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WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "SALESPEOPLE" THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Just a few rules for everyone: 1. USE ONLY PLAIN BLACK TEXT 2 DO NOT USE COMPANY NAMES 3 DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED. If you would like chat reminders please send to: LOWELLMA@AOL.COM
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Host_John: Eveing folks
Host_John: be right with you
Host_John: TONIGHTS TOPIC IS SALESPEOPLE
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hrbeckham: Good evening all
Host_John: Evening howard
hrbeckham: so what's up with sales people?
Host_John: how do you like them?
Host_John: I like them to give me advance notice of their next visit
Host_John: this enables me to take inventory and check with staff on our needs and or issues
hrbeckham: I love to have a salesperson stop by to see me...if I have the time when they come by...i like to hear whats new
hrbeckham: most relize our schedule is unpredictable
Host_John: Howard if they come with an appointment I can make more time for the
Host_John: them
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hrbeckham: what I I do not like is the salesperson who just stops in to see the our manager and does not at least stop by to see tall the funeral staff to see if we have any questions
hrbeckham: few seem to set appointments
Host_John: sales people want to see the buyer
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Host_John: Hi Ron
RonHast: Hi John -- thought you were at the ocean!
Host_John: if you know the rep is coming you can have a feeling for your needs better
Host_John: back in Lovely Lowell tonight
Host_John: back in work tommorrow
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RonHast: Did you choose a topic?
Host_John: yes Salespeople
MorticiaNYc2: Good evening all
RonHast: Hmmm.
Host_John: Hell Morticia
hrbeckham: I have been a salesman for most of my working life. over 20 years total in sales....cars, industurial supplies, office equipment...i know how important it is to see the decession maker...but it never hurt to build allies among the staff
Host_John: I agree howard
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RonHast: Many salespeople walk by the help and bring "gifts" and perks to the owner. They forget that those people they pass might some day be the decision maker...much to the salespersons loss.
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hrbeckham: especially in office machines....you keep the equipment users happy and they tell the boss they are happy with your equipmennt and when it comes time for more new equipment you have a big leg up
Host_John: treat all as if they will be your customer some day
RonHast: Very important to acknowledge everyone without prejudice.
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RonHast: Many examples of business lost for focusing only on the present "boss."
hrbeckham: treat every one like they can spend a million dollars on what you have to sell....one day they might
Host_John: I appreciate a heads up that a rep is coming
RonHast: Best sales persons have a very "soft sell" attitude.
RonHast: Quality product, fair prices and excellent service!!!!
Host_John: fewer salespeople now a days
hrbeckham: I was big on trying to build relationships and stretegic partnerships with clients
RonHast: Hard sell and bargains die very quickly.
Host_John: telephone sales are not a favorite of mine
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New_York: Hello
hrbeckham: I would have staied in sells ...but the companies I worked for seemed to always lose their values.....got greedy in many cases.....
Royfuneral: I may be out of the orrdinary but I could care less about the sales person I am buying because of the quality and price of the product.
New_York: All
Tom: Anyone can sell something once but for continued sales you need to build a trusting relationship... believe me I know
POG70: I don't buy anthing from a telephone caller
RonHast: And above all, a salesperson Must have a pure knowledge and understanding of the products they sell. Anyone can thumb through a catalog, and that's what some salespersons do. It is very telling. All they want is a sale.
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hinge-cap: i inform telephone salespeople that i do not do any business with telephone solicitation
hinge-cap: they hang up quickly
Host_John: HELLO NEW YORK
New_York: sales people are pushy
Tom: Telephone people seem to due very well... if they catch the right person at the right time and they need the product.. bingo
RonHast: Quality salespersons listen intently, and talk cautiously.
Host_John: my brother in law or sister in law sells everything they are selling on the phone, this gets them off my ear with no hurt feelings
hrbeckham: that is what really ticks me off about our casket salesman....i haven't seen him in many months
hrbeckham: yet we still mainly buy caskets from his company...other reps call on us begging for our business
RonHast: Sales on commission can be a very difficult challenge. They get hungry, try to make quotas, and get out of line.
