Comments for http://www.retaildoc.com The Retail Doctor Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:26:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on In Retail Sales Too Many Choices Equals Just Looking by Danielhttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/retail-sales-training-too-much-choice/#comment-44739 Daniel Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:26:46 +0000 http://bobphibbs.wordpress.com/?p=1402#comment-44739 I needed to buy mouthwash the other day, and the same brand had several choices. They were labeled things like "tartar control" and "strengthens enamel" and "total control." Some were on sale, and some were not. So I was curious which one was "best." I want strong enamel, but tartar is bad. Maybe the "total" does both? Turns out the active ingredients and dosage were exactly identical in all the versions. So it turned out to be nothing more than a labeling gimmick.Second story: I went in to Radio Shack to buy a part for my son's science fair project. I couldn't find the part I needed, so after one associate got back from his smoking break, and after the other one got off the phone (he's going hiking this weekend btw), and after they helped the two people in front of me, I asked where to find the part.He took me to a huge set of drawers with lots and lots of choices. He handed me one and said "will this work" and I (was in a hurry by now) said "sure" and made the purchase. Well, if he had asked "how do you plan to use it?" and if he knew his products (maybe he did), I wouldn't have been back the next morning making an exchange for the part I *really* needed.Could I have been more alert to notice the voltage was too high? Yes. But he could have asked as well, and maybe made additional suggestions. When I made the return, the associate did both. He also gave me a little tip.You gotta ask questions! This also helps when people have found a specific product online that you don't carry. "I'm looking for the X brand Z item" can be redirected to a similar product I do carry.YOU Ask questions so that you can say "This will work for your need." instead of "Let me know if you have any questions." I needed to buy mouthwash the other day, and the same brand had several choices. They were labeled things like “tartar control” and “strengthens enamel” and “total control.” Some were on sale, and some were not. So I was curious which one was “best.” I want strong enamel, but tartar is bad. Maybe the “total” does both? Turns out the active ingredients and dosage were exactly identical in all the versions. So it turned out to be nothing more than a labeling gimmick.

Second story: I went in to Radio Shack to buy a part for my son’s science fair project. I couldn’t find the part I needed, so after one associate got back from his smoking break, and after the other one got off the phone (he’s going hiking this weekend btw), and after they helped the two people in front of me, I asked where to find the part.

He took me to a huge set of drawers with lots and lots of choices. He handed me one and said “will this work” and I (was in a hurry by now) said “sure” and made the purchase. Well, if he had asked “how do you plan to use it?” and if he knew his products (maybe he did), I wouldn’t have been back the next morning making an exchange for the part I *really* needed.

Could I have been more alert to notice the voltage was too high? Yes. But he could have asked as well, and maybe made additional suggestions. When I made the return, the associate did both. He also gave me a little tip.

You gotta ask questions! This also helps when people have found a specific product online that you don’t carry. “I’m looking for the X brand Z item” can be redirected to a similar product I do carry.

YOU Ask questions so that you can say “This will work for your need.” instead of “Let me know if you have any questions.”

]]> Comment on In Retail Sales Too Many Choices Equals Just Looking by Robert Jeromehttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/retail-sales-training-too-much-choice/#comment-44734 Robert Jerome Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:25:47 +0000 http://bobphibbs.wordpress.com/?p=1402#comment-44734 Man this is so true. I never go to the mall. But this past Christmas my wife and I went and had a ball at Penny's. Our son was tickled with everything we bought. They took care of us and we bought what we needed and wanted. Saturday 2/4, we went back to JCP. I need a BLACK suite for a wedding coming up soon. Same thing happened. First we looked, then I asked for help. One hour later I walked out the door with exactly what fit right and what looked smart. And we had a ball. We had to make choices but no brain cells were lost in the process. I make a good puppet, when two women tell me I look great, I will buy. Thank- you JCP. Man this is so true. I never go to the mall. But this past Christmas my wife and I went and had a ball at Penny’s. Our son was tickled with everything we bought. They took care of us and we bought what we needed and wanted. Saturday 2/4, we went back to JCP. I need a BLACK suite for a wedding coming up soon. Same thing happened. First we looked, then I asked for help. One hour later I walked out the door with exactly what fit right and what looked smart. And we had a ball. We had to make choices but no brain cells were lost in the process. I make a good puppet, when two women tell me I look great, I will buy. Thank- you JCP.

]]> Comment on In Retail Sales Too Many Choices Equals Just Looking by Kim Fenoliohttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/retail-sales-training-too-much-choice/#comment-86 Kim Fenolio Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:13:20 +0000 http://bobphibbs.wordpress.com/?p=1402#comment-86 A great sales person doesn't just sell, they provide a service. Your sales should be a service. End game: Be of service and you'll get the sale much easier. A great sales person doesn’t just sell, they provide a service. Your sales should be a service. End game: Be of service and you’ll get the sale much easier.

