Sales Truth: Quality Good, But Not Always a Sale Closer

Published

11 years ago

June 23, 2014

Dave Richardson

Sales Truths: Quality Good, But Not Always a Sale Closer

BY DAVID RICHARDSON

Published in the July 2014 issue.

WHY IT IS TRUE: Customers patronize your store because they expect high quality merchandise. If not, why would they come in the first place? A great way to bore your customers is to pontificate on your magnificent quality. You wouldn’t patronize a car dealer who had a reputation of marginal quality. Quality is expected. Without it, you don’t belong in business.

PLAN OF ACTION: Customers come to your store because they are looking for something. They need help. Ask open-ended questions, give great eye contact, and support your responses with quality claims. Magnify their perception of this buying experience, and most of the quality questions will answer themselves.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.