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Tom: Lots of sales have to due with timing and luck... maybe the other sales person just pissed them off.. that's a good time...
hinge-cap: hello Kd
KentDorsey: hey ward
Host_John: Hello Kent
KentDorsey: from Lovely Lowell
hrbeckham: I do not mind a phone call from someone I know who does come by from time to time. I still prefer to deal with someone I know
Host_John: you are OK with cold turkey calling on your workplace?
RonHast: Cold turkey callers can be helpful if they are diplomatic. Some don't understand the dynamics of our time -- and think we are rude to turn them away.
KentDorsey: the first question should be, "are you busy?"
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RonHast: So true Kent.
KentDorsey: welcome shawn
RonHast: Or, when is a good time to contact you?
shawn: evening everyone
KentDorsey: I sold hearses/limos 2 days a week...i was a horrible salesman...but you gotta ask if they are busy
Tom: I think it is good to call before you arrive so your not apt to show up at a back time... I do lots of sales by making calls when in the area.. and never see the client because they say it is a bad time... but be ready to show up if they say come on by..
Tom: Bad time
hrbeckham: what I prefer is a letter of introduction letting me know that I will be in the area on certain days, then perhaps a visit from the salesman....a good salesman knows that the easiest thing to get rid of is someone on the phone...but a body...getting rid of a body standing in frount of you is more d
KentDorsey: here's a scenario, you get up at 5am to ride 3.5 hours for a 8:30 appt, during night they had 4 calls...no visit now...
Tom: Beckman, lots of time you can't get passed the body at the front door..
Tom: Recep
RonHast: Not a perfect science, for sure. Being sensitive to situations and polite go a long way (for another visit).
hrbeckham: gatekeeper
KentDorsey: I could drive with a fh directory in one hand, laminated map in another, "do we eat lunch today or call on these two places in Podunk...?"
hrbeckham: that is why you look for another door
RonHast: What do you mean hrb?
RonHast: What other door?
Tom: Now we have Gps's Kent... punch in the address,,, and electonic planners & phones
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hrbeckham: That is when you find an alley to get you past the gatekeeper
Tom: Hey Brudd
KentDorsey: this was 1995-1996, drivin' with your elbows...
brudd: evening Tom - long time no see
KentDorsey: welcome brudd
RonHast: I'd bed for sure that is a dangerous tactic. Pushy.
RonHast: bet
brudd: evening Kent
Host_John: I like sales calls between 10 and 1 Monday - Thursday not in the afternoon or on Fridays
RonHast: It takes time and effort to "establish" a good sales contact. Pure and simple. It isn't a matter of selling something today. It is forming a relationship for a long stretch -- then there is profit and benefit for all.
Tom: Best invention for a salemans is the Phone with a Gps, Address Book, Calendar, Pocket Windows to have all your pricing,,, etc... make you really look prepared...
Royfuneral: How many people actually buy something because of the salesperson? I know I like some of my salespeople, but if there is a better value from another company then I am going to take it!!!
Host_John: I ask the rep: should I wait for your visit or re order ASAP?
Host_John: most want the re-orders
KentDorsey: right Ron, casket salesman always spoke to me when I was lowest man on totem pole at 12 licensee firm, when I bought my own place, I always bought from him...
hrbeckham: I had a salesman send me a copy of an article about me that ran in the Yellow Book paper....a few days later I got a copy of a letter and catalog from the same guy....then a follow up phone call ...a friendly call congradulating me on the newspaper article and at the end asking if I had received th
RonHast: Deep rooted supply resources take a long time to develop. And most who have found those resources, resist others to protect that arrangement.
Tom: Important thing is, John... find our what the customer likes, such as calling on John in Lowell between 10 and 1 on Mondays, and keep info in the computer for later
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KentDorsey: (makes note, call John betwixt 10-1...)
