There are a variety of answers to that question and I would venture to say that depending on where they are coming from and who will make a big difference in your opinion. Let me flavor your response with a brief story that might affect that opinion.

I have recently been reaching out to one of the largest Banks in New england - inviting them to attend and have a share in one of our Executive Luncheons. This event would really be a win/win event for them and since two larger Banks had been involved before it seemed to make sense. That said to date - I have tried calling and emailing some of the higher executives in the area a few times with this request - no response. Next I decided to go to someone at the national level and ask "isn't it a little weird that nobody could even call me back, isn't that almost negligent? isn't that bad business? Isn't that even unprofessional?" - no response. So now what is next? Well I was able to find the names and emails of some of the owners in Europe and that is whom my next line of questioning will be directed at if I have still heard nothing back this week. Please keep in mind, like most sales professionals I am simply looking for a response and like most sales professionals I understand that response might be a no. But please don't ignore me or try to just blow me off!

What is the point? Am I just on a rant? Maybe....but there is a valuable lesson here for everyone. True sales people, strong sales people are going to see being ignored as a sign that they need to try harder because they don't MAKE EXCUSES. strong salespeople are going to have the COMMITTMENT and the DESIRE to overcome any obstacle regardless of how difficult it appears to be. Because they have a positive OUTLOOK they can keep up the chase and probably outlast the most sophisticated or slippery prospect. The point is that ignoring, not responding or hiding might scare away the weak but the strong, who relish the challenge are not going to go away.

This is a syndrome that I first noticed some years ago that I call the "no soliciting" syndrome. A business owner will slap this cheap sign on his door feeling confident that he has just stopped all sales people from bothering him. Meanwhile, although the weak might be scared off the strong see the sign and think either a) he's not going to tell me what to do or b) he must be scared he will say yes if we talk in person. Bottom line - it won't work. You may not understand why and that thinking might sound foreign or crazy to you - if it does you are just not a sales person.

So what is the right way to get rid of sales people that are stalking you? The opposite of your instincts - talk to them, communicate with them, engage them and be honest with them regarding your needs or concerns. There - is that so difficult?