Article should be titled "How to drive your customers to online retailers."
Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
21–30 of 89 posts
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#22I don't always say "no". An offer of help is fine, that double-pronged question is _really_ annoying.
We all know the salesperson is there to sell. Fine. Being manipulated into a conversation against our will is just irritating. I generally don't go back to such places.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#23For me it started with waiters: a good waiter can really help you figure out what to order, or what to drink.
Instead of staring at the menu for 5 minutes (while your dear friend, or wife, or parent) is right there with you, just glance at it, get a few ideas, and then ask the waiter:
"I'm pretty hungry. The chicken looks good, is it ?"
Or with wine: "I love jammy Zinfandels: berry berry all the way! Do you have anything like this?"
Once you start interacting with waiters in this way, you hea out into the country and go to Big Boy or whatever, and you get this surly, timid young person, and you ask your questions, and they look at you like you're from Mars.
And you realize: this person (probably very nice person), but this person has never really learned what a waiter is.
It's really about interacting with people, putting them at ease, helping them navigate the menu, allowing them to focus on the people they are with. It's far more than just accepting orders and bringing food like a robot.
Anyways: people in retail stores are also like this and you should be able to use them to find better things to buy than you otherwise would.
They can be a great help and smart people will take advantage of their help.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#24I've always liked the stores where the staff simply say something like:
'Hello! Let me know if you need any help finding a size.' (or other relevant offer of help depending on the shop), then leave you to get on with shopping.
I then find it much more comfortable asking for help if / when I need it, and with no pressure, compared with if it's been agressively offered and I've already turned it down, or if I've been ignored by shelf-stackers and am made to feel like I'm interupting.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#25"People wouldn’t (especially men) enter a store just for the sake of it, they want help." I prefer to engage with others as little when I enter a store. I want to find the stuff I want, pay for it, and get out. I'm even willing to spend twice as much time (or more) looking for what I want than I would have if I have go engage with a store assistant. I'm not exactly socially awkward, either. I just hate shopping. I fi…
I feel the same. but it's worth remembering that from the store/salesperson's point of view, it's all a numbers game. No single tactic will work on everybody, but as long as it improves sales in the aggregate it's usually a good move.
Which is just to say that your experience/reaction isn't invalid in any way, but it doesn't mean that the OP can't still be good advice.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#26“Are you after pants or tops today?” – ‘Yes.’
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#27For me it started with waiters: a good waiter can really help you figure out what to order, or what to drink. Instead of staring at the menu for 5 minutes (while your dear friend, or wife, or parent) is right there with you, just glance at it, get a few ideas, and then ask the waiter: "I'm pretty hungry. The chicken looks good, is it ?" Or with wine: "I love jammy Zinfandels: berry berry all the way! Do you have anyt…
Yes!
I almost always ask for a recommendation or tip in regards to the menu items. Good waitstaff will also enjoy helping you and take some interest in making sure you have a nice meal.
True, this won't be the case at most large chains, but I eat there only under duress anyway.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#28"People wouldn’t (especially men) enter a store just for the sake of it, they want help." I prefer to engage with others as little when I enter a store. I want to find the stuff I want, pay for it, and get out. I'm even willing to spend twice as much time (or more) looking for what I want than I would have if I have go engage with a store assistant. I'm not exactly socially awkward, either. I just hate shopping. I fi…
Exactly.
My experience in New York City last year led me to be buying less than I would if just left alone to browse. Even when I said I'm just looking the assistants wouldn't leave me alone. Presumably they're on commission.
Here' some advice - just leave me alone and be available if I have questions. Don't second guess me.
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#29"People wouldn’t (especially men) enter a store just for the sake of it, they want help." I prefer to engage with others as little when I enter a store. I want to find the stuff I want, pay for it, and get out. I'm even willing to spend twice as much time (or more) looking for what I want than I would have if I have go engage with a store assistant. I'm not exactly socially awkward, either. I just hate shopping. I fi…
I often do go into a store with a low expectation to buy, especially if it's a new shop that people are talking about or if I'm travelling and have an hour to kill before my train arrives.
I mean, I might buy something if it really jumps out at me but I'm probably not thinking specifically in terms of "pants or shirt".
Re: Can I help you? Why retail customers always say No
#30For me it started with waiters: a good waiter can really help you figure out what to order, or what to drink. Instead of staring at the menu for 5 minutes (while your dear friend, or wife, or parent) is right there with you, just glance at it, get a few ideas, and then ask the waiter: "I'm pretty hungry. The chicken looks good, is it ?" Or with wine: "I love jammy Zinfandels: berry berry all the way! Do you have anyt…
Restaurants are a slightly different situation. Once you're already in a restaurant, it's quitely unlikely that you're going to walk out without buying something. The waiter (if motivated by tips) has every reason to help you actually enjoy your food.
Salespeople, who are more commonly motivated by commission, have every reason to convince you to buy something whether or not you need it.