People selling crap in the station -- any use in complaining?

[structu]

There's a National Rail station in London that has people selling crap from a card table. I go past this table every day on my way home from work and they harass me every time. I tell them that I'm not interested and I get attitude. I say, "No thank you" and I get attitude. I ignore them and I get attitude. There's nothing I can do short of possibly buying this crap that won't result in attitude.

Is it any use complaining to the station staff about this? I assume that the station is allowing these people to sell this stuff (it's perfume or something) and are charging them to be there. But it's extremely annoying. I just want to get the train.

I complained about absolutely unbelievable behaviour from staff at a different station a while ago and got a rude manager and a non-apologetic email. So I don't really think these complaints are fruitful. And especially in this situation where presumably the station is making money off of these card table saleswomen. So is it even worth the hassle of complaining?

 

[WestCoast]

If you don't mind, which station is it?

I can't say I have ever come across anything like this before.

www.londontravelwatch.org.uk may be able to help, but only if you've received an unsatisfactory response from the station operator.

 

[structu]

I didn't really want to say, but it's City Thameslink. I've never seen anything like this either. It's just people in the station selling crap from a little card table. They're there periodically. Usually in the afternoons. Most days, but not every day.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Its really irritating and I wish they would be stopped from doing it. They sometimes have them outside the Metro entrance at Central station blocking the access and annoying people trying to sell their crap. They also did it for a short while on the platform of one of the stations I work through and they were even bothering traincrew when we were getting dispatched!

 

[strange6]

Ask them to show you a copy of their street trading license. If they don't, report them to the police; that'll get rid of them

 

[structu]

They're actually in the station (not on the street) so I don't think this would help. They've been there on and off for several months now. The station surely knows they're there (they're right next to the ticket booth) and is letting them sell this stuff for a fee. Like the stores that are in stations.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Ask them to show you a copy of their street trading license. If they don't, report them to the police; that'll get rid of them

A member of the public would have no legal basis to see a STL, and as it's on a station (private property) then I do not believe one would be needed.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Ask them to show you a copy of their street trading license. If they don't, report them to the police; that'll get rid of them

The thing is, these people are licensed!

I would complain to the station operator as they are the ones that have authorised it!

 

[WestCoast]

I didn't really want to say, but it's City Thameslink. I've never seen anything like this either. It's just people in the station selling crap from a little card table. They're there periodically. Usually in the afternoons. Most days, but not every day.

Name and shame is the best policy when it comes to things like this! A station with millions of users like City Thameslink, there are likely to be a few complaints.

Harassing people is a very poor sales technique, it just discourages a lot of people from buying anything. If they did that at certain stations, they could easily get robbed.

Who have you already emailed? You could have a word with the station staff, but they are powerless I would imagine. Failing that, write to First Capital Connect, I find a letter often carries more weighting than an email. If you're not happy go to Travelwatch, or maybe even the Evening Standard if you are really concerned.

 

[9K43]

One mans crap is another gold.

 

[WestCoast]

One mans crap is another gold.

That doesn't excuse harassment - from the OPs tale, they are far more polite and easy-going in a Moroccan Souk!

This is a major central London railway station - not a market!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

That doesn't excuse harassment - from the OPs tale, they are far more polite and easy-going in a Moroccan Souk!

Hang on, we haven't heard any details about this alleged "harassment".

 

[Anon Mouse]

That doesn't excuse harassment - from the OPs tale, they are far more polite and easy-going in a Moroccan Souk!

The ones at Newcastle jump out in front of passers by and harrass them like hell. My Wife nearly had a heart attack when some camp guy leapt in front of her banging on about free gifts!

 

[WestCoast]

The ones at Newcastle jump out in front of passers by and harrass them like hell. My Wife nearly had a heart attack when some camp guy leapt in front of her banging on about free gifts!

I know the type, I think most of us have encountered these kind of traders. I ignore anything like that. Although, some can be extremely stubborn and rude if you don't play along. I have never encountered it inside a station though.

