"I'm just looking." Sigh...

If I never hear this phrase again, it will be entirely too soon. It’s the standard response of the uninformed to the salesman question “Can I help you?” You’re just looking? Great! I was tired of making those pesky mortgage payments anyway! What this answer tells me is that you haven’t taken the time to do your homework, you have no idea what it is you want or can afford, and have given no thought as to the needs of your family. Either that, or you are terrified that the salesman might try to (gasp!) sell you one of the products you specifically came in to see.

What you really want me to do is to give you a guided tour of every coach on the lot, even though you have zero intent to purchase anything in the forseeable future. This is a waste of both our time, since as a person who works only for commission, I cannot afford to spend inordinate amounts of time with someone who is just trying to kill a couple of hours. I am not being “paid” to entertain you. I am only paid when I sell something. If you want information, let me try to assist you. What I won’t do is unlock 20 vehicles so you can look at things you can’t possibly afford and listen to you tell me they’re too expensive. HELLO MCFLY…that’s why they’re called luxury items.

It’s a weak rant, but it’s all I’ve got this early in the day.

Welcome to the world of commission sales! 'tis an ugly place sometimes. When one of your customers spends a ton of your time learning about motorhomes, obviously wants to buy, and then buys one from someone else, you’ll have a much more vibrant rant for us.

Actually, most of the time I end up saying that to people who are trying to hit me up for low-ticket items like a computer game or a DVD. I think I can find what it is I’m looking for, and for $30 or so I don’t know what I really want anyway.

As far as big-ticket items go, if they would just put the window sticker on it with the price instead of having to wait for the saleman who we have no interest in talking to except to get the price (which is, of course, why they don’t put the prices in the window, so that they HAVE to talk to the saleman who will try to divine your intentions so that he can figure out the best sales strategy, and most people hate being sold to) there wouldn’t be a problem. In that respect I much admire Saturn and companies like that. Fact is, if I don’t see a price I walk away and don’t come back. I’ll call you when and if I need you, and not a moment sooner. It’s nothing personal, but I hate dealing with people who try to figure out what they think is best for you. If I want to look at the Cobalt don’t try to tell me that you can get me into a Malibu (I’ve heard that from salemen before).

What I want when I say that I’m just looking is to be left alone so I can continue just looking. When I need help I’ll ask for it. I hate being badgered by salespeople.

Some people just don’t like sales staff being near them, and will search someone out if they want to ask questions or purchase a product. That being their right as consumers, if they just want to browse and not have a salesperson hovering all over them as they try to look around. If you’re too fragile to deal with “I’m just looking” and go to focus on another customer, or go and do some other work, then perhaps you’re in the wrong job…

Yup, really weak.

You know, have you considered that maybe, just maybe, I really do want to get a first impression of the wares on display without a pushy salesperson breathing down my neck? (Not you, personally – I’ve never met yoiu – but plenty of your co-occupationists.)
And maybe, just maybe, I really do know what I’m looking for and what I’m looking at, at least well enough to get that first impression, without being harried?
And maybe, just maybe, if you wait for me to approach you with (I hope) some intelligent questions about what I’ve seen so far, I’m far more likely to make a purchase than if you start pressuring me from the get-go? And I’ll end up taking less of your time?

All of this isn’t you, Chefguy, specifically. But far too many salesmen are over-eager to make that sale and manage to scare away people like me who are there to buy, but hate the feeling of almost plapable pressure.

Learn to recognize the kind of person you’re dealing with. Some will need the additional info and the nudge in order to make a decision to buy. Some, like me, will run screaming to your competitor if you don’t let me take my own time to make up my mind in peace and quiet, dammit!

On preview, pretty much what everyone else is saying… don’t oversell; some people hate it!

Dani

“I’m just looking” is my polite way of saying “leave me alone”. At least in bestbuy/circuit city type places. I know you’re* being paid to help, but right now I’d rather not listen to your speech. I’ve usually done a lot of research online beforehand, and just want to see the object in person before making a final decision, and will come to you if/when I need you.
*The general “you” of course.

Unless you have a sign over the doors reading “serious shoppers only” or somesuch over the doors, then people who are just browsing, but have no intention of buying your product (either today or indeed ever) are an inevitability.

I find it more tactful than saying “Fuck off. I’m not ready to be cajoled and lied to just yet. We’ll probably get there, but first I would like to gather more information on my own. Go back to abusing your substances and I’ll let you know when I am prepared for you.”

No offense intended to you specifically, Chefguy.

I won’t pile on, but I must say I hate being “sold” or schmoozed in stores.

I will come to you when I am ready.

I have been ready to buy a car and have had to sit thru the salesman running thru his spiel (I wanted to look for a wind-up key in his back)–shut up already-I’m ready to deal…

Your job must suck.

sorry.

Perhaps people saying that intend first to have a look at these motorhome things, think their thoughts, make some notes, and decide what they want to ask the nice Mr Salesman before talking to you, and are really, in that way, saving you some time.

