How to deal with rude people at your booth

[Shewill5]

At the last two shows I've had a couple vendors(I didn't realize they were) come to my booth and make rude remarks. One said my wax dipped bears were creepy and went on from there, the other was going on and on about my scent names not explaining what they smelled like (Intrigue- a man's scent??? how do you explain perfume scents, lol)

I went around the shows and figured out that they were vendors not even selling anything remotely competitive. I was very nice and acted like I hadn't heard them bad mouthing my products.

How do you get people like this away from your booth? It's like a petty jealousy thing that they aren't selling and drive off other people that are actually looking. The last women(jewelry vendor that made crap stuff) came to my booth 5 times and was talking to my customers about how she thinks my scent names are stupid. Ignoring her did no good because she kept coming back.

[funkymonkey66]

Unfortunatly they are everywhere, if you figure out a way to stop people like that please let me know.

You're damned if you take the high road and you're damned if you stoop to their level. I just ignore it and focus on my own business. People like that behave that way because of jealousy and it's so underhanded.

If they were bringing in business you are they would not have that kinda time right?

When I started 11+ years ago I thought of crafters as nice and sweet people because they get to do what they love, but it's the opposite! Most at these shows are so cut throat it's insane, same goes the internet. Not to mention some of these gems at the shows look like they live out of their trucks and have trailer park trash written all over them. I guess they need the cash more than you.

I stopped doing most shows allthogether because of the quality of people attending. As a matter of fact I went to the Apple Fest this past year and it seemed more like a garage sale then craft fair. So glad I passed on it.

[chrisinpa]

That is crazy. The only thing you can do is ignore them.

I don't think I could hesitate to shoot them lots of crappy looks, or ask them if they were bored, but that's me.

[funkymonkey66]

Yeah maybe that is the way. Say something to get under their skin with a big smile on your face. "Hi whatever your name is, I see you're hanging around here because no one is at your booth. I'm so sorry hun, don't worry I'll be sure to direct all of my customers over when they finish up here."

Or you can ask if she would like to help wrap and bag all the product your moving because she obviously has the time.

Option three, throw the largest jar candle you have and aim for the head.

[Shewill5]

Option three, throw the largest jar candle you have and aim for the head.

Option 3!

So sick of being nice to these types but at shows I'm all total PR and super friendly. What do you do when they are actively talking with YOUR customers and bad mouthing?

In retro spect, I should've had the girl scout troop attack her...they love my bears

[Judy, USMC]

funkymonkey66 ~ Some good ideas for the really rude ones.

[Scentery]

Kill them with kindness. Be really sweet and ask them what they think the scents should be named and keep trying to chat to them.

It keeps them from annoying/driving the customers away, shows you're interested in customer service and really annoys the hell out of them.

[islandgirl]

Tell them to leave, they are bad for business.

Don't be kind.. You need to be upfront with losers like that!!

Edited November 18, 2010 by islandgirl

[EnvyCandles]

Wowza...

Try something like, "Having a bad, huh?"

lol

So sick of other vendors and their snarky comments, who wants to be miserable all day?

I think throwing your largest candle (not a popular scent though...) at their head/ face is a great idea. Then tell her that scent is called "BURN!!" and ask her what she thinks of it?

[brown5052]

I'm with islandgirl, tell them to leave! I have no problem with that.

[Shewill5]

Okay, I think my plan for the future will be asking them if they have a booth and who is taking care of their customers?!?!?! Then asking them if they are serious about buying and giving them the evil stare down.

I'm normally all about being friendly with people no matter the circumstance or how rude they are but hateful vendors that come back repeatedly trying to kill sales need to be dealt with!

P.S. I outsold Scentsy!!!!!

[Judy, USMC]

Kill them with kindness. Be really sweet and ask them what they think the scents should be named and keep trying to chat to them.

The problem is they wait until you are busy with customers who will actually be purchasing something. I know one who does it intentionally so she can start a conversation with one of my customers and then invite them to stop by her booth. Sound like she's trolling for customers. Sneaky way to get people to look at your goods ~ the sad part of it is that sometimes it works.

[funkymonkey66]

I wonder if you can go to the manager of the craft show and let them know of the behavior that you are dealing with. You paid for your booth so what the heck give it a shot. People like that should be booted out of the show.

That's another thing about Scentsy.... it's a CRAFT show not a TRADE show. That just annoys me they are even allowed there.

If the manager doesn't do anything throw a candle at them too. I am so sick of people.

Speaking of, I agree,I'm also sick of basically grinning and baring it when A___holes play with your business. You do have to be upfront and confront them or it will never stop. You will reach your limit at some point and god help them when you do.

[Kitn]

I would talk to whomever runs the market, that is absolutely BS..If all else fails a well aimed candle, will do..

[wildwings]

Love the responses, I think there is no way around it some people just lack tack.

