Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I thanked the employee that had asked if I needed any help, guided me to what I was looking for within Best Buy, and answered my questions. As I began to turn away, he said, “Oh, just one more thing. Who is your cable provider?”
It was at that moment I noticed for the first time he was wearing a shirt with the DIRECTV logo embroidered into it.
I knew exactly what was coming next as he led me to a table where he pulled out a notebook and started asking me more questions. He wrote information I was providing about my cable service in the left column, and lower prices that could be my new DIRECTV package in the right column. As we were talking, a voice in my head kept repeating the phrase that I had used so many times before to successfully avoid these kind of scenarios:
“I don’t want to waste your time or mine. I’m not interested.”
But the words never came out of my mouth.
Fortunately for me, the longer we talked, I recognized and mentally noted the warning signs that could mean trouble if I actually gave in and signed up for DIRECTV that day.
Nothing in Writing: I told the guy I was in a hurry, but I’d be glad to take a pamphlet with the information so I could review it and make an informed decision. He didn’t have any official documentation outlining the package he was offering me. That would be convenient for them if I didn’t receive everything I was promised.
Gross Generalizations: He told me I had about 120 channels, but I would get over 150 from them. He has no idea how many channels I have, nor does he know what I watch. In order to make an apples to apples comparison I would need to look at what channels I currently have, and compare them to the ones I would get through them. But of course, he didn’t have that information to show me.
Grand Promises: He really pushed the fact that the channels were broadcast in 1080p high definition format as opposed to the 720p which is currently the best my cable company offers. He didn’t know, of course, that I don’t currently own a TV capable of 1080p resolution. He certainly didn’t ask either.
High Pressure: I told him that would need to talk to my wife before signing up. His response was, “What is it you think she will object to?” I told him that making a decision about an expense that will cost us over a grand for the next twelve months is a pretty big deal, and that my wife and I talk about things like that before jumping into anything.
Speed: I started to walk away, telling him my ride was waiting for me when he made once last ditch effort to hook me in. “I can call my guy and have you signed up in less than 7 minutes.”
I smiled and did half an eye roll as I recounted the details regarding the situation:
- I had no official documentation about the package he was offering me
- I didn’t know exactly how it stacked up against my current cable package
- He was pushing a high definition resolution that I can’t take advantage of
- He was pushing me to do it without talking to my wife
- He wanted me to decide to buy something that would cost us over $1000 in less than 7 minutes.
No thanks.
For all I know it could have been the deal of a lifetime, but the red flags had all the warning signs of being a financial misstep. Additionally, his high pressure sales technique has guaranteed that I will never even consider moving to DIRECTV. I may even send an email to DIRECTV AND Best Buy letting them know just what I think about being a victim of retail assault (is that a new phrase?) at the hands of their representative when all I wanted was to look at a new network adapter for my computer.
Have you ever been a victim of retail assault, or any other kind of high pressure sales tactics? How did you handle it?
Sounds like you dodged a bullet! Comcast occasionally comes door-to-door through my neighborhood. Little do they know I wouldn’t sign up for their service again for a million dollars. Totally not worth it!
I remember reading your post about Comcast, Holly. If I want to change my service (for *anything*) I don’t need a guy coming to my door – I’ll seek them out. Door to door salespeople get the automatic “I don’t want to waste your time or mine, I’m not interested” response.
Wow, that’s just nuts. We run into the same thing, by DirecTV reps, when we shop at Costco. I figured out a way to get around them, but it’s just nuts. The assumptions aside, not to mention the lack of documentation, is bad enough but using you to try and come up with ways to come up with ways to “handle” objections by your wife is just crazy. These were the kind of tactics my old brokerage job tried to get us to use with clients all the time…now you know why I quit. 🙂
I’ve seen them at Costco too…..they typically just smile and ask if we’re interested in hearing how we can save with Directv, which I always decline. This guy was over the top though….he was trolling the store latching on to people. I actually thought it was a Best Buy employee (and maybe he was on most days) because he brought me right to the product I was looking for and even answered my questions!
It seems like DirectTV might be on a little marketing blitz. I have run into them over the last few weeks at Costco. I try and be polite and let them know I’m not interested, but after letting them know 2 or 3 times and they are seemingly not taking my “no” answer. I’ll just walk away.
