Ever Feel like you are being Shopped?

[BirdMom]

I used to have a sixth sense about being shopped, so I would just put on an extra layer of perky and deal.

I hate people who use CMs for freebies. When I had gone back for awhile, I was working Main Entrance and was escorting a woman with a rolling suitcase across the Esplanade. She told me she worked at HOB, selling colognes, etc., in the ladies room and she was upset because she had family coming from Mexico, and the person who had promised to sign them in had bailed. That should have been a clue. I felt sorry for her, offered (because I got suckered into her sob story), got a discount ticket for the one kid, signed the rest in and after that, every time she had someone coming up from Mexico, she would call me for a freebie. I started telling her, look, I have a family of my own, I need most of my sign-ins for them, but it made no difference. It got to the point where I stopped taking her calls, wouldn't return them, would find something else to do if I happened to see her coming to cross the Esplanade. Even after I quit again, she was still calling me for sign-ins. I finally figured out how to block her number on my cell phone. Some people are shameless.

[DragonFox98]

MAPO and Main Streeter, so sorry. I get used for freebies, but not like you guys do - I just get asked to do taxes for free and for free financial advice. I can't imagine constantly being badgered for freebies. If it makes you feel any better, I'm one of the good guys. I have a friend who works at WDW (he used to be at MK and now he's at a resort - I was so happy about his promotion). I send him Tastycakes and Turkey Hill items that he can't get in Florida (he's from the Philly area originally). I don't expect anything in return; we originally met him on our 2007 trip and have kept in touch, I like sending him care packages - I know what living away from Tastycakes will do to a person. When he found out about our trip for next year, he immediately offered his discounts, but you know what? I value him too much to take them. Yes, it would be great. Yes, I could probably save a ton. But he's my friend and I'm not going to abuse him that way. If only all people thought like this, but, unfortunately, most have only a "me, me, me" mentality.

Also, MAPO, don't know exactly what to say about the shoppers. On the bright side (and please remember I have a VERY weird sense of humor) they might be "knowledgeable" people from that other board. :D:

[ktulu]

I'm a computer guy, aka family/friends/strangers tech support. The annoyance factor depends on who is asking (not annoyed to you have no business looking at, let alone using, a computer). I also used to own a pickup...

[Mayonnaise]

Ktulu... try working in web development or graphic design. Not only your friends want you to work for free... companies say to you "Oh, well we can't pay you, but we'll have more business for you in the future, and we can pay you then," or "Why do you need to be paid? Being able to say you worked on this project will be great exposure for you."

http://clientsfromhell.net/search/pay

8^P

[Amphigorey]

MAPO and Main Streeter, so sorry. I get used for freebies, but not like you guys do - I just get asked to do taxes for free and for free financial advice. I can't imagine constantly being badgered for freebies. If it makes you feel any better, I'm one of the good guys. I have a friend who works at WDW (he used to be at MK and now he's at a resort - I was so happy about his promotion). I send him Tastycakes and Turkey Hill items that he can't get in Florida (he's from the Philly area originally). I don't expect anything in return; we originally met him on our 2007 trip and have kept in touch, I like sending him care packages - I know what living away from Tastycakes will do to a person. When he found out about our trip for next year, he immediately offered his discounts, but you know what? I value him too much to take them. Yes, it would be great. Yes, I could probably save a ton. But he's my friend and I'm not going to abuse him that way. If only all people thought like this, but, unfortunately, most have only a "me, me, me" mentality.

Also, MAPO, don't know exactly what to say about the shoppers. On the bright side (and please remember I have a VERY weird sense of humor) they might be "knowledgeable" people from that other board. :D:

If your friend offered, I don't think you'd be abusing his friendship to take the discounts. Besides, people enjoy doing favors for people they like - think of how good it makes you feel to send him the Tastycakes. You aren't exploiting him if you let him do you a favor that he offered!

[hobie16]

I'm a computer guy, aka family/friends/strangers tech support. The annoyance factor depends on who is asking (not annoyed to you have no business looking at, let alone using, a computer). I also used to own a pickup...

It's like I've got a twin except I've still got a pickup.

There's one old gas passer up the hill who will corner me at a party, ask a computer question, and then argue about the answer for half an hour. My wife is under strict instructions to give him five minutes and then pry me away to meet someone, anyone.

[ktulu]

Ktulu... try working in web development or graphic design. Not only your friends want you to work for free... companies say to you "Oh, well we can't pay you, but we'll have more business for you in the future, and we can pay you then," or "Why do you need to be paid? Being able to say you worked on this project will be great exposure for you."

I do some web stuff on the side (no graphics, I suck at that), but I can write the html (in vi!) and make the site look/act how you want it. I've had requests for free stuff, depending on the job, I give them what I would do for free :D:

It's like I've got a twin except I've still got a pickup.

There's one old gas passer up the hill who will corner me at a party, ask a computer question, and then argue about the answer for half an hour. My wife is under strict instructions to give him five minutes and then pry me away to meet someone, anyone.

Yeah, I had that happen at a conference where I was a speaker. I embarrassed him in front of the entire place. Then he came up to me at the after party...

I guess technically we have a pickup, it is a Chevy Avalanche, but no one has asked us to help them move...yet.

[Mayonnaise]

Yeah, and then they never have any future business for you and the project is a flop and there was no reason to have done any of it. This is why I will never be a full time freelancer. Too many assholes out to rip off the designer.

8^(

[felinefan]

Tell them, "Sorry, but I have this deal going with the grocer, gas station, utility company, bank, etc.--I work on a cash basis. I don't get my gas, food, utilities, etc. for free, so why should you offer me a job for free? Exposure doesn't pay the bills dude." Or something like that.

[Main Streeter]

I'm a computer guy, aka family/friends/strangers tech support. The annoyance factor depends on who is asking

Kman, oooops. Busted! Guilty.