Readers respond on pushy salespeople, phishing scams

I'm not the only one who is irritated by hard-selling, obnoxious salespeople of questionable integrity — something that probably isn't surprising.

I recently wrote about such a salesman I overheard at a restaurant a few weeks ago, and my thoughts on the matter struck a chord with several readers.

One person posted a comment online saying that products and companies should "sell themselves."

"To make your company and products so well-regarded in society — from Google to Southwest Airlines to GE to Procter & Gamble to Apple to Girl Scout cookies — that they practically sell themselves for recruiting top talent and for customers flocking to buy their goods and services is the real secret to good sales," this person wrote.

"What makes most companies sought after by customers and workers? Ethics and product quality! People want to work for a company that will look out for them, won't attempt to con them or mistreat them! Customers are the same — they look for products that won't fail and provide real value. Trust is at the heart of a good company."

Another reader agreed that a great product sells itself.

"And I do not like hard-sell salespeople," this person wrote in an online comment. "Hard selling is a good indication something is wrong with the product. And the ethics of the salesperson."

I couldn't agree more, and I thank you for your thoughts on the subject.

And since I'm sharing readers' thoughts today, I should mention that every time I write a column about online scams, I receive more examples. Since we're in the midst of tax season, I thought I'd warn you about another variation of phishing, this one sent in by a reader named Curt.

Curt received an e-mail allegedly from "IRS.gov" with the subject line of "Tax Refund." It reads: "We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $178,80 under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please submit the tax refund form and allow us 3-6 business days in order to process it. To access your tax refund, use the form attached to this e-mail."

The e-mail is signed by "David Morgan, director, Tax Refunds Department."