziness and the person asking is not looking for a business opportunity but rather a winning lottery ticket.

Stuffing envelopes has been a scam for at least 50 years. So when folks say to me "I'm looking to stuff envelopes" I hear them say "I want to get paid for doing nothing"

My final thought is why you're investing any time into rude people?

So there you have all of my thoughts on your post :)

[SaMutHerr]

Thank you for you input Audrey.
I don't think it's so much of what I'm offering that attracts the skeptics. I would get skeptics before I even explain my biz concept. I offer a referral program and business opportunity for a water filtration company called Summit Osmosis. I think the skepticism come from more people being weary of scams and not knowing who or what to trust.

I don't try to invest time into rude people. It just frustrates me to come across them. Since this is a venting thread, I thought this would be a good place to express my feelings of frustration.

You mentioning that people who write only a sentence or two is a form of laziness makes sense. It's something to consider.:dunno:

[eapoosmama]

I can understand your frustration. I make a product in an area where there is a very 1950ish total buy use dispose mentality -- I can't tell you how many times I have had items dropped like a hot potato in front of me as if I am not standing there or talk at me as if the ideas I create are freakish. That said so you understand my empathy.

Here are two things that stuck out in your post:
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"I suppose I'm supposed to be their punching pillow for the times they were scammed before? Is it not enough that they can research the business I work for and see that it's registered with the BBB(Better Business Bureau)?

My perspective is that there is a balance with being skeptical. Skepticism is good - but only within reason. I don't believe that skepticism has to be so extreme to the point that you let a legit opportunity pass you by."
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No, of course you are not expected to be their punching pillow for wronged situations. However, if you are presenting or soliciting to them, it requires work on their part to take the time to research the Better Business Bureau for something they may not have made inquiry about.
If they made a 3 word inquiry to you -- maybe it would be to your benefit to prepare a statement page to send back with links to the legitimacy of your business and additional info that does not become invasive, but just informative. Then if they are interested, they will have done the work and will return for more of your time. You still get to plant the seeds, put the name out there, but are not investing more than a click of an email with prepared additional information.
I have people contact me all the time, pick my brain for information about setting up for a cloth household and often times turn around and go elsewhere. It happens more than I would like to say. However, I offer information, and a service that is unique to the area and ones that do stay bring their friends -- and my business grow.
Sometimes watering in places we don't expect a return really does.


and on the second note -- what is your legit opportunity is not necessarily an important opportunity to everyone else. Finding your niche market is going to help you. If your into water purification, find some environmentally responsible boards/forum/leads/local activist groups. You will find a much more in tune group that will see your product as more of an opportunity.

[MaryAnn]

I understand your frustration but there are some things you have to keep in mind:

1 - some people are really looking for a "make lots of money doing nothing" opportunity. I don't understand it, but they are.
2 - your biz is not for everyone - that's life.
3 - your biz is for some people - again, that's life.
4 - you will go through a lot of "no's" and rude people before you build a team - you need to get a thicker skin or a different business.
4 - your job in your biz is to help people get what they want, not them get you what you want.
5 - we live in a texting world - people naturally use short, impersonal messaging
6 - People are naturally lazy - again, that's life. Do you have an auto responder for them with info about your biz and it's legitimacy and a link to the BBB?

I know that rude people are difficult and frustrating, but its the nature of the world. Let it roll off your back or it will drive you crazy.

[SaMutHerr]

Finding your niche market is going to help you. If your into water purification, find some environmentally responsible boards/forum/leads/local activist groups. You will find a much more in tune group that will see your product as more of an opportunity.


Thanks a lot for your response Mary Beth. You gave some great feedback and suggestions.
It helps to get some advice on how I can improve my business directions to offset some of the issues I was having.
I have been advertising in different places and narrowing down my target market more and that has helped.

Thanks again for your advice.

[eapoosmama]

Thanks a lot for your response Mary Beth. You gave some great feedback and suggestions.
It helps to get some advice on how I can improve my business directions to offset some of the issues I was having.
I have been advertising in different places and narrowing down my target market more and that has helped.

Thanks again for your advice.

Your Welcome.

Also, post your business cards upon approval at your local trader joes, whole foods, food cooperative if they have a board.
I find that people who like me have concerns for Non GMO's, Organic, Environmental Responsibility also have a concern or a need to make changes in their fresh water sources.
Look in the advertisment magazines as you enter into the stores and check out what is in their ad sections and who is advertising. May give you some leads.

FWIW -- I think I have an awesome, custom, tailor made product that I have been making in business for almost 7 years. Believe me -- many a times my idea of great gets shot to shooooooot real quick by people who are not like minded. So, I don't invest my energy and keep on moving and finding my alternative direction.

Good luck.

[Audrey]

Mary Beth,

We love Trader Joe's. We have 3 of them here in town and they are one of our favorite stores.