Every salesperson has their go-to lines. The lines they think will seal the deal and get them that 3% commission. But sometimes they use their go-to line on the wrong customer and have to quickly retreat, trying not to trip over the tail lagging clumsily between their legs.
And once in a blue moon, you get a salesperson that uses their go-to line on the wrong customer, never realizes their mistake and continues to beat their point into the missed mark.
I went shopping for a mattress the other day and happened upon the latter.
A few clarifying points:
I walked into The Mattress Warehouse and was immediately greeted by a woman in her upper 20’s. I explained clarifying points 1 and 2 to her and she began showing me the various options.
“These are your standard mattresses,” she said as I flopped backwards onto the first bed she pointed at.
Convinced, I got up and was ready to pay and get out of there. Seeing my eagerness to leave, she decided to take a stab and up-sell me on one of their nicer options.
“Before you decide,” she added, “you should check out this bed over here.”
Reluctant but polite, I followed her to her prized possession. And as soon as I lay my head on the pillow came the line…
Saleswoman: “What do you think?”
Alex: “It’s nice, but I think I’m going to stick with…”
Saleswoman: “Watch this!”
(The saleswoman jumps into bed with me)
Alex: “Watch what?”
Saleswoman: “Did you feel anything?”
Alex: “Not really?”
Saleswoman: “Isn’t that amazing? A lot of people don’t like when they can feel every move of the person in bed with them.”
(I begin to get up)
Alex: “Oh I’m not really concerned with anyone being in bed with me.”
Saleswoman: (insistently) “Oh I’m sure you’ve dealt with it some.”
Alex: “Not really…”
Saleswoman: “Well think of how much a girl would like spending time on this mattress…”
Alex: “I’m sure she’d love it.”
Saleswoman: “Exactly.”
(uncomfortable silence)
Saleswoman: “So what do you think?”
Alex: “I don’t think you’re following me. I don’t really need to worry about a girl’s comfort on this mattress.”
Saleswoman: “But she would be VERY comfortable.”
Alex: “No, I get that.”
Saleswoman: “So what do you think?”
Alex: “I think I’m just gonna stick with the first one…”
I made my way to the cashier with the saleswoman right behind me, repeating something about how she just didn’t believe I wasn’t concerned with my mattress’s co-inhabited comfort. I considered pulling out mIphone and showing her my last post to put an end to the issue but decided against it, not wanting to hurt her salesmanship confidence.
As I paid the man at the cash register, he said “Wow this is a great mattress, your girlfriend is really going to enjoy this!”
I retrieved my debit card, looked at the man. Then looked at the saleswoman, smiled to myself and replied…
“She sure is.”
(Image thanks to SWP Moblog)
