Guest mk47 Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Would you say its rude to ask a trader (not implying on this forum, but generally) for advice on a certain product or service, but with the intention of buying from somewhere else. I.E. You walk into a shop and see something that you are considering to buy, but you ring a trader you know for advice on the product, and clearly letting them know if your going to buy you'll get it from the shop your in. Is that rude/disrespectful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 You're the consumer so can be as cheeky/disrespectful/immoral as you want - if the trader answers then they're giving information away of their own free will. Let your conscience decide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittyclaws Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 I would say it was a bit out of order, I go into shops and ask about a product, then tell them i'll think about it,, then i will order it online etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffy Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 i go into halfrauds to checkout stereos and speakers then order from somewhere else. they should be cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 If it's done on an open forum then I would say no. The trader gets to tell you and others about a specific product which others may be interested in so it can be a bit like a free advert Still a bit 'cheeky' though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Its not rude, but its generally not going to help your mission for information IMO. I was a salesman for 2yrs+, and I know from other salespeople that if you knew they weren't going to buy, they wouldnt be as helpful, or in some cases answer ANY of your questions. If I were you, and I told them i wasnt buying today - if they still stuck around to help you then I'd be very happy - but 9 times out of 10 they tend to be rude and try to move on to another customer who will give them their commission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 I spend most of time giving advice, when only about 1 in 10 will actually buy (or whatever they say it is!). I think it comes with job! Gaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Thats the main reason I didn't bother having a shop/showroom when we relocated workshops. I agree with Chris though. If it's done publicly, It's not so bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Thats the main reason I didn't bother having a shop/showroom when we relocated workshops. HIJACK Matt does that mean you have moved somewhere else since i last came down? HIJACK OVER Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Yep, but only about 30 seconds further up the road. Directions below \/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Rude, maybe. Accepted in the trade, I'd say yes. As Gaz said, it comes with the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaoriFan Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Yes, I think it is way out of line, expecially when you have other work to do and it is taking your time from that. years ago i used to work in photographic retail (more the technical side), but even so i would have to deal with customers wanting to buy expensive SLR's or video cameras. It didn't look good turning people away, so you had to spend time with them. 95% of me knew they would go to Dixon's in Hastings, the other 5% just hoped they wouldn't. some people were loyal to you, but most are only interested in your expertise and that's it - money talks for them, not common decency. i have rarely ever asked advice from someone unless i will buy from them. unless they are not in retail directly. oh well, too early to be online. ja ne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Walking into a shop and browsing is one thing. Actively seeking someone out for advice when you have no intension of buying from them is very cheeky in my opinion. Mind you, I do often base my decision on who to buy from, on the quality of advice they've given me. If they are willing to take the time, I'm more likely to buy from them. Otherwise I'll go elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Mind you, I do often base my decision on who to buy from, on the quality of advice they've given me. If they are willing to take the time, I'm more likely to buy from them. Otherwise I'll go elsewhere. And that's the way it should be. Sadly, more and more retailers are losing interest in really taking the time to give good advice, as more and more people take their advice and then buy from Ebay or similar. It'll be interesting to see how high street retail and the quality of advice changes over the next ten years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonball Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I have very often advised people against spending money with me on stuff... And advised them to check out other traders who have it in stock... However if you have no intention of ever buying that product from me in the first place I would think that very rude - or at least give me the opportunity to quote for it etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I must confess that in the past I have gone into DIxons to buy a camera and the sales people have known nothing about it - they just read it's fearutes off the box! If I'm buying something expensive I want it to be SOLD to me - I need to be told how great it is and how it will meet my needs exactly and I am usually happy to pay a little extra for this :) I am also an impatient person when it comes to buying expensive toys - I need to be able to pay and play (often unwrapping and examining my latest purchase in the nearest pub LOL). Good customer service counts for a helluva lot more than cheap prices in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 And that's the way it should be. Sadly, more and more retailers are losing interest in really taking the time to give good advice, as more and more people take their advice and then buy from Ebay or similar. It'll be interesting to see how high street retail and the quality of advice changes over the next ten years. Quite - bollox to ebay. Everyone I know who uses that rubbish keeps boring the tits off me with tales of how such-and-such a bit of tat only cost them £2, or how something didn't turn up, or was poor quality. FFS! None of them ever say "I got this thing I genuinely wanted, at a bargain price", it's always a poor subsistute, knocked off, damaged, or just the kind of rubbish that no one in their right mind would buy if had been in a shop... ...And breath... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Walking into a shop and browsing is one thing. Actively seeking someone out for advice when you have no intension of buying from them is very cheeky in my opinion. Mind you, I do often base my decision on who to buy from, on the quality of advice they've given me. If they are willing to take the time, I'm more likely to buy from them. Otherwise I'll go elsewhere. Totally agree. When I was in sales it drove me mad that people would do this. (Clearly I don't have the patience for the job!) Surely people doing this realise you are at work to make money, and that while dealing with someone who does not intend to buy from you, a guy who DOES intend to buy has just walked by straight to another waiting salesman? However, if I did it and they guy was really helpful I may be more willing to buy from there at more cost because I like the person and know I will get the aftersales service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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