Here's a chat my wife had with the people at Overstock.com regarding a down comforter we're trying to get.

The name has been changed to "Smith" for the protection of the guilty.

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Welcome to Overstock.com, you are now chatting with 'Smith'

you: I am looking at down comforters and wondering why none of them have information on where they are made.

Smith: Thank you for visiting Overstock.com, this is Smith, how may I help you?

you: I am looking at down comforters and wondering why none of them have information on where they are made.

Smith: I will be glad to help you with that.

Smith: May I have the catalog number of the item that you are referring to?

you: 918019

Smith: Thank you, are you referring to the 'Naples 700 Thread Count Hungarian Goose Down Comforter' priced at $169.99?

you: That is correct. It says that the down is Hungarian, but I'm concerned about where the fabric and assembly comes from. We're trying to avoid buying products from China.

Smith: Thank you for confirming.

Smith: This item is Made in the U.S.A.

Smith: Where would you like this item to be shipped?

you: Thank you very much for your help. I'm still shopping, so I'm not ready to purchase this right now.

Smith: I understand this is an important decision for you that's why I'm here to help. Could you tell me what you'd like to think over?

you: I'm still comparing products and need to consult with my husband before making my purchase.

Smith: I truly appreciate your thought.

Smith: I am sure your husband will love this comforter set too.

you: I'll just have to wait and see what he thinks. Thanks for your help with determining the product origin.

Smith: Okay.

Smith: Not a problem.

Smith: Is there anything else that I can help you with?

you: No thank you. I appreciate your help.

Smith: Thanks for visiting Overstock.com. Your feedback is important. Please click 'Close' and complete the brief survey which appears. It takes less than one minute.

First of all, if you were wondering–we're trying to avoid Chinese products, at least until they get their shit together.

And I know you're thinking: Widge, what would be the chances of you getting a tainted product? And if you have to ask that, then you don't know me very well. I was voted Most Likely to Wind up a Statistic by my high school class. So I know better than to tempt fate.

Anyway, I was fine with this until he automatically assumed that we were ready to purchase. And then he turned into Used Car Salesman guy by trying to talk her into buying when it was obvious she just had a question. And then he took it one step further by saying, essentially, "Well, what can I do to help you think it over faster, so I can close this sale?"

The only thing I can take away from this is that Overstock.com chat people, if they are people and not Skynet drones, must get some kind of bonus for selling their shit via a chat. Because can you think of another reason they would act like this? Has anybody else ever run into this?

Dear Overstock: when you're coming on stronger than comissioned salespeople in brick and mortar stores, then you're forgetting why most of us shop online to begin with.