I hate overly aggressive sales people…I realize they’re trying to do a job, and they need to make sales, but don’t force me to listen to something I don’t want. When I go into a store the last thing I want to do is spend my time hearing a sales pitch.
Ugh so annoying. Yes, I once caved to the pressure of a guy who came over to clean my carpet. I found him on groupon or something, and he was practically verbally assaulting me when I said I didn’t want upgrades like getting the special shampoo on my couch used to get rid of pet smells. It was so uncomfortable and I felt so vulnerable that I just said yes to get him off my back. He was an ass. I at least wrote a bad yelp review, but I need to grow a pair next time. 🙂
I almost caved to a guy that came to demonstrate a Kirby vacuum…he just kept demonstrating and demonstrating even though we told him we had to go. I think he was hoping we would buy one just to get him out of our house so we could go. No such luck, though….I slapped him upside the head with my pair.
You were right to walk away. If you’d signed up, the next pitch would have been for a 1080p television so you can take full advantage of your new service!
You’re probably right, Kurt….he probably would have marched me right over to the TV showroom floor….
There is a fellow who was a member of a business networking group I used to belong too who keeps trying to get Jim and I to sit down with him for 30 minutes to discuss a new business opportunity. When I asked what sort of opportunity, he said he couldn’t do it justice without 30 minutes. I’m guessing it’s some sort of pyramid scheme. I like the guy, but there is no way we’re doing that. I’ve tried to be nice and say we’re too busy, but I guess I’m going to just have to be rude to get him to drop us from the list.
That’s my first question when someone asks me to listen to an “opportunity.” I ask if it’s an MLM (Multi level marketing) company. The answer is invariably, “Yes.” Then it’s right to the, “listen, I don’t want to waste your time or mine. I’m just not interested.” 🙂
Travis, the retail assault phrase is a perfect fit! I’ve been in a few situations like that. Car dealers are the worst. When I was younger, I actually worked for a Direct TV affiliate and sold the packages. They sent corporate to teach us the strategies you’re mentioning. The worst part is, the whole process was completely predatory. We would go to houses we knew had Comcast and bully people into letting us into their homes and signing on the dotted line. Obviously, I didn’t work that job for very long…it was miserable! Every day, you walk into a small boiler room with what seems to be a pack of wolves talking about the new phrase that seems to be working good as bait. I remember one…
Customer – I have to talk to my wife about this.
Sales guy – If you were to use a coupon in Wal-Mart would you have to talk to her?
Customer – Well no…but…
Sales guy cutting in – Well, you’ve got a coupon right here that’s going to save you X dollars today only. Do you really need to wait until your wife comes home?
I don’t know how the rest of the conversation went, but that was about when I decided I was done.
Oooh, that’s nasty! My reaction would have been, “If I’m buying something that costs me $1000, I’d have to talk it over with my wife whether I had a coupon or not. But if you’re going to sell me cable TV for the next 12 months for the price of the average product I buy at Walmart, tell me where I sign up.” 🙂
There is nothing worse than feeling like small prey when your at a store and the vultures are circling. I wonder how much Best Buy charges them to allow them to annoy their customers. I’m sure in the end the numbers work out to both of their favors, otherwise I can’t see Best Buy risking alienating more customers. It would have annoyed me and as the “wife” – I’m really irritated that my opinion doesn’t mean much!
I think they’d be equal opportunity annoying, Shannon, if the victim of the retail assault was the wife. 🙂 Best Buy definitely lost some huge points with me for letting this guy aggravate me and waste my time. Thanks for reading!
I can’t decide whether I’m surprised or not that these tactics work – or at least I’m assuming they work if companies continue to do them. I have definitely had a number of these situations. It’s also ridiculous how they don’t have formal documentation. As you might know I’m an accountant by day and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that I want everything in writing/email/etc. I want a paper trail! I even go to chat convos with Xfinity and other services so that I can save the conversation and reference it in the future.
My wife watches a lot of those court TV shows…and I’m usually in the same room when they’re on – and if there’s one thing that they hammer home over and over and over is : “GET IT IN WRITING.” I’m not signing up for anything unless I have it in writing!
Blah I hate high pressure sales. I feel badly for them because they are obviously under a lot of pressure themselves to get the job done but they sure are annoying!
I don’t feel bad for them, Cat….they choose that job. Some people really like it….they like the thrill of talking to people trying to get them to sign up. Once I say “No,” I despise someone continuing to try to get me to change my mind. My first instinct is usually the correct choice!
