Good traits of a machinery area salesmen

[ollie798]

Best and worst traits of machinery salesmen for the ag sector? Go...

 

[Henros]

Very, very, very thick skin.

 

[Andrew]

Don’t slag off other manufacturers products to sell their own.

 

[KB6930]

Speak to everyone on farm not just the one that writes the cheques

 

[Half Pipe]

Don’t slag off other manufacturers products to sell their own.

Then try sell said other manufactures gear months later

 

[Mursal]

Two faced .........

 

[Fendtbro]

Start off on the workshop floor so you actually know how they work and ideally used similar equipment in anger for yourself.. Be confident you can answer technical questions, not just bluffing your way out of the situation! If the customer seems serious about buying, give a decent demo. Not just 3 hours doing one job on a £130k machine..

 

[d williams]

Stand by their words

 

[Tractorstant]

Two Ears, One Mouth, using them in that ratio.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Best and worst traits of machinery salesmen for the ag sector? Go...

Are you thinking of becoming one...?

OK so anyway...

Best traits
1. Listening and more listening then absorbing to truly understand what the client wants
2. Knowing your product and your client well enough to recommend something that suit what the client needs (may not be the same as 1.)
3. Understanding the subtlety of being attentive, and following up but also knowing when to back-off
4. Knowing your market and competitors products, strengths and weaknesses. But not slagging them off to get points and win a sale. Ultimate turn off, especially when you end up selling said slagged off products in a year or two time.

Worst traits
1. Not returning calls or emails or generally being late or unreliable for appointments or meetings
2. When your customer knows more about the product than you
3. Slagging off the competition
4. Worst price first, then slowly chipping away at it, in the hope of winning a sale
5. An arrogant or rude demeanour (mostly seen in car sales folk admittedly)

 

[ollie798]

Are you thinking of becoming one...?
View attachment 761706

OK so anyway...

Best traits
1. Listening and more listening then absorbing to truly understand what the client wants
2. Knowing your product and your client well enough to recommend something that suit what the client needs (may not be the same as 1.)
3. Understanding the subtlety of being attentive, and following up but also knowing when to back-off
4. Knowing your market and competitors products, strengths and weaknesses. But not slagging them off to get points and win a sale. Ultimate turn off, especially when you end up selling said slagged off products in a year or two time.

Worst traits
1. Not returning calls or emails or generally being late or unreliable for appointments or meetings
2. When your customer knows more about the product than you
3. Slagging off the competition
4. Worst price first, then slowly chipping away at it, in the hope of winning a sale
5. An arrogant or rude demeanour (mostly seen in car sales folk admittedly)

Good thinking @Pheasant Surprise ! I've worked in agriculture one way or another for the last 4 years and becoming a machinery area salesman is a career I'd like to pursue.

Thank you for the above advice. I'm sure it will be a steep learning curve, but one I'm willing to commit to.

 

[Tractorstant]

Pitch it, don't pre-judge it.

 

[nick...]

When they say they are going to do something do it.promised a demo tractor last October and heard nothing since.pee poor service
Nick...

 

[Dman2]

return calls

 

[Electronic]

Don't phone customer from hands free kit of your car and try to hold a long detailed conversation when the customer can't hear you as your car goes through areas of poor reception

 

[Drillman]

Return calls, return emails, if you say X Y and Z is going to be done bloody well make sure it’s done,

Be polite and be honest.

And remember some customers are a complete pita

 

[nick...]

See after the big boys and don’t worry about us little farmers
Nick...

 

[Chae1]

See after the big boys and don’t worry about us little farmers
Nick...

Do your salespeople not make you feel very important?

 

[Dave W]

Respect your customer. Don't talk down to them and listen to what they say.
You'll come across some idiots who if you met in a pub you'd probably want to punch. Unfortunately these people are also you paying customers so you just have to bite your lip.

Also never forget that every single person you talk to, be it on TFF or stood round the store ring at the market, is a potential future customer. A bad name goes a hell of a lot further than a good one

 

[Dave W]

Also every mans money is as good as the next mans.
Wether it's James dyson wanting to buy 10 tractors or a 17 year old newcomer trying to buy his first £500 haybob. Treat them equally.