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I work in a little place where we have a staff of about 12 people. Since we are so small, everyone tends to be all up in everyone else’s business and they talk a lot about what is going on.
There is a man who comes to the workplace to sell fruits and vegetables at $44.50 a box. The box contains an assortment of things like grapefruits, bananas, sweet potatoes, strawberries and green beans to name a few. The man only takes cash or checks (understandably) and wants to be paid on the spot.
Now I do not carry cash and have no clue where my check book is since I have not written a check in a looooooooooong time.
I told the secretary that I was not interested in purchasing anything so do not add my name to the list. This immediately set a few of my coworkers off since they were buying boxes of items and I was not.
I explained that:
1. I am not interested
2. I don’t carry cash or checks
One person offered to pay the man and then I would repay him the next day. I said AGAIN that I was not interested because I did not want the things in the box (like the dreaded green beans). I thought that I could get a lot more fruits and vegetables for $44.50 than he was offering, even though it was quite an impressive spread.
I heard people mumbling under their breath that I really should have gotten something from the guy since he came all the way.
Now my question is…..did I ask him to come? No.
So why should I be obligated to buy something?
I decided to keep my money because I could spend $44.50 at WalMart and get a TON of the stuff that I actually want and not get any green beans or cantaloupe which I don’t want.
Another coworker then said it is not worth the hassle of going to WalMart to have to pick out the stuff myself and stand in the checkout to get it when the guy had it already boxed up. Hmmm I like to pay for convenience sometimes but in this case it just not worth it.
Do you buy stuff at work just because someone is going around selling it?
It’s funny that you wrote this post because just today I got in an argument with someone because I don’t ever buy anything from all the fundraisers from the local schools. I figure I can get the same items for less at the store. The portions are small and the quality isn’t always great. So, I give you credit, I wouldn’t have bought produce for $44.50 either! Plus, it goes bad so quick, it’s not worth it.
LOL that’s too funny! That does sound like an excessive amount, but I guess it depends on how much stuff the package actually contained.
You were totally in the right, though. Who cares if he came a long way. Props to him for making a living, props to you for not following the crowd!
What I don’t understand is the bad looks I was getting all the time from the people I work with…and the whispered “I know she eats fruit because she has bananas or grapes every day” and “The poor guy works so hard and EVERYBODY in the office bought….except you”. 🙂
Um…these people are all living in two income homes AND they are all a lot older than I am so I am guessing they have been working longer too…some of the women have been teaching for longer than I have been alive. LOL.
Wow, I got nervous just thinking about buying food from a guy that shows up with a box of whatever coming from wherever.. good for you sticking to your guns…
$45 can buy alot more than a box if done right, which makes it worth the “hassle”
I totally know what you mean! Before I went freelance, I spent so much money at work to avoid the judging glances from my otherwise friendly co-workers. In addition to the situation you describe above, I feel like I was always doling out money to contribute to different gift funds, lunches out, etc. It’s really excessive!
Good for you! I am the office tightwad where I work.
Best Wishes,
D4L
To prevent awkward situations as you described, some companies for which I have worked have HR policies that prohibited solicitation at work by individuals. Overall, I thought is was a good policy since it covered charitable, political and personal solicitations. Of course, the official company solicitations were still allowed.
This is a great post! I am glad I came across your site. Everyone else is mad just because they have given in many times before and probably wasted hundreds of dollars buying from this guy instead of getting it themselves. The fruit guy loves coming to your office because he knows he can count on everyone buying and making probably 500 bucks from your office alone.
Those people should mind their business. Who cares if you didn’t buy fruit, why judge you. They need to get over themselves.
Good for you. You didn’t give in to peer pressure.
I don’t know about you but *I* don’t make enough to just be dropping $50 on stuff like that…
@ JC
I am a teacher in a small town….Yeah I don’t make that much…and it is only my second year of teaching so you know I get paid peanuts. 🙂
My coworkers are amusing. Well I have a good laugh at them anyway.
Wow that’s funny. I don’t buy things I don’t want to. I can’t believe they tried to make you feel bad because you didn’t buy anything. Plus it fruits at a cost of $45! This made me mad! You have the right to do what you want geez.
@ Alan
The guy came back a few days later and it was basically the same story.
I almost yelled at them.
You should yell at them next time. It’s completely inappropriate for them to be ragging on you about your spending!
@ PurpleGirl
I guess I will have to yell at them….and I will say you told me to 🙂
Absolutely not! And I think it’s totally rude than anyone there gave you a hard time about not purchasing anything! Why is that any of their business? And to gang up on you like that… Grrr!!
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Honestly I would have bought the box, but that is because I love all fruits and veggies, other than spinach, YUK! But I wouldn’t do it because I felt obligated, and further more who do your co workers think they are trying to bully you into something you don’t’ care for. That just seems weird and rude.
This used to be quite common years ago.
Here’s what I learned:
There’s a vast difference in attitude between someone asking
you for advice on saving money versus someone responding
to being told (directly or indirectly) that they are spending
money unwisely.
Many people instinctively feel that explaining or defending
your actions shows weakness or insecurity. You will get a
much different response by simply stating “No thanks” and
nothing else. Change the subject, walk away, pick up the
phone, pick up some papers and get back to work …
It’s a free country. Buy or don’t buy – it’s your decision.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Also, some people need to be told “No Thanks” several times
before they get it. Adding a bunch of other words just
makes it take longer.
I am really surprised that some people actually made statements like that. I agree just cause someone shows up selling goods doesn’t mean you need to purchase items.
I can’t belive they try to bully you into buying these things, that is really lame.