Review of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) by Serge C — 06 Feb 2013

My stories of dishonest / manipulative salesmen.

(1) One from Champion Windows told me that I could save 40% of my electric bill by installing their 5K replacement windows. A lie ! At most it saved me 10% on my electric bill.

(2) One from Sears floor installation wasted hours of my time, pitching its product, but not reviling the price. When I was quoted over 10K , or 50%+ higher than other contractors, I was told if I would sign the contract today he would knock $500 off the price, I told him I couldn't afford since I have dental work to do. Then he told me that by saving me those $500 I can afford to do my dental work. I sarcastically rebuked him that I could save so much money that't I'll go broke ! So if not technically a lie, it's definitely a manipulation, especially of those who are not good at personal finance.

(3) The owner of a shabby modeling agency, disingenuously told me I am talented & presentable enough to have a 90% chance a year of getting a paid role. When I resisted to sing-up because I didn't have money at hand, and wanted to leave, he pressured me by personally driving to a bank & withdraw $300 for his service. Almost several years later, I was called only a couple of times for unsuccessful auditions (with dozens of other candidates present). Since 2011, I haven't been contacted even once for an audition. Had he been honest, he would have told my chances of getting a paid gig would have amounted to way less than a 90% chance a year. And/or he was not representing me diligently, since I've haven't heard from him since 2011. He also misrepresented that I can deduct the $300 agency fee from my taxes, when in fact that required me to have had income related to modeling, and that I wasn't simply able to deduct it from my regular income as he was suggesting.