OK, today, I decided to head out to our local flea market, here in Newport News, VA on Jefferson. I thought I found a steal; a Dell Latitude laptop. Well, the computer looked pretty decent, but the flea market vendor had an attitude from #@l!.
A word of advice: Don't ever repeat the actions of this vendor. He lost a sale, and I shared my experience with just about everyone in the flea market, and now on my blog.
As I was looking at the laptop, trying to check it out, I overheard the vendor speaking to his daughter in the background. She told him that I was looking at the laptop, and may need some assistance. I could hear his response as clear as day. His response was, "It doesn't matter. People come out here all day. All they do is look, and they don't buy".
Earlier, I actually sent my husband alone to inquire about the item. We went to get the money, to buy the laptop; had the money in our hands. But, this time I inquired; not my husband. I asked about some of the features on the computer. He became rude and obnoxious, as if "he knew I wasn't going to buy it anyway". He got in my face & tried to lecture me on how to "ask him for help".
Rules of Engaging a Customer
1. Have a Positive Attitude: You should not be discussing your negative feelings about your sales, your customers or the like; in front of your customers.
This vendor felt the need to express his feelings of dissatisfaction, in front of me, while I was researching his products. Although he was not addressing me directly, it just instantly left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. Be helpful & inciteful. If your customer is trying to figure something out, don't just stand there and watch them. Offer them assistance. This vendor got on my nerves when he saw me trying to figure out his product, and he just gawked at me from behind. (I was watching him from my peripheal vision).
3. Respect Your Customer & Their Personal Space: When you do approach a customer, please do not approach them as if you are heading into the ring for a boxing match. Major turn-off. This was the ultimate for me: the last straw. When this vendor got in my face and became rude & beligerent, I turned to him and told him that I would never buy anything from him, ever. He responded with "Good, I wasn't going to sell it to you anyway".
I know that flea markets have certain reputations; a laid-back sort of marketplace setting, so to speak. But it is still a place of business. I believe the vendors there are trying to sell something, just like we are trying to buy something.
First, it would help vendors to understand the flea market setting; what type of customers you are dealing with, what they want, and what they expect to buy.
As a vendor, please do not go to the flea market & expect to run your table or store, as if it were Wal-mart, or the mall.
Please be aware that people come there to browse, to find hard-to-find products, or products cheaper than what they can buy @ Wal-mart, or even the dollar store, at times.
If you are not making the money you would like to at Flea Markets, then please check to see why. Complaining in front of your customers about not making enough money, is a sure turn-off. Check your attitude about selling @ flea markets. Is this atmosphere right for your business?
These are things you need to decide, because people always remember bad experiences. If you mistreat your customers, they will not buy from you, and, in addition, they will spread the word, for others not to buy from you either.
Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective ways to get your business up & running & boost your sales. No matter where you sell, always be professional. You can be funny, whitty, or a down-to-business person, but ALWAYS be professional.
That's the end of my Flea Market Venture. Take care until next updates on Days in the Life of a Momprenuer
A word of advice: Don't ever repeat the actions of this vendor. He lost a sale, and I shared my experience with just about everyone in the flea market, and now on my blog.
As I was looking at the laptop, trying to check it out, I overheard the vendor speaking to his daughter in the background. She told him that I was looking at the laptop, and may need some assistance. I could hear his response as clear as day. His response was, "It doesn't matter. People come out here all day. All they do is look, and they don't buy".
Earlier, I actually sent my husband alone to inquire about the item. We went to get the money, to buy the laptop; had the money in our hands. But, this time I inquired; not my husband. I asked about some of the features on the computer. He became rude and obnoxious, as if "he knew I wasn't going to buy it anyway". He got in my face & tried to lecture me on how to "ask him for help".
Rules of Engaging a Customer
1. Have a Positive Attitude: You should not be discussing your negative feelings about your sales, your customers or the like; in front of your customers.
This vendor felt the need to express his feelings of dissatisfaction, in front of me, while I was researching his products. Although he was not addressing me directly, it just instantly left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. Be helpful & inciteful. If your customer is trying to figure something out, don't just stand there and watch them. Offer them assistance. This vendor got on my nerves when he saw me trying to figure out his product, and he just gawked at me from behind. (I was watching him from my peripheal vision).
3. Respect Your Customer & Their Personal Space: When you do approach a customer, please do not approach them as if you are heading into the ring for a boxing match. Major turn-off. This was the ultimate for me: the last straw. When this vendor got in my face and became rude & beligerent, I turned to him and told him that I would never buy anything from him, ever. He responded with "Good, I wasn't going to sell it to you anyway".
I know that flea markets have certain reputations; a laid-back sort of marketplace setting, so to speak. But it is still a place of business. I believe the vendors there are trying to sell something, just like we are trying to buy something.
First, it would help vendors to understand the flea market setting; what type of customers you are dealing with, what they want, and what they expect to buy.
As a vendor, please do not go to the flea market & expect to run your table or store, as if it were Wal-mart, or the mall.
Please be aware that people come there to browse, to find hard-to-find products, or products cheaper than what they can buy @ Wal-mart, or even the dollar store, at times.
If you are not making the money you would like to at Flea Markets, then please check to see why. Complaining in front of your customers about not making enough money, is a sure turn-off. Check your attitude about selling @ flea markets. Is this atmosphere right for your business?
These are things you need to decide, because people always remember bad experiences. If you mistreat your customers, they will not buy from you, and, in addition, they will spread the word, for others not to buy from you either.
Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective ways to get your business up & running & boost your sales. No matter where you sell, always be professional. You can be funny, whitty, or a down-to-business person, but ALWAYS be professional.
That's the end of my Flea Market Venture. Take care until next updates on Days in the Life of a Momprenuer
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