Dang it....just cause you KNOW something.....
An older man who is a regular in the store comes in about twice a week. He is one of the smartest people I have EVER met....
BUT
Dang it.....nobody likes to see him coming!!!! He just HAS to say something about any and every teeny thing he overhears, sees or THINKS anyone will listen to. If you are helping a young person pick out something for plinking he will go on and on about his past plinking experiences. If you are helping a couple pick out something for "the house" he will go on about where good places in the home are to hide guns.....just in case. If you are looking at shotguns with a trophey winning skeet shooter he will quote article after article on every type of skeet stance there is.
It ticks me off to no end to have anyone in the store when he shows up and starts his crap. It isn't helpful.....not at all. It just runs people off to have him do this. It never fails. Each and every time....people leave if he starts in on them. Once I said to everyone....."here he comes....I bet he will talk about whatever one thing I mention....no matter what it is." So I went out and said only one word
canteloupe
and just stood there. He took about a minute...and I actually thought I was wrong when I started to walk away....then it happened. The 10 minute long speech on how he had grown them every year for the past 3 years and what the biggest one he had grown was. I know he is lonely...maybe bored...likes guns and we are his kindred people of choice to spend his lunch break. But dang it....just because you KNOW something doesn't mean you have to share.
Selling is like a dance at times. You walk around showing people items and speak with them getting a "feel" for what they might be in the market for. You listen, watch how they react to what you say, watch to see if they handle it easily or look like its giving them germs. To all of the sudden have some guy walk up and spatter "helpful jibberish" is just about enough to grab a hose and walk back into the store and squirt him down at times!
BUT
Dang it.....nobody likes to see him coming!!!! He just HAS to say something about any and every teeny thing he overhears, sees or THINKS anyone will listen to. If you are helping a young person pick out something for plinking he will go on and on about his past plinking experiences. If you are helping a couple pick out something for "the house" he will go on about where good places in the home are to hide guns.....just in case. If you are looking at shotguns with a trophey winning skeet shooter he will quote article after article on every type of skeet stance there is.
It ticks me off to no end to have anyone in the store when he shows up and starts his crap. It isn't helpful.....not at all. It just runs people off to have him do this. It never fails. Each and every time....people leave if he starts in on them. Once I said to everyone....."here he comes....I bet he will talk about whatever one thing I mention....no matter what it is." So I went out and said only one word
canteloupe
and just stood there. He took about a minute...and I actually thought I was wrong when I started to walk away....then it happened. The 10 minute long speech on how he had grown them every year for the past 3 years and what the biggest one he had grown was. I know he is lonely...maybe bored...likes guns and we are his kindred people of choice to spend his lunch break. But dang it....just because you KNOW something doesn't mean you have to share.
Selling is like a dance at times. You walk around showing people items and speak with them getting a "feel" for what they might be in the market for. You listen, watch how they react to what you say, watch to see if they handle it easily or look like its giving them germs. To all of the sudden have some guy walk up and spatter "helpful jibberish" is just about enough to grab a hose and walk back into the store and squirt him down at times!
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Some people just love to hear themselves talk. 0 -
You got one of them too? Ours is a regular also. Great guy, but, DAMN. 0 -
LF...I'm at a loss for ideas/suggestions. But however stoopid this sounds, the first thought that came to mind after reading about your frustration in the shop is the large chain pharmacies...you know, where they have the end of the counter "reserved" with a small walled in area to discuss whatever with the pharmacist?
Wouldn't it be nice if you could talk to your customer in a little nook like that. I know it's impractical, but that's the only idea that entered my mind. I guess it's getting late. Sorry for the ramble. Joe0 -
There is so much information this person is telling you...I can bet that sooner or later you or one of your customers will run into a spot, then a bit of info comes from the recesses of their minds to fix the prob...Lo and behold it was from the guy in the store who wouldnt shut up....Ppl pay thru the nose to get the info this guy is giving free..He has the life experiences, the knowledge, he has been there, done it...Listen to him, you might learn something...
