Imagine the encyclopedia salesperson who asks when the door opens, " Hello, sir, would you like to buy an encyclopedia?" One would not expect that salesperson to sell many encyclopedias. However, if the pitch were something like, "Sir, are you worried about your children's education in today's world? (pause for "yes" answer) Would you not like to do something about that problem? (pause for "yes" answer)" You can imagine the rest of that pitch. The close might go something like, "Now, for only pennies a day..." Finally, pity the poor telephone salesperson, who does not have the ability to modify as many nonverbal cues as the door-to-door salesperson. Is it any wonder they make such few sales?
So, the next time you run into a salesperson in the flesh or on the phone, take a few seconds to analyze the pragmatics you are being subjected to. Also, look at your own response to such sales pitches. Are you an easy "mark"? Or, are you a "hard sell"? Maybe you are a "patsy" or a "pushover"?
I just took our a loan. I had to wait three days for the money thanks to a federal law designed to help buyers cope with salesmanship. During those three days, buyers can decide not to take the money or the merchandise without penalty. Here is the law (not on the test, fyi).