In fast-moving, progress-conscious America, the consumer expects to be dizzied by progress. If he could completely understand advertising jargon he would be badly disappointed. The half-intelligibility which we expect, or even hope, to find in the latest product language personally reassures each of us that progress is being made: that the pace exceeds our ability to follow.
—Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004) American Historian, Academic, Attorney, Writer
Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Sell cheap, tell the truth, don’t cheat nobody, and don’t take kickbacks.
—Rose Blumkin Russian-born American Entrepreneur
Here’s the rule for bargains: “Do other men, for they would do you.” That’s the true business precept.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
When producers want to know what the public wants, they graph it as curves. When they want to tell the public what to get, they say it in curves.
—Marshall Mcluhan (1911–80) Canadian Writer, Thinker, Educator
Every one lives by selling something, whatever be his right to it.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
The salesman knows nothing of what he is selling save that he is charging a great deal too much for it.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
A commodity appears at first sight an extremely obvious, trivial thing. But its analysis brings out that it is a very strange thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties.
—Karl Marx (1818–1883) German Philosopher, Economist
Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.
—Henny Youngman (1906–98) Anglo-American Comedian, Violinist
Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman—not the attitude of the prospect.
—W. Clement Stone (1902–2002) American Self-help Guru, Entrepreneur
Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.
—Will Smith (b.1968) American Actor, TV Personality, Film Producer
There are very honest people who do not think that they have had a bargain unless they have cheated a merchant.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
A bargain is something you can’t use at a price you can’t resist.
—Franklin P. Jones
In selling as in medicine, prescription before diagnosis is malpractice.
—Tony Alessandra
A bargain is in its very essence a hostile transaction do not all men try to abate the price of all they buy? I contend that a bargain even between brethren is a declaration of war.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
We used to build civilizations. Now we build shopping malls.
—Bill Bryson (1951–95) American Humorist, Author, Educator
The Laws of Clothing Shopping:
If you like it, they don’t have it in your size.
If you like it and it fits, you can’t afford it.
If you like it, it fits and you can afford it, it falls apart the first time you wear it.
If the shoe fits, its ugly.
—Common Proverb
Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift… The hangover comes the day after.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
Sell the sizzle, not the steak.
—Anonymous
Nobody dast blame this man. For a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don’t put a bolt to a nut, he don’t tell you the law or give you medicine. He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.
—Arthur Miller (1915–2005) American Playwright, Essayist
Open your hands, ye whose hands are full! The world is waiting for you! The whole machinery of the Divine beneficence is clogged by your hard hearts and rigid fingers.
Give and spend,
and be sure that God will send;
for only in giving and spending
do you fulfill the object of His sending.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
Today the tyrant rules not by club or fist, but, disguised as a market researcher, he shepherds his flocks in the ways of utility and comfort.
—Marshall Mcluhan (1911–80) Canadian Writer, Thinker, Educator
Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
A sale is not something you pursue, it’s what happens to you while you are immersed in serving your customer.
—Unknown
The sale begins when the customer says yes.
—Harvey Mackay (b.1932) American Businessman, Columnist, Author
Buying is a profound pleasure.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
Be at the pains of putting down every single item of expenditure whatsoever every day which could possibly be twisted into a professional expense and remember to lump in all the doubtfuls.
—Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953) British Historian, Poet, Critic
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