I was born in a small town and we had an old hardware store..you know the kind...walk in and there is everything, and if you dont see it, ask...The owner would disappear for half an hour into the back, but he came out with whatever you wanted...that kind of store....Anywho, to make a long story short, there was a guy who did the same thing as your guy, so the owner set up a table, chairs, and an old coffee pot on an electrical burner....the old gentleman was invited to sit and have coffee and was more or less hired on as a consultant....that man loved that "job"....there was so many happy hours spent, and yes even arguements but the knowledge...my god the stuff that man knew...he knew why it was done and so did the customers, but they all asked for advice or said hi etc...
He died a few years later and the years he spent as a consultant were the happiest he ever spent...He was just a lonely older man, no family, as his career was his life, he just wanted to know he still mattered to ppl...
When he died, he left everything he had to the owner of the hardware store and all that he said in the will to him was "you cared"....The man was Dr. Daniel...0 -
He just HAS to say something about any and every teeny thing he overhears, sees or THINKS anyone will listen to.
What is his Gun Broker user name? I don't see much difference between that guy and the cut and past fanatics we have here who feel the need to share every e-mail they receive, link us over to all the crank web sites they come across, or youtube us.0 -
If you don't want to work in a friendly gun shop where people can come in and share their life experiences, then go work at walmart. 0 -
Lf knock it off before you disrupt the power of the triad!!!
Nature must have it to keep that fragile mix of Know-it-all's...Average folks...and Don't crap form Shinolas in balance!!!
Leave the dude alone or you'll create a Paradox that can't be repaired ...And you'll hurt his feelings too!!!0 -
Likely he's just a very lonely old dude, with a lot of time on his hands, looking for some validation for his years of wisdom, and likely doesn't have a clue how annoying he is being. Or maybe he does, and he just doesn't care.
Gotta be tolerant of the elderly, after all, we should only be so lucky to live so long as to be a pain in the arse to somebody.[;)]0 -
My first thought was "Dang. That retired farmer outside of Keithsburg must have moved to Alabama." I thought of my wifes past experiences. The owner of the office supply store she once worked at was that way. This woman kills her own sales because she talks too much.
I do understand your frustration.0 -
rcrxs old lady
Advanced Member
USA
3743 Posts
Posted - 06/30/2007 : 08:32:27 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote
Likely he's just a very lonely old dude, with a lot of time on his hands, looking for some validation for his years of wisdom, and likely doesn't have a clue how annoying he is being. Or maybe he does, and he just doesn't care.
Gotta be tolerant of the elderly, after all, we should only be so lucky to live so long as to be a pain in the arse to somebody.
+1 an old fella named howard used to hang in the local gun shop down home, didn't have family, and was terribly lonely. the shop owner kinda let him hang around every day. then one day he died. left over 300,000 dollars to the shop owner, in his will it read to my friend[;)]0 -
Bwahahahah 300,000 down the tubes LF 0 -
This must be a novel idea but it works just fine for me. Honesty.
I had a big fat truck driver that was like that. Occasionally he bought something, but was forever boring customers with his endless stories.
I got him alone once and told him:
"Tim, when customers come in, I want to sell them something if possible. How about refraining from taking their attention away from what they are looking at with your stories. This is a business after all and sometimes people get distracted".
He was pretty good after that, but sometimes, I had to cut him off as gently as possible.
The regular "Characters" that come in give the place atmosphere, but bottom line is that you must weigh and correct what is good for the store. Afterall, you are in charge.
Better to lose one blowhard than alienate paying customers.[;)]0 -
I catch myself horning in on conversations, too.
It's rude.
Sometimes, I'll get a firm, "I'll be right with you sir, when I'm finished with this customer.".
That's all it takes to shut me up for ....gosh, weeks on end sometimes.
Then I forget and go back to that World in my head where everybody thinks I'm the absolute font of all knowlege and every word from my lips is an ouce of 24-carat gold wisdom.
