Re: [Leica]Walt's take on current 'salesmen'

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Walt-
Amen! I got cautioned about 'schmoozing' with the customers- the manager at
our store feels that anyone breathing his air, and either not buying or not
closing a sale is taking up valuable counter space....
Which is why I am content to sit in the lab between the film processor and
printer and do something I like doing!
Dan
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 1999 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica]He should have bought a Leica....


> Hello, Horst
> As usual, your post is superb.....I'd like to add a few points
> without disagreeing.
>
> I (twice, same company) worked for a "high-end" amateur and
> pro camera store in Texas (Dallas and Houston)....our staff
> were intimately interested in photography....we were half
> pros, half serious amateurs.  The company actually looked at
> your portfolio and asked some questions....they paid poorly,
> but better than the "competition".....I worked as a stringer
> all during my time in Houston....we bought used stuff at
> cost, and new stuff at net....I sold many a Leica product
> by showing the customer my work in a local publication and
> showing my battered bag of goodies....we went to lunch with
> the customers, and had many as long time friends...We had an
> in-house darkroom (we sold processors/furniture, etc...)
> In l979 we did over a million in one store at a gross margin
> of 27% or so... within reason, we made "deals", lost on a few
> items, but made it up on bags, etc.....
>
> Now, everything I've just described would be grounds for termination
> in any camera store.....the store forbids the salesman to
> shoot outside of "company" work....they're forbidden to
> 'fraternize' with the customer....they see too much knowledge
> as EXTREMELY dangerous.....you get the picture.....I wouldn't be
> hired at all, and if I was, I'd last 'till the counter video
> camera caught me 'horsing' around with a customer instead of
> "closing" a sale.....now, they talk about "spiffs" and "co-op"
> advertising, and "price-points".....subjects I never heard
> as a professional "counter-man".....we had the respect of the
> customer, and respect for him.....
>
> Profit was never discussed---it was assumed....except in the
> in-house repair shop....it only had to 'break-even'....it was
> a service for the customer.....we never sold a Nikon or Leica
> without checking the RF and running the speeds....and every
> camera was externally cleaned, as a service....even new
> ones that had been handled....we paid the bills and paid
> ourselves....nowdays, that ain't nearly enough :)
>
> If the customer was not informed, but interested, we taught
> him....if he wasn't interested, we sent him to the "pointandshoot"
> department, where the "snapshooter" saleslady took equally
> good care of him....and his 3x5s.....and his little album, which
> was assembled free when bought....
>
> I know this ain't possible today, but it really DID exist...I was
> there....
>
> Walt
>