Salesman’s confession: There was no remorse

A man who spent a year selling vacuum cleaners door to door says there is a total lack of professionalism in the industry.

He said he was not surprised by Betty’s complaint scenario.

‘‘Our lenders would loan clients with appalling credit. We were taught to sell them the idea this would boost their credit ratings. Almost every time the lower-income earners bought these,’’ he said.

He was based in Palmerston North but would target lowerearning areas such as Marton, Eketahuna, Woodville and cheaper parts of Masterton. ‘‘[I was] knowingly selling to families that could not afford them.’’

Another target was the elderly, he said. He would knock on doors and leave cards offering free carpet washes or mattress cleaning. Then he could push a vacuum demonstration at the same time.

For each vacuum cleaner sold, he would receive $300 to $700 in commission.

The salesman lasted in the job for a year but said others he worked with stayed on for up to five years. Retainers were offered and it was not tough work by sales standards.

‘‘Most of us were young and lacked financial responsibilities ourselves, not registering the impact it could have, and if we did it was easily forgotten over a few beverages and laughs at the end of the day. There was a total lack of professionalism.’’