Why do so many sales associates lack business cards? They can have them printed inexpensively at most any office suppy store. I think it is very unprofessional and also may prevent referrals for sales. Shouldn't this be one of their major sales tools? I guess the reason I ask is because I see so many say they either don't have any or have run out. I recently had to have several trees cut down and I was given 5 or 6 business cards after the job. I sent him 2 customers that he would not have had if I had not of given out his cards. I think this should be taken into account when rating the sales skills. If a dirty tree cutter can provide you with a half doxen business cards, couldn't a clean, neat associate come up with just 1? LOL!

I agree, and always taken back when they say sorry, no business card. I had business cards made out on computer that were free. Looks as though they are not prepared to do business, maybe they are not on commission and just don't care, but it does look unprofessional. Since we must get cards, a bit annoying for the shopper.

I think those guys who are employees feel it is not their responsibility to pay for business cards. If they are provided by the company, that is fine. Different companies take different approaches to cards. It used to annoy me that every time I changed job title the company I worked with insisted on getting me a new box of a jillion cards. I probably handed out only a dozen or so before I would be promoted and still another box was provided. Seemed very wasteful. On the other hand, I would not have been able to purchase or produce my own because of logo copyrights and similar issues.

I note that some companies provide blank business cards and that seems less than professional but does meet the need for a shopper to receive Joe's name in Joe's handwriting on an ABC business card. What I find truly tacky is when Joe scratches out Tom's name and writes his own on a business card for me.

Most shops will accept Joe's name in Joe's handwriting on a piece of literature from the store. Thus when I'm talking with a sales person I usually ask if there is a brochure on the item so I can talk with my husband about it (or compare it with other similar products if I am supposed to be the decision maker). It is then usually feasible to ask Joe for a business card and if he doesn't have one, ask him to write his name and direct phone number on the brochure in case I have more questions. And I do this in real life too so it doesn't feel weird on a shop.

I suspect some sales associates are temporary or do not have the seniority ro be provided with a business card of their own. When that is the case and my shop requires a business card, I usually suggest to them to get one of the cards and write their names. That way I would not have a problem scanning it and it is more professional than a small piece of paper with their info on it.
As well, sometimes the brochure or leaflet does not show the name clearly when
scanned.

...maybe they're not business card worthy as the company is not convinced that they will stay.


I once got a business card from a banker who was just filling in. Result right bank but location did not match assignment. Had to reshop to get a card that matched the location. I was not prepared for that dance, happily it was close to home.

Because of the low lobby business levels in banks here there are frequently bankers from different locations 'covering' for the usual regular banker who may be out for some reason or just rotating through. Often such bankers will tell me they are normally in a different branch, sometimes they will tell me they are only at this branch certain days, sometimes they say nothing. It is frequent enough that I watch the cards and am proactive in the report indicating that the card address is different than the branch visited.

I did a bank with an excellent banker who said she had to give me her business card from her originial bank, as she was doing a training class, and working there that week. She put the correct address on the card, apoligized and all was well...report was accepted with no questions.

I've done a lot of shops with multiple MSPs requiring business cards when none were available. They have written their name on someone else's card, on an old business card with their new phone number noted, on a brochure, or just on a scrap of paper. So far they have all been accepted and I've been paid without comment or question.

Ok, I agree with all the above. Sp....Why are we picking up non existant business cards? Are we closer to the business than the dadgum owners who need them on a report? Do THEY know what you have said?

I will match any competetor's price. If you find a better price, just call me.

Cool! Let me have your card. "Sorry. I have no cards." "Call me, OK?"

I really need to just let this issue rest. Nice to vent and I actually saw one MSC agree and change their rules. I yield.

I worked for several companies that would not provide personalized business cards for any employee, including store managers, because they were expendable and not worth the cost of printing cards for when they probably wouldn't be there in a few months. They would sometimes provide a basic one with the store information on it, but they weren't very concerned about keeping them stocked. We also weren't permitted to have any "unauthorized" materials printed up. I guess they couldn't stop you from handing them out on your own time, but if you were caught giving them out in the store, you'd have a problem.

However, it stands to reason that if they're requiring business cards for a mystery shop, they'd make sure the stores have them.