]]> Comment on In Retail Sales Too Many Choices Equals Just Looking by andy jacobhttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/retail-sales-training-too-much-choice/#comment-85 andy jacob Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:40:25 +0000 http://bobphibbs.wordpress.com/?p=1402#comment-85 Bob I want you as a guest author on the Jacob Report! This would mean a lot of buzz, and a lot of exposure for you! Nice. Bob
I want you as a guest author on the Jacob Report! This would mean a lot of buzz, and a lot of exposure for you! Nice.

]]> Comment on Groupon Review: Worst Marketing For Your Local Business- Case Study by bobphibbshttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/groupon-worst-marketing-business/#comment-44723 bobphibbs Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:08:09 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/?p=6209#comment-44723 Thanks for commenting Lynda. I would suggest you don't look for more deal sites but provide more value to your customers who frequent your business 365 days a year. Thanks for commenting Lynda. I would suggest you don’t look for more deal sites but provide more value to your customers who frequent your business 365 days a year.

]]> Comment on Groupon Review: Worst Marketing For Your Local Business- Case Study by Lyndahttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/groupon-worst-marketing-business/#comment-44722 Lynda Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:58:02 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/?p=6209#comment-44722 I am a business and the Groupon rep lied to me when I was making the contract, claiming I couldn't put any restrictions on or Groupon wouldn't put out the deal, they also said my groupon would be sent to the entire Boston group (it was sent to a small percentage). Needless to say I lost my shirt trying to make the groupon customers happy at the expense of my other customers. I requested compensation and they have avoided me until my contract ran out and now say they can't consider compensation unless I spend an inordinate amount of time copying data and calculating losses over a 1 year period. I will never recommend Groupon and have since used a few other sites that allow me to make the details of the deal and have a much better profit split. I am a business and the Groupon rep lied to me when I was making the contract, claiming I couldn’t put any restrictions on or Groupon wouldn’t put out the deal, they also said my groupon would be sent to the entire Boston group (it was sent to a small percentage). Needless to say I lost my shirt trying to make the groupon customers happy at the expense of my other customers. I requested compensation and they have avoided me until my contract ran out and now say they can’t consider compensation unless I spend an inordinate amount of time copying data and calculating losses over a 1 year period. I will never recommend Groupon and have since used a few other sites that allow me to make the details of the deal and have a much better profit split.

]]> Comment on NRF Retail Trends 2012: Are Bricks and Mortar Not for Browsers Anymore? by Heather Stranghttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/nrf-retail-trends-2012-are-bricks-and-mortar-not-for-browsers-anymore/#comment-44629 Heather Strang Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:22:57 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/?p=13454#comment-44629 Fitting rooms are SO important. I hate the back and forth of buying something, it doesn't fit and then having to take it back. With online it's an even bigger pain in the a** because you have to make a phone call or submit a request and then package it back up and ship it back. If it weren't for fitting rooms, I would never find the right pair of jeans. Or dress! I can't imagine not having fitting rooms. That's crazy talk! :)Thanks for sharing this! HeatherP.S. Hope to see you at GlobalShop 2012! Fitting rooms are SO important.
I hate the back and forth of buying something, it doesn’t fit and then having to take it back. With online it’s an even bigger pain in the a** because you have to make a phone call or submit a request and then package it back up and ship it back. If it weren’t for fitting rooms, I would never find the right pair of jeans. Or dress! I can’t imagine not having fitting rooms. That’s crazy talk! :)

Thanks for sharing this!
Heather

P.S. Hope to see you at GlobalShop 2012!

]]> Comment on 7 Reasons Coupons Shouldn’t Be Used For Your Marketing by Agree? Disagree? Explain. « Auntie Kate The Resale Experthttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/7-reasons-coupons-don%e2%80%99t-work/#comment-44619 Agree? Disagree? Explain. « Auntie Kate The Resale Expert Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:18:42 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/?p=6013#comment-44619 [...] “The retail doc” lists 7 Reasons Coupons Shouldn’t be Used for your Marketing. [...] [...] “The retail doc” lists 7 Reasons Coupons Shouldn’t be Used for your Marketing. [...]

]]> Comment on Blog by The Hardware Connectionhttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/#comment-44571 The Hardware Connection Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:44:40 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/#comment-44571 [...] Bob Phibbs: The Retail Doctor — www.retaildoc.com/blog/ [...] [...] Bob Phibbs: The Retail Doctor — http://www.retaildoc.com/blog/ [...]

]]> Comment on Groupon Review: Worst Marketing For Your Local Business- Case Study by Social Business and How it is Used Today | donmeuthhttp://www.retaildoc.com/blog/groupon-worst-marketing-business/#comment-44525 Social Business and How it is Used Today | donmeuth Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:20:09 +0000 http://www.retaildoc.com/?p=6209#comment-44525 [...] how the business media painted any businesses who hadn’t yet joined the creepy #FF love fests and inconclusive Groupon mega sale sale SALES! Sadly the real strategic message about social media hasn’t gotten all the way to business [...] [...] how the business media painted any businesses who hadn’t yet joined the creepy #FF love fests and inconclusive Groupon mega sale sale SALES! Sadly the real strategic message about social media hasn’t gotten all the way to business [...]

]]>