Beware of dodgy market interviewers - Part 1
So this evening, I came back home from grocery shopping, ready to make dinner and I drive into my driveway to see some guy loitering outside
"Can I help you?"
Turns out he's doing a survey analysing the literacy of young adults. Um Okay. I'm a marketer (so know how important surveys can be and know annoying it is to get blown off by respondents) so I feel sorry for him and tell him okay I'll do the survey.
He needs to use his laptop so requests to come inside so that he can plug it in. Okay.
We sit down and I realise that this survey may take longer than I intially thought (somewhere around 10mins).
"How long will this take?"
"It really depends on the person - fastest person has taken around 45mins"
"WHAT?! I need to cook dinner! I'm sorry I don't have time for this!"
By this time he's pluged in his laptop and everything's set up.
"Lets just see how it goes, if you need to stop I can come back another time"
Grudgingly I agree.
First thing he gets me to do is read a couple of documents and answer some questions. This is way too much work! But I completed it anyway and then he goes on to do a background survey.
"When did you graduate?"
"Um, the answers only give it in years, I graduate at the end of this month"
"Oh you graduate at the end of this month? - you have to invite me over for cake"
"Um....*mumble mumble*"
After half an hour... (5:30pm)
"How much longer will this take?"
"Not very far, you're the fastest person who's done this"
"Um... okay"
10 mins later... (5:40pm)
"Seriously how much longer will this take?"
"You're almost done"
"*Grumble grumble*"
5 mins later... (5:45pm) Background check finished.
"Finally all done!"
"Um can you please fill in these questions" - he hands me this thick book at least 25 pages long complete with A4 length articles and supporting questions.
"WHAT?! @#$@%!" - I'm too nice and I start working my way through the book which mirrors a mini exam.
Getting grumpier with each page, I have real exams to do I can't be bothered with this survey. After each page I complain that he needs to tell his employers to cut down this survey because it's just ridiculous to expect people to give up this much of their time.
10mins later... ( 5:55pm)
"This is taking too long"
"Here's a pen for your efforts"
Another 10 mins later ... (6:05pm) Still haven't finished the exam like survey.
"Um, I'm really sorry but I have to stop doing this survey I really need to cook dinner or there's not going to be any food to eat"
"Oh, I can come back in an hour if you want and pick it up"
"I have to cook dinner there's no way I can do it tonight, if you leave with me I can finish it and you can pick it up tomorow"
"Okay"
He stays sitting.
"So I study business as well... (and goes on to talk about his life story"
"Uh let me help you pack up" - I unplug his laptop and pass it to him. (Big hint to get lost)
"I'm so sorry I can't leave, it's pouring outside , I'll get wet."
I just stare at him blankly - what is wrong with this guy. He's got a car outside.
"So when you graduate make sure to invite me over for cake so that we can celebrate"
More blank looks from me.
He continues on about some life story.
"Um I have to go cook" - I run into the kitchen
5 mins later... (5:10pm) Rain Stops.
"Okay Ying I'm going now!"
(Thank god!)
He tries to shake my hand fortunatly it's covered in seasoning.
"Okay so make sure you call me to cut your cake for graduate"
Seriously whats wrong with this guy?
"Alright, see you."
Thank god he's gone... kind of got the feeling he was being a bit unprofessional. Nah, I'm just being paranoid, he was just being friendly...
3 Comments:
At 7:59 PM, Nikita said…
you poor thing!! hahaha it must be very funny though! Aahh, its just one of those days that makes life interesting eh? good luck for exam, girl!
At 12:09 AM, Yingy said…
Funny until it gets scary...
Still got shivers... hehe but yeah a story to tell at least :)
Yay Exams nearly over! Just one more! Hope welly's doing well for you :)
At 12:56 AM, Singaporean Strawberry Cruiser said…
lol!!! are you sure he's a surveyor?
he sounds REALLY dodgy!
descriptions?! lol
hmm it's interesting how you let *random* people into your house... heh heh heh
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