Shopsmith Demo Experience

[JPG]

Unfortunately such individuals do represent Shopsmith, regardless of their pay arrangement, and are the worst possible PR for a company that needs positive PR and exposure.

Imagine if you went in a car dealership and were greeted with the same question and response - I don't think they would sell nearly as many cars. My response to such a question from any salesman would be "no, I'm not buying anything today" and it's then their job to convince and persuade me otherwise.

Oh I totally agree!

Tis a salesman's job to convince a 'potential' buyer to do so, not merely be an order taker.

That convincing is the reason for 'demos', otherwise online sales would suffice at a far lower cost and the salesman would be superfluous.

Also consider that this is a major purchase and 'impulse' purchases are not as likely as in an earlier age. Like cars, look now, buy later!


Dusty: Got a red shirt/jacket/hat/belt buckle to wear to the demo?:rolleyes: Showdown indeed!:D:D:D

[tomsalwasser]

I went with another Forum member to visit the Shopsmith PowerPro demo at Lowes in Lakeland, FL on Friday. What an experience.

I'll bet Mike Young trained this presenter in rude sales tactics.

[dusty]

I'll bet Mike Young trained this presenter in rude sales tactics.

Mike can be abrasive at times but I have never known him to be rude and I've certainly never witnessed him asking someone to leave a demo area because they were not going to buy something. Mike is too much a "salesman" to do that. He certainly can't sell you something when you are gone.

[joshh]

When you go to the demo in Tucson...

If the salesman is an ass there also, you should linger and refer people to the discount they can get through Doug Reid

Let the demonstrator make a sale then convince the buyer Doug is better to "order" through.

[dusty]

When you go to the demo in Tucson...

If the salesman is an ass there also, you should linger and refer people to the discount they can get through Doug Reid

Let the demonstrator make a sale then convince the buyer Doug is better to "order" through.

I'm not going there with any preconceived ideas of how to handle this demonstrator. I am simply prewarned; it will not catch me off guard.

[mgbbob]

The presenter here in the Kansas City area this year was Dave Folkerth. He did a great job. He had just sold a unit to a person and was tied up for a while doing paperwork. He appologived and i explained that I was a looker not a buyer, at least this year.

I took my 36 year old son along. He had lots of great questions once the demo got started and was impressed with the machine.

Dave did say he works on commission and gave me a card and ask that if I decided to buy to give him a call.

I guess if you are your own boss you can treat potential customers any way you want as long and you realize the customers are sometimes a long time coming.
Bob

[JPG]

The presenter here in the Kansas City area this year was Dave Folkerth. He did a great job. He had just sold a unit to a person and was tied up for a while doing paperwork. He appologived and i explained that I was a looker not a buyer, at least this year.

I took my 36 year old son along. He had lots of great questions once the demo got started and was impressed with the machine.

Dave did say he works on commission and gave me a card and ask that if I decided to buy to give him a call.

I guess if you are your own boss you can treat potential customers any way you want as long and you realize the customers are sometimes a long time coming.
Bob

Dave was in Lexington a while back and I spent a short spell with him. He was agreeable to answer all my questions(warn't very many:p).

I was upfront re purchasing that day, and my current herd of SS. He also requested I call him when the time comes!

He also pulled my chain by saying Smith was his middle name.

I needled him re some 'surplus' parts he sold to me on e-bay.

There was no one else interested in why he was there when I was there!

Yes he did 'encourage' me to 'buy that day'.

WHEN I'se ready, he WILL get a call from me!:)

[billmayo]

The last Shopsmith demo presenter here in the Tampa was Dave Folkerth. Outstanding gentleman and was eager to discuss about any Shopsmith topic with us. I am sure most know he is Robert's younger brother. I had excellant dealings with him when Shopsmith closed their warehouse. That was why this last demo in Lakeland was such a shock to me to where I could only walk away dazed.

[Ed in Tampa]

Hey that was about the same behavior as the last manager Shopsmith had in their store here in Tampa. When I called Shopsmith to let them know they had a problem here in Tampa, I was told by their regional sales manager (I think that was his title at the time) that I didn't understand marketing.

He sure must have since they had to close the store about 6 months later.

Before that two of the greatest guys in the world managed the store. One was a retired demo'er and the other was retire shop teacher. Both great guys that know customer service.

[Ed in Tampa]

The last Shopsmith demo presenter here in the Tampa was Dave Folkerth. Outstanding gentleman and was eager to discuss about any Shopsmith topic with us. I am sure most know he is Robert's younger brother. I had excellant dealings with him when Shopsmith closed their warehouse. That was why this last demo in Lakeland was such a shock to me to where I could only walk away dazed.

You are right Bill I was there with you that time and Dave was more than willing to spend some time with us. I was thinking about going to Lakeland but I had a full weekend of honey do's