Host_John: excellent idea Tom
hrbeckham: I told him I was not the decession maker but I would help him to be noticed...we placed an order for a dozen urns with him
KentDorsey: right on Tom Rey
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KentDorsey: welcome smoore
Host_John: Hi Sam
S_Moore: hi All
RonHast: This is not a perfect science, for sure. But diplomacy followed up with excellent performance is impressive!
brudd: I always spoke to everyone at a funeral home - decision maker or not - you never knew how much "clout" an employee might have with the "decision maker" in your favor
hrbeckham: howdy Sam
S_Moore: Hi Hr
hrbeckham: brudd u understand
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
Tom: Find out what the customer like and be prepared to talk about it... Flying, Golf, Family, Soccer, whatever... don't start by trying to sell em something unless he is very busy... then cut to the chase
Host_John: GOOD IDEA HOWARD, AGE, GENDER LOCATION CHECK PLEASE
KentDorsey: 45/m/nc
brudd: there are sales calls where you might not even discuss product, or might briefly leave one piece of information, the rest of the time might be spent deepening the relationship
S_Moore: Female So Calif
Host_John: 60, M, Lovely Lowell Massacusetts
hrbeckham: I like to find out what folks in other markets are doing that are helping them with their business
Tom: 56/m/california
brudd: 44 - M - Maine
Royfuneral: 33/m/ma
hinge-cap: 40/m/sc
RonHast: Elderly, still learning.
Tom: looks like ca & ma have the most here
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hrbeckham: M/ Ne Fla / 53
hrbeckham: coast to coast
shawn: shawn 25 m toronto
Tom: Hey Ron, we are all still learning... the more you know, the more you realize how little you know
fd3191: tampa fl 53
Host_John: who is your choice for President?
brudd: Mccain
KentDorsey: Ron Hast
Tom: Obama's going to win... but I like Mccain...
Royfuneral: C. None of the above
RonHast: So true. It bothers me, though, when there is pure fact before us, some don't acknowledge it - unfortunately.
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brudd: Tom you spelled it wrong -- it should be O'bummer
hrbeckham: I am a simple guy. I cling to my religion, my flag, and my guns
KentDorsey: welcome 16G
Host_John: McCain
Tom: Sorry,,, didn't know they counted off for spelling in here
brudd: So Hr, you would understand my philosophy on Gun Control
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RonHast: When Fd's continue to tell families they can't have an open casket for the public without embalming, it opens the door for a knowledgeable person to sue the pants off of them. That day will come.
hrbeckham: hit what you aim at?
brudd: No -- Gun Control means using both hands
hrbeckham: earned and expert bage with rifle and pistol
hinge-cap: how about fh policy ron?
hrbeckham: badge
brudd: good for you Hr
RonHast: The policy is o.k. However to tell them it is because of protecting public health, it is a lie that can be proven time and again, very easily.
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KentDorsey: I had a memorial park today tell a family they could not open the casket at graveside tomorrow...they wouldn't say if it was a safety issue...
RonHast: And then they might have to defend a reason for forming a "policy" -- and they would have no defense.
hrbeckham: I used to be pretty good...may dust off the target rifle to tune it if I ever get the time....some like golf....i like shooting paper targets
Tom: guess we are off topic now.. but I don't understand if it your business and you don't want to have an open casket with an unembalmed body why you can refuse... you have your own personal health issues why can't you inforce them at your place of business
fd3191: Ron If we had stood together as doctors or Lawyers do you think we would be having this conversation
hinge-cap: is that fact or opinion ron?
RonHast: I don't understand your point fd3191.
hrbeckham: many cemeteries will not allow an open casket at the cemetery...two local ones do however
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KentDorsey: what's the point hr? is lowering device/safety issues?
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Tom: What about health issues... at the mortuary
RonHast: hinge-cap -- I don't mean to be insulting, but do you read the information that comes out from authorative agencies on these issues?
hrbeckham: rules are rules
KentDorsey: I am taking church trucks, family said, "we'll open casket, cemetery folks can hide in the bushes and watch us..."
Tom: What if the unembalmed body transmitts a disease to a visitor, you can be sued for that... no win situation
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KentDorsey: welcome diehl fuh
hinge-cap: i do, but in my opinion i do have the right to require embalming for an open casket viewing that is public
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Thank You. This is the first time that I could connect.