I almost feel bad any time a sales representative approaches me. Like you, I just keep track of the tactics in my head and pay no mind to anything else. I know I’m not gonna get whatever your pitching, so you may as well stop trying.
It’s most fun to continue to listen to them knowing that you’re going to turn them down, isn’t it Stefanie?? 🙂
Sales people come to my neighborhood frequently in the summer. It’s very annoying. I don’t want to be harrassed in my home. I had to tell one window replacement sales guy that he was too aggressive and he needed to change that. He asked me what I thought so I told him. He could tell I was annoyed when he dialed up some account person and shoved the phone to my face. I told the girl on the other line that I wasn’t interested in what they were selling. I think the guy was embarrassed because he was a trainee and he was with his boss. So he completed messed up the sale. I finally had to put a No Solicitors sign on my front door.
I think it’s wrong that we would have to put up a “no solicitors” sign on our doors….the last round of door to door salesmen in our neighborhood were people selling meat and seafood out of a truck. Yeah….um, not a chance. If I want something, I’ll research it and go to the right retailer to buy it. Stop knocking at my door!
I agree high sales pressure salesmen are very annoying. This happened with me also several times. It happens most of the time when I am roaming in a mall and a sales person comes to me and starts selling something I don’t want. I tell them i am not interested in your product because I had a bad experience in the past with your company. This statement has helped me lot of times.
I like to avoid eye contact with salespeople at the mall…..it’s like their green light to start a conversation. If our eyes do meet, I quickly look away and change course. That’s their sign to STAY AWAY! Thanks for reading!
I’ve found that the fastest way to shut their sales pitch down, is to pretend you’re already a customer. Always works, they have no way of knowing if you’re telling the truth or not, but hey… if you can’t trust them, they don’t deserve the truth now do they.
Great technique, John….I’ll have to use that one! 😉
I have Verizon fios and was approached in Best Buy by the Directv rep. I was shocked at the knowledge of not only the tv I was looking at but also by the rep looking up my account with Verizon online. I was paying $220 for the Ultimate HD package with 50/50 Internet on 3tvs. After listening to the rep, I decided to sign up. It made sense. I got to keep Verizon for my Internet and use Directv for my tv. My bill 11 months later still has not increased and I’m at 127.68 AFTER TAXES! So, case in point…you made it abundantly clear you aren’t into debt, for those who like tv, this was a great savings. 220-128= 92.00 in savings on what I already had AND that didn’t even include the $150.00 gift card and free on demand. Not everyone will see the savings…glad I did.
Sounds like you had a very different experience than I did, Jenny…….had I talked to the person you talked to it may have been a different outcome too. Glad it’s working out for you!
I really wish sometimes people would post the thousands of positive experiences they have with the direct tv guys inside the retail stores. In any work environment dealing with people you will have good reps and you will have bad reps just like any other job. So please do not take a few bad experiences and generalize them to the entire group. I work for one of these companies that sells direct tv inside of retail stores and most of the reps are not pushy, and are alot more knowledgeable than the gentlemen you encountered.
1. You are supposed to get copies of everything you sign up for: Including the package, the bill break-down, and a copy of a channel line up as well.
2. The reason he wanted you to sign up today was because honestly the average person says they will go home and think about and never do. Even if it saves them money either because it is too much of a hassle for them or they are just accustomed to what they have.
3. By signing up in the store you are not locked into a contract, You can cancel at any point before your installation and all of your money will be refunded to you.
I have very sorry you felt harassed by that gentlemen but it is an out-lire not the norm and the bad reps really give the good reps a bad name.
*Also if you want to get out of future issues like this tell them you already have Direct tv..
Thanks for your comment, Travis…let me address your points:
1.) Oh, I’m sure they would have magically had all the documents with the information AFTER I signed up. They just didn’t want to give me the information before I signed up, or to take with me.
Which leads me to #2
2) Exactly…they want someone to make an impulse decision. They know that if someone goes home and does a thorough comparison, for a lot of people switching to DirectTv will make no financial sense. DirectTv reps certainly don’t want that to happen….