Anyway, don’t let it get you down - I had gathered from other posts that the thing was going really well so far.

(Plus, most people will have experienced a couple of really ghastly salespeople in their lives, and will have a sort of learned wariness. Not your fault, of course, but Ibet you can see why some people would do that)

You made me realize that I haven’t taken a good look at motor homes since attending a RV expo in Annaheim back in the 80’s. I drive past a lot every few days, and have noticed that many now come with sections that expand out from the sides, for a roomier interior. Are those driven by cranks, or is there a button I can push? How do they work the plumbing and electrical for those? How fast does it go? Could I use the retraction of the sections to compact campsite trash?
Thanks for the heads up! Now I know what I’ll be doing this weekend. :smiley:

I had a tough time with this when I was buying my car. I wanted to browse car dealerships without a salesperson following me around trying to convince me that for only X$ a month I could have this car with the really cool radio and the sunroof and all of that.

I wanted to look around, get a general impression of various cars which is not always easy to obtain over the Internet (I did homework before I went, but the web doesn’t always give you a good impression of how that car will look/how big it is.), and then when I was ready to seriously consider the purchase of a particular vehicle, seek out a salesperson to go over the details with.

I did not want someone chasing me around telling me ‘This one has a CD changer!’.

I eventually bought my car from a small dealership where nobody bothered me while I was looking, and had made the deal for the car with the owner of the dealership who was more than happy to have let me wander around the lot writing down VINs so that when I went home I could get CarFax reports on the used models. When I was ready to deal, he took maybe a half hour to iron out an agreed on out-the-door price, and then discuss the financing. It was a mucho pleasant experience at that dealership. So much so that my grandmother and my mother later bought their cars there.

Dude.

“Can I help you?” = “Please tell me that you don’t want me to help you.” That’s just a fact of life. You’re selling, IIRC, potentially HUGE ticket items. Your commission is pretty respectable, but your customers are looking at dropping a pretty shiny dime on your products. What they don’t WANT is someone to SELL them something.

Remember, people (apart from my best friend, but he’s an alien) buy based on EMOTION, and justify their decision with REASON. And even if they come armed with information, they still won’t buy your stuff unless they WANT it. You’re not selling houses or cars which, in America at any rate, are as necessary as groceries. You’re selling recreational items that eat GASOLINE. Nobody needs your stuff, so you have to make them want it.

How are you going to do that? Well, the fact that they’re on your lot tells you that they have an interest in your stuff. It may be because they’re veterans of your product and are looking to upgrade or replace something; or they may be virgins who have a vague idea that your product may be just the thing they need to get them on their way to a complete and fulfilled life. So the first thing you need to do is figure out which they are, what they know and why they’re looking at your stuff. If you have the right personality you can come out with a deadpan, “What are you doing here?” (I can get away with that, by the way) or you might try something a little less threatening. Watch them for a minute or two, see what sort of thing they’re interested in, maybe even get an idea as to the level of cometence they have with your stuff, and then approach & talk about something other than the item. “Planning a long road trip?” “What model do you currently have?” “You know, my personal favorite is this basic model over here–I do a lot of weekend fishing trips up near the Komonawannalaya river and I really enjoy being just one step above a tent.”

You get the idea–they expect you to be a salesman who lives on the lot, if you come off as a human being who spends time away from home and work, they will see that you are like they, and so less of a threat. Once you get past that, make it obvious that you are interested in how they intend to use your product. Why indeed are they on your lot using up your time? Listen to them and figure out what they do in their liesure time, and all the while be thinking of a couple different products that can give them what they need.

And yeah, there will always be lookie-loos. But remember, their time is as precious to them as yours is to you. They wouldn’t waste it at your place if there wasn’t some reason for it. Maybe they really are looking to buy, maybe they have a friend who has one and they’re curious (curious = interested), maybe they’ve always been intrigued with your stuff but don’t even realize it. Your job is to get them to WANT your stuff, to make them understand how what you have will enhance their lives.

I’m serious as a heart attack: They will not remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. If they felt like prey, you’ll never see them, nor anyone they know ever again. If they felt like customers who received professional treatment, they’ll come to you when they remember what you said (never). If they felt like they made a friend, or at least someone who had THEIR interests in mind and who made them LIKE and IDENTIFY with a specific model, then they’ll come back when they’re able to be your customer, and they’ll send other people who share their interests: firends & family who are into the same stuff they are to a greater or lesser degree. Please, WASTE YOUR TIME ON EVERYONE. It’s an investment. Unless of course your place is crawling with customers and you make a sale every day and are free to pick and choose with whom you’ll do business.

Yes, commisioned sales sucks, especially if you have a mortgage. ESPECIALLY if that is not your chosen career and you are doing it because your unemployment ran out and you need to put food on the table. However, you must learn to give your customers space, but not too much space. You must strike a balance between ignoring them and badgering them without looking like you are stalking them. A good salesman is like a good waiter: invisible but available to provide service when it is desired.

