5 ms·

I have the same goals as you (find the stuff I want, pay for it, and get out), but that's why I seek out the salespeople! I feel that assistants aren't really

by qeorge 13y ago

I have the same goals as you (find the stuff I want, pay for it, and get out), but that's why I seek out the salespeople! I feel that assistants aren't really there to help me; they're there to maximize profits for their employer. Help me find these employees! I joke, but seriously - I usually get great recommendations from the staff, often brutally honest. I find people don't give flippant recommendations, as its a reflection of themselves.

jhaywood 13y ago
As a non-commissioned retail salesperson in a previous life, giving honest and helpful recommendations and trying not to annoy people that don't need help, was the only pride to be found in that work. Not everybody is an introvert, and some people do want help but are too afraid to ask. Although I suspect that for each of those there are three people that would just like to shop on their own. It's also important to note people can often give the wrong signals. Wearing a baggy coat and making sideways glance at the staff because you're worried they may come over may flag you as a shoplifter and attract their attention.
- dwc 13y ago
  I don't normally want any assistance, except when I do, and then I do. The generic phrases "Can I help you?" or "Can I help you find something?" are perfectly fine, contrary to the article. These are standard prompts to which I give standard replies. Much, much worse is "Are you after pants or tops today?" which is the worst kind of sleazeball sales opener. Now I'm on guard, preparing to either fend off a hard sell or make a break for the exit.
  - ronaldx 13y ago
    Yep: there's no better strategy to kill my interest in buying from you.
  - jordan0day 13y ago
    "which is the worst kind of sleazeball sales opener." This, exactly. In the US, car dealers have a pretty poor reputation, because people generally believe that the salespeople are especially trained to trick/beguile/confuse shoppers, in order to maximize the dealers profit. In turn, I think many people dread buying a car from a dealer. Do you really want people to view your operation in the same light as a car dealer?
    - dwc 13y ago
      Exactly. "Can I help you?" "Nope. Just looking..." "OK. Just let me know if you need any assistance." Perfect. I have help if I need it. If I was initially too shy to ask, the door was opened for me. No pressure. Of course we're talking typical retail, set up for self service. This model doesn't always apply, and you shouldn't blindly apply it.
ambiate 13y ago
I went to Sears two days ago for a brake inspection. The guy quoted $700. He pulled me off to the side and said, 'buy the parts for $100 and we will charge $300 for labor. Quote around for better prices, or you might be able to do the labor yourself, so, give that a try too and just bring it in if all else fails.' My memorial day weekend is going to consist of attempting these repairs, but thanks to him, I may become a man this weekend. (No, brakes are not my first repair. Most of my repairs have been in the car, electrical, hoses, injection, dropping the fuel tank, etc. I have always stayed away from tires/suspension and usually paid the hefty fees. Thanks for the _valid_ concern!)
- btilly 13y ago
  The cynic in me says that he's hoping you'll screw it up worse so that they can charge more to fix what you broke in the process.
  - enraged_camel 13y ago
    Probably not. He's not likely to go back to the same shop if he screws it up.
    - btilly 13y ago
      Why not? He has a positive impression of them, and if he screws it up he'll know that was his fault, not theirs.
- mikestew 13y ago
  Your "become a man" quip worries me just a bit. I'm going to assume that this isn't your first automotive repair. If it is, please don't start with brakes. Changing pads and rotors (I assume rotor because of the $700 quote) isn't hard, and there isn't much to screw up. But if you do screw up, there isn't much leeway. In other words, getting it wrong isn't a "oh, I'll have to fix that next weekend" moment. It's a "oh, my, "I only have rear brakes/why is my front wheel locked up/oops, should have tightened those lug nuts" moment. But if you know a 9/16" box end from a 10mm socket, then have fun and give it the same attention to detail that you would an important piece of coding.

by qeorge 13y ago

jhaywood 13y ago

As a non-commissioned retail salesperson in a previous life, giving honest and helpful recommendations and trying not to annoy people that don't need help, was the only pride to be found in that work. Not everybody is an introvert, and some people do want help but are too afraid to ask. Although I suspect that for each of those there are three people that would just like to shop on their own. It's also important to note people can often give the wrong signals. Wearing a baggy coat and making sideways glance at the staff because you're worried they may come over may flag you as a shoplifter and attract their attention.

dwc 13y ago
I don't normally want any assistance, except when I do, and then I do. The generic phrases "Can I help you?" or "Can I help you find something?" are perfectly fine, contrary to the article. These are standard prompts to which I give standard replies. Much, much worse is "Are you after pants or tops today?" which is the worst kind of sleazeball sales opener. Now I'm on guard, preparing to either fend off a hard sell or make a break for the exit.
- ronaldx 13y ago
  Yep: there's no better strategy to kill my interest in buying from you.
- jordan0day 13y ago
  "which is the worst kind of sleazeball sales opener." This, exactly. In the US, car dealers have a pretty poor reputation, because people generally believe that the salespeople are especially trained to trick/beguile/confuse shoppers, in order to maximize the dealers profit. In turn, I think many people dread buying a car from a dealer. Do you really want people to view your operation in the same light as a car dealer?
  - dwc 13y ago
    Exactly. "Can I help you?" "Nope. Just looking..." "OK. Just let me know if you need any assistance." Perfect. I have help if I need it. If I was initially too shy to ask, the door was opened for me. No pressure. Of course we're talking typical retail, set up for self service. This model doesn't always apply, and you shouldn't blindly apply it.

ambiate 13y ago

I went to Sears two days ago for a brake inspection. The guy quoted $700. He pulled me off to the side and said, 'buy the parts for $100 and we will charge $300 for labor. Quote around for better prices, or you might be able to do the labor yourself, so, give that a try too and just bring it in if all else fails.' My memorial day weekend is going to consist of attempting these repairs, but thanks to him, I may become a man this weekend. (No, brakes are not my first repair. Most of my repairs have been in the car, electrical, hoses, injection, dropping the fuel tank, etc. I have always stayed away from tires/suspension and usually paid the hefty fees. Thanks for the _valid_ concern!)

btilly 13y ago
The cynic in me says that he's hoping you'll screw it up worse so that they can charge more to fix what you broke in the process.
- enraged_camel 13y ago
  Probably not. He's not likely to go back to the same shop if he screws it up.
  - btilly 13y ago
    Why not? He has a positive impression of them, and if he screws it up he'll know that was his fault, not theirs.
mikestew 13y ago
Your "become a man" quip worries me just a bit. I'm going to assume that this isn't your first automotive repair. If it is, please don't start with brakes. Changing pads and rotors (I assume rotor because of the $700 quote) isn't hard, and there isn't much to screw up. But if you do screw up, there isn't much leeway. In other words, getting it wrong isn't a "oh, I'll have to fix that next weekend" moment. It's a "oh, my, "I only have rear brakes/why is my front wheel locked up/oops, should have tightened those lug nuts" moment. But if you know a 9/16" box end from a 10mm socket, then have fun and give it the same attention to detail that you would an important piece of coding.