RonHast: Embalming is not a cure all for everyone's ideas. Embalming is an excellent method of presenting the decedent in state well through the memorial event. But it is not a cure for disease!!
hrbeckham: we have concerned about Mrsa and Hep
Host_John: Tom most will sign off if you ask
RonHast: In most all instances.
hrbeckham: common as of late
RonHast: Only the embalmer may be at risk cutting in to the decedent.
hrbeckham: there are some cases where we would prefer not to embalm
RonHast: hrb...then your concern may be for the embalmer, not the public that walks by a casket.
hrbeckham: but we would also like to limit the exposure risk as well to imediate family who may already have had contact with the deceased
RonHast: Maybe we need a very visible lawsuit....to prove that restricting a family and their visitors from viewing a body is a health hazzard. Then many of our colleagues will wake up.
hrbeckham: we are concerned about our staff ofcourse first of all
hinge-cap: in my opinion, embalming a remains is similar to a bride showering before her wedding
RonHast: Every one of us rush out on first calls knowing nothing about the cause of death. And who has gotten sick?
Tom: I know put a disclaimer in the register book that releases the mortuary of all liability...
hrbeckham: we have used a vail over the casket to discourge direct contact with the deceased
Host_John: Thanks to education and universal precautions nobody gets sick
RonHast: And what agency cautious this? Remember when they were suggesting full space suits to make home calls? The knowledge wasn't proven then -- related to Aids.
Tom: I going to work on selling some of thoses
hinge-cap: a bride would certainly not want her body odor to become more prevelant at the most important day in her life
hrbeckham: caution and protection first
RonHast: A deceased person is not a transmitter of disease. Not my statement, Dr's and the Cdce says so. Boldly.
Host_John: in the beginning all contagious diseases are something to be afraid of
Host_John: even influenza ?
RonHast: Body Odor is controlled by talented persons in our field, and embalmers. It is not a matter of disease exposure.
hrbeckham: after all it was the fleas that spread the Black Death not the courpses
Tom: Hey you know why bride originally carried flowers... to mask the odor they didn't bath as often and have deorderant in the early days... fact
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KentDorsey: welcome fluidpusher
fluidpusher: hi, all
Diehl_Funeral_Home: That might be true about the black death but where did it come from? The Deceased!!!
hrbeckham: blood born, air born, surface contagious?
Host_John: we can get sick from remains
hrbeckham: from their blood
Diehl_Funeral_Home: It had to come from some place for the fleas to carry it from.
Host_John: eye protection is necessary when in the prep room
RonHast: I presume I'm a persona non grata here now. So be it. But let's keep it honest....not just opinions of those who have no basis for their unwillingness to allow a family the options that are fair and sensible, and supported by health professionals.
Diehl_Funeral_Home: a source....a begining
KentDorsey: loud jazz music, is usually also a necessity in embalming room...
hrbeckham: no Ron, you are welcome here always
brudd: good point Kent
RonHast: Thanks. I needed that. :-)
Host_John: Basing my opions on what I have learned, precautions are the best route to take
hrbeckham: there is nothing wrong with your position on embalming
KentDorsey: Ron, I would feel better about this "discussion" if you would back me up on the jazz music thing...
hinge-cap: I'm honest as the day is long...but, when a case starts decomposing there is nothing that can be done
Host_John: whoops spelling is bad "opinion"
hrbeckham: indeed, enviromental issues are being raised here in Florida by the water treatment utilities asking questions about how much embalming fluid goes down the drain
RonHast: Please understand I have always said; "The art of embalming is our best known method of presenting a decedent in state well through the memorial event." That doesn't mean that other presentation options are not legal, safe and supported by the national health agencies.
brudd: with the rate of cremation Hr - I'd say there wasn't nearly enough embalming fluid going down the drain
hrbeckham: good point brudd
RonHast: What bothers me, is that many funeral homes won't invest in a refrigeration system!! How much do you charge for one funeral? Believe me, you can have refrigeration within the margin of that one funeral to be able to accommodate any situation requiring refrigeration. And many just won't do it. Wh
hrbeckham: we have two fridges a three man and a large 12 place one
Host_John: floor space is my problem Ron
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Ron, Now come on.....there are many funeral homes that don't have the space for refrigeration
RonHast: Good for you! What about others?
