Author Topic: Salespeople (Read 1920 times)

Gadfly · « **Reply #30 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:09:04 PM »

I agree, but the first step is to make sure that you are dealing with a salesman.

Sikboy · « **Reply #31 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:10:26 PM »

I probably shouldn't admit this, but all this time I thought Hblair WAS the owner lol.

My management philosophy when it comes to salesmen is to listen to whatever they have to offer, mentally grade their salespitch, then thank them for their time, and send them on their way. But that's mostly because listening to sales pitches is infinately more interesting than most of my other managerial tasks (especially this time of the year, when the number crunchers descend from on high for budget numbers lol).

Of course, we all must be real business dynamos, that's why we can spend all morning on a wednesday posting on the AH vBB lol

-Sik

hblair · « **Reply #32 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:14:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
It costs the same amount of money(none!) to make someone happy as it does to make them mad.

I said you CAN watermelon can it, not that you should, and why would I ever rule out a product or service without knowing what it is?

Because of the deceptive and vague attitude of the person representing the company. And the fact that he would never even really confirm that he was even a salesman, give the name of the company, etc. That's why.

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
My method saves the salesman time, allows him to do his job,

Saves him time when he comes back to bother you again? Sometimes you don't have to know what they're selling to know you don't want a part of them or their company. It's called reading people.

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
and let's me peruse his product at my leisure, with the option to call him back if interested,

That's why we have trade publications. We stay on top of new products there. We also attend trade shows. We actually buy products from 3-4 vendors who sell off their truck. You can tell by the demeanor and attitude of a person if he's a waste of time or not. I trust my instsincts on this.

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
Your method does what?

My method lets the guy know that we are not interested in even hearing what a deceptive decietful "salesperson" has to say. He won't waste his time coming back.

By the way, we had a record profit month last month, with my hillbilly arse running the show. what an idiot I am.
What do you do when you're not knocking doors?

Gadfly · « **Reply #33 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:16:56 PM »

How do you know he was a salesman? How can you call his boss to inform him what a crap salesman he was? Congrats on your month, too.

Ah the salesman's life. You ever wonder why good salesmen make so much money?

LePaul · « **Reply #34 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:19:32 PM »

What do you sell, Gadfly? Fuller Brush? Amway?

Gadfly · « **Reply #35 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:21:40 PM »

Commodities. That means that I do not have the advantage of product differentation, advantageous pricing or a monopolistic market. What does that leave me with?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #36 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:24:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
Commodities. That means that I do not have the advantage of product differentation, advantageous pricing or a monopolistic market. What does that leave me with?

A 30 foot fall from an office building?

Gadfly · « **Reply #37 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:27:13 PM »

Service, baby, along with PK.

SOB · « **Reply #38 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:31:00 PM »

You did nothing wrong Hblair...the guy was an bellybutton and his actions set the tone for the situation. Why he was there is irrelevant.

SOB

Gadfly · « **Reply #39 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:32:13 PM »

What if he was a timid, but unhappy customer, SOB?

Gadfly · « **Reply #40 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:34:25 PM »

And don't get me wrong-I am not taking up for the salesman; Cod knows there are enough crappy ones out there. My issue is with how you handle them on a day to day basis, especially when you are working for someone else.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #41 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:36:41 PM »

When I managed an autmotive repair shop the owner allowed me to screen all solicitors so he wouldn't be bothered (he was also a mechanic and thought time on customer's cars were more important that how much money we could save on printer supplies). I had all kinds of experiences as well but I think maybe this guy wanted an appointment to have his car repaired, I dunno, maybe not.

We had a number of customers who only wanted to talk to the owner about appointments and all of that and eventually he would tell them to talk to me, it was my job. Sometimes its a very thin line to tread knowing what and what not to do. I was there so long that the owner and I could read each others minds and know what each other would do without saying anything. In the end the he gave me cart blanche on all daily operation decisions and I had a lot of fun with it. Especially those pesky cheap-ass 190 (W201 chassis) owners. Can afford to buy the Mercedes but can't afford to keep it. Oh, the stories I could tell...

hblair · « **Reply #42 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:37:41 PM »

Aw shut up gadfly and spit out what business you own.
How many employees, how many hours do you work a day? Gimme some background.

hblair · « **Reply #43 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:39:56 PM »

The dude had one of those gay leather folders in hand. He wasn't a potentional customer.

SOB · « **Reply #44 on:** August 06, 2003, 12:42:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gadfly
What if he was a timid, but unhappy customer, SOB?

You mean a timid customer who is standing his ground with the receptionist and demanding to see the owner and refusing to tell her what business he intends to discuss?

SOB