3.) which I’m sure they will not tell you
I’m glad you’re sorry I felt harassed….but this actually IS the norm. The right thing to do would have just to said, “I’m not interested” as I’ve done every other time I’ve walked into Best buy, and everytime i walk into Costco (where they also have reps….right by the entrance). And that’s really my point – I should be able to walk into Best Buy to purchase computer paper, or Costco to buy snacks without having to keep myself from making eye contact with a DirectTv representative, and if I do, quickly say “No thanks” before he can, for the 1 BILLIONTH time say, “Have you heard about the special DirectTv offer for Costco members today?”
I agree you should not feel as you must do these things. What would you recommended the rep to do different?
!. Answer: When in Costco you will leave with a hard copy that the rep goes over with you each part is initialed and verified by member before signing up, on the phone this is verified by a non bis third party a copy is scanned in and given to Costco QA.
2. Yes you may go home and compare Line one clearly states you are not in a contract until time of install and ELA is signed after you have verified you approve of the technicians work and quality of services.
3.Yes a good rep will say Hello or how are you today many times, at this point no thank you ends the convo. The reps see hundreds of people a day to remember each person will take time. When the rep formalize themselves good-morning or how are you is simply that. Some people are offend when you say hi some but not all or them.
Reps are human and should be treated as they are just as you should be treated as a human. With that being said if a rep. is miss treating a member the answer is to be straight forward with how you feel so the rep can correct their action for the members sake if they do not comply the next step would be to speak to management of your Costco. Hinting around may not be understood as a no where a no is simply no.
Certainly sound’s like you had a bad experience with a Directv rep at Best Buy, i can certainly understand why because i used to be that exact person (Manager actually) and i laugh because he seemed to have been trained in the wrong way, you always have to ask what they have, how much they pay, what they receive, and to NEVER assume. My first lesson in training to never assume what people pay/have i asked them and what they said was the law, always asked how many TV’s they had and if they were HD or not. So for my customers switching to DirecTv was never always about the savings to my customers (generally sold 1-2 a day) but more of the value of what they were getting versus what they already had (some paid more while other’s saved). Unfortunate that it happened but not surprising because a lot of them aren’t trained properly and can definitely seem like the ultra aggressive sales type.
It really wouldn’t have mattered what he said……as mentioned in my previous comment, I believe I should be able to shop at BestBuy or at Costco without being assaulted by a salesperson. I know how to get a hold of DirectTv reps if I want to.
Wasn’t saying he could of said anything different to get you to purchase or anything of that nature, was just saying that there is a proper way of going about getting customer’s without being pushy pushy pushy. Also they are in more then just Best buy or Costco, they are in a lot major retailer’s (Wal-mart/Sam’s club as well) almost wanna say it’s just part of being in a retailer now-a-days not all Best Buy’s have them (mine doesn’t) but our Wal-mart does. Also contacting DirecTv will always be the better option (don’t have to pay the 19.95 S&H fee) plus they would match any deal the vendor will do. Best of luck!
Just ignore them. They’ll go away. Its too expensive and the price keeps going up. First thing to do is to go to the store mgr and ask them to be removed.
I wonder if they’d actually listen, though. I’m guessing they’re making a tidy sum by allowing them to be there.
So I’ve been reading through these comments and its been genuinely entertaining to read the post. Seeing words like “assaulted” is actually kind of hilarious. I shop at Costco every week, and every time I see these DTV sales guys and girls they have always been friendly and helpful. Of course they are going to pitch you. That is their job. I always day the same thing after their “pitch”, “no thank you, have a great day”. Its a little alarming that grown adults seem to have the personalities of teenagers. Its not a big deal at all, I don’t even find it annoying, in fact many times I stop and talk with these people and have great conversations. I hope this doesn’t come off rude but seriously grow up a little bit and start acting your age. If you’ve never had to work a sales job then you can’t possibly imagine how many outright rude and disgusting people these guys have to deal with everyday. A few people on here even called them “vultures, predators”. You guys must really live some sheltered lives if you believe this is the case. Give these people a break.
We’ll agree to disagree, Ricky. I go into a store for a reason, with a list of things I have to buy – and I guarantee DirectTV has never been on that list. So, to have to constantly stop the beginning of their pitch and say, “no thank you, not interested” is annoying. I don’t have the time to stop and talk to them for no reason – it might be their job, but it’s a retail segment (in my opinion) that doesn’t need to exist. If I am in the market for their services, I’ll come find them.
