Sales Through Humiliation?

I was in Costco the other day and witnessed a rather different form of marketing.

These big box stores have their own people giving out samples but they also bring in outside vendors for limited periods of time to promote their own products. The clothing and jewelry vendors don’t really capture my attention. But being a foodie, I always enjoy the chance to try a new and tasty product. After all, who hasn’t eaten lunch at Costco by way of grazing on the samples.

“Three for the price of one” and “Today & today only” the carnival barker yelled. OK, this guy was a bit more annoying than most of the outside vendors Costco brings in but, whatever. I’m willing to give the product a taste.

This time the product was cheese. A well known national brand of cheese. The first sample was a cheese dip, not bad, Warm and yummy. As I reached for the second item to be sampled, cheese on a cracker, the man handing out samples said:

“Don’t just grab and run, listen to the man” Then he proceeded to point to the annoying carnival barker. Both of them were looking right at me.

Are you serious? Do you actually think you can humiliate me into purchasing your product?

I flirted with the idea of telling them off then and there but decided I didn’t want to bring any attention to them or their cheesy product.  I just walked away, carrying with me a negative feeling about their brand.