How Do You Dress When Doing Sales?

J-Peffer

Recently, so recently it was today........

I try to keep a clean image, for my company. I want to look professional, prompt, and responsible. I guess it's what I would want, if I were one of my clients.

When marketing to my clients, I want to sell them a quality job at a FAIR price to myself and them. I need to make a profit to keep my company legitimate.

For the most part....I'm very lucky. Most local roofers are missing most of their teeth, drive a pretty bad truck, and will need most of the money down to cover their over drafted checking account.

I'm a good looking, clean guy, I get dirty when I work, but clean up well. I have a nice smile, I'm fairly young (28), put on a company polo, normally white, some nice slacks, and shoes and go meet my customers. I like to meet them to get measurements, go over what they are looking for, get a feel for them.

I was refered by a builder to his friend, he also referred another guy. I met with the lady, went over the plans, a few things were tricky, so I discussed with her how I would like to install in these situations. I met with her friend also, who was helping her remodel the house.

She called to say she was going with someone else, I make sure to tell her thank you for giving us the opportunity to bid on the work, and if you need anything in the future, don't hesitate to call.

I talked with my builder/friend today. He said I might not have got the job, because I was too clean. the other guy is your average local roofer missing teeth.

I don't think it came down to price, I gave her a very fair price.

I know I can't get every job, but I like too! Each time I miss one, I think about what I did wrong a lot, go over it a million times. I know, I should not, but I think it's why I get booked with work also. But am I maybe over dressing? Or trying to hard?

I'm not going to show up in some dirty work cloths, but maybe I come off as looking like the ever so dreaded "SALESMAN"? Maybe just some clean jeans, work shoes and a company t-shirt instead of slacks and a polo?

Would love to hear any insight!

silvertree

Clean shoes, casual pants or jeans, company shirt and in cooler weather a sports coat, brushed suede type or cordoroy. You can't do better than that, I don't think people expect a tie or a wool suit.
A lot has been said on this subject and heres just one thread on it.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/dr...timates-36192/
Use the search bar there are other threads about dressing for work.

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Vote for Pedro
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BreyerConstruct

you'll never win them all.

I was wearing nice khakis and a company polo with dress/Harley boots... perfect for the first apt (18k deck)... overdressed for the 2nd & 3rd (city row deck, and budget reface)...

~Matt

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MALCO.New.York

Neat, clean, SUCCESSFUL and never pretentious.

Leave the Alligator Skin shoes and the Eel wallets home!!!!!

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CrazyTaper

naked as a jaybird

silvertree

But hey, that's why your the Crazy Taper

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CrazyTaper

Are there any NORMAL drywall finishers?

tinner666

I went to one meeting in a bathrobe and dropped it just before I hit the doorbell. Just had on flipflops.

Usually, I dress casually.
I get about 70%, on first meeting.

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

rbsremodeling

Black shoes with white laces are a big fashion no no

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tinner666

Yeah, but when they can't take their eyes off the shoulder rig, they just sign right away to get it over with.

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

silvertree

I think its a tossup who's crazier, the roofers or the tapers. And we let these guys carry weapons too. Frank, just don't ever let me see you scratching nothing with the front site of your pistol, a real weapons man uses a Bowie knife.

Oh wait a minute, is that roofer guy showing a little tit? Where the hell do you live anyway?

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Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
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GregS

Whenever this topic comes up I always remember this episode of Cheers.

Start around 4:10..

+ YouTube Video

buildpinnacle

Company polo, nice jeans, doc steel toe boots. When it's cool, company windshirt. When it's cold, company jacket. When I'm golfing, company visor with several to hand out at the pro shop. I've tried the dockers routine and it doesn't fair well in East Texas.

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genecarp

Like a neat carpenter.

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Danno6102

Clean jeans, sneakers & a nice t-shirt, company fleece over it. Now that it's getting warmer, clean jeans/khaki shorts, sneakers & company polo. If I'm going to meet with them straight from a jobsite I make them aware that I will more than likely be dirty & sweaty. "If you don't mind me being a little dirty & sweaty I can meet with you on Tuesday evening when I get done working on my current deck project on the south side."

antnepi

I wouldn't say anything about being sweaty.

RidgeWalker

I wear cargo pocket type shorts, company shirt, tennis shoes, and a baseball cap and I never go without my sunglasses! lol

But in my defense, I am climbing roof after roof and doing presentations on the spot as well. Comfort and functionality is the priority.

Tinner,

I am sending you some new white T's! The one your wearing has nipple access!

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orson

A pair of chaps with no pants underneath and a cowboy hat. After all, the woman of the house ultimately decides on the contractor.

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Trim40

Do those east coast women fall for that "cheek chiller" get up?

GregS

I went for a quote at a Doctors house today. I was dressed in a dress shirt and pants. When I go back to do the install I'll be wearing my black cargo work pants, black T-shirt and black baseball cap. People tell me I look like a SWAT team guy and that I am very organized.