Why Don’t People Listen?

Today was an example of when people listen to one thing and ignore another. I told a company rep that I was using a particular product and he warned me of the huge issues surrounding the use of that product with the application. I then remembered we use something else and that I had made a mistake. I corrected myself and alerted him to the fact we use the appropriate product. He didn't seem to hear this statement. And every now and then proceeded to tell me I was doing the wrong thing and that I should change the bad habit.

I repeated myself several times and tried to convince him that I do use the right product, but he didn't get the idea. I don't understand people when they have such an annoying ability to selectively hear what they want to hear. As a representative of a company he should be listening carefully to me, the customer, as I might be telling him vital information and that could help him make a sale. Instead I will now avoid his product at all costs due to the foreseeable future of mis-led conversations we will have.

To all reps out there, listen to your customer, because they might help you make a sale worth talking about.