What’s Your Worst Sales Call?

What’s your worst sales call? We all have those stories, the ones that make you cringe even years later. Sometimes, in sales, you encounter a call that sticks with you — not because of a huge win, but because it was an absolute trainwreck. Mine happened about seven or eight years ago, and it still makes me cringe.

My Worst Sales Call: The Comic Book Store Debacle

I walked into a comic book store, radiating my usual sales enthusiasm and charm, I was ready to introduce myself and ask for the owner. The guy behind the counter, probably sensing I was a salesperson, immediately shot back, “Who wants to know?” I politely told him who I was and why I wanted to meet the owner.

That’s when he completely lost it. He went off on a tirade, cussing and ranting about “you people” coming into his store. I was stunned. I beat a hasty retreat, tail between my legs, and sat in my car for a minute just trying to decompress. To this day, I’ve never set foot back in that store.

What I Learned (the Hard Way)

Looking back, that experience, while awful at the time, taught me some valuable lessons:

• You can’t win ’em all: Some people are just having a bad day, or they have a preconceived notion about sales. It’s not always about you or your pitch.
• Don’t take it personally: Easier said than done, especially when someone is yelling at you, but their reaction often has more to do with them than with anything you did.
• Bounce back: A bad call can rattle you, but don’t let it derail your whole day. Take a moment, regroup, and then get back out there.
• Not every “NO” is the same: This wasn’t just a “NO”; it was an aggressive rejection. Understanding the different types of resistance helps you prepare for future interactions.

It’s funny how, after all these years, I still vividly remember that train wreck of a visit. But I wonder, does he ever think about me? The reason he was so rude could have been for any number of reasons. He might have been having a terrible day, lost a loved one, been going through a divorce, received bad news from the doctor, or maybe he was just a jerk that day. Regardless, it’s a reminder that we never truly know what someone else is going through so, be kind.

Perhaps I should try and go back and revisit this comic book store. Maybe, he does remember me.

What’s your worst sales call story? Sharing these experiences not only provides a good laugh (eventually!) but also reminds us that we’re all in this together, facing the highs and lows of sales. Let’s hear ’em in the comments!

Happy Selling,

David