Pushy Salesmen

claytonender · 08-05-2006, 15:02

What is your opinion on pushy salesman.
I went to buy a brand new car a couple of months ag. At the first garage I went to the first thing the salesman did was give me a copy of the current price list and said when I had looked arround he would answer any questions I had. I looked at several models then asked questions about mpg, insurance groups, waiting list etc, he offered me a test drive in the model I was interested in. He was very helpdful and I said I would go back later when I had made my mind up.
I then went to another main dealership - this salesman was very pushy, gave me avasive answers about the purchase price etc, and was cagey about the cost of servicing. I had already explained that as I was waiting for a settlement cheque (from the insurance company) for my previous car I didn't want to commit myself to a purchase that day. He was very insistent but I did manage to escape (my husband thought I had been spirited away as I had been in so long). He then rang me every day for the next week asking me to sign up for the car.
I had similar experiences in another couple of dealerships. I think when they see a woman going in to buy a car they think they have an instant sale.
Needless to say I bought from the first garage as I felt their more passive sales technique was better, and made me feel more comfortable buying from them. Also I didn't get the usual pep talk about 'how cheap' their finance was.
I had a similar experience this morning when I rang a company to get a quote for my car insurance renewal. The quote was very competively priced, but I wanted to read all the small print etc, and asked for a copy to be sent out to me. The salesman was very reluctant to do this and said he couldn't see why I wasn't buying the policy today. I will probably end up paying more for my insurance simply because of a pushy salesman.
I do wish companies would realise that an agreesssive sales technique puts people off, rather than encourages them to buy.

SPUGGIE J · 08-05-2006, 15:29

If I want info on something I ask. When the sales staff start badering and forcing the info on me I turn and walk away and if it was something I wanted I will seek it elsewere. They lose the sale and my money and someone else gets it who lets me decide.

Ok they have to earn a living but a bit of tact wouldnt go amiss.

lettie · 08-05-2006, 16:41

I had the same experience as you Clayton. One car salesman was so pushy but wouldn't commit to a price. Accy Garages were helpful, friendly, gave me a better price for my old car and I got free insurance and interest free credit.

I was phoned later that night by the pushy salesman and I told him I'd got a better deal elsewhere. When I said what I'd got he replied 'we could have given you the same.'

My reply was 'then why didn't you?'

I hate pushy salespeople and it does put me off buying. I am reluctant to say which garage had the pushy salesman as it was over 3 years ago and he may not be there anymore........ if his bosses at VW in Blackburn have any sense.......Ooooops!!!

entwisi · 09-05-2006, 08:33

I too prefer a passive approach. Normally I've done all my research before i go near a shop/etc so I tend to know exactly what I want. A salesman that allows me time to make the final choice will be teh one who gets my business everytime.

When I worked in Romers selling HiFi/TVs and video cameras we worked on the same principle. I wasn't paid commision on any sales so it made absolutely no difference if I sold a £500 or £5000 hi fi. What we did work on was giving the best service we could knowing that when the customer wanted a new TV or camera they would come back to us. Likewise they would also tell their friends and we got a lot of repeat business that way. I also saw it as my job to find out what the customer wanted even if they didn't really know. I was often asked which speakers sounded best, I always explained that as we all hear slightly differently and have difference preference for how music should sound what was best for me may sound horrible to them. I also made sure I explained how difference descriptions could change how you felt about something. e.g. some speakers have more responsive sounds at high frequency. I could describe it as 'tinny' and it sounds rubbish, Describing it as 'bright' made it sound more appealing. Its all in the way you sell it. Its quite hard to be helpful but without putting your own influence on it. I also encouraged customers to go away and think about it. Theres nothing better than a good nights sleep to make a fully informed choice. It also made people feel like we weren't just after their money

claytonender · 09-05-2006, 08:40

I agree with you entwisi. Giving the best service to potential customers is the best way to sell anything. I just wish more compamnies realised that the passive approach is the best.
I, also, do my research before I go to buy,

Mighty-Atom · 09-05-2006, 08:52

What you all have to understand, this aggressive approach works with about 80% of the nation. Mainly because people dont like confrontation. Dont get me wrong a good sales "man" will know right away who they can be pushy with and who they have to be as you say "passive". Unfortunatly you all have come across a bad "salesman" and will now pigeon hole everyone you now meet in the same mould.

Come and buy something of me sometime, thats if your willing to part with your cash. As you will have no choice...

claytonender · 09-05-2006, 09:15

Mighty Atom I have no doubt that you are a good sales person, but I must question that the aggresive approach works with 80% of the nation. they may not like confrontation but neither do they like being bullied.
In the car showroom, where I did buy my car, I observed the techniques of other sales man, and none of them were at all pushy with any of the potential customers.
By the way what do you sell?

Neil · 09-05-2006, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

By the way what do you sell?

And do you do AccyWeb discount?

Mighty-Atom · 09-05-2006, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

Mighty Atom I have no doubt that you are a good sales person, but I must question that the aggresive approach works with 80% of the nation. they may not like confrontation but neither do they like being bullied.
In the car showroom, where I did buy my car, I observed the techniques of other sales man, and none of them were at all pushy with any of the potential customers.
By the way what do you sell?

