Finding it hard to market to my favorite kind of customer

[johnny]

They are mad at their spouse so they come in to spend too much money to irritate their mate.

Man, I love those. Gotta have a good no-refund policy.

Can't quite get a good spin on the advertising though!

 

[Pangolin]

Johnny - I'd like some of those customers ... if you find a way to get them coming through the door, please let me know!

I'm more prone to the "I want to get this framed for my wife..." 45 mins later we've worked out something he think he likes and then "oh, um, well....no matter what I pick she won't like it, so nevermind..." and then I make sure the door hits them on the way out!

 

[PaulSF]

I had the elderly lady, first-timer in the store, who wanted to pay me when the job (replacing a busted frame) was done, and when I told her our policy requires at least a 50% deposit, she gathered up her stuff and left. No better way of letting me know that I'd have had a hard time getting payment from her when the job was finally done.

 

[imaluma]

I like the mother in law paying to frame new art for the kids new house.... they usually do five to ten at once! As long as you can stand to mediate cause you know there will be a dominance issue, and don't mind a couple of piecework jobs in the mix.

 

[Candy]

And then there is the customer who is "just looking because she can't make up her mind on the first trip." I took time with her, showed her a couple of great frames and BINGO, I had the sale. Most of the time I am not quite that successful.

The other one that I had this week was and Interior Designer. I know many of you will understand when I say that. However, this one took everyone of my suggestions, made quick decisions, didn't balk, and we finished some nice pieces. I complimented her on how easy it was to work with her.

 

[nikfrz]

The interior designers have pretty much dried up around here. Never thought I would miss them.

 

[BILL WARD]

the ones that always rube me wrong come in with an attitude(you pick the kind-doesnt matter), then they start arguing about what they want to do, or even IF they want to do! I starteds telling them to go have a coffee or coke and talk things over & that there must be some form of consensus about what/why they came in and that obvoiusly they didnt have it---last 2 couples did this came back and I upsold them on content/design!!!!!! Absolutel NO reason for you to be in the middle of that stuff! your time is much too valuable to become a parttime referee

 

[imaluma]

the ones that always rube me wrong come in with an attitude(you pick the kind-doesnt matter), then they start arguing about what they want to do, or even IF they want to do! I starteds telling them to go have a coffee or coke and talk things over & that there must be some form of consensus about what/why they came in and that obvoiusly they didnt have it---last 2 couples did this came back and I upsold them on content/design!!!!!! Absolutel NO reason for you to be in the middle of that stuff! your time is much too valuable to become a parttime referee

Bill, I am sorry to disagree. But I just had a phone interview and the subject came up on how to deal with difficult people. My example was about having the ability to mediate customers who don't agree, because people who can't agree either 1. don't buy anything or 2. make a purchase, but one person is unhappy. I personally don't want ANY customers to leave unhappy.

 

[DVieau2]

...... then they start arguing about what they want to do,......

LOL

In the photo lab we had a couple who couldn't decide on which photo or even which greeting to send as a Christmas Card.

They finally agreed to send one card to her side and a different card to his side.

Doug