I too am one of those “annoying reps” you are talking about and just because you have a bad experience with one of us doesn’t make us all bad. If a customer tells me no just ONE time, I’m done. I’ll still continue to help them with other things but won’t bring up DTV again because they have already told me “no”
My boss gets onto me for it all the time but I have had MANY compliments to my stores GM about how nice, friendly, informative, and professional I am.
And I can assure you “complaining” like a little brat to the store won’t get you anywhere.
We are here to stay, we are here to do a job and pay our bills just as you are
Don’t like it, don’t go to that store anymore and find some that don’t have the reps in them.
It’s totally uncalled for to have a full blown discussion about how horrible a group of people are based on ONE person.
I save people hundreds of dollars on a daily basis, I get 1-2 sales during the week and 3-5 on the weekends and again I’m not pushy AT ALL.
I’m sorry I don’t see how someone coming up to me and paying $150 for crappy service and me giving them 4 TVS, 4 DVRS, over 175 channels, and a $300 cash card for $51.97 with a two year PRICE LOCK is such an “awful” thing.
Btw, we don’t charge $19.95 here, they pay NOTHING until 30 days after installation, so no, it’s not always better to go straight through DTV because they DO charge that and IF you cancel before your installation date they do NOT refund ALL of it.
I’ve seen it happen first hand with a customer that cancelled their original installation date they had set up through DTV directly and set a new one with me.
So for you to “sell” DTV and tell someone who is ALREADY given the wrong impression of us is a tad bit strange to me.
Y’all have a good night!
Ooh, sounds like I hit a nerve with someone. I am not having a full blown discussion based on ONE person. In my experience this pretty much sums up every encounter I have with people like you. I go into my local Costco several times a week….and every time I have to tell the guy I’m not interested, and never will be interested in a service that is unusable anytime it snows or rains.
Oh, it’s completely my right to “complain like a little brat” to the store and let them know what their customer base thinks about having high pressure sales people like you ruining my shopping experience. If enough people do it, you’ll be gone. So get ready……
Having carved out a career in advertising over the course of a decade, jobs are hard to come by nowadays…i took a position *marketing DirecTV*…i was quickly thrown into a store, trained to find people’s *pain* over current service & create a presentation using left side vs. right side– ughhhh, it’s not worth what it!– the sales tactics practiced are part of a company called Smart Circle…google the company name & you’ll learn ALL you need to know about these *brand ambassador, direct response* sales campaigns! Truly eye opening…needless to say, I’m going to have to find another job!
I appreciate the insight into how you felt as one of these salespeople, Cherie. That doesn’t sound enjoyable at all, Thanks!
I’ve been told that I amay very helpful around the electronics section, even more so than most of the associates that actually work there. Help them find the best product that meets there needs
I help people find products inform them about the products and there differences. Then I do the pitch, if I don’t feel like I’m able to get them a better deal I tell them to have a great day and walk away.
But I’ve actually saved hundreds of people thousands of dollars, some even over 2,000 sometimes over 3000 Dollars!! That’s the equivalent of a years worth of cable for free!!
I also train Reps to do the same thing and make a very nice living. The customers love me.
Master your craft whatever that is, ignore the background noise of people who don’t want to give you the time of day. That’s cool, there will be someone else who will.
I’m never pushy with a customer, unless I’m going to save them a ton of money and get them upgrades, like its literally better than free and it’s like a No Brainer decision. But I do it for their own good, not for mine.
In helping other people Save money and get a better service, I in turn help myself. I make over 3,000 in a week sometimes and am actually able to help some others with a good attitude and work ethic the same. Master Your Craft
Don’t give the haters any of your energy.
I bring a value to the Electronics Dept these retailers cannot afford to bring themselves. I do very efficient and effective Customer Service in a short amount of Time. I sell more TVs and Products then often times all of their associates do. Often times more knowledgeable about their products than the average hourly associate.
I find it very funny customers like Travis dont like sales people, but gets sold by them all the time. The packaging on the box, the layout of the store lol. As long as you don’t have to interact with another human being, who actually cares to connect and take care of you as an individual more than a board room of people you’ve never met and never will meet.
I understand not everyone comes in looking for DTV that’s why we are there, for the people who actually check it out with an open mind. Will find it will benefit them quite a bit, or they have a pretty good deal for there particular situation at moment and they just got to interact with a really cool person who can give them some valuable purchasing information on electronics.
