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Salesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A Pic
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Salesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A Pic

Salesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A PicCustomer Teaches A Salesperson Some Manners When He Assumed The Customer Couldn’t Afford Their CarSalesperson Assumes A Customer Can’t Afford Their Car, So The Customer Teaches Him Some MannersKarma Gets Served To A Salesperson Who Assumed That A Couple Couldn't Afford The Car They WantedSalesperson Gets Schooled When He Refused To Show A Car Because He Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford ItSalesman Won’t Show This Couple A Car, They Send His Manager A Pic Of A Competitor’s Car They BoughtSalesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A PicSalesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A PicSalesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A PicSalesperson Assumed A Customer Couldn’t Afford A Car Which Came Back At Him In The Form Of A Pic
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Most people can recall an incident from 2013 when Oprah Winfrey, one of the world’s wealthiest women, got told by a salesperson that a Tom Ford handbag was “too expensive” for her – which is a great example of a salesperson focusing on judging the customer’s buying capabilities instead of helping them according to their wishes. Such behavior comes down to crossing the line and treating a person based on assumptions that are none of the salesperson’s business. Naturally, this kind of treatment isn’t helping the business, in addition to being extremely disrespectful and showing poor manners. This Redditor shared a story of teaching one such salesperson some manners.

More info Reddit

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    A couple was choosing between two different car models, but their choice was narrowed down in an unexpected way

    Image credits: AutoTrade (not the actual photo) 

    They tested a Kia at their local dealership and went to test a Ford, which, to their surprise, they weren’t allowed

    Image credit: u/senadi1

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    Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo) 

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    Image credit: u/senadi1

    The couple told a salesman at Ford their budget, but he wished to know their salaries and other financial data

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    Image credits: kia (not the actual photo) 

    As the couple refused, asking to simply test drive the car, the man didn’t let them test it or even see inside one

    Just recently one (un)lucky customer shared his story from some time ago with the “petty revenge” subreddit community, which is all about “small victories over those who’ve wronged you”. This man and his wife’s small victory started with their encounter with a salesman when trying to purchase a car.

    Back in the day, the couple was choosing between two cars and after extended research, booked meetings with salesmen from both Kia and Ford dealerships. The meeting for the Kia Ceed went smoothly, so they happily trundled across to the Ford garage, as they still preferred the Ford Mondeo between the two.

    The second meeting, however, brought some unpleasant surprises. The salesman for Ford, who seemed like he had been selling cars for years, made a snap decision about the young couple in front of him. “John” sat them down and asked about their budget, which they were happy to share. The salesman didn’t seem to accept their answer, though, and insisted that they told him their salaries as well as other financial data.

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    The couple naturally refused to share their private information and only asked to simply test-drive the car, which, to their surprise, the salesman wouldn’t allow, in addition to going as far as to not even let the clients see inside the car, as they were, according to him, “not serious buyers”.

    The couple went straight back to the Kia dealership and purchased the car from them. They also made sure to send the picture of the Kia to the manager of the Ford branch! The response from the manager was quite rewarding, as the manager was devastated, because their margins were so tight at that point, while “John” got a reprimand for losing them money.

    The couple went back to Kia and bought a car there, sending the pictures to the manager of the Ford branch

    Image credits: Gustavo Fring (not the actual photo) 

    The manager was devastated as their margins were so tight, while their salesman received a reprimand

    In his study, Customer-Oriented Selling, Charles H. Schwepker Jr. discusses effective and widely used customer-oriented selling practice, which was defined by Saxe and Weitz as “the degree to which salespeople are trying to help their customers make purchase decisions that will satisfy customer needs”. Scholars explained that such a customer-oriented approach seeks to increase long-term customer satisfaction and avoid behaviors that may lead to customer dissatisfaction.

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    Schwepker suggests that sales managers who wish to implement customer-oriented selling practice should put emphasis during training for salespeople not entirely on outcomes, but on how these outcomes are achieved. They are advised to make sure that their salespeople are aware of and understand the company’s code of sales ethics and ethical policies. 

    Managers themselves are encouraged to take the responsibility of building supportive relationships with salespeople that are based on trust, interaction, support, and rewards of various sorts. Schwepker suggests sales managers make use of their expertise to provide direction and guidance and to lead by mentoring rather than reprimanding.

    Redditors shared similar experiences as well as their take on the situation

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    Aura Vyšniauskaitė

    Aura Vyšniauskaitė

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Aura is a writer at Bored Panda. She finished her BA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She lived in Prague for a few years, where she worked in Trade Compliance at DHL Express. Finally, she came back to Vilnius to continue her studies in Philosophy.

    Read less »
    Aura Vyšniauskaitė

    Aura Vyšniauskaitė

    Writer, Community member

    Aura is a writer at Bored Panda. She finished her BA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She lived in Prague for a few years, where she worked in Trade Compliance at DHL Express. Finally, she came back to Vilnius to continue her studies in Philosophy.

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    Read less »

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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    zak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I worked at a car dealership in my early 20's, and you never know what kind of purchasing power someone has just by looking at them. I've had customers that looked very wealthy end up having credit so bad they probably couldn't get a loan for a pack of gum, and I've had customers come in that wouldn't look out of place at a homeless shelter end up paying cash for multiple vehicles. The simple rule to follow is to treat every customer well, not only because of this, but also because everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

    ConstantlyJon
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The last time we went to buy a car, the salesman at a local dealership was super kind and helpful. We actually really liked a car at a different dealership, but had some concerns about it. Once we were clearly not buying the car we were test driving with him in the back, he had us pull over and just talked through our concerns with us. Eventually he convinced us it was a good idea to go back to their competitor and buy their car, which we did. Super stand up guy. We'll be on the market for another car soon, and he'll be our first visit.

    Riche White
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not just car dealers who treat people this way. We had an electronics store called Fry's, which is now out of business. I would go in wearing my work clothes (in a handyman). Sales people would walk past without even stopping. Come back later in nicer clothes and would be asked if I needed help with anything by almost everyone who saw me.

    The Original Bruno
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See? They even do it to a riche, white guy. Seriously, what kind of an idiot doesn't figure on a handyman being the best kind of electronics customer?

    Load More Replies...
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    zak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I worked at a car dealership in my early 20's, and you never know what kind of purchasing power someone has just by looking at them. I've had customers that looked very wealthy end up having credit so bad they probably couldn't get a loan for a pack of gum, and I've had customers come in that wouldn't look out of place at a homeless shelter end up paying cash for multiple vehicles. The simple rule to follow is to treat every customer well, not only because of this, but also because everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

    ConstantlyJon
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The last time we went to buy a car, the salesman at a local dealership was super kind and helpful. We actually really liked a car at a different dealership, but had some concerns about it. Once we were clearly not buying the car we were test driving with him in the back, he had us pull over and just talked through our concerns with us. Eventually he convinced us it was a good idea to go back to their competitor and buy their car, which we did. Super stand up guy. We'll be on the market for another car soon, and he'll be our first visit.

    Riche White
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not just car dealers who treat people this way. We had an electronics store called Fry's, which is now out of business. I would go in wearing my work clothes (in a handyman). Sales people would walk past without even stopping. Come back later in nicer clothes and would be asked if I needed help with anything by almost everyone who saw me.

    The Original Bruno
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See? They even do it to a riche, white guy. Seriously, what kind of an idiot doesn't figure on a handyman being the best kind of electronics customer?

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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