So what do you do?

1) it would be good practice for them.
2) you get a room cleaned for free.
3) you would find time for another post.

They have to do so many rooms a day to get paid. I always let them do it, even if I don't know them! The last one that came by just about begged me to let him do it. He stopped by earlier in the day and I declined but told him to come back if he really needed to do my house. I warned him that we had no intention of buying anything and wouldn't be able to buy anything- it would be a choice between a vacuum and our mortgage! He came back a few hours later and said he only needed to do one more and he was out of places. It was like 4pm so I let him do it. I asked if he'd have to call his manager and all that, to try to sell it and he said he did have to but to just say no.
I don't have the heart to hurt people when it's free to help them! People are having such a difficult time finding jobs right now and if he wants to keep this one he needs to clean, clean and clean some more.

I am with RB. If your friend knows you are not going to buy, it is still a good practice for him to build his confidence, and it may count for him with the employer. It will leave your room cleaner, and it does give you something to post about. I would see the demo, but make it clear I am not buying before hand.

I agree. I would let him know I could not buy one now but it would be great to see him practice and give him some credit with his new employer.

Ditto, Stacey.

I would.
He needs the practice in a secure environment.
Selling is not the easiest thing.
Then something like vacuums, which I am sure these are the $1000 on up ones. In our economy who really needs one of these??
So any practice he can get will be worth it.

Be honest with him flat out - say I don't have money for a vacuum do you get paid for each appointment you set or just for sales? IF he gets something out of the demo make time for him if he only gets something if he makes a sale tell him flat out you can't help him out.

tell him the truth.... and offer to get him another appointment elsewhere? pif

Be honest. If he gets paid for each demonstration I would let him make that appointment.
PIF

I would tell him the truth

I would help out a friend. Then just say NO to his manager when he comes and trys to sell the Vacuum.

I forgot to say----PIF

Ok, just my person opinion, but since this is your friend...if it were me I'd be totally upfront and honest with him. Explain that you aren't going to buy and don't really have the time, so could he do what he needs to do *quickly*? Seems like the right thing to do for both of you. PIF

put yourself in his shoes

i'd ask him if he gets paid even if you don't buy it, and like R.B. said you get your carpet cleaned free, and he gets pratice. i'd probably do it to help out a friend.

I would also make it very plain I was not going to buy anything and then let him prefect his selling technique on me.

Tell yourself the truth, do you really not have 30 minutes to support this friend?

I would make sure he knows I have no intention of buying but he is free to come practice on me. Then maybe set a time limit. ~pif

I agree with the others above....if the friends need to practice let him give the demo just be upfrount that your not going to buy! ~~PIF

the practice would be good
but I'm fairly sure they don't make a dime without actually selling it
~Pay It Forward~

Lots of good advice here. I suspect that Marsha is right.

PIF

Is it a Kirby?

I would let him demonstrate and let him know that I don't need a vacuum.

~~pif

Stopping by again from ~3,000 Here We Come!~

Stopping by to say Happy Thanksgiving