I walked out of the HHgregg store disgusted. The salesman had just assured I’d never walk into that store ever again. How dumb. I’ll never shop at HHgregg again, ever.
I don’t care what discounts or coupons they may have in the future. One employee, with one horrible sales tactic and personality destroyed their brand for me. That’s how easy it is to do. Scary, huh? Remember, here I am now blogging about it to potentially millions of people, and I will tell my story to every single person I meet for the rest of my life. Bad word of mouth is not good for your brand.
For the full story, watch the video below. Suffice it to say, I have some harsh lessons for bad salespeople and for the brands that employ those people. This is why it’s so important to hire the right people, who understand your brand and who won’t work to destroy it.
Have you experienced bad sales teams? Have you written off entire brands because of people like this? I’d like to hear about it if so.
We need more detail on what the bad salesperson did and said — you were too brief on that. What exactly happened?
Isn't it amazing how dumb salespeople can be?!
I never shop in Circuit City because I have had a few bad experiences where I did not get help because I'm a woman and shop w/ a kid w/ me. Seriously. Twice got completely ignored. Once, they asked if I was bringing in my husband. What, are you serious?! Those salespeople would pee in their pants if they knew the limit on my Visa card. And the fact that besides what car my husband drives and our TV, I make all of the other purchase decisions for our household. And dude, it's 2008!
Whatever, I shop online most of the time, at BestBuy, and a few other department stores. (at Macy's where we bought our mattress the salesperson bonded with my daughter and they were even hugging at the end. let me tell you, that went far w/ me)
~ Elizabeth
“Those salespeople would pee in their pants if they knew the limit on my Visa card.”
Haha, that is the line of the century!
We told him we were going to check out some other stores and prices and he turned into a total douche. Like we were wasting his time. Instead of trying to reassure us, he just gave up on us and tried to guilt us into buying from him. Pathetic.
Bad analogy. A waitress isn't a persuader. He/she isn't a voice of the company. Waiters take your order and bring it to you.
Not only salespeople. but anyone in an organization or company that speaks to a customer becomes the customer service rep of that company. I've experienced it done well with a Geek Squad guy at a Best Buy that saved the sale from another guy I wanted to slap, and I've experienced outrageous disasters with the SBA ( Small Business Administration). To this day, I tell small business owners if they want a bunch of green college kids to critique their business plans, or get belittled by government executives then give the SBA a call. However, if you want to start a successful business then be an entrepreneur and work it.
Jim,
I know which HH Gregg you are talking about. (Ridge and Brookpark.) The only reason I shop there is because I have a college buddy of mine who works there and he gives me a break. If he didn't work there, I honestly would not shop there for the same reasons that you have.
Pretty funny. You're exactly correct on the location.
Very true about customer service people too.
Jim, what can I say except that I don't think I can be quite as harsh as you by writing of a whole company because of one stupid ignorant sales person. What of all the other sales people that work there whose standards may well be exceptional, and what have you proved other than you can throw around a lot of weight.
That sales person is still working there and the bosses are probably oblivious of his moronic techniques. Unless you made a point of seeing management and telling them how they are losing business because of their sales staff's techniques, especially one in particular, how can they ever hope to improve their interaction with the public.
I used to be a salesman and the way that wanker acted in regards to you wanting to shop around was definitely the wrong thing to do and whilst you have every right not to go there again, I personally would have given them another shot.
And I suppose you would never go back to Applebees if you had a bad waitress once?
I get that this turned you off but you would think with your implied business background you would realize that one person is just that — one person. To sware off a company because of how one person behaved one time is a litte short sighted. A good company can probably weed out folks like that from working there for long.
You're a better consumer than I am. I admit I'm being a bit jumpy by blaming the entire company. That's just how I am. I will say this… It all starts from the top person. A company tone is set from that person. I consider it the top sales person's job to ensure that doesn't happen.
That may be true of a small company, and being an Aussie I am not at all familiar with the mob you were dealing with but it seems to be a large firm. Tell you the truth Jim I would have much preferred that you had posted a photo of the offending salesman with a do not approach stamp tattooed on his forehead, but then again that would just open you up for some sort of suit or something.
