Can you be a good sales person if you...?

[HotHolly]

I was wondering about this. Tell me what you think.

Can you be a -->good<-- sales person if you personally would not buy what you sell?
-->the GOOD part is important<--

What do you think? Can a good sales person sell ice to an Eskimo? does it matter what the product is? or if you like it? can a coupon clipper sell luxury goods?

What do you think? Those of you have had a business for a while - feel free to chime in too. In theory - anyone can sell anything if they know how. In reality - I'm wondering if that holds true or falls apart?

[dmcantrell]

I think that salesmanship is a skill that is developed over time. As the skills mature, the link to the emotionality of the product being sold diminishes.

[texkam]

Hmmmmm, .... even maxi pads? ... I guess I could. When I sold athletic shoes I once had a woman comment to the cashier "that guy in shoes could sell me anything".

[CaptainTom]

Have you ever bought a pair of womans shoes from a guy ?

If you mean sell something that is dangerous or defective, the answer is NO.
IF you mean sell something I couldn't afford......... YES.

I'm not a big beer drinker, but .......... sell it, sure.

I hate treadmills.....wouldn't stop me from selling them..

[dracula02]

I think that you have to have that perception for your customers. I don't find it personally fulfilling selling products that I wouldn't buy, and it can come across as "fake" if you do. I find that it's easier to sell someone a "solution" to their "emotional" need.

[HotHolly]

You are interesting people!

OK, we arent talking maxi pads. There arent maxi pad salesmen. Thank God! Think cars, fur coats, lancome, discovery toys...etc. Any place where you normally have a sales person, rep, or a point of contact that sells you the item.

If you think Discovery Toys suck, do you think you could still do as good a job selling them as if you thought they were the best thing for kids ever!

Enthusiasm is a major selling feature. Doesnt it get cut off if you wouldnt buy what you are selling? And I dont mean you like or dont like it, could take it or leave it. I mean, there is no way in a million years you would EVER buy that THING and PAY THAT PRICE. We are in hell no territory.

Could you still sell it as well as someone who loves it and would pay for it?

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I was wondering about this. Tell me what you think.

Can you be a good sales person if you personally would not buy what you sell?

What do you think? Can a good sales person sell ice to an Eskimo? does it matter what the product is? or if you like it? can a coupon clipper sell luxury goods?

What do you think? Those of you have had a business for a while - feel free to chime in too. In theory - anyone can sell anything if they know how. In reality - I'm wondering if that holds true or falls apart?

i would say no, if i dont believe in the product then i can not push it. If i push something i do not believe in then that would be dishonest and i hate dishonest sales people so therefor would not want to be one myself.

However, the argument stands that the customer is always right. So if they are in love with this ghetto item, then its not my place to tell them they should hate it, nor will they be accepting of my opinion to bash theirs, so just hit your key points and let the customers experience be their voice of opinion.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Have you ever bought a pair of womans shoes from a guy ?

I worked at Precis shoes for a good while when I was in high school. Nothing BUT womens shoes.

...and dont even THINK about coming up with some smart ass reply about me buying them.

[dracula02]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I worked at Precis shoes for a good while when I was in high school. Nothing BUT womens shoes.

...and dont even THINK about coming up with some smart ass reply about me buying them.

So did you borrow them

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

...and dont even THINK about coming up with some smart ass reply about me buying them.

Not to be a smart ass, but if you heard girls saying they were comfy, cool, sexy, etc - wouldnt you consider buying a pair for someone? If so, that dont count.

And the question isnt whether you could or not. Of course you could and you might suck at it - but could you be the BEST at it?

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

...and dont even THINK about coming up with some smart ass reply about me buying them.

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Not to be a smart ass, but if you heard girls saying they were comfy, cool, sexy, etc - wouldnt you consider buying a pair for someone? If so, that dont count.

And the question isnt whether you could or not. Of course you could and you might suck at it - but could you be the BEST at it?

your description of best doesnt fit mine. You said sell ice to an eskimo, a good sales men would sell the eskimo the best winter coat and gloves, as well as the boots and scarves that go with everything else. Eskimo's dont need ice they need winter clothes.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Jusselin

your description of best doesnt fit mine. You said sell ice to an eskimo, a good sales men would sell the eskimo the best winter coat and gloves, as well as the boots and scarves that go with everything else. Eskimo's dont need ice they need winter clothes.

selling ice to an Eskimo is an idiom. it means that good sales people can sell stuff to people that didnt need or want it before talking to the salesman. they somehow end up wanting and buying it anyway. Eskimos do not need ice. Make more sense?

another example (a real one) was with my daughter. we were raising mission money several years ago, and selling fudge. an elderly couple walked buy and with her 3 yr old little lisp she asked them to buy 1 bump of fudge. they said they cant eat it. they both have diabetes. they said she was cute and talked to her. she smiled back and carried on a conversation. before they left she convinced them to buy a whole table's worth of fudge they couldnt eat. it was one of the most awesome things id ever seen. it was a classic case of "ice to an Eskimo."

[jtillery]

I worked for a company years back that sold sand to saudi arabi. I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt put on the shipping labels my self.

[QUOTE=HotHolly;1093413]selling ice to an Eskimo is an idiom. it means that good sales people can sell stuff to people that didnt need or want it before talking to the salesman. they somehow end up wanting and buying it anyway. Eskimos do not need ice. Make more sense?

[Jusselin]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

selling ice to an Eskimo is an idiom. it means that good sales people can sell stuff to people that didnt need or want it before talking to the salesman. they somehow end up wanting and buying it anyway. Eskimos do not need ice. Make more sense?

another example (a real one) was with my daughter. we were raising mission money several years ago, and selling fudge. an elderly couple walked buy and with her 3 yr old little lisp she asked them to buy 1 bump of fudge. they said they cant eat it. they both have diabetes. they said she was cute and talked to her. she smiled back and carried on a conversation. before they left she convinced them to buy a whole table's worth of fudge they couldnt eat. it was one of the most awesome things id ever seen. it was a classic case of "ice to an Eskimo."

conversation is the key to sales, you dont have to sell your product, you just have to sell yourself. If at the end of the conversation they feel they can trust you, then they will listen to what you have to say and your words will hold weight.