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Bill the Sales Snob
September 6, 2007

I am a Sales Snob.  That’s capital “S,” capital “S.” Sales Snob.  Because of my chosen profession, I am constantly gauging the effectiveness of the sales people I encounter, whether it is buying a car or seeking help over the phone.  When I enter a store, I start to judge the quality of the staff.  I even consider waiters and waitresses to be sales people and they are held to my high standards as well. Sales Snob.

It’s awful, really, and I cannot help myself.  Sales is so much a part of my life that I cannot do things any other way.  I am stuck. I hate it.  But there it is.

Example:  Over a week ago I made a request to Linkedin, the business networking website for information on advertising my “Trust me. I’m in Sales” T shirts.  I got an email reply just last night.  That’s ridiculous.  If you are that late, how good can your product or service be?  This particular sales rep’s only redeeming quality was her answer to my request for rates. She wrote, “Thank you for requesting information about our advertising program. I am more than happy to walk you through our options but first it would be helpful to hear about your target audience and objectives. Would you have a few moments to speak so I could make some customized suggestions?”  Nice save.

Next month I turn 47 and I feel myself becoming more and more cynical about things like this.  I expect people in the service industries to provide some service.  They need to be responsive and inquisitive and not interrupt.  They need to get back to me when they say they are going to get back to me.  They need to follow up.  If you do that, I will pay your price and we will do business.  If not, I move on.  Call my kooky, but that’s me. 

Posted by Bill Farquharson on September 6, 2007 | Comments (0)