Job Responsibilities
Greeting the customers that enter the Appliance Department.
Answering their questions about all the appliances and
determining their current needs. Answering many questions about
the appliance's performance and rating as compared to other
models witrh simuliar features. Let the customers talk so you can
determine what they want and if you have the right model that
meets their needs. In order to do that, you constantly research
on line with the customer showing them different models. Show
them the advantage of paying zero interest (delay payment) so
they can fit it into their budgets if neccessary. Close the sale,
get them to apply for store credit, thank them for their purchase
and go to the next customer (with different neeeds) and do it all
over again. All day long, you will have 10 to twenty different
customers everyday. During busy times, you will be working with
as many as three different customers at the same time, letting
one couple think about what you have told them, while you are
answering questions from another couple. The job is keeping one
customers needs separate from anothers without mixing the
products up and sending couple A's refrigerator instead of the
wall oven you were showing couple B.
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Job Requirements
You must be able to think quickly on your feet without getting
distracted by another customers demands that they have been
waiting too long, they are in a hurry, etc. Take courses in
Public Speaking, math (or course), as you rarely have time to use
a calculator. You should take acting classes to lear presentation
and humor to keep the customer's interest and keep them focused
on the products that best meet their needs. Remember, if you
sell them the wrong color, style, etc they will return the
appliance and you will be looking for another job. Perhaps
sourses in interior design will help you make suggestions to the
customers about how to re-design their kitchens and laundry rooms.
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Uppers
Getting people to warm up to me and feel comfortable about their purchase. I am
the company, but I'm NOT the Red Cross, meaning I tell them the price and close
them on financing if they don't have the money at the moment. I sold their
problems and get the sale, keeping my managers happy with my performance.
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Downers
Too many customers wanting help at the same time. Return because
an appliance came in damaged and I can't get a replacement due to
out of stock issues for anothe two weeks away, and they take MY
ideas and suggestions to a competitor and I lose the sale.
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Lifestyle
Retail sales rarely is a 40 hour work week. Many time, (Holidays, CHRISTMAS
RUSH, columbus day sales, etc you are working a 12 hour day all weekend long. You
must wear uniforms now and every salesperson looks alike.
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Compensation
Straight commissions mean that if you don't close the sale, you
get NO PAY. The best sign is you get good at what you do! Stores
will pay you minimum wage if you don't sell, but now for long!
You produce or you're out the door. Full benefits and some stock
options, if you are lucky.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Get as much education as you can. Don't ever think a course is a
waste of your time, as you will use ALL of your skills, ALL of
your talents, everything I have ever learned in college and even
High School comes up! Some drafting courses so I can show my
customers what dimensions they have to remodel their kitchens and
laundry rooms, to Literiture classes quoting palys and scenes
from movies if the customers express some interest and knowledge.
They immediately know that they are dealing with an equal rather
than some slob trying to sell them something.
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