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Timothy Lamprey
- Male
- Salisbury, MA
- United States
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Timothy Lamprey's Discussions
The 99-Cent Poinsettia
Replied Nov. 30, 2009
Unproductive Customers
Replied Nov. 3, 2009
Unproductive Customers
Replied Nov. 3, 2009
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You might be better off in a situation like that to take his information, if he is willing to give it, and tell him that you can do a better job of informing him if you can come to his home and take a look and give him some advice there. I have foun…
Kevin: Box stores have been using loss leaders for years. They are paying more than 99 cents for these poinsettias. They sell them for less just to get people in the door. Depot has been doing this sale for 3 years in Ma. Yet we are still selling a…
After getting burned too many times, we do this: When we've shown a few different plants to a customer, we offer to get them a cart. If they don't want one, we move on by saying we'll check back with them. If they continue to ask questions w/o filli…
I have dealt with this issue many times, and had many discussions with my staff on this and similar issues. It is my firm belief that a huge challenge to working retail is to keep things in perspective, the tendency I see many times is to overreact…
Timothy,
After 26 years of managing retail stores, and 13 years of running my own mystery shopping company, I feel like I have an understanding for both you and your unproductive customers. The reason your industry exists is because of the expertis…
I so relate to the frustration of people coming in, using us for our information, then buying elsewhere. I've even heard people say they really do this. I guess there are different ways we can look at it.
If people think of us as the source for acc…
Timothy, I know exactly what you are talking about. I haven't been in the industry for nearly as long as you but I've had my fair share of information gatherers. I am always friendly and courteous but I make sure to let them know (in a nice manner)…
Tim, ignoring people in the store is not something I ever do. When the questions get too long, beyond 30-60 seconds, I start to say that the customer needs to come in and see our selection or talk to us in person. If I need to, I will politely tell…
Our tool can help you sell product that only you understand and help you steer customers to product that others do not sell or understand.
email me if you'd like, I will give you a free pass so you can try it out.
where are you located?
Curtis: Discounts? You must not have property taxes, health insurance premiums, electric bills etc. If we become the discount price place we are no better than a box store. You cannot survive in this day and age, in a seasonal business by discountin…
Welcome to America! Sure, you’ll always have a few of those “unproductive” customers, but this is America and we all have the right to look for the best deal. If you’re savvy enough to recognize the situation, you need to turn the salesmanship up a…
Roger: I too, have had people call from the boxes, it's not too hard not to heard the chatter and the PA announcements. The larger question is, why do we give our knowledge away for free. I have toyed with the idea of selling or giving away cards to…
I have taken phone calls from customers who were actually in a Home Depot on their cell phone and couldn't find anyone in orange to wait on them. I do assist these people, although with a little bit of hesitancy as if to say, "I can't believe you ac…
Chris: We have " fired " a few customers. It takes sometime to figure it out, but when we know that they are just "using " us, I have become remarkable stupid. I had one customer who had the nerve to say to me, " What do you mean, you don't know?" I…
It would be great to figure out some way of dealing with this situation that really left you feeling satisfied. Sadly, for most of us we will continue to answer the questions and know that they are going to the big box to buy the product. You can ho…
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Timothy Lamprey's Blog
Unproductive Customers
I guess that calling some customers unproductive sounds harsh, but what I am really talking about is the customer who comes into the store and asks, say, how to put in a lawn. You spend the time telling them what to do, and you usually get, "OK, I'll come back with my spouse on Tuesday and we'll get what we need." My business is small enough that I know that they never came back. They probably used the information to go to the box store and buy what they need for less money. I have been in lawn… Continue
Posted on October 26, 2009 at 6:26pm — 1 Comment
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