I get a cold / unsolicited email from a vendor trying to sell me something.  99.9% of the time, these get marked as spam and not only is that message gone without me opening it, but anyone from that company can never get into my inbox again.  Brilliant!

But, one day I was in a spunky mood and happened to reply to one of the emails - I had just come from a meeting where we talked about a need for this specific thing and lo and behold I just got an email about something similar.  You are the one person so far in 2010 that cold emailed me a standard sales pitch and didn't get marked as spam.  Congrats!

What happened?  Well, I waited for a day and heard nothing, and then I mentally moved on.  Now today, a full week later, I get a voicemail from the company saying they are following up.  Oh boy...

First, why voicemail?  I live in email, and I emailed you.  I don't even have an actual phone on my desk.  Respond to me in my chosen medium.  The last thing I want to do is play "chat with my new best friend" on the phone when I have a couple really specific questions about what you can or cannot do.  I think it makes sense to answer my communication in the same medium I used.

Second, why respond so late?  I was clearly ready to talk purchasing when I responded to the email.  I had a specific question of "do you do XYZ".  By waiting a week you lost the sale.  I bought something else.

What annoying things have sales people done to you that made them lose the sale?

Share your stories in the comments.  I am sure you have better examples than mine.