Answer Key

Sales – Comprehension Check

  1. There is a grammar mistake in this sentence: “To avoid to fall for a trick, pay close attention and never let a salesperson tell you want you want.” Which of the options has the mistake? [To avoid to fall for a trick] 

    To avoid falling for a trick, pay close attention and never let a salesperson tell you want you want.
  2. “Developer's financing is typically a rip-off.” What does it mean? [it's very disadvantageous for you] 

    rip-off - a product or service that is overpriced or of poor duality; a theft
  3. What is the PUKE PRICE?  [a very high price] 

    The salesperson will show a price sheet, often with a figure known as the "puke price" because it's so high, it'll make a client feel sick.
  4. Which of the expressions best fits this sentence? “You may have to repeat yourself a half-dozen times before the message....”  [gets through] 

    You may have to repeat yourself a half-dozen times before the message gets through.
  5. What is the NOSEBLEED DROP?  [a much lower price] 

    ...and offer a much cheaper price -- what we call the Nosebleed Drop.
  6. The text recommends avoiding salespersons' GIMMICKS. What are they?  [smart tricks] 

    gimmick - an innovative stratagem or scheme employed especially to promote a project; a device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick.
  7. Speaking to a skilled salesperson, his or her prepared and step-by-step run sale script seems like... [a natural conversation] 

    Depending on the salesperson, the steps might feel like natural conversation or an extremely awkward blind date.
  8. Which of the options best completes this sentence? “Buying a time-share is a legitimate alternative...” [to paying for hotels year in, year out.] 

    I sincerely believe that for the right people, buying a time-share is a legitimate alternative to paying for hotels year in, year out.
  9. Which of the options best completes this sentence? “You're better off finding financing on....”  [your own] 

    You're better off finding financing on your own.
  10. Which is the typical problem in communication with sales people?  [they don't give up easily] 

    But salespeople don't give up easily: You may have to repeat yourself a half-dozen times before the message gets through.