Host_John: regulators are over regulating
RonHast: Michael, don't tell me that. Do you know how small a three body refrigerator is? You could put 50 of them in your place and never miss the space!!!
Diehl_Funeral_Home: as well as the need for refrigeration. How often would one use it.
hrbeckham: I was in an older funeral home that had no refrigeration just holding shelves in a side room off the prep room
Diehl_Funeral_Home: and when do you turn it on and turn it off. Do you just let it run without people in it.
RonHast: One does not have to have it, But Have Access To It And Use It If Necessary. Not just leave the body in the garage waiting for instructions. C'mon here.
hrbeckham: funeral director there said they embalmed everybody...even cremations
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Host_John: we can chill the prep room down but not to 40
Host_John: we use dry ice if we need too
RonHast: I have no problem with any funeral director who has access to refrigeration and uses it. But to claim it isn't necessary, is not fair. There are circumstances when it Is necessary, and some don't want to bother with transport or whatever.
KentDorsey: good discussion and good folks...hope you all wrote me in for Vp...best wishes all...
hrbeckham: we keep both running at 40 degrees all the time...rarely not in use
brudd: cya Kent
KentDorsey: and welcome angel
Diehl_Funeral_Home: I don't recall anyone on here saying that it isn't necessary.
hrbeckham: night Kent Please Vote
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Not everything works for everybody.
hrbeckham: true
Host_John: Night Kent
KentDorsey: Thanks John..
RonHast: John. Revisit the issue of dry ice. It is not good. It is economical to use gel ice paks, that work well and mainly after the whole body has been refrigerated to about 34 degrees. It will hold well with supportive gel paks. Very economical -- about $1 each, and you need about seven to sustain a
Diehl_Funeral_Home: I would like to have one but I'm not sure I would use it most of the tiime. Therefore, taking up precious space and just sitting there and not being used.
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hrbeckham: could not find gel packs locally in our area
RonHast: Michael: If you have access to it if necessary, that's all that matters.
Host_John: Will check it out ROn thanks
hrbeckham: medical suppliers do not stock
RonHast: Hrb...look on theinternet. Very much available.
Diehl_Funeral_Home: If in the hospital I leave them there until the need to pick them up.
RonHast: Frozen Gel Paks....commonly used in shipping frozen or refrigerated food.
hrbeckham: we have plenty of dry ice available usually pack it in boxes (plastic lined) for shipping Jewish cases back to the north for burial
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RonHast: You can't find a family for embalming authorization, and it's Friday afternoon. There are Many uses for refrigeration, even after embalming. It is a tool that modern death care requires.
RonHast: Some states require having refrigeration, but don't require embalming! What does that tell us?
Host_John: not finding family is becoming rare thanks to cell phones and voice mail
RonHast: Hey, I Still Strongly Support Embalming. But it isn't an end-all be all for everyone, especially when some communities have the majority of clients rejecting it!!!
hrbeckham: bed time for me ...I know I am a little nutty but please Pray for America please Vote and may God bless you all
Host_John: BACK ON TOPIC NOW "SALESPEOPLE"
hrbeckham: Good Night
brudd: cya Hr
Host_John: NIGHT Howard
hrbeckham: next week
Host_John: I expect my sales rep to know what is selling
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hinge-cap: thanks for that statement ron. got to go. good night all.
Host_John: where are the women sales reps, I see very few woman in our industry
RonHast: Refrigeration stabilizes the natural decomposition of meat. And it it refrigerated for days and weeks, and then we Eat It as aged, prime meat. We need to be careful about what we claim to families that might not be substantiated!!!
