oh brother!

here's the deal, folks.

1. i am technically challenged.
2. i am money illiterate.

so when it comes to my business i let my mother (thanks mom) take care of the accounting computer money programs and i stick with my strengths... art and customers.

this, i know, makes me very spoiled as a business owner and many people, namely telemarketers and sales persons (and maybe my sister), don't understand when i say i'm an owner but don't deal with any of the money matters so thank you very much, but i'm not interested.

all this to say that i had a very interesting visit this morning at work. a lady happened into the shop with a binder under her arm... my first indication that she was not here to paint any pottery. boo!

she began to explain she was here to meet with me to talk about credit card transactions and how i'm probably overcharged and how she can fix that. so i (very sweetly) said,

"i'm sorry i don't deal with these kinds of things and the lady who does isn't in the shop on a regular basis, so i really just don't think we're interested."

to this she sighed defeatedly and said, "well i have to call and let them know that i made my appointment so i get credit and they will probably want to ask you a few questions. is that okay?"

"well sure" (oh so very sweetly)

soon she handed me her cell phone and this woman (and when i type woman i mean it to be said with some irritated umph... wo-man) on the other line started all over with a sales pitch. so i proceded to tell her exactly what i told the other lady, who was now awkwardly glancing around the room. then she asked me that question that i get so often by sales persons who are frustrated that i'm so totally ignorant about what they are trying to sell me.

"you're the owner, right?"

as if that one tiny detail automatically means i should know exactly what i'm spending on credit card transactions and gives me no right to turn down her amazing offer! well, maybe it should indicate the first part, but i am here to proclaim on behalf of all ignorant small business owners out there... I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING OUT MY BUSINESS! goodness, i hope you still respect me. please don't tell my employees.

so i simply said, "yes but i don't deal with that aspect of the business"

so she quickly changed her tone from indignant to super sweet and said, "how about our representative gives you just a 10 minute presentation to explain things to you and then there's no obligations and you can shake hands and part ways. how does that sound?"

"i'm sorry, ma'am, but i'm really not interested"

(no more sweet) "but it's only 10 minutes!"

(getting irritated) "i'm really not interested"

(raising her voice) "how can you say you're not interested when you don't even know what deals we're offering you?! it's only 10 minutes!"

(raising my voice) "look... i don't appreciate you speaking to me like this and...(sigh)...

now pay attention because this is where it gets good. i looked at the lady standing awkwardly by my side, handed her the phone and said "could you hang up on her for me?"

poor thing was taken a little off guard. but this is what happens when you bombard a young innocent female with too many sales persons who don't respect her or her time! she get's mad that's what. and makes one sales person hang up on her co-worker, or worse yet, superior. good grief.

there you have it. may your never be forced to have someone else hang up on someone for you...

(it takes all the fun out of it)