It's a cool world except that everyone else who lives there has a problem with their eyes. They keep rolling around in eye-sockets, whenever I speak.0 -
LF - I have been blamed of being that man...he is lonely, and that is his way of loving mankind, sharing his memories, his stories, and so on...if he has an audience, he thinks he is getting some appreciation back.
Send to him the lookee loos, the ones that come in and never buy anything!! He'll have an audience, and they might learn something.
When I was a kid, those old men were sittin' and spittin' and whittlin on the front porch of the Hardware store - you could get them talking and arguin' about nearly any old thing if you asked a question! BUT, if there was a "old farmer" way to solve the problem, often cheaper and quicker, they would tell you. They knew who made the best moonshine, where the best fish could be caught in the County, which Diner had the best Apple Pie, the best Auto Repair shop around, and so on...
LF, pull him aside someday when nobody is around, and have a conversation about this - either you will run him off, or he will become your ally.0 -
Tell him you'll give him that old dinged up Python if he don't come back....I know that would keep me out of your store...especailly if you have the box....[:D][:D][:D][:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
This must be a novel idea but it works just fine for me. Honesty.
I had a big fat truck driver that was like that. Occasionally he bought something, but was forever boring customers with his endless stories.
I got him alone once and told him:
"Tim, when customers come in, I want to sell them something if possible. How about refraining from taking their attention away from what they are looking at with your stories. This is a business after all and sometimes people get distracted".
He was pretty good after that, but sometimes, I had to cut him off as gently as possible.
The regular "Characters" that come in give the place atmosphere, but bottom line is that you must weigh and correct what is good for the store. Afterall, you are in charge.
Better to lose one blowhard than alienate paying customers.[;)]
+1
He may not realize what he is doing. Let him know "as gently as possible" and see where it goes from there.0 -
Hmmmm.
So, that explains why it's a race for me to the front door of our local gun
stores to get in before the lock it and flip the 'OPEN' signs!
[:0]0 -
As him how you can keep out annoying customers or make those people leave....
And listen carefully... and throw him out.0 -
I would never be ugly to him. I've known him FOREVER and I have always been super respectful of people who are in the "retirement" age group. It would be like being ugly to my own grandparent....and I just couldn't do that. He is nice enough and we all know he means well....but this time of year is especially aggrivating.
In the fall and winter months the store is crowded and people are fighting to get the attention of everyone who works there. He can talk on and on without anyone getting frustrated. Right now there are times that there are only one or two people in the whole building......he has you.....there is no getting away. Unless you leave (which they do.)
Now there is a nut job that hasn't been coming in that would speak in a way to everyone that just plain scared you. Dane.....he had problems and I just don't know they were but we thank the heavens above he has been skipping us on his little route.0 -
Ive went in our gunshop a few times, Theres always an older person sitting there, I enjoy sitting and talking to him, he will ask for a gun to look at, sit there and talk about it, then he just up and buys it!
Its really neat sometimes, I like talking to them about stuff they did, though0 -
I understand the problem. I also have no solution. My lady's father is 84. He talks constantly. He does not hear well so there is little opportunity for exchange. Rather he talks all of the time -- butting into ongoing conversations with long stories that do not apply to the prior discussion. He specializes in long dead family members, trips and places back during the 20s-40s, repair of Model T Fords, and cotton farming (the way it used to be).
However, he is a grand gentleman, A WW II vet, his wife passed away about four years ago, he lives alone ten miles from town, he grubs beargrass & mesquite by hand (almost daily) and he is lonely. Even though he is a pain in the behind, I will listen to him and maintain my composure. Sometimes it is not easy, but I do.
Respect of the elders was one things that was taught to me. He will not always be around. In the interim I can listen to him.0 -
I just realized I'm that person. I;ve been trolling around here and yet to buy a thing on the other side. Geez, I'm surprised GB people haven't banned me from the forums. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rcrxs old lady
Likely he's just a very lonely old dude, with a lot of time on his hands, looking for some validation for his years of wisdom, and likely doesn't have a clue how annoying he is being. Or maybe he does, and he just doesn't care.