Ive sold lots of different things. Ive worked at Lookers and Perrys in Blackburn, but currently i work for a software development company. Going back to your point about pushy salesman, i agree it does come off that way at times (Bullied). One of the main points i would make myself is that the first garage you went into, from my experience, didnt do his/her job. To just give you a brochure and a little information is not selling, you could train a monkey to be nice. I do agree though that even when i go anywhere and get hassled buy sales, i personally dont like it, which in some way makes me a hypocrite, but if they just give me information and let me go, i know for a fact i wouldn't go back there on principle that sales isn't an easy job and i wouldnt be happy to give them commision in the numbers game that they are playing. I personally would rather put food on someones table that is trying to maximise every opportunity.

entwisi · 09-05-2006, 10:10

As you have said, part of sales is about recognising the type of experience that a customer is looking for. I however never felt the need to be 'pushy'. You can be attentive and informative without losing the sale. IMHO if you need to 'bully' someone into a sale then you have not sold them what they wanted and as such are a poor sales(wo)man. To push someone to what you want to sell as opposed to what they need to buy does nobody any favours.

Mighty-Atom · 09-05-2006, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

As you have said, part of sales is about recognising the type of experience that a customer is looking for. I however never felt the need to be 'pushy'. You can be attentive and informative without losing the sale. IMHO if you need to 'bully' someone into a sale then you have not sold them what they wanted and as such are a poor sales(wo)man. To push someone to what you want to sell as opposed to what they need to buy does nobody any favours.

I dont agree. The fact they are there and looking at a certain model, in its own right say they want it.. Its just the fact that some of the general public dont have the "balls" to make a decision. They need to converse with every tom dick and harry. Why take the risk of them going somewhere else, when through a gentle push you can get them to make s decision there and then. And believe me i dont need to "Bully" as you put, to sell. Ive never failed in anything that i have chosen to sell. So something must be working or i wouldnt be. Now thats not being "Cocky" or "Arrogent" as most sales "man" are seen to be. Its just knowing that i am good at what i do.

Ill see you all on next season's "Apprentice"...

claytonender · 09-05-2006, 18:13

I must take issue with Mighty Atom, about his opinion about the first garage I went too. Being given a brochure and price list was very helpful, as I at least knew the price of the car I was interested in, also I knew I could ask any questions I wanted too, and I wasn't given avasive answers. Also why shouldn't a customer talk about what their needs are to every Tom Dick and Harry, if you are buying abrand new car, you need to compare as many models as possible just so you are 100% sure the car you buy ticks all the boxes of your requirements.
As a woman, I get annoyed, when I am purchasing anything for myself, and the salesman ignores me and talks to my husband, as though I don't exsist. Why do sales men think women are incapable of making any financial decision.
I would never entertain buying a car from Horners, because of the rude and very confrontational attitude of a salesman I was unfortunate enough to encounter 2 years ago.
I would not give me a price for my own car, but wanted me to commit to buying a car from them. As I didn't know what the cash difference was between the trade in price of my old car and the purchase price of the new car, I obviously refused to buy the new car,without the trade in value. He was very rude when I wouldn't entertain their finance scheme, and even refused to tell me what the APR was on that scheme. He did give me some finance figures (based on an amount of £4000 - which was the first figure I had thought of), and then when I had done the maths in my head I gave him an APR - which was very high. I got the distinct impression there was a great deal more money to be made for Horners in my taking their finance, rather than any money they made actaully selling the car.

Mighty-Atom · 10-05-2006, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

I must take issue with Mighty Atom, about his opinion about the first garage I went too. Being given a brochure and price list was very helpful, as I at least knew the price of the car I was interested in, also I knew I could ask any questions I wanted too, and I wasn't given avasive answers. Also why shouldn't a customer talk about what their needs are to every Tom Dick and Harry, if you are buying abrand new car, you need to compare as many models as possible just so you are 100% sure the car you buy ticks all the boxes of your requirements.
As a woman, I get annoyed, when I am purchasing anything for myself, and the salesman ignores me and talks to my husband, as though I don't exsist. Why do sales men think women are incapable of making any financial decision.
I would never entertain buying a car from Horners, because of the rude and very confrontational attitude of a salesman I was unfortunate enough to encounter 2 years ago.
I would not give me a price for my own car, but wanted me to commit to buying a car from them. As I didn't know what the cash difference was between the trade in price of my old car and the purchase price of the new car, I obviously refused to buy the new car,without the trade in value. He was very rude when I wouldn't entertain their finance scheme, and even refused to tell me what the APR was on that scheme. He did give me some finance figures (based on an amount of £4000 - which was the first figure I had thought of), and then when I had done the maths in my head I gave him an APR - which was very high. I got the distinct impression there was a great deal more money to be made for Horners in my taking their finance, rather than any money they made actaully selling the car.

You certainly have had some issues with salesman, but please dont tar everyone with the same brush. Regarding people talking to your husband and ignoring you, once again shows that that person was once again a shocking salesman. Everyone knows you talk specs and power to the husband and "purse strings" with the wife. If you get the wife interested in the car at the right price, everyone knows that they will buy as the husband will then just take a back seat, as he wont want any confrontation with the wife.

claytonender · 10-05-2006, 13:09

Thanks for your reply Mighty-Atom.
It was extremely annoying for me, as it was me and not my husband who was buying the car. He just told the salesman 'It's my wife's car and she will be making the decision which car to buy'.

claytonender · 10-05-2006, 13:20

Sorry double post