During my hour commute to Canton, Texas from Dallas this morning I found myself thinking of sales people I've know or worked with over the years. Comparing attributes of the best when suddenly my mind reverted to a conversation I had this week with a 77 year old woman who called me about buying some of her furniture and misc small goods prior to her move into the Sr. Living.
Her valid business reason for me to purchase her wares was that she had been out shopping and establishing values for her items, quoted me a couple of specifics and then offered a profitable arrangement with me because she was willing to take much less than market value, allowing us to make some money.
When I told her we were not buying right now, she immediate went to consignment as an acceptable option.
Valid business reason, no out of pocket expense for me. I'm now more interested, until she tells me she has no way to transport it and I'll have to come pick it up.
She's in a hurry to make arrangements and unfortunately my schedule is pretty booked until mid-January; no problem she's got a solution for that as well - I can just come over to her house one evening after work.
As she begins to describe the list of items, there are several that I know I'm not going to be interested in taking and I suggest an ad in the classifieds, other resale stores or possibly a listing on Craigslist or eBay.
The ad seemed to make sense, the online solution not so much. "I'm 77 years old and I'm not on Craigslist, eBay or Facelift!" And again, she turns the conversation to the furniture and the values/profit opportunity.
Before the end of the conversation, she had me agreeing to call her after the new year and make arrangements to make a house call.
This woman made it very difficult for me to say no.
This 77 year old woman, made it very difficult to say no. WOW. Impressive.
If you happen to be considering a New Years resolution....this might warrant some thought.
In What Ways Might You Make It Difficult or improbable for a client or prospect to say no?
Yes, I have time to meet with you - it sounds as if you understand the challenges of small business...
Yes, that idea seems to have merit...lets keep developing it and see where it goes
Yes! I have a new partnership to celebrate, nurture and leverage...
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