Blog » Trader Techniques
Trader Techniques
On a stopover from Europe to Singapore recently and indulging in retail therapy (as you do :o) ) I experienced a range of selling techniques from Singapore traders. Here’s how it goes: Hook the customer in with the promise of a good deal, find a connection point to build the relationship and throw in a hefty measure of charm offensive and sales bartering to secure the deal.
With me the connection point was consistently “where you from, this your first time in Singapore?”….. “(Me) : New Zealand, No I was born in Singapore”…… “Ah, you Singaporean I do you special deal” (yeah right, I think).
Don’t get me wrong, these guys are good traders, really good. In some cases where they didn’t have the model I was looking for the sales technique skillfully shifted to trying to sell me something I didn’t want. Sometimes I let this run to observe the range of tactics used; diss the brand you were looking for, propose different models or brands, try and sell a completely different product, even though I am consistently replying with “No, this is what I want”. So add in another skill to selling…. perseverance.
I reflected on this experience with my husband as we toured around Singapore City. He was tired of the in your face bartering (who would blame him). Typically, I looked it from a biz skill perspective. My take on it was that this is how these guys make their living and they are very good at it. We could learn a lot from the Singapore trader - Hook the customer in, build the relationship, perseverance.
Good news is that I came out with the model I was looking for at a good price, along with some learnings around selling.
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