Thread Number: 13816
Vacuum Cleaner Biz |
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Post# 146435 , Reply# 1   8/9/2011 at 16:17 (4,635 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)   |   | |
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Customer service. Customer Service. Customer Service. Customer Service. Customer Service.
1>You have to first completely ignore the competition. Sure, big box stores sell vacuums, but they don't sell anything other than a big box. We sell friendship, knowledge, customer service, and personalized cleaning systems for the home. 2> My mother and father paid for everything until I was out of college. Now, it is up to my customers to pay my way through life. I treat them as well as I would my own mother and father. 3> Know your customers well. If I don't know you by name when you leave, then I have not done my job. Its nice to check up on customers' grandchildren, pets, children, etc. Customers like that and they keep coming back. 4> Community service is the best advertising possible. Buy girl scout cookies, support charity silent auctions, donate to churches, clubs, and make a big deal out of it when you do so- customers see that their money is being given back to the community. Most non-profits get free or steeply discounted vacuum cleaners. Those vacuum cleaners have stickers on them that say our name- people see those. 5> Treat every customer like they are your last. If they are green, blue, purple, orange, black white- if they are obnoxious, childish, happy, angry, or talkative- they get treated the same way. Whether someone is coming in just to ask the price of a single belt, or they are coming to purchase a pallet of commercial machines- we treat them the same way. People notice this, people talk, people listen to those who talk. 6> Everything must remain consistent. We don't bash their current vacuum cleaner- if it does not meet their needs, we sell them a new one. If they are in love with their 1992 Elite, we tell them that this is a great machine worthy of being serviced annually- and they agree. Thus, the customer leaves happy. Finally- In a 2 mile radius of my store, we have 5 big box stores (Bed Bath, Target, Wal Mart, Lowes, K-Mart). Compared to last year, the store grew by 500% in new vacuum sales, repair volume, and overall revenue. This was not by accident. Each employee is in charge of building value in the store, and providing top notch customer service. When you put the customer first, your success speaks for itself. Without a loyal following of satisfied customers, no small business will ever stand up in this economy. |
Post# 146496 , Reply# 5   8/10/2011 at 01:10 (4,634 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)   |   | |
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I may add that a true vacuum retail store and repair place normally has a selection of 30-40 new vacuum cleaners. Having this selection covers all price ranges, and usually makes sure you have something for everybody. I'm just not too clear on why any average consumer would want to go into a vacuum store today and buy a used vacuum cleaner.
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Post# 146505 , Reply# 7   8/10/2011 at 06:40 (4,634 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)   |   | |
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Post# 146508 , Reply# 8   8/10/2011 at 07:22 (4,634 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)   |   | |
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Another very popular way to avoid dealing in stuff they can buy online or at big box stores is to just not carry that same stuff. We sell Riccar which is territory protected and unavailable online. Royal is beginning to get very strict about what is sold online, which has allowed us to add to our Royal line. There are several other lines that are protected as well.
Whirlsonicmore- Are you a dealer of any exclusive lines? It sounds almost like you do repairs and have several "reconditioned" and used vacuums laying around for sale. That doesn't cut it for a store today- those stores are a thing of the past. People do not appreciate nor want to buy something reconditioned unless they are on a strict budget. In terms of selling price- a good salesman is capable of building value and selling the product. To sell a $500 product, you must do a $1000 demo. Have you tried offering free service on stuff you sell? Offer complimentary filters for 5 years? There are so many different things that you could do to make your store a success. i'd love to see some pictures of your place as well. |