Host_John: Night Hinge
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Diehl_Funeral_Home: I don't like salesman to come and waste my time. If they have an update in materials or if they have new merchandise then they may stop but I don't like for a salesman just to stop by and just to talk about his family
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RonHast: Sorry for my rant. I'm just hoping we all can get on solid ground with honest knowledge to help those we are privileged to serve.
Host_John: how would you like them to work out a visit with you Diehl?
Host_John: We undersand Ron and I don't take it as a Rant
RonHast: G'night colleagues. Always a challenge! R.
Host_John: Night Ron
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Call for an appointment. The same way the do at Doctors offices or the same anyone else does. Or, just make a phone call and ask if I need anything rather then just stop to shoot the breeze
Host_John: good to see you
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Host_John: I do like it when they tell me when they will be dropping by
Host_John: I do see a drop in salesmen
Diehl_Funeral_Home: There may be times that I want to see them and I can't be there then I miss them.
Host_John: less and less each year
Host_John: I respect their time
Host_John: they know more about their product than I do
brudd: and hopefully they respect your time too
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Yes, and if they are really good with there job and able to share ideas and new information I like them.
Host_John: I ask about chinese products in their line
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Hey folks I need to run. Have a great evening and thanks for the pleasure.
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Good Night.
Host_John: Night Diehl
brudd: Night Diehl
Diehl_Funeral_Home: Good Night all. Thanks.
angel: Hello and good night D
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Host_John: most are telling me chinese product is expensive to bring in to the US because of shipping costs
Host_John: good news for the american workers
brudd: American workers need good news
angel: Finally
Host_John: OK I think we can agree it is best if the Rep makes an appointment
Host_John: what else would you like to see your sales rep do?
fluidpusher: There is less of a need for salespeople. Used to be you ordered everything from the salesman. Now you call the home office or warehouse and order. I almost never order from sales people
Host_John: how do you learn about products Fluid?
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angel: The sales manager's expectation is that all customers are seen in person so many times per year
fluidpusher: Magazine articles, internet sites, and, yes, from the sales person. They do serve a purpose, just not like it used to be.
Host_John: the reps I see bring in plenty of material and what is on "Sale"
fluidpusher: And if they don't have an appointment or call ahead, my secretary will not let them see me, that is my orders.
Host_John: Fluid how do you communicate your wishes to new reps?
fluidpusher: There are only a certain few I will see. Usually they come around when I am busy
fluidpusher: I may meet a new rep, if I have time.
Host_John: Fluid I see all the reps, refusing to see reps is like refusing new families, in my opinion.
fluidpusher: How much does the sales rep affect whether you purchase from that company or not?
Host_John: if they come on time I have time
fluidpusher: If you do not like the sales rep, do you still buy from them?
angel: No
Host_John: with no other companies out there, we will see skyrocketing prices and lesser options
fluidpusher: I had one make an offensive comment about my wife, him not knowing it was my wife. I kicked him out and have never bought from any company he represents.
Host_John: I have little emotion for the reps, they are service people
angel: I wanted a Toyota and got no cooperation from the sales rep at dealership, I walked out and bought a Honda
Host_John: wow, that does not happen very often angel
angel: Sure it does. Cars are a big purchase so it better be real good
Host_John: we went to a dealership and had to be interviewd for 45 minutes before the guy would show us a car, and the first car he showed us was a standard, we walked off that dealerhship what a waste.
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brudd: I always found it terrible when I knew more about the car than the person trying to sell it to me.
Host_John: he insisted that is factory training
angel: I hate car sales peopple
Host_John: well that should be since you will be the owner
angel: The one at Honda was ok tho
fluidpusher: and some families hate casket sales people (the funeral director)
angel: If you sell caskets like they do cars, then yikes
Host_John: there are a lot of dispointing days at car dealerships, almost eveyrone is a shopper, the rep does all the work and most will walk for ten bucks
Host_John: really do you care about gage
Host_John: or hardwood?
angel: I've never talked a family into anything, just helped them find what they want
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Host_John: todays consumer, for the most part buys on eye appeal!
