Someone in another department dumped an overly enthusiastic vendor on me. I told him immediately that (A) I don't make vendor decisions, and (B) I would pass along his info to the purchasing department. I did not give him a name, b/c I (unlike my coworker) am not a dumper--I wouldn't pass along a name & number without the permission of the person who'd have to field the calls. You think, however, that a clever vendor would think "Hmm...she said this has to go through the purchasing department, so why don't I call the main line and see if I can get a name in that department." No. Instead he calls me every other week trying to find out if I've gotten him any further in the door. Dude, *this* is why you aren't making any progress.

I usually avoid the calls, but occasionally I forget what his number is, and mistake it for one of the vendors we actually work with all the time. Which is why I had to have a wonderfully awkward conversation with him this morning. Yeah, I'm going to put aside all of my work to go try and rustle you up some business here. I'm right on that buddy. a