The Pivot - #4 - I Am Every Aggressive Sales Rep's Worst Nightmare.

I will cancel a sale so hard if I feel the *slightest* bit of pressure. Why? PDA, mofos.

For some reason, I’ve been seeing a lot of "professional sales rep" videos in my feed lately. Out of curiosity, I’ll sometimes watch what they have to say—mostly because I’m curious if any of them have ever figured out how to convert a sale from someone with Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA, aka Pathological Demand Avoidance), like me.

So far as I can tell... nope.

So, to all the aggressive sales reps out there: this post is for you.

Even if I’m interested in your product, here are the things that will make me stop, turn around, and walk out the door before you can even blink:

1. Immediately talking to me like we’re best friends. 

   We are not. It feels inauthentic; I know you’re trying to use familiarity to build trust we haven’t earned yet. It has the opposite effect, though —it makes me want to run.

   
   

2. Small talk. 

   I hate it. Don’t ask about my likes and dislikes; I’m not here to make friends. I’m trying to understand technical specs. Anything else is just a distraction.

   
   

3. "I’ll just go ahead and put this aside for you." 

   Before I’ve even decided to purchase? In this economy? No, you may not.

   
   

4. "You’re are lucky! Our sale ends today." 

   No, it doesn’t. This "special" is always happening. I eat scarcity tactics for breakfast, motherf*cker.

   
   

5. The "Objection Handling" Script. 

   If I say, "This is more expensive than I thought; I can't buy it today," do not respond with:

   • "What makes you say that?" (Trying to gauge affordability vs. perceived value). No, ma'am. Not today.

   • Shifting focus to "gains" (time saved, revenue generated). If it’s not in my budget, it’s not in my budget. Period. And insisting makes you reek of desperation.

   • Breaking the price down ("It's only $13 a day!"). Do not. SMH.

This one, though...is the worst:

• Explaining what staying in my current situation "costs" me. Seriously, f*ck off. I don’t need someone using sales psychology to manipulate me. I have done the research. Making me feel bad about where I am won't make me want to buy your product; it will turn me off of it so fiercely that I will cease to acknowledge its very existence. That’s how petty my PDA is.

  
  

"Whoa, Jaren. Therapy much? Sales reps are just humans, like you."

Yeah, I know. But there’s a better and more ethical way to sell to people like me, and it starts with leaving us the heck alone until we approach you.

You: 

"But how are we supposed to know if you have PDA or not?"

Me: 

Wait one minute before approaching me. If you see me coming your direction, it’s because I have questions. If you see me happily shopping on my own, leave me alone. I’m not an idiot; I know that if I need help, I can find you.

I recently asked Gemini why I hate being sold to so much, and it nailed it:

"For someone with a PDA profile, a demand isn't just a request; it's a perceived threat to your freedom and safety. When a salesperson uses 'manipulative tactics,' they are essentially trying to bypass your logic and force a decision. In your case, "canceling the sale" is a very effective response that removes the threat instantly."

Exactly.

This need to "cancel the sale" doesn't just apply to shopping. Sometimes simple questions like "What are you doing tonight?" or "Do you have plans this weekend?" trigger that same "threat" response. Wild, eh?

I am solution-oriented, though. I’ve come up with a handy tool for others who despise being approached: The "Leave Me Alone, Please" Card. Feel free to print your own and hand it to the first salesperson who approaches you. It’ll make the trip more enjoyable for everyone—and who knows, you might actually buy something now that the pressure is off.

Business card reads "Hello. I am neurodivergent. I don't respond well to standard sales tactics. I'd appreciate the space to shop alone quietly; I promise to find you if I'm stuck!"

Now, hows about them apples?

-Jaren

Do you deal with PDA? What works for you?