This is so rude.

[timk49]

I manage a video retail store and for the most part it is a great job, I love it. The only problem is the comparison shoppers. I hate them. I don't care if you comparison shop...in fact, in today's day and age I suggest it. I do. But you don't need to come into my store and tell me..."I can get this cheaper at Costco." I don't care! I also get people bringing product up to me pointing at the price and saying "Is this the best you can do? Target has it 5 dollars cheaper." There is nothing I can do about my prices, I don't have any control over them I just put the product out. I also get people who think my store is a swap meet. I get comments like..."Can you cut me a break on this?" Or "Is this the real price?"

So guys...don't do this to shopkeepers. It drives us up the wall and we get nasty.  

I'm trying to think up some responses to these people...so if you have any suggestions let me know. Thanks for letting me vent.  

[k1500chevy97]

Think you need to change your screen name    

 

BTW , I hate it when people do that .  If they know it is cheaper somewhere else then go there instead of bothering you

[RyanbabZ71]

I am seeing this alot also.  I am in the retail business (home improvement) and people something have no clue.  They want something for nothing.  I love it when we have a steel door and they want $50 off cause it has some scratches.  HEY BUDDY its just a primer you are supposed to paint it.  I can look at it and itll scratch.  Or the wrapper is slightly torn can you take off some money.  I was nice enough to offer an oak 6 panel door today for $50 (reg $140) because the oak veneer had a little damage (sandpaper could fix it) they guy laughed at me.  I went less than half price (probably less than cost and he still ddint want it.

 

People as of late are taking comparison shopping to the extreme

[Batgirl]

I manage a video retail store and for the most part it is a great job, I love it. The only problem is the comparison shoppers. I hate them. I don't care if you comparison shop...in fact, in today's day and age I suggest it. I do. But you don't need to come into my store and tell me..."I can get this cheaper at Costco." I don't care! I also get people bringing product up to me pointing at the price and saying "Is this the best you can do? Target has it 5 dollars cheaper." There is nothing I can do about my prices, I don't have any control over them I just put the product out. I also get people who think my store is a swap meet. I get comments like..."Can you cut me a break on this?" Or "Is this the real price?"

So guys...don't do this to shopkeepers. It drives us up the wall and we get nasty.  

I'm trying to think up some responses to these people...so if you have any suggestions let me know. Thanks for letting me vent.  

Oops! See...they got me so upset I forgot to log Tim out. This was my post guys.  Sorry about the mix up.

[SnakeEyeSS]

You want annoying, Try being a cashier at WAL MART!!!!!!!

 

I used to be, and you'd ahve these wierd people who would buy 55 things, have coupons for 35 of them, and ads for the rest of the 20 items. We guaranteed lowest prices, so I would have to do a price override for EVERY item.

 

yes, its GOOD to shop SMART, but I could run though an average of 500 item per hour as a cashier, but when people would do that, I'd slow to around 200, creating longer lines, more impatient staff(me), and angry customers. Some people just over do it, one pair of people didn't realize that 2 bucks isn't worth a few headaches and 5-10 extra minutes in a checkout line.

[Batgirl]

Some people just over do it, one pair of people didn't realize that 2 bucks isn't worth a few headaches and 5-10 extra minutes in a checkout line.

No kidding...You are so right. Some days when people quote prices to me I tell them "Why drive 5 miles away to save 5 bucks when you are going to spend that 5 bucks on gas going to the other store?"...They just don't get it.

[Wingnut]

yes, its GOOD to shop SMART.........

"Shop smart....Shop "S"-Mart."  

 

I love that movie.

[MountaineerTom]

When they ask if "this is the right price?", tell them "oops, I'm sorry, it's not the right price, it's $1.00 more."  

[Batgirl]

When they ask if "this is the right price?", tell them "oops, I'm sorry, it's not the right price, it's $1.00 more."  

LOLOLOL...We did think about useing that one...we just haven't had the chance yet..

[tps0424]

I'm going to play devil's advocate for a minute.  First I want to say that I NEVER try to get a better price than what is marked.  I just don't think it's fair to the staff on the floor.  I know that it's not up to them.

 

However, maybe what the customer is trying to say to you is that they'd prefer to do business with you (maybe you have better staff, a nicer store, more centralized location) but your price is a little higher than they could get somewhere else.  If you pay a little more everywhere you go, it starts to get too expensive.  Or you run out of money before you get to your last errand.