Most people enjoy my interactions with them, I find it really wierd that some people prejudge me and look at me like I’m an alien sometimes lol and don’t say anything or really rude or think they are more educated than me. I just find it funny and entertaining and move along my way. Like people think I’m undereducated or something.
“Satelite goes out in the rain”, Oo No Way I Wish I would have known that before I made it a career…Like seriously You Don’t think I did my research before I choose to work here…smh
ALL CABLE COMES FROM SATELLITE!!!! DUHH,
Comcast has BRAINWASHED you “Highly Educated Customers, Who Have Done Soo Much Research”, their Satelite is miles away from your home, so when it does go out in the weather, you don’t associate it to weather cuz it’s not from the weather at your home and Comcast has brainwashed you.
So Yes Travis you are Correct, these guys won’t be going anywhere. We are a free Rep for the Store and often engage and offer more customer service help than your average hourly employee. Cuz quite frankly these retailers could never ever hire me at an hourly rate.
Your complaining and seemingly Dire hatred is actually the minority here.
And I would have to bet, there is more to your life that your unhappy with than just the DirecTV Reps that inconvenience for a whole 10 seconds of your Day.
So maybe you should take a que from their book and learn to have a better attitude and be more appreciative of life and people you get to interact with. After all there is more to life than TV and Shopping right?
Hey, I have no problem with DTV people being there. If you’re hanging out by your display interacting with people looking for info on DTV, that’s great. But don’t come out into the aisles and make me talk to you. I shouldn’t have to say “no thanks,” or “not interested.”
Travis is rediculous
Salespeople have been around as long as money has existed
” No thank you” isn’t hard is it?!?
This whole conversation is juvenile and unnecessary
Don’t assume you know everything
A lot of times customers are unaware of savings that are available to them
Directv isn’t going anywhere
Hey, I respect your opinion. Maybe tomorrow we’ll have car salesmen pushing used cars right inside the grocery store.
I totally agree….I hate this so much, I found this by googling “annoying Direct Tv sales people” to see if others hate dealing with them as much as me. Every driving time I go in to Best Buy or Sam’s I can’t relax because I am constantly looking over my shoulder for these people. It’s not just DTV either, as mentioned above I hate walking through the mall too, mainly because of the people in the kiosks in the middle trying to rope me in…I just want to shop in peace!
One time my Mom and I went to Best Buy and I forgot to forewarn her to be on the lookout for the DTV guy, and sure as shit this guy approaches us asking if we needed help, she asks him about some product and he said they had no more and I happened to glance up just as he asked “how much do you pay for cable….?” *facepalm* she engaged him in conversation before I could stop her. She ended up talking to this guy for over 20 minutes…..she tried telling him she had to talk to my Dad and he says “Well you only have until 6, that’s when I leave.” As if the offer expired. Um, bull…..I could come in on any given day and get this if I were so inclined.
Although I thought a helpful Walmart employee was offering to help me find a headphone this week, the man turned out to be a DirecTV representative. He pointed me to the wrong aisle for headphones and used the contact to start peppering me with questions about how much I was paying for cable service and the like.
He kept at it while I searched the shelves for headphones to no avail. I soon realized I was being solicited inside of Walmart by a different business. I didn’t answer the DirecTV’s representative questions and he made a comment with a sarcastic tone when I said I didn’t know how much monthly cable services are (it is included in HOA fees). I finally found a real Walmart employee who directed me to the correct aisle for headphones. I resent the “retail assault” (great term for it !) because I go to Walmart to buy Walmart products not to be solicited by a different business. I am now less likely to shop in Walmart in the future. I did let Walmart know how this experience affected me.
I’ve encountered these pushy Direct-TV salespeople too–and while it’s true that some of them are polite and pleasant, for the most part they are indeed high-pressure. There’ve been a couple of times when I actually had to be rude to them in order to get them to shut up; I had told them I wasn’t interested and they didn’t seem to understand that when I said I wasn’t interested, that’s exactly what I meant. Direct-TV apparently has a marketing agreement with Walmart/Sam’s Club because that’s the only place I’ve ever encountered them; for a while it was so bad that when I’d see them, I would purposely veer away and take a detour down another aisle to avoid them. During the past few months, it seems they have tapered off a bit, so that’s a good thing!