An Event of Glasses Purchase and My Thoughts

Today’s blog post came from several thoughts and experience gathered these few days when I was surveying for glasses.

So I thought my current one looked really old and desperately need a new pair. The thing about buying glasses is - it’s really hard to find one that you’ll like, let alone a pair that gives you the love-at-first-sight feeling. As consumer I like to patiently check from shops to shops, try out different one to find myself “the one“.

Without a doubt, each customer has their personal preferences; some like to be served like VIPs, some like to browse around freely with any disturbance. If you are in the sales or servicing line, this shouldn’t be something new to you. The trickiest part is probably - when to engage the customer to further assist, and what kind of guidance to give them.

Most of the shops I went to, they started by greeting and give you few minutes on your own before they start coming up. When I described what I’m looking for, they’ll start flooding me with so many choices that quickly make me blur and lead me into confusion. It seems to me, most of them have this similar concept in mind - let’s throw him 100, he’ll sure choose one. I think they are not trying to understand their customer’s need, merely to close a sales.

The worst shop I went to, which is the 6th (if I’m not mistaken). That retard didn’t even look at me when I try to describe what I want and asked if he’s got similar. Cely said he’s not even being patient when fetching me some samples to try. And the worst part, when I said “thanks, but I’ll like to keep looking” he gives me this bloody “bye” that sounds like “what a waste of time”. Loser!

I end up buying in the 7th shop, the smallest of them all. This auntie at her 40+ is utmost helpful. Not only she helps me to find, she gives guidance, advice and does it politely and patiently. She and Cely even start chatting away when I was doing some eye testing. Sometimes all it takes is that sincere smile and hospitality. I bought from her the same model I see in other shop because the way she approached is what I don’t get in other shops.  So on the way back I told Cely, you don’t have to hire the most gorgeous sales girl to attract sales, you’ll just need someone who knows how to talk to the customer.

So here’s a message to those who:

  • Hire gorgeous girls and think this could boost sales
  • Purchase from chicks only
  • Work in service line, wear/look smart but don’t know your customer

You are shallow and you are missing the whole damn point.

And here’s the frame I bought:

gg-1879-niy

Total damage about $SGD 360.