fluidpusher: yes, John, I agree
fluidpusher: and price, to some extent
Host_John: what is the best looking casket or urn for the money
angel: Kind of like buying a suit
fluidpusher: I just got done with arranging a funeral tonight, family was constantly asking "How much does that cost?" on every little detail
brudd: a sales rep needs to thoroughly know his product line, and that of his competitors
Host_John: commission sales people will do what they can to sell you up
Host_John: if s/he sells me a mover it is good for both of us
Host_John: if he sells me a dog, s/he is done
angel: Fluid, after a while I would have tried to get their money concerns out on the table, then try to work with what they had
brudd: but what moves in your competitor's funeral home might not move in your funeral home. A good sales rep will listen to you and learn about what your families are selecting and then offer caskets to fit those needs
fluidpusher: Angel, money is not the problem, they have lots of money, they were a bit strange, though...
Host_John: brudd you sell different than the other funeralhomes in town?
Host_John: we sell better than our colleagues in town
angel: Sounds like they had some kind of money concern, whether lack of it, or not trusting their own judgment
Host_John: basing that on what the cemeterians tell us
Host_John: if you show it, you will sell it!
brudd: some funeral homes sell mostly wood caskets, no sense to sell them a mid-priced metal that is a "mover" if 90% of their casket sales are wood
angel: yes eventually. Even the Edsel was sold to some
Host_John: we have 50 % wood and 50% metal
fluidpusher: Anyone ever mark down dog caskets just to get rid of them?
Host_John: caskets all do the same thing basically
angel: So do salepeople
brudd: so very true
barry: i've got an art casket i'd like to get rid of.
Host_John: Fluid you mean ugly casket?
brudd: I might disagree with that one angel
Host_John: not pet casket?
fluidpusher: Not necessarily ugly, but not a mover, and you want to replace it with something else
fluidpusher: No, not a pet casket, sorry
fluidpusher: Barry, I had an Art casket for a long time, finally got rid of it. It was a conversation piece, but it did not sell. They didn't make it in my area
barry: the coppers & bronze don't move too fast
angel: They do the same thing, just in different ways. Sales people are individuals and are unique. I just love the managers that want little robots all the same. They give out scripts and want the same shpeel every time. yach
fluidpusher: I don't show bronze anymore, offer it, but don't show it.
barry: very true fluidpusher
Host_John: Yes but the price of the Bronze makes the others look like a bargin
barry: i still get families asking for stainless steel
Host_John: the stainless does well
fluidpusher: I've heard of some who mark up caskets the same amount on each one, not a multiple. Makes for cheap bronze and expensive 20 gauge. Fh makes same amount on every casket
brudd: Before I go into an account with my manager, I fully educate him on what is going to happen when we are inside, and what is not going to happen. I know the account - he doesn't - he can follow my lead
Host_John: the bronze does ok too
barry: that was my dad philosopy fluidpusher, same mark up one every unit
barry: on
angel: Oh I wish I could have gotten away with that.
brudd: my manager is 10 years younger than I am and less than 1/2 of years in selling that I do. He trusts me, and my numbers are good.
angel: As you can tell, I have had some real doozies for bosses. In fact, I have won the lifetime achievement award for bad bosses.
barry: anyone keep a doeskin/cloth covered in the showroom or hammertex. i don't.
brudd: who do you sell for?
angel: Omg barry-- say it isn't so
fluidpusher: I keep cloth and hammertex in storage, not on showroom floor
Host_John: what is a hammertex?
brudd: I used to build cloth caskets
brudd: Hammertex is cheap 20 ga non-seal
Host_John: we have felted cardboard
brudd: finish of the paint is made to look extra ugly
barry: hemmertex has a rough paint finish
Host_John: Oh we show that too
Host_John: we show 25 caskets
angel: brudd, I have sold everything from paper to vault doors over 25 years. I am not involved in sales currently
Host_John: from flat top felted cardboard to the promethian
angel: Wow John, your show room must be big
brudd: I sold caskets from 1987 - 2006, and now am a sales rep in a different industry. I built caskets and delivered them from 1982.
Host_John: Open forum funeral chatter until next time