While shopping... how would you prefer to be treated?

Question

I always hate when people try to help me out at stores. Now I work at one of those stores where they train you to be what I would call a pushy sales person. I understand this is helpful and a lot of customers appreciate this treatment but I'm not sure how I can help a grown woman decide to spend $500 in one place at one time. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Let me put it this way.
I want a salesperson to ask me if I need help; then back off when I say no.
Hang around the area, be accessible. I don't want you standing over my shoulder, but I should be able to see you without too much trouble and get your attention with a glance or a wave. When I flag you down, I'm gonna want to either take a closer look at something, buy something that's locked up, or ask you a question about something.
A lot of this is going to depend on what kind of store you are in, but be knowledgable about what you're selling. If you're in a furniture store, I expect you to tell me what tables would go well with this sofa; and what the difference between a pillowtop and temperpedic mattress is. If we're in an electronics store, you'd better be able to tell me which formats of recordable DVD will work in this burner; or what I'll need to hook up this model of digital video recorder. If we're in a hardware store, you better know your torque from your horsepower. Some of the answers I know already, and I'm using them to test whether I should trust your opinion.
Answer general questions with questions; but answer direct questions with specific answers. Lead the customers into making their own choices, don't do it for them.

Answer 2

A pushy salesperson is a big turn off for most customers. First, everyone sells, whether it be an item, themsleves, or an idea. There are a lot of books out there by successful buiness people who explain that selling is more life skill than career skill. Frank Bettger is one of my favorite authors on the subject..
Remember that you are there to help the customer, not scam them. If your attitude is that your scamming them by pushing junk, you need to rethink your career or at least your approach.
Greet the customer warmly, if thery're a previous customer, address them by name (Mrs. soandso, Mr. whatsit) spend thirty seconds asking about them. That thrity seconds is very important. Try to remmeber as much about the customer as possible. When they return, you will remember them and that will make them feel important.
You may want buy a couple of industry magazine subscriptions. That will keep you informed as to changes, new colors, etc. If a customer feel you're informed , they are more likely to trust your judgement. You may also become more comfortable suggesting colors or styles for them.
Basic rules are:
1) greet them warmly and sincerly
2) take 30 seconds to know them
3) make them feel important
4) Keep informed in order to make worhtwhile suggestions
5) Thank them sincerly

PS That women will probably spend that $500 somewhere, why not with you. Follow the simple rules above and she will actually want to spend it with you as opposed to somewhere else. You've make her feel important, special, and have treated her like a close friend. As long as you were sincere, why should she ever what to shop anywhere else?

Answer 3

I think most store patrons are aware that salespeople are expected to approach them, and try to become engaged in their purchase decisions. I think that a nice smile and "how are you today?, Please let me know if I can help you with anything." will work well. You let the person know that you are there to help, but you're not there to be overbearing.
If you feel uncomfortable with the policy at the store your working for, maybe you should try a different store. Maybe sales isn't for you. I think a lot of people actually do enjoy the interaction with a salesperson. I do not generally want help buying shoes, or makeup, but am in desperate need of help when I'm looking for a digital camera, or a T.V.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Don't think of it as selling. Just think of it as helping the fashionably challenged. A lot of people like and need to be helped at a store. The need to know what the best deals are, what to wear with what, etc. And that's what you're there to do: help them learn all that stuff. I know I love it when a sales person offers to call me when new things come in and especially when new markdowns are taken. I fell like I'm in on the inside scoop and I spend more money because it increases the value of my purchase. Just offer to help everyone and know when to back off - then everyone wins.

Answer 5

I don't like it either. Just offer the customer help when they first come in, but if they don't want any, then just leave them alone.

Answer 6

Be yourself. Pay attention to the customers and if they appear to have a question then introduce yourself

Answer 7

I don't like it when salespeople walk up to me and try to help me. If I need help I'll ask.

Answer 8

Ask them to go away or just turn your back to them once they've answered your question