 

I DO go to places I prefer (I like 'mom and pop' type places) because I want to see the small business owner succeed.  I feel like it contributes more to my community to support my neighbor's business than to pay a little less and put money into Wal-Mart's or Home Depot's huge bank account.  I wouldn't mind if the local guys prices were a little lower though.  I also know that when I go to the local store, the person working there is most likely intimately familiar with his products and can answer any question you may have.  That, to me, is usually worth paying a little extra for.

[WEFs99]

I always try to give my business to local small stores instead of Lowe's or Home Depot. Sometmes the price difference just won't allow it though.

[Frank S]

yes, its GOOD to shop SMART.........

"Shop smart....Shop "S"-Mart."  

 

I love that movie.

The name's Ash.....Housewares.

 

I have it on DVD and watch it on a regular basis.

[BlueRado]

    Gee, now we're gonna have to tease Tim about his alter ego!!!

 

Seriously, batgirl, it's a tough situation not to be the lowest price.  I am a regional sales manager for hi-tech industrial and scientific computer imaging hardware and software, and I'm constantly having to justify, for example, why my 30 frame per second video camera is 3x more expensive than one in national security/surveillance firm's catalogs.

 

Basically there's 2 ways I use to deal with how you rationalize the higher pricing w/ prospective customers:  1) differentiate your products based on technical issues - features/benefits from your competitors, and 2) sell the value added approach.

 

#1 may be difficult as you probably sell the exact same brands/models as Best Buy, Wal-Mart for example, but if there is any technical uniqueness, then be sure you're up on it and push the features/benefits.  I am also constantly educating my customers - usually they don't understand the real reasons why a scientific/industrial CCD camera is more expensive than consumer/prosumer models (and trust me, there are legit reasons) .

 

#2 is probably more useable for your situation - and it's no big secret - you probably use it now - is explain what you can offer that the big retailers can't in terms of product knowledge, product feature/benefits, after-sale service/support, etc.  There's nothing wrong with admitting that you're products cost more, but in the same breath explaining that you'll take care of the customer better, know the products better and can thus help them select better for their situation, you'll be there to help them after the sale, etc, etc.

 

Hope this wasn't too wordy, but I do this every day - sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.  I always try to support the local business, but I have to admit, I do shop at Home Depot/Lowes/Best Buy some too.  But I also expect to not necessarily get the best service/support from them, but at times I've gotten superb support from Home Depot associates when I had questions.

 

Hey, if you want more detail, rather than having me bore the world, feel free to PM me.  Good luck, it's a tough row to hoe, but it's possible to get ahead!!  

[DigUout]

You oughta try selling cars and trucks.......

 

"Why is your '03 GMC crew duramax more than the Chevy crew duramax down the street?....I can get this Envoy $1000 cheaper in Pocatello, Idaho....My bank says I should only pay X amount for this used 4Runner.... The other dealership offered me $1000 more for my trade....My Credit Unon can beat that interest rate by a quarter of a point....blah blah blah...."  

 

Since negotiating price is what I do all day, I guess I'm getting used to it, but it is the part of my job I dislike the most.  I don't do this to anyone I shop and buy from, especially Mom 'n Pop shops.  It is rude to put an employee on the spot.  Sorry no sugestions how to handle them.  When they start up with their nonsense, just go to "your happy place" and try to shrug 'em off.  Life's too short to sweat the small stuff -

[Batgirl]

BlueRado..I do use both of those techniques. I tell customers that we special order and our staff has the best product knowledge in town, and Lord knows I can find just about every piece of product in the store, even when it is out of place. Some days it works and they understand and sometimes it doesn't. I am getting used to the comments it's just the occasional REALLY rude one that makes me angry.

Yesterday I was helping a couple and this old man is standing about three feet from us in front of our new release rack and points to I Spy and says, "Target has this movie for $14.99." I took a deep breath, smiled and said "That's nice."  I almost said "Then get the F@*# out of my store and go there!" I really did almost say that...he caught me so off guard. Then he goes on and points to The Ring and says, "They have that one cheaper too." Agian I said "That's nice." and stared him down until he left. I don't think he liked the fact that I just stood there staring at him, saying nothing. I don't really care, he just caught me at a bad time. I usually go into the fact that we are a specialty store and our staff is more educated about movies, but I felt I would be wasting my breath on him.