 

[Greenback]

It is very annoying. There were a group of men who were occasionally on Swansea station concourse last year. They were approaching everyone they saw and trying to get them interested in whatever they were trying to flog. (I forget exactly what it was, mobile phone contracts, insurance, something I didn't want anyway!).

Fortunately, I haven't seen them for a while. Hopefully they have given up. But possibly there were complaints from customers? After all, there are enough hawkers on the streets without having them on railway stations too!

 

[strange6]

A member of the public would have no legal basis to see a STL, and as it's on a station (private property) then I do not believe one would be needed.

If it is rubbish, maybe trading standards could be given a call to come and have a look?

 

[structu]

Yeah, I've sometimes see these mobile phone people at stations but usually just for one day then you don't see them for quite a while. These perfume/free gift/whatever people are a semi-fixture at this station.

The harassment, I mean, they're not being overtly rude but when you decline or ignore them they'll say "Oh, you have a nice day too!" or whatever in a sarcastic tone. And just the act of them getting in front of you and asking if you have a "special lady" or whatever. That's my own business. And I don't think my "special lady" would be impressed by some crap I got from a card table at the train station anyway.

Anyway, I haven't emailed anyone about this. I guess I'll just have to complain to the station staff but I don't anticipate anything to be done about this. Surely, the station manager knows that people don't like these salespeople but it's a (probably small) money maker for the station.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

If it is rubbish, maybe trading standards could be given a call to come and have a look?

It doesn't sound like rubbish, or harassment. It just sounds like a grumpy OP who doesn't particularly like salespeople. Thus, I would advise him not to make a complaint as it would be a waste of everyone's time.

 

[Anon Mouse]

It doesn't sound like rubbish, or harassment. It just sounds like a grumpy OP who doesn't particularly like salespeople. Thus, I would advise him not to make a complaint as it would be a waste of everyone's time.

This type of sales is annoying and intustive. I do not want stuff I don't want shoved at me and asked if I want to treat the 'Special Lady'. I think its rude and annoying. I feel the same about staff in mobile phone shops and Chuggers. Why should we be subjected to this kind of stuff?

 

[Greenback]

I can understand why the OP is fed up with beign solicited every day by the same people. By all means let them have a table, or a stall, or a shop, but not to approach people with the hard sell act!

 

[WestCoast]

It doesn't sound like rubbish, or harassment. It just sounds like a grumpy OP who doesn't particularly like salespeople. Thus, I would advise him not to make a complaint as it would be a waste of everyone's time.

Is there really any place for it inside a station? Like I say, it's not a market!

I enjoy haggling in the market, but even some of these "salespeople" can pester you greatly if you're in a rush (and they can be rude too)..

 

[ralphchadkirk]

This type of sales is annoying and intustive. I do not want stuff I don't want shoved at me and asked if I want to treat the 'Special Lady'. I think its rude and annoying. I feel the same about staff in mobile phone shops and Chuggers. Why should we be subjected to this kind of stuff?

So? Doesn't make it wrong or illegal if you don't like it. Just say no, and walk on. It isn't that hard!
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Is there really any place for it inside a station? Like I say, it's not a market!

I am not a grumpy person (I enjoy haggling in the market!), but even some of these "salespeople" can pester you greatly if you're in a rush (and they can be rude too)...

So can customers...

 

[WestCoast]

So? Doesn't make it wrong or illegal if you don't like it. Just say no, and walk on. It isn't that hard!

You obviously haven't seen some of the techniques they use! If your firm in attitude then fine, but a lone (perhaps elderly) woman who is perhaps not as confident might not be able to just strut off.

I've been in the aforementioned souk and never witnessed such bother as I've seen on streets here.

So can customers...

I really don't think that is relevant in this situation. Customers pay money!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

You haven't seen some of the techniques they use! If your firm then fine, but a lone woman who is perhaps not as confident might not be able to just strut off.

I have, and a no, and walk on would suffice. That argument about a "lone woman of low confidence" is silly and you know it. The sellers are in a Railway station, not a seedy alleyway in a red light district.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I've been in the aforementioned souk and never witnessed such bother as I've seen on streets here..

