CekikDarah.com [empowering youth with pitis literacy]

The Sales Croc

Written by Ken

Saturday, 25 October 2008

Back in May, I had a very vague idea of eBaying my way to a brand new spanking monitor. It didn't pan out and I stuck to the red-less monitor(s) that have been faithful to me for years.

But now, the inevitable is here.

Instead of not displaying the colour red, the monitor now only displays a flatline!

Which means, the dreaded visit to the Ladang Buaya of Computers & Technology - Plaza Low Yat!

Low Yat: Deal or No Deal

Let me begin by clarifying something, I understand the importance of selling from a business perspective.

But what you're about to read, is my personal account with the good and bad sales personnels, and how I believe they can improve on it.

These recommendations are free, and hopefully useful to all business owners and sales personnels out there.

Increased sales = increased incomes for sales personnels due to the increase of their sales commissions and also increased profit for businesses.

1.) Be genuine

A while back, I accompanied my friend, GB to resolve his health and fitness club membership complications. He suspended his membership before leaving to further his studies overseas and while on his summer break, decided to unfreeze his health and fitness club membership.

Long story short, we stumbled upon Ah Ben, the club's membership assistant or something (a fancy title for his profession; sales personnel).

So Ah Ben made some small talk and asked whether I would be joining the health and fitness establishment as well.

Honestly speaking, I too was interested with a health and fitness club membership, but a previous visit to Health and Fitness Club X was off-putting. Several weeks prior, I saw this promotional voucher in the newspaper for Health and Fitness Club X and when I was visiting the shopping mall the club was in, I went for a tour.

Boy oh boy, did the sales guy only had $$ in his eyes. I could tell from the lack of effort to ease me into my biggest reservation; the membership price!

Salesmen/women often use this tactic, "We have a special promotion. If you sign up now ______________. And this offer is for today only."

Seriously dude, if you're selling an eBook online, that approach would be more appropriate. I mean, who the hell, on his/her first visit to a health and fitness club, makes a decision there and then to commit RM XYZ a month for a fitness club membership on the freakin' spot?

eBook sales pitch example.

Of course, the silent pressure ensued. The dude just sat there, all quiet, and sometime smiling a fake smile, hoping to 'ease me' into it. Ya right!

So back to Health and Fitness Club Y, Ah Ben offered me a tour around the facilities.And to my surprise, unlike Health and Fitness Club X, Ah Ben was very genuine in his invitation for a tour around the facilities.

Ah Ben wasn't rushing to get me to finish the tour A.S.A.P. In fact, he encouraged me roam around at certain areas of Gym Club Y, trying to catch which studios, equipments would be most fascinating.

That effort and genuine approach helped both our cases; Ah Ben's and mine.

2.) Be the right amount of eager

So here we were, Gymz and I, in the historic Sg. Wang Plaza, one of the best places to roam around aimlessly while searching for affordable clothes.

More often than not, sales personnels are either too eager or too indifferent towards the potential customers.

The eager-cougar would hound along behind you, almost sniffing your arse while you're browsing through the store, searching for the right type of jeans.

I just wished I had some gas in me and let one rip whenever I get hounded by them.

Meanwhile, in a shoe store in the same plaza, I had once encountered the indifferent fella that simply sat there, and couldn't care less about the customers that came into the store; texting away to their beloved.

I'd go "what the hell?" when I'm in the buying mood. Or heck, I would go to the other store that sell the same items that this one do.

Like that is one big challenge in Sg. Wang Plaza.

Everybody sells almost the exact same thing!

So here's my recommendation for this particular point, greet your customer when they come into the store and ask if they are looking for something specific?

The most likely answer from a customer is, "No, just looking around."

CekikDarah.com's recommended follow up would be, "Sure, help yourself. Feel free to look around. I'll be right here if you need anything."

And always have your eyes on the customer!!

Doesn't mean that you have to stare at them the entire time, just the occassional glance to check whether they might need your assistance and move in when

they do!

That way, customers wouldn't feel suffocated and pressured by hounding salesman and are more likely to close the deal and get the sale.

If the customer doesn't buy, just be courteous and thank them as they leave the store. No bad-mouthing us until we're 20 meters away.

3.) Understand and address our biggest concern

More often than not, my biggest concern when surveying/buying something is the price. Especially in my current situation where I need a new monitor.

Considering every store in Low Yat Plaza sells the same range of item, it would be stupid for the first store I stepped into, if the sales personnel don't address my concern about the store's price and I go around surveying the area for a better bargain.

The thing is about buying, and I'm not sure if I speak for you guys/gals as well; I don't mind paying slightly more if I feel that the services provided is 'above average.'

If I feel that the sales personnel is really doing his/her best to help me out with my decision making, why would I go around risking an arsehole trying to sell me the same monitor for RM5 less, but of course, he/she is an arsehole.

That's my three sen's worth of opinion for fellow sales personnels.

Feel free to share your thoughts or previous experiences with sales the personnels; the good ones and of course, the bad ones!

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written by azlieJONET , October 26, 2008

i had an experienced as a Customer Service Representative.. Answered calls from the customers..

One fine day, there was a customer who called me.. of course we needed all the verifications before we could access to their account..

then, suddenly, juz right after the verification processes, he raised his voice! call me stupid!

alahai.. terkejut juga.. coz when i asked how can i help him.. he said, u should know what my prob is! u r so stupidddddd! stupidd!

haha.. at the end of the conversation, i still can't figure out what his prob. i checked the system, there was nothing wrong..

but yeah.. he choose to yelled at me rather than talked his prob! hiks..

then, when i was worked as a cashier.. one customer juz throw his money to me! kurang ajar! but still i juz smile! treated him like others...

hihi..

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written by Ken , October 27, 2008

azlieJONET It's true. sometimes the customers are at fault.

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written by Bini-Garang , October 30, 2008

i dun have any specific example butfrom my personal point of view, if i'm the customer... i'll go for products that comes with good customer representative/good sales people.. or else i'll end up not buying the item at all..

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