My wife’s looking to buy a new car – it’s something we don’t
enjoy shopping for. A necessary
evil. So last weekend, we walk into our
local Honda dealership. After a couple
minutes Victor approaches us and introduces himself. All the salespeople are busy he says and asks
if we’d mind making an appointment at a convenient time at which point Victor
says, a salesperson would be available. We’re good with that – and booked our
appointment for 4:30pm July 26.
Couple hours later, I get an email. Victor’s introduced us to Mike, (a
salesperson) and the appointment is set up for 4:30pm July 26.If I were Mike, there are two things I would have done:
1.
Found out
a little more about me and my wife (Facebook/ Linked In/ Social media)
a.
It’s called relationship building – any salesperson
would/ should know that
2.
Shown up for the appointment early
a.
The first rule of sales
Not sure if Mike did 1. above – but for sure he did not do
2. above. Sadly, here’s what happened.
We arrived at the dealership and were greeted by the hostess. Asked for Mike. Received a blank stare. “He’s not here”, we were told. “Umm, we have an appointment at 4:30”. “One moment please”
Hostess returns a minute later. “We’ve called him and he will be here in a
few minutes.” “OK – we’ll wait.”The clock’s ticking. It’s 4:45pm. Victor sees us - comes by and I tell him what’s happening. Our mood is spoiling faster than Usain Bolt can sprint the 100m. Victor calls Mike – Mike’s still on his way. Victor disappears – we don’t see him again
4:56pm – we’re walking out the door of the dealership - our moods are entirely ruined. Mike comes flying in. Apologizes. But the damage’s been done. We’re out the door – on route to another dealership.
Now maybe Mike had a personal emergency – I understand and sympathize. That being the case, there’s phone and email to let me know.
Now, my time’s worth no more than Mike’s, Victor’s – are anyone
else’s for that matter. But one thing I do respect is punctuality –
especially when there’s not a single thing on Honda’s floor prices lower than
$30,000.
Again, due respect to salespeople --- it’s a hard job and it’s
one that I admire and respect. But when
you don’t know with whom you’re dealing and show up late, you have more chance
of making the sale than snowflake has of surviving in a furnace. 
