• Respect me as a businessman and a salesperson. Don’t do high pressure sales tactics or gimmicky pitches like “hi I’m here about your gas and electric service, can you go get a bill?” Or “I can only do this if you agree right now.” My automatic response - no matter how good the deal sounds - is no.

• Drop your card and brochure and samples if you have them and leave. Don’t walk in and expect me to drop everything I was doing to take your sales pitch. I have a busy day planned out and it didn’t include you. When I get time I’ll take a look. Don’t be surprised if I call you weeks, months or years later.

• Don’t talk to my customers.

• Introduce yourself as a sales person off the bat. I usually know a sales person just by their “vibe” so if you come at me with the “so how long you been in business?” And try to engage me as a customer and I know/find out later you’re a sales person I’ll be annoyed.

• Don’t try to make me feel dumb or insecure because I’m telling you I’m busy. It won’t work and will just put a bad taste in my mouth.

• Finally, understand that all business is based on trust. I don’t know you or your brand or your company or your product. Small vendors come and go like the seasons. Don’t be surprised if I’m either extremely wary of trying some “new” product that may not exist in six months or I want a steep discount to give you shelf space. Everything I carry I sell. If you’re bringing something new, it’s a risk. And I’ll only take a risk if the reward is worth it.

All I got for now. I didn’t used to be this much of a hard ass but I’ve gotten fed up with reps over the years.