Hypnosis in sales?

In a recent newsletter post on this board there was an essay on the use of hypnotic sugestion for persuasion (Sentence Fragments in Persuasion and Hypnosis).

My question is A) Do you feel employing hypnotic suggestion is ethical in selling?, B) Do you feel the buyer will feel good about his/her desison long term if they were sold in this manner and C) Would you, as a professional salesperson feel good about yourself and your sales if you personally employed this method of selling?

Just curious.

The idea of using hypnotic suggestion in the sales process *really* rubbed me the wrong way, maybe it's just me. I don't know alot about hypnotic suggestion but I can't imagine it sticks long-term, and I would think that a buyer may have misgivings conciously or subconciouly about thier purchase that would affect future business.

I also feel that even if I was skilled at this - employing it on purpose in selling efforts just doesn't seem right personally.

Anyone feel different?

Originally Posted by TommyMac5 A) Do you feel employing hypnotic suggestion is ethical in selling?

I don't view it as unethical.

Originally Posted by TommyMac5 B) Do you feel the buyer will feel good about his/her desison long term if they were sold in this manner?

I don't think it will make a difference.

Originally Posted by TommyMac5 C)Would you, as a professional salesperson feel good about yourself and your sales if you personally employed this method of selling?

Yes.

Originally Posted by TommyMac5 I also feel that even if I was skilled at this - employing it on purpose in selling efforts just doesn't seem right personally.

When you think of this as just highly structured communication how does that change things?

TommyMac5

Just as a point of discussion I wonder if any contract signed while under any form of hypnosis or hypnotic suggestion might be voidable.

If someone is under the influence of alchohol or drugs there are court cases confirming the issue of voiding the contract.

Do I see hypnosis as ethical? No.
Buyer feel good about the decision? No. I think they would feel duped, so, no.
Would I feel good about using this method? See answer #1.

Interesting post.

Originally Posted by Masteri5 Just as a point of discussion I wonder if any contract signed while under any form of hypnosis or hypnotic suggestion might be voidable. If someone is under the influence of alchohol or drugs there are court cases confirming the issue of voiding the contract.

Where did you learn to view hypnosis in this way?

Originally Posted by Milton When you think of this as just highly structured communication how does that change things?

I guess it's a question of intent. Did you go into the sales meeting with the intent of making a sale by using hypnotic suggestion as the tool. I think that gives you an unfair, and in my own mind, unethical advantage over your client.

Originally Posted by TommyMac5 I guess it's a question of intent. Did you go into the sales meeting with the intent of making a sale by using hypnotic suggestion as the tool. I think that gives you an unfair, and in my own mind, unethical advantage over your client.

I agree with your comment about "Intent". What is it about hypnosis or hypnotic suggestion that you feel gives you an unethical advantage over your client? Are you thinking that hypnosis is something that is done against the other person's will?

Milton

I hope you did not think I was implying that hypnosis has any connection to drugs or alcohol.

My point is that courts have made voidable contracts negotiated while the purchaser is under the influence of those. I am just wondering if someone who later finds out they were under the influence of hypnosis or hypnotic suggestion could make the same argument.

The keyword here is "finds out they were under the influence ". Milton, if I understand you correctly, you don't feel that Hypnotic suggestion is overly manipulative, whereas I do. maybe thats the gap that needs to be bridged.

I do agree with AZ on this too, I would think purposly using this type of pursuation could jepordize a deal potentially.

Originally Posted by Masteri5 I am just wondering if someone who later finds out they were under the influence of hypnosis or hypnotic suggestion could make the same argument.

What do you think their argument would be?