So now that I have my shop, I sometimes get two customers there at the same time. Maybe I have one dropping off a truck, giving me the details on what he wants. Then another might show maybe wanting to pick out a certain color of vinyl for when I do his truck, or just to see me about a furture lettering job. What do you do? I feel rude to ignore the first guy, but I still need to pay full attention to the new 'fish'. I kinda always like to make all my customers feel very special, because they are. What's a great way to back away from one and pay attention to the other without letting anyone feel uncomfortable. Would it be weird to introduce them to each other, just as you would a second guest into your home?
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
It happens all the time at my shop.
What I've done is set up a little coffee center in the lobby.
When customer "B" walks in while I'm talking to customer "A", I make direct eye contact with "B", smile and say, "I'll be with you in just a few moments. Help yourself to some coffee."
Most customers are pretty understanding. The trick is not to appear flustered.
Its important to read the situation correctly. There have been times when you know "A" is going to be there with you for a while and you know you can get "B" taken care of pretty quickly. Just ask "A" if he can give you just a moment because you "want to be able to give your full and undivided attention to him." Most will be understanding and appreciative.
.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Have your portfolio out in plain view for them to browse through. Any other reference materials that might spark some ideas while they're waiting is a good plan. Coffee pot's always a good idea. Keep a few Truck'n trade mags around, make 'em feel at home. The daily paper is also good.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Good call Doggie, Been there.
Jack
Posted by Tom Bahr (Member # 2925) on :
Acknowledge them & they will wait. Think of when you go into a restaurant, (or any business). If I don't feel invisible to them, I have no problem waiting.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
nd i was thinkin somethin else.......)))))))))))))
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
OP, if you ever had two customers at a time it would make the Guiness Book of Records!
Glenn nailed it! Just be polite, considerate. People are used to waiting to be served. People who don't have an attitude, and you probably better off not doing their work anyway.
Often just one customer arriving at a inopportune time will wait while you finish to a point where you can stop what you are doing.
"Grab a cup of coffee mate! Be with you in a couple of minutes"
Works for me.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Great ideaers. Just keep em happy and entertained, just like I would a guest in my home. I like it.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Ditto to what everyone else said.....
However, I would NEVER introduce the two of them because it just might add a third party to your dealings with the first. Then you would have a COMMITTEE!!!!!!!!
Ask me how I know.....
Joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
I dunno, I've worked with a ton of truckers over the years. Introductions aren't necessary. Within about three minutes they will be off on thier own swapping stories and comparing notes on how hard thier Cummins pulls when compared to thier old Cat. I've been in the business for thirty five years and if I had to single out one group of customers that were the easiest to work with , hands down, it would be truckers. Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
I have as many as 4 customers at the same time - most of the time right after lunch! There are at least 2-3 times every week that I have 3 customers at the same time. Just make sure they have something to look at to keep themselves entertained and try to take care of the other customers without letting the others walk. Some customers (especially the cheap-o tire kickers) will just go on and on and on and on about details and meaningless crap over a $30 sign while they know you have other customers waiting. You have to handle it carefully but I don't think I've ever had but one or two to leave.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
quote:OP, if you ever had two customers at a time it would make the Guiness Book of Records!
Hahahahaha.... Good one.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
TODDIE ...dont take much to amuse you do it??????? i get more then 1 quite often. i give them a beverage, send them out to the back yard patio and let em relax.....if they hang around while iam letterin somethin for them I PUT EM TO WORK!!!!!!! no sence wastin a good pair OF EXTRA HANDS!!!!!!!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
This reminds me of a while back when I had a shop in Salida, CA. I was doing this guy's jeep. He thought he'd wait around while I did the job. Well, he started reading some of my magazines. Then inside one of the magazines, he found and 8"x10" photo of me. It was a picture I had taken for a mural I was doing. I needed a pic of a girl laying on her stomach with her pants down, wearing high heels. Well since I couldn't find a pic like that, I just posed for the shot and took the picture. So there I was in full color, no pants, no top, and baby oil on me for the right reflections. And the guy holds up the picture, looks and me and says "Is this you?' Oh, my face turned beet red, and I said "Yeah, that's for a mural I worked on". Here's what the mural came out like. Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
nice booty..............))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
Great job on the mural, maybe you could post the picture so we can tell how accurate a job you did.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Well,,,,it's not all me. The front end was a Vagas girl and the rear end was me.
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
Maybe you could post the picture so we can tell how accurate a job you did.
Posted by Dana Stanley (Member # 6786) on :
It's not always whats up front that counts. O brother I can't believe I said that!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
You guys are really subtle, aren't you? Just a bunch of dirty old guys trying to see Alicia naked.
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
I'm sure she knows we're just funning.
Right Alicia?
BTW -My address is: Dusty Campbell 288...
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Right, I still wonder if that guy tells his friends about that story.
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Acknowledge them & they will wait. Think of when you go into a restaurant, (or any business).![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
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