Making the sale

Cornering

One aspect of the hard sell is to formulate all the questions in such a way that the customer will say yes over and over. No is an objection, yes is an agreement. They will also provide options rather than opt outs; “I’ll come over to show you this product. Which day is better, Thursday or Friday?” rather than “when would you like me to come over?” If you say that you are busy on those two days, they will offer another day. Some customers need a little push to overcome their wariness. Don’t be afraid to give people some encouragement if what you are selling is good for them. However, shopping ought to be a joy rather than a dreaded gauntlet avoiding overly pushy types. Tricks are deployed to get information out of people. Asking someone their age is awkward but a necessary requirement for some selling schemes. “What is your age? I’m 24” is what they will ask, giving theirs to soften the impact. My response would be “good for you sweetheart”.

Salesmen want you to buy there and then so will wear you down to the point where you say anything to end the nightmare. They will keep telling you things, giving you more and more facts and figures until decision fatigue sets in. Take note of this for you might regret buying something or make a poor political decision simply because we can only take in so much information in one go.

Some people want to prove the salesman wrong as a demonstration that they can afford it and are worthy of it. Instead of just walking away they have sympathy where none is really deserved. They feel that they have an obligation to buy. If you are not sure, just leave, use some flattery, and show gratitude for their time and go away to have a proper think about it. Any real deal will be there tomorrow. Walking away gets easier the more you do it. Side wipe it from your mind like a car washes rain away from the windscreen. I spot those that take the item you are considering purchasing off you, taking it away like a parent taking a toy off a child. They then walk slowly backwards, looking at you. I know the stunt so let them keep it.

Rude waiters get more tips than pleasant ones because we want to prove something, to kind of show them. I leave a pile of the lowest denomination coins and make a hasty exit. If a tip is added to the bill automatically, I scrub it off and give them nothing. I hate tipping when it is ‘mandatory’. I liken it to a form of corruption. I got onboard a ferry travelling across to an island and made my way to the dinner hall. I approached the order taker who made an assumption, albeit a correct one, that I couldn’t speak the language too well. He blanked me completely. Another came over shortly after and we played a game of pick three at random. After the rather fine meal I forced a tip on this hospitable person. It was probably more than a day’s wages. I did so because of their willingness to engage.

Businesses are as much about the customers as the staff, profits, and products. Good eateries and good drinking holes are where the customers provide the feedback to enable the owners to improve. By giving tips where warranted and commending not just criticising the offerings, the establishments evolve and flourish. They won’t know what they are doing wrong unless you tell them, and they won’t keep doing what they are doing well unless you applaud them.