Left To Each Lunch Alone.

Stone Mountain

Bull sh.... Over the years I have had many customers stand me up. Now, when I make an appointment a few days in advance I call ahead to confirm. Sometimes they STILL don't show. Rarely do they call back, even more rarely do they apologize, and almost never do I get the sale.

Had one last year: 40 miles each way. They call Monday. Apointment Thursday. Call Thursday morning. Go out thrusday evening. Not home. I call on their cel. "Oh ya. Some friends came over and wanted to go to a movie".
No apology, nothing. "Do they want to reschedule? " "We'll Call you"

So I don't believe it.

__________________
Residential Deck Specialist: Vist our Website
www.fenceanddeck.ca

deckman22

I'd give it one more shot. If he no shows again then screw'em. At that point let him set an appointment then don't show, turn it around on him & see how he likes it.

__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

Zinsco

I would say that when I have an appointment with a general contractor, 50% of the time they don't show. Don't get upset, it comes with the turf. I always confirm the night before, which more often than not reveals that they have forgotten the appointment.

Guilt Trip

Lunch is Lunch,
My Rules!
#1. If you bring a Cell phone to my table and it Rings,Buzzes,Beeps or Plays Jazz, You Buy Lunch Period. and That is Explained when we sit down.

# 2. If you try to sell me anything You Pay and I want buy anything you show or tell me about from you.

# 3. If you try to talk about any Job or the Jobs from Hell, You Pay and I may tell you NEVER ASK ME FOR LUNCH EVER AGAIN.

# 4. Let's talk about your Hobbies, Family and Kids , Let's talk Family and Fun.

# 5. Let's Do Lunch
]

user38755

I'm there for work not to be your friend. I have no interest in what kinds of games you like to watch or what your kids do. Either you are interested in what I have to offer or your not. If not fine, get someone that is more interested in looking at boys in tight pants pummel each other than completeing the task at hand. My personal life is just that and none of their business just as theirs is none of mine. Once on the job I will not make sure your dog is in/out or move your motorcycle out of our way to work either, not my job or responability.

BSCi

Seriously? I always let people I'm working with- for, under or over get as friendly as they want. I just control my end of it by maintaining professionalism and letting them be as comfortable and share as much as they want. People generally appreciate that, and it can turn them into repeat customers.

Of course if you're a troll with no social skills, stick to business.

user38755

After the job is sold and we're on the job if they wanna BS ok, fine. But not on the first meeting, it's about the job and nothing more.

Inner10

That would be too easy.

I talk business then find some common ground and speak about something that interests the client. Then the sale is solid.

naptown CR

Ok so you do not want to be sold
However turn that around what are you trying to sell.
People buy things from people they trust and like (emphasis on like)
if you can find a connection outside of the scope of work you will be more sucessful. If not then you will be mediocre at sales at best.

Always mantain a professional attitude and demeanor but finding common interests and playing on them is both professional and good business

And I bet your close rate is 15% or less.
I know, I tried your approach and that's what I was able to acheive.
Finding common ground and BS' ing raised the close rate 10%.
Thats almost 66% more income than not BS'ing.
Think about it.
B'sing good
all business bad
B'sing make more money
not b'sing make less
Where do you want to be?

user38755

If I go to purchase a new vehicle and the sales man wants to BS about the big game last night he/she will not be getting any of my money. Same if they would rather talk about their/my personal life. If they are not able to stay on task and know the information about the vehicle I'm interested in I'll move on to someone that can. The same hold true for the suppliers I choose to purchase from. There are several who want to take me to lunch to BS and one even stopped at my personal home, he was promptly told to never do such a thing again after my wife called to let me know he had stopped. I'm a siding guy, not a sales man or a socialite.

Mike Finley

It's fine for you to operate that way with people who you are writing checks to. But if you operate that way with people who are writing checks to you, I'm sure you are having a hard time with sales.

jmacd

Before this biz I owned a Manufacturers Rep agency for 20 years. I sold products to buyers that spoke to salesmen every day, that was their job. All things being equal the buyer would rather buy from someone they like or connect with than not, just human nature. You have to know when to sell product and when to sell yourself, two very different situations.

TimberTom

I agree with an earlier comment, which said something to the effect of: Why waste time with lunch? Make an appointment at their office and go talk to the guy!