3 Big Lies They Use to Sell Treadmills
The treadmill salesman is a cunning and clever creature. Indigenous to the United States and a close relative of the used car salesman, the treadmill salesman preys on unsuspecting consumers with lies and high-pressure sales tactics to lock in a sale. Unfortunately, my fitness career has forced me to cross paths with several unscrupulous treadmill salesmen. Here is a guide to the 3 most common BIG LIES salesman will use to try to sell you a treadmill.
Out of Stock – Bait and Switch
You’ve been searching for the right treadmill for the past 3 weeks. You see a treadmill that you have been eyeing for the past 3 days go on sale. “AHHH! The Super Fake Treadmill 5000 is now below my price range by a $100!” So, you click add to cart and check out. The next day you get a call from a salesman explaining that “the treadmill you wanted is backordered for 4-6 weeks” and because he inconvenienced you he is willing to upgrade you to a better unit for the same price. “OH GREAT! Thank you, or, uh, I mean, don’t let it happen again” you say with glee, thinking their mistake allowed you to get the better end of the deal.
In all likelihood you’ve just become the victim of the bait and switch technique. This immoral salesman advertised a product he knew he didn’t have to sell you a treadmill.
I Use that Treadmill
Another popular lie used by treadmill salesman is the “I use it everyday” lie. Treadmill salesmen use this lie to gain your trust by giving the impression that they have experience with a treadmill when they in fact do not. The worst case of this was probably someone I worked with for about three weeks. This salesman had never even used the treadmill he was trying to sell and was so fat that it was doubtful that he had ever exercised in his life ever. Yet, when I heard him talk with customers he was anything from a “certified personal trainer” to a “marathon runner”. He would then explain that he used this or that treadmill to train clients or explain how instrumental that treadmill was in training for the Los Angeles Marathon. Most people were buying this story and not the treadmill. There are sharks out there, be careful you trust.
I’m Not Working on Commission
This is perhaps the most common lie I encounter in the fitness equipment world. Store associates tell you they’re not working on commission because it makes the customer reason “well, he has no incentive to lie to me so he must be telling the truth.” I don’t think it’s evil to work on commission, we all have to make a living somehow. However, it is evil to lie to people to sell stuff. Stores and websites that do not work on commission usually post something about their commission policy. If you suspect someone is lying to you about receiving commission do not be afraid to ask for the manager to get an honest answer.
I don’t want to scare you away from buying fitness equipment. By and large most of the people I’ve worked with in the fitness industry are honest people. Just be careful about who you decide trust. Do your own research and second opinions are never a bad idea.
