Ever feel like a "low dollar" customer that your dealer doesn't think worth their time?

Here's a 'non-audio' example for y'all, but it's an example of 'potential client approach'....at least, mine.

It's been a 'working Sunday'...one employ had short hours, the other can't work Wed. & Thurs. (new child, long story)....so we're 'blowin' 'n goin'....

I'm in a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals.

Young guy walks up, baby in sling on chest.

"Is this the playground company?"

Yes, can I help you?

"Do they have a catalog?"

No, we don't since most of our business is from our website or email.  But I'd be more than happy to help you.

"Do you work here?"

I'm co-owner with my spouse. (Who just happened to be walking behind us, 'airing out' our dog after a well-needed bath....)

Hey, he lit right up.  Interested in a 'natural playset' (our specialty)....his spouse and the 3 other children came over in a few minutes, having met the dog and spouse...).

"If you visit our website, I'm positive you'll see what we've done and find something you'll know the kids will love.  We're not inexpensive, but you will get exactly what you want."

Now, I'm not what I consider a salesman.  

But....like audio equipment, our 'product' sells itself.  Or it doesn't.
If you want something from Sams' or Home Depot, you'll go there.
But I refuse to treat anyone like I've been subject to in 'hi end' B&M stores....

Spouse and I walked into a 4 star hotel in S.F. covered in plaster dust after demo'ing walls in our house.
We were in a room within 10 minutes.
Now....that's Service.

Back in 60's , 7o's a lot of young punk rich kids bought stores .
They were that way 24/7/365  .

@big_greg I had a thread once asking about good shops to buy used and someone mentioned Echo Audio. I immediately bookmarked them and surf them all the time. Some of the deals they have there are *unreal* and correspondence has been great. Everyone should bookmark their used page.
    
  @asvjerry
  "We're not inexpensive, but you will get exactly what you want."
  That is the perfect, perfect sales line -- because it's honest and speaks both about your company's integrity and desire to connect with the customer. And it's short.
  And I bet if someone can't afford something of yours, you offer them suggestions even if it might not mean a sale right now.

@schubert , yup.
 And not all survived.  The ones that have been lucky and smart enough to get the right balance of stock and service.

Likely these are the ones that y'all mention on forums like this....

We travel around the S/E, since we design/build/install.  If I'm in a city where there's a B&M store ("Hey, Google!"), I'll drop in...

Usually in our company T-shirt, driving the company 4wd diesel dually.
Typically, I'll just nose about, checking out the wares.  I'll look for that which is mentioned on these pages.

It's what happens while I do that....is what I'm paying attention to.

If I get followed around like it's expected I'll paw at the stock or act suspicious....or get the 'down the nose' 'tude....I'm gone.

If I get engaged in conversation, there's a +.

If I get offered a demo, there's +*X.

The latter is Rare.

I carry a demo CD in our 'lectronics kit, with the 'puter, printer, cables (we 'take over' the 'in room' flat screen, since we're generally 'in town' for a minimun of 2 weeks on an installation)....

That cd has been out twice.

On one revisit, 'we don't demo'.  Different salesperson....

The other obviously didn't like my 'taste'.

This is why I buy online.

hilde45....Precisely. *S*

I've some recognition that we deal in dreams....

"THIS is the playground I wanted as a child!"
"Our kids love it!  And the neighborhood ones' do too!"

We received an email yesterday from a former client for which we did the most expensive residential playset we'd done up to that time.

"We're planning to build a house.  My wife said that either we're going to have to move That playset to the New house...or have another one made for it...."

(We've moved playsets....it's worse than a 4th floor concrete sofa....)

*blink*  I'll call that Success.....on enough levels...*S*

For those who can't afford us, we're happy to advise.
For those who want to DIY, we provide access to that which they can't normally get, or could only get through a contractor....
Better parts.  Where to get the parts for a zip line that's of a better standard than a cheap plastic one...and the proper harnesses and gear to make it safe....and advising of the inherent risk of a zip line that's DIY.

"Don't cut corners or take 'shortcuts'...unless you've Spectacular Insurance."

We build to commercial standards...on everything.

I like it....or it doesn't get done.

I refuse to risk your kids for a buck.

Can't deal with that?

Go away.