Gotta be tolerant of the elderly, after all, we should only be so lucky to live so long as to be a pain in the arse to somebody.[;)]
The lady hit the X-ring here.0 -
quote:Originally posted by rcrxs old lady
Gotta be tolerant of the elderly, after all, we should only be so lucky to live so long as to be a pain in the arse to somebody.[;)]
Why wait?
I may not live to be 50, so I'm a pain now.0 -
I may have a answer for you. When you have a customer in the store, and he shows up. Have a person ask him to fallow them to another part of your store. When they get there, Have that person ask him what he thinks about a product you have in that part of the store. Have your employee seam interested in what he has to say and by the time he is done your new customer will have made a purchase and be out the door.
I have dealt with people like him many times before. The key is to steer them where you want them to go with there banter. And they think they are being useful also.
Hope this helps0 -
We have all thrown ourselves on that task from time to time. Its just there is a lot of paperwork that only I do....and if there is one or two customers in the store that is when I try to catch up a bit. Just because we seem to have a "slow" period of time in the store....doesn't mean I don't have a storm brewing in the pile of papers. Its a lot like sitting at a red light when you are 5 min away from being where you needed to be....15 min ago. You just fidget and try to play like you aren't having a break-down. 0 -
LF, the key isn't to get rid of him to make your sales easier, the key is to use him to help you close the sale. Older people are a great resource and their knowledge should be used for the best. Interrupt him while he is speaking and ask the customer a closing question, interrupt this gentleman and ask him closing questions. If you do this right you will have a "customer" that is validating everything you have said to your paying customer. But you have to use your sales skills to properly direct the conversation, if you do it right you will see an increase in your closing percentage, if you do it wrong. well, things will just be as they are now.
I had a customer that was like your friend, he just loved to talk. I had a 5pm appointment and we just sat and talked for hours on end about everything under the sun, except my product. Before I knew it the clock was reading 1am and I said I needed to go but I said to him "I came all the way out here to sell you this product but we never did talk about it, when would you like us to install it", he said "next Wednesday would be great". I made $1,000 in 8 hours by just listening to an old man talk. It was worth it for both of us. He also gave me several great referrals that all became customers, all because he knew that I cared enough to listen.0 -
The best way to solve your problem might be to copy what they use to do in a large gunstore I use to go to in North Carolina. They had a liars corner with several chairs away from the main counters. The old timers would go sit together and tell each other all of the stories and sage advise. If you wanted to talk with them, you could go sit with them. I use to enjoy hearing what they had to say. All they need is an audience and it doesn't have to be your customers. 0 -
YOU ARE LOSING SALES !
I can count 6 or 7 times I went into a gunshop to buy what I wanted ,cash in pocket, but didn't just run up and start the deal. I like to look as if I'm not gonna buy to try to get a better price, I already know the exact gun I want. A little play in the price always helps the deal. Then left with nothing just to get it elsewhere or not at all.
Somebody around you starts the
" What ya really want is...."
"Even better than that is the ..."
"You know that they don't compare too..."
"Well what use ya got for..."
"I can tell ya from experience that ..."0 -
This guy doesn't follow any leads....and he usually doesn't affect the people who are "gun people"....its always the more confused, and new to firearm people he HONES IN on. Like a single mother of three who wants something for her purse.....but hasn't ever carried before. That is the usual victim. We can go hours and hours with just us and a few "usual" customers.....he can talk all he wants without it really affecting anything. THEN....in comes a 75 yr old lady with her sister looking to get something to keep around the home (dogs running around the neighborhood made her nervous) and he will confuse the mess out of them.
The ladies are looking at all of the handguns and I'm trying to lead them in the pump shotgun direction in thinking.....he's going on and on about the benefits of the AR-15 with coyotes!!! Everyone is confused as mess....what the heck IS HE DOING....they end up leaving with the pepper spray I GAVE them just to get them to go and come back later after they have had time to think everything over.0
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