Sales Truths: You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover.

Published

18 years ago

March 2, 2008

Dave Richardson

WHY IT'S TRUE
How many times have you bought a book with a colorful cover and a snappy title, only to find it to be a dull read? Or a plain-Jane book so exciting you can't put it down? How many times have you erroneously prejudged a customer wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops who reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of cash to pay for an expensive diamond ring? Or the guy decked out in a suit who can't even qualify for credit?

PLAN OF ACTION
The Declaration of Independence states: “all men are created equal.” Extend that to your store and resist the tendency to prejudge customers. Approach the next customer who appears to look out of character and show him your most expensive piece. Upon closing a sale, judge not that the customer has spent enough, but go for the add-on sale. And don't be surprised when he buys. Quit prejudging people and watch your sales soar.

Honoring a Legacy: How Smith & Son Jewelers Exceeded Every Goal With Wilkerson

When Andrew Smith decided to close the Springfield, Massachusetts location of Smith & Son Jewelers, the decision came down to family. His father was retiring after 72 years in the business, and Andrew wanted to spend more time with his children and soon-to-arrive grandchildren. For this fourth-generation jeweler whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1918, closing the 107-year-old Springfield location required the right partner. Smith chose Wilkerson, and the experience exceeded expectations from start to finish. "Everything they told me was 100% true," Smith says. "The ease and use of all their tools was wonderful." The consultants' knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. Smith and his father set their own financial goal, but Wilkerson proposed three more ambitious targets. "We thought we would never make it," Smith explains. "We were dead wrong. We hit our first goal, second goal and third goal. It was amazing." Smith's recommendation is emphatic: "I would never be able to do what they did by myself."