Recently I was in Florida with a friend at a very busy outlet mall. We were just going to look around, no particular product was on our mind, but we thought we would look around and maybe be able to leave with some thing to keep as a memory from the trip. Most stores were all the same, we would be greeted with “Hi, is there any particular thing we could help you look for today?” Each store we would say no and explain that we are just browsing. Almost every story we were given the same response, “Of course, we are here if you need any help.”
There was one store, however, that had a salesperson who responded different. My friend and I walked into a sunglasses store, and were greeted immediately. Without any hesitation, the salesperson started to name off all the deals that were going on throughout the store. He saw there was two of us, and he told us that if one of us were to buy a pair, he would take thirty percent off the entire sale (15% off each pair). He made the product the most important topic, rather than understanding what our wants were. He would give us both new pair after new pair to try on and tell us how he believed each style fit us perfectly. My friend who was actually interested in a pair of sunglasses finally had enough of the uncomfortable situation. We told the salesman that we don’t think we will be purchasing any products from the store. Once the salesman heard this, he was extremely unhappy and walked away without anything else to say. It was obvious to us that the salesman was trying to make a sale for himself rather than actually help the customer. We made sure to avoid that store again the rest of the day, and were able to find other items to remember the trip elsewhere.
BoweryJE22
I don’t think these salesmen realize that we the customers know they are there so if we need help, we will seek them out. I wonder if they would be more successful in selling if they sat back and simply waited until a customer was actually in need and then helped them? I suppose it’s finding a nice medium between sitting back completely and smothering the customer once they walk through the door.
It’s very important to greet the customer when they walk in. Actually, that was one of the first things I was taught a few years back when I worked as a sales associate. However, you shouldn’t bombard the customer with product information. How would the salesman even know if you are interested in purchasing anything? Like you said, it’s important for a salesman to focus on the customer and not the product.
Ugh this is the worst. If only this salesman took a class like we are in now, he would have understood the importance of listening! It is vital for salespeople to take a second, step back, and just take in what is going on and anything the customer has to say. Sorry you had a bad experience, at least you were in Florida where it is warm! 🙂