That isn't relevant to this situation. What goes on in Morocco is of no concern of what goes on in City Thameslink station.

 

[WestCoast]

I have, and a no, and walk on would suffice. That argument about a "lone woman of low confidence" is silly and you know it. The sellers are in a Railway station, not a seedy alleyway in a red light district

How is it silly? Not everyone takes your opinion or confidence. Just because you aren't intimidated by them shoving stuff in your face doesn't mean that everyone is comfortable with it. The station situation makes it even worse.

That isn't relevant to this situation. What goes on in Morocco is of no concern of what goes on in City Thameslink station.

It is a somewhat similar technique, so is relevant. City Thameslink should have no hard sell acts, or traders standing near ticket offices! It isn't the place for it quite frankly.

 

[Anon Mouse]

I have, and a no, and walk on would suffice. That argument about a "lone woman of low confidence" is silly and you know it. The sellers are in a Railway station, not a seedy alleyway in a red light district.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Its not a silly argument, its hard sell simple as. A lone woman with low confidence may feel bullied into it. Its just as bad as the Chuggers who try to bully you into signing up a direct debit to give to charity by making you feel bad to say no. I can't see how a red light distict is mentioned in your post, nobody is talking about sleeze


That isn't relevant to this situation. What goes on in Morocco is of no concern of what goes on in City Thameslink station.

It is of relevence as the type of bullying sales tecnique is akin to a Moroccan Souk

 

[ralphchadkirk]

The sellers are in a brightly lit station, with many travellers, staff and telephones. If someone feels threatened then they can easily walk away with no chance of a comeback.

Why should City Thameslink not have any traders? Is this your opinion, or a policy of the TOC? I suspect it is the former, in which case I rest my case.

 

[Anon Mouse]

The sellers are in a brightly lit station, with many travellers, staff and telephones. If someone feels threatened then they can easily walk away with no chance of a comeback.

Why should City Thameslink not have any traders? Is this your opinion, or a policy of the TOC? I suspect it is the former, in which case I rest my case.

People can still be intimidated into buying stuff they dont want, have you ever been in a Mobile Phone shop or PC World? They are brightly lit, there is CCTV and many people around yet the same type of salespeople do the same in that type of shop. Nobody is suggesting the staff on these silly stalls are threatening anyone with violence but such like, but intimidation into buying stuff.

Nobody is saying there should not be traders at City Thameslink, just not people on commision trying to convince people to buy expensive crap. Starbucks, WH Smith and Sweet stalls are fine as nobody in those places jumps out on you and try to sign you up or make you spend your cash.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

People can still be intimidated into buying stuff they dont want, have you ever been in a Mobile Phone shop or PC World? They are brightly lit, there is CCTV and many people around yet the same type of salespeople do the same in that type of shop. Nobody is suggesting the staff on these silly stalls are threatening anyone with violence but such like, but intimidation into buying stuff.

Really? The OP stated harassment - a serious Criminal offence. Yet it turns out they were just being a little rude. Jumping out in front of someone, asking if they would buy something, pressing it a little, and then making a sarcastic remark is not intimidation, harassment or bullying. It's just a poor sales technique.

Nobody is saying there should not be traders at City Thameslink, just not people on commision trying to convince people to buy expensive crap.

On man's crap is another man's gold. A very valuable post 9K43 made.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Really? The OP stated harassment - a serious Criminal offence. Yet it turns out they were just being a little rude. Jumping out in front of someone, asking if they would buy something, pressing it a little, and then making a sarcastic remark is not intimidation, harassment or bullying. It's just a poor sales technique.


On man's crap is another man's gold. A very valuable post 9K43 made.

It is still a form of harrasment even if its perfectly legal in what they are doing.

Yes one mans crap is indeed another mans gold, but my valuable model railway collection, my magazines and 'art' books are all what I consider gold, but I have bought or have had bought for me. Not pestered into buying.