I reckon the best bet would to ring management and tell them of your experience so that they can put some sort of action into place.
I should have taken his photo with my iphone, eh? I was with my kids so I wasn't about to start a ruckus.
Yeah, there's no point causing a ruckus while kids are present, but it's not too late to let management know that they have an undesirable staff member who is letting the whole team down.
I wouldn't get that mad over this issue.
Try living in New York for a week and you will soon realize this is the norm! The opposite of NYC is Tokyo. Absolutely prefect service with no tipping. At McDonalds, KFC, etc. the tables and restrooms are spanking clean. Here in NYC (or anywhere else), places are full of shi……
Several years ago I went car shopping. It was a Saturday morning and I got up showered put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and off I went. I guess I just didn't look like I had what it takes to buy a new car. I was driving my old beat up escort (great car kept it for years) and I suppose I might have given off a bad impression. Anyway I looked around and found a car that I like and wanted to take for a test drive. The car salesman actually tried to talk me out of the car and started to direct me to the used side of the lot. I told him I didn't want a used car I wanted a new one. It was a 2004 Buick Century with on 21 miles on it. He actually told me “I don't think this is the car for you”. Can you believe that????
Anyway to make a long story short………..I left and went to another dealership across town bought the exact same car, same color and everything. Wrote a check for 50% down and financed the rest and drove off the lot. I just couldnt help myself. I went back to the first car lot and found the first salesman. I parked, got out and walked up to him (his sales manager was standing there also) and I rather smugly said “you should have let me test drive that Buick earlier….. I just bought this one. Have a great day” You could see the color drain from his face.
Lesson to others…….never ever judge a person by what they look like, what they drive or what they wear. Heck I have a friend here in Kentucky that is a millionaire many times over……….he drives a 40 year old truck with rust on the sides and a dashboard full of papers and coffee cups all over the floor.
You just never know. BTW it was Hudson Automotive in Madisonville KY when they were on South Main Street.
And I suppose you were perfect on every sale, never second guessed yourself, never had a bad day. I have been a sales trainer for many years and let me assure you with adults some people listen some people dont. How can you expect this company to get any better if you wouldnt even be man enough to call them directly. I have shopped at hhgregg for 36 yrs and let me assure you it is the best company in my major metro area.
No, I'm not perfect on every sale. That's why I don't get them all.
Sorry, I don't buy your argument. It's your responsibility to ensure your sales team is on your message and tactics. It's your failure if not. Don't blame the sales person.
lol. tell us his name and which store so we can go in and laugh at his stupidity…he's probably not still working there… :z
People will always come back to u if you are nice.????
How about being more realistic here.
There certainly a greater chance losing a sale when a person make that statement.
Be it as you may work in the field of sales, I think u would understand time is valuable. I'm pretty sure you talked his ear off in the manner and which you chose to do so in your video, if not more.
dude youre a dumbass!
you fuckin idiot, why didnt you pull out the iphone at hhgregg?
I work for hhgregg and that is not the way we operate at all, sorry for the bad experience but I'm pretty sure that salesman most likely is no longer employed there, if he was at our location he would've been fired on the spot. We pride ourselves on customer service and beating our competition no matter what.
Yeah I bet you talked to him for like 15-20. Had him show you all the bells and whistles, led him on like you're going to buy. Then bailed at the last second. I get people do it to me all the time. Guess what, HHGregg salespeople are 100% commission. That jackass at Loew's gets $9.50/hour regardless of whether or not you buy from him. Good salespeople don't let or even encourage other to just leave and shop elsewhere. You're mistake is that at HHGregg we slash prices and make next to nothing on TVs everyday and we're already below the competition on price. Have fun shopping at 250% markup retail shops where the clerk doesn't give a shit whether he sells you a shitty tv that will go out next month. Your loss.
Ha, i just watched the second half of your video. You couldve pulled out the iphone at hhgregg we pricematch, too. good job wasting gas driving to loews.