The correct answer to, “I’m just looking,” is “I’ll be over there if you have any questions,” with “over there” rather close by so they don’t have to hunt for you. Make yourself busy (but not so busy they feel they can’t interrupt), oh, polishing chrome or something.

what he said.

I get that you may have to actually approach everyone. But when some one says “I’m just looking”, why then are you feeling the need to escort them around (the ‘waste my time’ part of your rant). respond with “ok, if you have questions, I’ll be over here”.

and, by the way, far from the customer ‘not having done their homework’, the “I’m just looking” line is them doing their fucking homework’.

I often say it when I am, in fact, just looking.

Maybe the standard response of the uninformed looking to become the informed? I tend to spend some “just looking” time to do some research and thinking, and I don’t want you talking to me while I am thinking. That shouldn’t be so hard to understand.

Just a word of advice–the best salespeople are those who like their customers. I bet all the tough guys you work with like to berate customers, but if you don’t fall into that kind of cynicism, you will reap the rewards. Customers aren’t the enemy, and if you think of them that way, you will lose.

Inigo has some brilliant advice. Look at how he talks about the customers’ needs. Now read your OP. All you talk about is your need to make money. Of course that is important to you, but if it comes across to your customers that all you care about is making money, you won’t.

1.) Salesmen lie.

2.) Salesmen often don’t know what they’re talking about.

3.) The salesman’s best interest conflicts with my self-interest.

In other words, leave me the heck alone. I’m sure these may not all apply to you personally, but they do apply to salesmen in general. If I say “I’m just looking” and you say “Ok, no problem. Please let me know if you have any questions!” then I will come to you with questions and I will come to you for the sale so you get commission.

Otherwise, stay out of the way. I’m not your meal ticket.

The price on a motorhome, while important, is secondary to what it is you actually need to use the product for. Buying one of these things is a huge financial outlay, on a par with buying a house; if you focus on the wrong product, you’re wasting your time. This is not a car lot, nor is it a furniture store. The difference between the stereotypical car salesman and an RV salesman is HUGE. I don’t know of anyone on our staff who uses pressure tactics.

As for getting a first impression of the products, we’re talking about a price range between 10K and 250K. What impression do you think you’re going to get? Gee, that’s big. Gee, that’s purdy.

Airman Doors, if all you’re interested in is the price, then you deserve to get the fucking you get when you buy the product. In my short tenure, I’ve seen people come in and plunk down $100K on a motorhome that is absolutely too big and too expensive for what they are going to use it for. If they had bothered to let someone help them, they would be in something much more comfortable and less expensive. I actually talked a customer OUT of buying a Class A motorhome. It was just completely wrong for what he was planning to do with it. I start at the bottom of the line, with the smallest workable product, and let the customer move up if he wants to.

“Just looking” works fine for buying a book, but being uninformed on a large purchase is just plain stupid.

Most of the people who say ‘just looking’ end up coming back to start asking questions. The others wander around for a bit, end up standing in the lot looking dazed by all the models and types, then slink away without accomplishing anything at all. All the vehicles are locked because of theft and vandalism, so they can’t get inside without me. Leaving them open would be like a real estate agent leaving his houses unlocked. I have much more respect for someone who says “I’m not buying today, but I would like some information about (product).” My response to that is:

What are you going to be using it for?
How many people are you sleeping?
Where are you going to park it?
Where are you going to store it?
What are you towing it with, and what is the weight limit on the vehicle?
What features does it absolutely have to have?
What is your budget range?

With that information, I can narrow down the hundreds of products to a possible few that may fit the bill. The last question is important, because many people have no idea what these things cost. Someone who wants a new Class C with a budget range of 15-20K is about to be disillusioned.

I don’t care if people want to ‘just look’, but it’s largely pointless without a plan, and I won’t participate in guided tours of the lot.

Noone Special: You have some points. Weak, but points. The one that is glaringly off base, however, is the one about taking up less of my time. Time is what I have. Again, this is not a car dealership, where volume is critical. Our volume is MUCH smaller and we are expected to take as much time as needed for a customer to be fully informed about the product. I spent three hours one day with someone buying a $14,000 pop-up trailer; service spent another hour going over the operation of the product after the sale.

Hentor the Barbarian: Regrettably, car salesman have given all salesmen a bad name. I used to have the same opinion as you. Many (most) of the people on our staff were car salesmen in the past and quit because of the unethical practices. I don’t cajole and I don’t lie. I wait for YOU to tell ME what it is you want. It’s been my experience so far that the customer is far more likely to lie about things like credit standing, to give phony phone numbers, and even to give phony names. It’s most embarrassing for them (and amusing to me) when they suddenly decide they want to buy something and have to admit that they gave me a fake name.

Cheesesteak: I’ve seen that already, but it hasn’t happened to me yet. In fact, the customer had the balls to come in and thank the salesman for giving him all the information after buying from someone else. Most people feel no loyalty towards sales personnel, probably because of experience with car sales. It’s a hazard of the job.