I can understand and empathize, Scott, but that response really doesn't
work. The only way to win the high-pressure, commissioned sales game is to
*play* the game. Learn to enjoy it.
I've bought all my camera gear used, mostly at pawn shops. If an item is
grossly overpriced I'll make an offer that's around 25% below actual fair
market value for the item. This allows wiggle room without being completely
ridiculous. The sales clerk panics or looks stumped and has to get his/her
manager. That's a good thing - it means we can get down to business. If I
walk out now I miss out on a potential bargain. I do my serious dickering
with the manager in a friendly but firm way, pointing out fair market values
and whatever flaws I might find with the item.
If the item is priced at fair market value I generally offer 100r so less
(which covers the cost of sales tax), or if it's already a great buy (as was
my OM-1) I'll offer the marked price as long as that price covers sales tax.
Generally I reserve this policy for stores I shop at a lot to maintain
good relations. They've gotta make money too.
You might be surprised how good a deal you can get on any commissioned sales
item if you're willing to play the game. I can assure you from experience
that the customers who sat in the office the longest got the best deals on
cars. I would have been happier if my manager had agreed to the customers'
offers earlier, because the longer I was in the office with one customer the
less money I made. But that's how the game is played. Learn to play it to
your advantage.
BTW, obnoxious behavior might make you feel good, but it doesn't give you
any advantage. I've seen sales managers tell sales people to let an
obnoxious customer go, assuring us that the customer will either be back or
will pay more for the same car elsewhere rather than admit they got screwed.
One dealership I worked for had a sales manager whose brother was sales
manager at a competing dealership. They regularly exchanged notes on
customers who tried to play one dealership against another. Invariably the
customer paid more after leaving one dealer in a huff and going to the other
dealer.
The most effective buyers enjoy the game. They're patient, polite,
stubborn, don't talk any more than absolutely necessary and know what they
want. These are the customers sales managers will expend the most energy on
because the manager knows a deal can be struck.
===========
Lex Jenkins
=====================================================================
"It is a mystery wrapped in a riddle shrouded in an enigma powdered
with a paradox with little shiny sprinkles of bemusement on top."
=====================================================================
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 12:09:33 -0500
From: Scott Nelson <SNelson@xxxxxxxx>
Every time a car salesman has pulled this ploy, I've told them I won't be
there when they return with the "Sales Manager." This really throws them
off their script. I have several other obnoxious behaviors I employ in
response to the standard car salesman tactics since I consider car buyng a
form of low-intensity warfare.
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