What do you think is the worst mistake one can make in sales

In my opinion, I feel the biggest mistake I can make from a sales/relationship perspective is getting someone's name wrong. Not just calling them the wrong name, but spelling it incorrectly in a correspondence, or completely forgetting it in person.

I have a HORRIBLE memory. But the one thing I've learned to concentrate and focus on is getting people's name right. At the very worst, if I DO forget someone's name, I find I normally forget it after the first or second meeting. I've found it's still early enough to apologize and ask the person for his or her name again. I make it work by pointing out that I want to get it right, because it's so important to do so.

What do others think is the worst thing one can do from a sales/relationship perspective?

I would say "Not Listening" is the worst.

I think both of those things that have already been mentioned are pretty bad. Another thing I think of is acting like you are in a hurry. In my opinion that's a real turn-off for a sales person. I've had people act like that to me in stores and it cause me to want to go elsewhere with my business.

I agree with the points made above. I also am turned off by a salesperson who seems to be giving me a rehearsed pitch. I feel that it's impersonal.

I agree Ricardo. I think if a person knows their products well enough, they won't need a rehearsed speech. I believe it's much better to just talk about your products in your own way.

I look through my Avon brochures every evening while watching tv in an effort to know all the products we offer. At my age that's a hard task because there are so many different products!

Originally Posted by ozzie Another thing I think of is acting like you are in a hurry. In my opinion that's a real turn-off for a sales person. I've had people act like that to me in stores and it cause me to want to go elsewhere with my business.

That's a great point, Ozzie. I remember a number of years ago, I was in a shoe store. I was deciding between two pairs of shoes... and they were fairly expensive shoes at that, so I was giving the decision quite a bit of thought. It was about 10 minutes before the store was expected to close, and the salesman tapped his watch and said "Tick Tock... Tick Tock"

I told him I would go to a different store later in the week, one that wasn't going to rush me

I agree with all the blunders mentioned already, but I would say the biggest mistake a sales person can make is not understanding your customers needs and selling them something they don't need. Not only are you not doing your job as a sales person, but also failing to provide your customer with the service they came to you for in the first place.

Mark,

Very well said. I totally agree!

Pam

Originally Posted by MarkS I agree with all the blunders mentioned already, but I would say the biggest mistake a sales person can make is not understanding your customers needs and selling them something they don't need.

And the only thing worse than not understanding your customers needs is knowing what they are looking for and selling them something that does not meet their needs anyway. I believe trust is the most important factor in a sales relationship. Nothing undermines trust more than intentional dishonesty.

I reckon the biggest mistake you can make is to try to sell someone anything before you know what they want.

I've tried to do this in the past...