At one of our shows a lady set up kitty corner from us selling candles and melts. She only carried three colors of plug in warmers.

We were selling gourmet food mixes, home decor, melts and warmers. She came over and said,

"I hope you are enjoying all the customers I am sending you because I am out of plug ins"

Ok gee thanks, so then I get a really rude lady in my booth complaining about a mosaic warmer because she does not like the color of it when it is unplugged. At the same moment someone rudely interrupts my conversation with her asking the price of a snowman and complains that its too high and she wants two for that price. Two jerks at once set me off. The snowman lady left and I sent the plug in bitty to the lady kitty corner.

Later I told her "I hope you appreciate the customer I sent you" heeeeheeee

[Kimberly'sCreations]

I'll ask them to leave my booth nicely the first time, second time I'm not nice. In 9 yrs doing shows, I've had 1 other candle person that keep coming over to my booth and saying things to my customers. Well one of the customers happened to be someone who has bought my candles for 4 years, she got very upset and real loud and said if your candles were as good as hers you would be at your booth selling them.

PS I also out sold scentsy, plus sold to her and her grandma

[coconut]

Ask nicely for their name and contact information, like you are interested in their stuff. Write it down. Then tell them that if they keep talking trash about you, you will sue them for slander. Take a tape recorder with you that you can show them if necessary.

[Maggie]

I would have said to the person that said your wax dipped bears were creepy...something like...oh yes they are...and you should see what they do to people they hear say that stuff about them when they come to life. They would probably give you a look like...you are nuts and I am staying away from you. lol Bottom line...people say something utterly stupid to you...you say something stupid back to them. And as far as the scent names...no joking aside. I think people are more apt to open a jar and sniff your candles when they don't have a clue what it smells like. Apple Pie...everyone thinks they know what that smells like...so IF they don't like apple pie they aren't gonna sniff it and eventually buy. But a name like...let's say Sensual...for sure I am going to open that jar and smell the candle. I find that people that say...I wonder what this smells like usually end up saying...OMG...I love this and buy it from me.

I used to make wax dipped bears and everyone thought they were adorable and I sold a LOT of them.

If all else fails...either tell them to take a hike...or complain to the promoter.

[blazerina]

Reading through this, I was also going to add to get their low brow tactics on tape... I was thinking more along the lines of a cell phone recording. (This would be the non-confrontational way)Then take that to the committee in charge.

Otherwise tape them the first time and if they keep coming back you can say something to the effect, 'Oh, Hi. I recognize you. Funny thing, I have you recorded on my cell phone complaining about the same thing you are complaining about right now. I'm so flattered my booth holds so much interest to you. What would you like to buy today?'

Or, 'Oh, hey, I recognize you. I love when you come by my booth it helps make me look like I have lots of customers and people just come flocking to see what all the excitement is about!'

And as already mentioned, there's always, 'Your booth must be really slow, huh?' - I really like that one, lol.

[Wessex]

One thing to keep in mind...don't throw a glass candle. It could break and glass would go everywhere...big mess. Throw a candle tin instead! And don't forget to follow through, don't want to injure your throwing arm.

Cheers,

Steve

[Faerywren]

I love unusual fragrance names. I usually change all my names to stuff that doesn't give any allusion as to what it smells like. Cupid's Bow, Guinevere's Wine, Woodsman, Stormwind...you get the idea. I'm more apt to smell a soap or candle that is named something unusual. As another poster mentioned. I know what Apple Pie smells like...but a soap/candle called Shadows? I'm all over that one!

And if people want to make fun of my names, I tell 'em, "It's called imagination, fun and creativity. That's why I'm a crafter in the first place. I have tons of it!"

Edited November 20, 2010 by Faerywren

[Scented]

Tell them to leave, they are bad for business.

Don't be kind.. You need to be upfront with losers like that!!

Definitely get them out of your booth ASAP!!There is nothing wrong with asking them to leave.

How do you describe Intrigue? Turn it around and ask them what Intrigue makes them think of ... for me it would be along Bond, James Bond types.

As for those who choose to come to your booth and be rude, simply explain that you don't make it a habit of going to their booth and treating them rudely but that you could kindly return the favor if they don't leave.

Be polite, but firm as you usher them from your booth and if it persists, I would contact the head of the show and file a complaint.

[asheebeans]

I like the "wow, your sales must be slow because you've been over here an awful lot!" approach. If they aren't completely mortified by that and don't slink away in utter shame, you could always ask to speak to the promoter. If you can't get them to leave the promotor may escort them away and not invite them back. It's a shame it has to come to that. I, too, used to think that crafters at shows were a sweet bunch. Boy, was I ever wrong! They are some of the most cutthroat types around. I haven't even done shows the past two years, and frankly, I don't miss it much. People like that are the reason why.