How many times have you seen something advertised, and would like more information? You make the effort and go to your local store that sells this product. The so-called salesperson walks up to you smiling. You ask a simple question: "How much power does this article use?"

"Err... well I'll just go and ask for you!" or "I don't know"

That is not what you want to hear. It makes no difference whether you are asking a simple or more technical question. How can anyone sell a product without knowing the details of that article? The answer is simple; they do not make the sale.

Instead, you the intended customer goes to their opposition, where you receive sensible replies to your questions. In fact, most times, you never go back to that first shop. You return to one where you received the service you deserve. After all, it is your money; you want to spend in their shop.

Therefore, how do the businesses make their sales? It makes me wonder. This trait of poor salespeople is becoming worse every year. Why not train the person, to understand how the products work. How much warranty, can you connect this to that, type of questions.

How many times have you searched for something in your size and cannot find one. You look around; two women are busy chatting to one another, too busy in what they did last night to see you need help. They lose a sale, because you are disgusted and walk out. You will go somewhere that treats you as though a person. A brilliant example of that was in the movie, Pretty Woman. The salespeople thought the woman could not afford their high-class clothing. She proved how wrong they had been, by coming back to wave all her parcels in their face.

TV's, DVD recorders and High Definition products

With the intervention of modern technology, the average person does not understand all the technical jargon. It is becoming worse every year, as they bring out more varieties of them. They cannot expect you to know if this type of High Tech DVD recorder will work, with that brand of TV. You need to ask these questions. Will it work? What type of performance can you expect? Simple everyday questions the buyer has a right to know the answers. No one can expect the average person to understand how it all works.

Then once you have bought all these great very expensive products, you get the books out. Oh boy, where do you start? You need to be really up with all this, or you just sit on the floor and cry.

After Sales Service

That is where these people come in handy. The good sales people will ask you once you have bought your products. "Do you know how to set this up?" Another simple question, only this time it is your turn to say, "err... not sure." He hands you his business card and says, "That's okay; just give me a call, if you have any problems."

That is what selling is all about. The customer leaves the shop, knowing, that if he cannot set the TV, DVD or whatever up correctly, help is just a phone call away. It is that simple.

Wake up, big and small businesses. Teach your staff to know their products and help your clientele. Give them the type of service, they deserve.

We should go back to the old days when people served and respected their customers.

Now we are treated like second rate citizens and have to serve ourselves. And they still charge top dollar.

If you give Good service and respect, the customers will come back time and time again. This is the best reward of all, in maintaining an efficient business and the customer will also appreciate the good service.

Last but not least - Remember to smile at your customers