What can I do?

[skinerd]

OK, here is the deal. As of May 1st I will be starting a summer job at my local dive shop. My question to all of you is, what are some things that you have always wanted to see in a shop salesman? Or things that you have seen in that past that you liked. In short what are some key things I should/should not do?
Thanks,
Andrew

 

[alcina]

Know the gear. Know why it's good, why it's bad and what features it has to suit various people. Not everything will suit everyone - and salespeople who blindly push items are irritating and unprofessional.

Know your services. You should be able to answer even slightly off the wall questions about tours, courses and other services your shop offers. Nothing puts a client off faster than a sales person who doesn't know the answer to the essentials EXCEPT a salesperson who is clearly making things up. If you do NOT know the answer, then politely say "I'm sorry, I don't know the complete answer to that, but let me consult with one of our more experienced sales people/one of our crew that specialises in this area." If you don't know, ASK.

Always smile and always be friendly and outgoing. Do not have a personal conversation when there are clients around - the clients come first always.

Have fun. it shows.

 

[ScubaNorth]

OK, here is the deal. As of May 1st I will be starting a summer job at my local dive shop. My question to all of you is, what are some things that you have always wanted to see in a shope salesman? Or things that you have seen in that past that you liked. In short what are some key things I should/should not do?
Thanks,
Andrew

Spelling ability (OK just kidding). It is 100% attitude and don't be afraid to say "I am not sure let me find out for you". Too many people try to wing it. Oh and if I say my favorite dive spot is the puddle in the mall parking lot your response should be "I hear that is a great dive", I don't want to know why my opinion is wrong. Best of luck.

 

[Diesel298]

just act smug rude and surley..
act like you could be bothered and that the customer is wasting your time.
when they ask a question roll your eyes. look at your co worker and sigh or a little chuckle and point at them works too.
That will keep you up to par with 99.9% of the dive shops ive ever been in..

but seriously.
Good luck and have fun

 

[Cacia]

Get the literature for the gear lines you will be selling and you can read up on them.

 

[Thalassamania]

Now for some advice from the jaundiced eye:

Shop your competition, before they get the chance to know you and where your working.

Know their lines as well as you know their own.

If they try to kill your gear and push their own you'll be able to use that to your advantage.

Find out what they don't know and make that your stong suit (e.g. if they have one line of computers and don't really know anything about them except how to turn them on and off, learn all you can about the theory behind your computers and theirs).

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Don't knock other shops or operations even if you know they suck. You may discuss it in private with other employees or friends but never to a potential customer. If someone presses you on it just say "I've never used their services or bought anything there so I really can't tell you what they are like." Nothing puts off a customer more than to have some smart *** say that "the other guy sucks or the gear they sell is junk". Better to say "that's what they carry but I prefer this" and begin to list the strong points of your product. And as others have said know your gear so that you can accurately list those points. Dazzle em with your brilliance, try to baffle em with your BS and they'll smell it every time. That guy you're trying to sell a new reg to may be a trained tech who services his own gear. He'll know if you're full of it.

 

[scubamickey]

Don't be dismissive to female customers. They may have way more experience than you. Don't flirt with them or treat them like they need a "guy" to help them make a proper purchase.

Your profile says you are 18 years old. If that's correct, then be aware that some people may dismiss *you* for being "a kid". That happened to me when I was 18 and working in a travel agency. I'm 40 now and have never forgotten that. Some customers will be jerks. If you present the product info in a mature and objective manner you will increase your effectiveness and your credibility.

Good luck with your new job and have fun!

 

[Lukiedukie]

This is going to sound funny but I hate hate hate asking a simple question and being put on hold for 5 mintues to get an answer. Know your shop inside and out!!!! Things like rental prices on tank daily, weekend, and week long rates. Also how about know if your shop does Nitrox fills and at what mix. Rates for gear services VIP's Reg service(include labor).

Do yourself and your customers a huge favor remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question. If I was you I woulsd spend the first couple of weeks asking all sorts of questions. As a sales person you are not just selling your product but also your shop and yourself to every customer and person who you talk to about your shop. I ahve had a dive shop owner who is a big name in my area tell me that I am stupid for wanting to dive in a BP/W and long hose setup for rec diving. I wonder how much business that shop has gotten since that time.

It is simple things like that make me happy. HAve fun and relax this is just live support equipment that people use.

 

[wunat]

A balance between fun, customer-orientation vs profit making.

I know profit keeps a shop alive. But happy customer keep the profits coming in.