Should I show customers MeFi?

January 30, 2002 9:49 AM

As some of you might know, I sell PC's for a living. Often in the course of my sales presentation, if the customer seems the type who would be interested, I'll show them Metafilter. I try to give them a good run-down of what the site is about and the general tone of the place. I don't know if any of them have visited or joined up as of yet, but if they did I hope they enjoyed it. I just wondered if this was cool with Matt, or if any of you had requests for things I should tell these prospective MeFi newbies?
posted by jonmc to MetaFilter-related at 9:49 AM (17 comments total)

When I go to CompUSA, I reset their floor model computers (the ones that they have wired for internet display) to default to MeFi as a homepage.
posted by ColdChef at 9:51 AM on January 30, 2002

"if this was cool with Matt"? why wouldn't it be?
posted by jennak at 10:00 AM on January 30, 2002

I dunno, Jenn, I just figured I do him the courtesy of asking. Maybe he dosen't want a flood of newbies all of a sudden.
posted by jonmc at 10:07 AM on January 30, 2002

Here's the flip side of this: shouldn't Matt get a cut if his site helps you sell more computers?
posted by ColdChef at 10:23 AM on January 30, 2002

Well, Chef, it's maybe 1 out of every 100 customers who I figure would want to join our little community which I guess would add up to about 8 bucks or so, so I'll just buy Matt a beer and call it even...
posted by jonmc at 10:27 AM on January 30, 2002

JONMC: And this is where me and JakeEXTREME told this pinko hippy faggot what to do with his Chomsky...and over here I reflect on the decline of hot-rodding...it's a long comment, but well worth reading...Oh, look! Here's the biggest-ever thread at MetaFilter, my own little entertainment on Ben and Jerry flavors...

(customer has long since left shop)

...now, if you look closely, here's me on me selling computers and there's that basket case Portuguese freak I told you about, commenting on this very thread...isn't that, like, the best possible reason for buying a....

(head swivels back; shrugs shoulder; comes back here)

To be continued...
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:28 AM on January 30, 2002

(jonmc surreptitiously places stickers on his store's pc's that
read: "Metafilter.com, more addictive than crack!", gets a huge bonus for increase in sales)
posted by Lynsey at 10:32 AM on January 30, 2002

"This model comes with free pancakes, too."
posted by mattpfeff at 10:33 AM on January 30, 2002

"As an optional upgrade, I could bundle MHPony 2.7 for only $36 a month complete coverage."
posted by walrus at 10:37 AM on January 30, 2002

I think everyone has some excuse about why they need to visit Metafilter at work....

To be honest, jonmc, you sound like the alcoholic who insists that the bottle of gin in his top drawer actually helps him get through his paperwork a whole lot quicker ;)
posted by dlewis at 10:55 AM on January 30, 2002

The jokes are hilarious, guys. But, believe it or not, I was actually semi-serious(it happens). There's been a lot of complaining about "the decline of metafilter" and the lack of etiqutte among newer memebrs. As someone in a position to introduce new membership, I figured I might be able to help things.

That said, Miguel: I am truly ROFLMAO right now
posted by jonmc at 11:03 AM on January 30, 2002

Jonmc,

I dunno, Jenn, I just figured I do him the courtesy of asking. Maybe he dosen't want a flood of newbies all of a sudden.

I think registration is still closed, so "a flood of newbies" isn't much of a concern.
posted by Sinner at 11:06 AM on January 30, 2002

Riding On Frog Leg Moon Ant Ovaries?
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:09 AM on January 30, 2002

Ha Miguel. As they run out of the door: "Couldn't you just take some of our literature?"
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:10 AM on January 30, 2002

"So, why should I buy three years of MSN? That sounds pretty pricey at $22 a month."

"That's THREE years of Metafiler! Oh and $200 off your PC."

posted by skallas at 1:21 PM on January 30, 2002

I think what jonmc is implying is that he's promising newbies that he can get them in to MeFi...which is understandable, the man is trying to push product and times are hard. He needs that extra blue-n-yellow "closer." I don't know if any of you have seen the pictures, but jonmc has a large family to feed and clothe. You can only give the little ones Ramen noodles so many nights a week, and so he's been pushing the MeFi membership "guarantees" to get the extra commissions. And now he's worried that like, you know, he's offended Don Mathowie, and even though the Don is very, very generous, truly a great man, I mean you don't want to get that email...

So I'm just saying that we should be a little understanding.
posted by BT at 8:50 PM on January 30, 2002

BT - jesus, my family is ugly. But we must breed warriors for the coming apocalypse. I have a bunker stocked with malt liquor, Marlboros, Steak-Um's and back issues of Hustler. Not to mention tinfoil hats to keep the voices away. All MeFites are welcome to the compound, but only if they bring a can opener. We forgot to pack one and we're having trouble digging into our stock of spaghettios.
posted by jonmc at 9:14 PM on January 30, 2002