Can you sell ice cubes to Eskimos?

This question came up in another thread. Thought it might be an interesting topic.

Can you sell ice cubes to Eskimos?

Kathleen

Sure, why not?

I was thinking maybe special IMPORTED ice cubes...you know, for the upwardly, and otherwise trendy Eskimo.

In all seriousness, selling "Ice Cubes" to Eskimos shouldn't be as difficult as it might sound. Not too unlike selling "Water" to folks who live on or near water.

If I had to do it I would focus on the "Quality" of the water being used. After all, who wants dirty ice cubes? Yuk!

OK, maybe trendy ice cubes.


But, do you think you can sell someone something they don't want or need? Can a skillful sales person sell anything to anyone? or does it also depend on the customer being disposed to purchase?

In general, "Yes."

In a word, "No."

Something they don't NEED but WANT...YES definitely! That covers at least have of the market out there!

As for something they don't WANT or need, theoretically the likelihood of that seems quite slim WITHOUT convincing them that they DO want or need it.

Therein lies the key.

Uh uh..I see no key here. Please share how you would do that. How do you sell something to somebody who doesn't want or need it? Give us the words.

They "key" is convincing the prospect "that they DO want or need" your offering.

You persuade them to hold a different viewpoint.