Loudoun Guns

[conw]

Thinking about something coromo said, another thing that is often overlooked in these boutique type markets is building a relationship through customer loyalty. The way to build a relationship is by buying several things from the same guy. I have noticed that guys with 3-5% higher prices who are friendly seem to be much, much more interested in cultivating your business - then they will bend over backwards for you once you are on board. You can probably save your additional expenses over the guy who acts like a jerk but happened to have one gun you wanted that was slightly lower-priced, over the long term, with a guy who understands the value of a relationship with a repeat customer.

 

[tdowell]

Let's see; you were cordial, outgoing and fun to deal with; how? You showed real interest in what? People on a mission to buy something typically know where it is or march right up and ask. You came across as a browser, just looking, wasting some time.

You're lucky they didn't set the dog on you.

I'm from a retail family; "May I help you find something?", "May I help you?", "How may I assist you today?" All that seems to flow in the blood of my wife's side of things.

Pure drivel, if you ask me. They're in business to sell things, not hand hold silly people just browsing. Customers are not 'guests' to be entertained by the hired help; they should know what they want and go and get it--it's not rocket science. If the desired item cannot be located or if you have a question about the item, by all means ask somebody. But keep in mind they are salesmen/women, they may or may NOT use the item; they probably don't know much more than is printed on the side of the container.

Me? You wouldn't like me in retail; probably wouldn't like me anywhere. I'm as apt to say "what the he{{ do you want? (or worse)" as look at you. And don't ask something stupid unless you like risking your scrawny little neck foolishly. Guess that's why they keep me in the dungeon.

And this, is why I will out sell you 10 - 1, doesn't matter how disinterested a customer is, they will ALWAYS feel more welcome when they are engaged by a friendly and polite sales person. They are 80% more likely to buy from that person as well. Statistic is from National association of Sales Professionals.

 

[oneounceload]

What happened to the gun store where the employees were genuinely interested in guns, a place where you could just stop by an say hello and they were glad to see you. A place you could call and ask a question and they would be glad to help. When did buying guns become a fast food transaction where you have ti know what you want when you get to the front of the line?

Sometime last year in the first week of November and the resulting mass panic buying..


If you're a sales person, the last thing you'll ask someone is "Can I help you?", it can lead to a simple "no", and that ends the conversation and the chance for a sale. You ask something more along the line of "What can I help you find today?" or similar, so it's not a yes/no answer. It also, IMO, shows even more interest in trying to help the customer

 

[Blue Line]

I saw a sign, this past weekend, in a door of a gun shop in Bolivar Heights, WV (near Harpers Ferry) that there was a $2.00 admission fee which would be applied to anything you may purchase. Talk about driving business away!

 

[wojownik]

Ah, that would be good old Zimmerman's shop in Bolivar Heights. Among Civil War reenactors, his eccentricities and demeanor are legendary..