Your opinion please

[R1madness]

Jim2, Its not there to dirve ya mad, if you dont want to talk to us just say "its cool man i just want to have a look" I will laugh and say "sweet as feel free to have a sit as well as a look" and wander off. Give me a nob when you want me to come back.

[Paul in NZ]

I absolutely HATE it when I walk into any retail establishment and get "approached" by a salesperson. Depending on mood I will either ignore the person or be engaging and pleasant, but note this bit: I will not buy anything from that establishment.

I tend to know what I'm looking for and will ask for help when I want it. If I get ignored at that point the establishment just missed out on some money.

I know what you mean but if I was in charge of any direct sales organisation I would insist my sales people have some sort of conversation with every customer that comes in.. Can i help you is not pushy - it's saying, "Hi, I work here, if you need anything, let me know".

Study after study reveals a massive increase in sales if you establish 'some' form of contact with the walk in customer..

Tony - polo or tie, it does not matter as long as it is clean and tidy and of a reasonable quality - like someone else said - looks like someone cared about getting dressed for work. I'd go for polos or open neck business shirt with a logo or something and issue new ones regularly, nice trou and proper shoes.

I'm 50

[pyrocam]

24, used to work in retail sales (white shirt and tie)
I feel the only reason to wear anything other than your casual clothes is so people can identify you from other shoppers easily, but past that point its all what you know and how friendly/approachable you are that really matters to me.

[Goblin]

Give me a nob when you want me to come back.

Do you get many comebacks?

[ammo_alan]

I agree with every one on that one "as long as there attitude is right" and they know what there talking about with no bull sh*t.
makes me sound like a sheep I know.

aged 24

[Mystery]

You are out on a saturday morning to look around for a new Bike/car/tv .
You walk into the business and the salesperson comes up to you.
Does how they are dressed affect your opinion of the premises?

As long as they are fully clothed and tidy, no it wouldnt affect my opinion of the premises.

Would you be more relaxed if they had shirt n tie or a polo shirt -or doesn't it really matter ??

I would prefer smart casual (polo shirt, tidy jeans or trousers). It's how I dress 90% of the time so I would definitely be more relaxed but for me its all about friendly (not overbearing) service and salespeople who dont judge a cheque book by the way the holder looks or dresses.

I'd apreciate your feedback and if possible your age group

I will admit to being in the 40+ age group

[scumdog]

Expect:
Clean and tidy appearance
Helpful but no pushy
Knowledge of product
Able to speak in a language I understand that is not compossed of monosylabic grunts.
Shoes that look like shoes instead of looking like a garbage scow.

(And lady assistant with hooters and a low cut top will get my attention!!)

50-and-a-bit grumpy years. Bah humbug.

[Sanx]

I generally don't trust people in suits. I've seen far too many people for whom a smart suit is worn merely to help hide the fact they're a complete waste of space. Polo shirt with a company logo is a good idea, as it does let customers identify staff easily. Noel Leeming-esque shirts and ties are, frankly, pointless. They look scruffy 99% of the time and it's obvious they're awkward and uncomfortable.

Essentially, the salesman should be knowledgable enough to assist with enquiries, honest enough to admit he doesn't know the answer, pleasant to deal with and posess a sense of humour. Provided he's got those attributes (or most of them) I'll buy from him (provided the product's right) whether he's wearing a handmade-in-Milan suit or a pink tutu.

I'm 32, going on ten.

[Gremlin]

I would say the crucial part is what market you're in. You're selling 6 figure vehicles, then yeah, smart appearance, as thats most likely what your customers are looking like. I dare say your average saturday shopper at a normal car yard wouldn't feel very comfortable dealing with someone dressed to the nines, all slicked back etc.

With your gear you should make the customer feel comfortable dealing with you (a lot of this is the attitude and knowledge of the staff). Biggest thing is staff knowing their products, being helpful when asked, and looking like a unit (ie, same gear for everyone).

Bikes I think its slightly different. I'll deal with guys I know. Personally, amps bikes sales staff seem extremely up themselves and poncy. I don't want a polished shop, I want somewhere I feel at home (I spend enough time there anyway )

[Spuds1234]

It depends on what Im buying but generally so long as their appearance suits the job they work at its all good.

If I go to a mechanics and they are wearing a suit it looks a bit strange. If they are wearing dirty overalls then its all good.

That said, so long as they are polite and dont talk down to you its all good.

I went looking for spark plugs for the Katana the other day. I walked in knowing what the manual says I should have as standard, know what I should have if the standard plugs were getting wet, and knew what I did have.

The guy at Stanmore Road Auto Spares gave me some good advice, asked the right questions and I was able to answer them as best I could and from that he sold me 5 spark plugs. I would happily go there again.

That said I specifically went there because I had bought things if this guy before and he seemed knowledgeable and was polite and didnt treat me like an idiot.

Computer stores are the worst for this kinda service. Treating every customer like a knob. If I was in a job like that I would start out with the newbie explanations and if the customer clearly understood them and was able to form coherent questions I would use more jargon to a point where he was asking "what that do/mean" type questions.

Bad service never gets my money. And I tend to always buy with cash. I blame my parents for this habit. I would rather pay a little bit extra for good service than get a cheap price and be treated like dirt.

[James Deuce]

Just remembered. Never proffer an opinion on KB. I forgot.

Geez, It's not right or wrong, it's just MY opinion.

[MSTRS:Me]

I been thinking about this...
You need a point of difference, so go for the stereotypical car shark look, since all the others are trying their best not to - you know, check suit, black patent leather shoes with white spats, flashy gold watch and at least two rings, brylcremed hair, sleazy moustache and the catch-cry "Check this little beauty, have I got a deal on this one for you!!"

[ManDownUnder]

Depends entirely on the good in question but it would need to be consistant with the brand image image of the good and retailer in question (which should be in sync of course).

The goods listed - I'd say smart casual, preferably branded (i.e. a Panasonic shirt) of a prominant brand you're trying to sell. It lends some credibility as you approach and will distinguish you from just being a punter (and avoids the need for a name badge which you would possibly need to make the distinction otherwise).

Product knowledge is ever essential, as is a personable approach. Sales courses teach a variety of approaches each based on the en vogue psycho-babble of the day. If you have a personality use it. You'll soon establish a rapport with the person you're speaking to and be helping the customer to the solution that best suits their needs.

Sales lecture endeth here...

[Paul in NZ]

Just remembered. Never proffer an opinion on KB. I forgot.

Geez, It's not right or wrong, it's just MY opinion.

Can I help you with finding an opinion sir? We have a special deal on opinions this week - two opposing opinions, one for every occasion at a 10% discount or buy 5, one each for the whole family, and get an extra one free...

Cheer up Jim - its saturday and we aint dead (yet)

[ynot slow]

Valid point...Although from my experience, when you work in retail, it is a bit difficult NOT to approach and at least say Hi...As I used to feel the same way as you, I'd leave the customers alone to browse, and the next thing I knew, half of them would come over and say things like:

"are you going to keep on ignoring me?" or:
"Can't we get any service around here??"

Trust me, it is a double edged sword...

So now, I'll just acknowledge the incoming customers with a smile, and make sure I keep an eye out for a them, were they to want help.

Samething from me,in rural town,we acknowledge every customer,if they want to look we let them,and also remind them if we can help please ask,not everyone wants to be pounced on and pressured into buying,some are just looking or filling in time.