posted
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?
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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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
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.
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
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.
-------------------- Tom Bahr Custom Signs of St. Cloud, Inc. St. Cloud, MN 320-255-0588 tbahr@astound.net Posts: 71 | From: St. Cloud, MN | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
nd i was thinkin somethin else.......)))))))))))))
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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"
posted
Great ideaers. Just keep em happy and entertained, just like I would a guest in my home. I like it.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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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!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
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.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
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.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
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!!!!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Well,,,,it's not all me. The front end was a Vagas girl and the rear end was me.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Right, I still wonder if that guy tells his friends about that story.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Acknowledge them & they will wait. Think of when you go into a restaurant, (or any business).
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