You know, going back and reading a few other posts on this thread, first I want to say thanks to all the folks who have said nice things about us. The other thing I want to share is, I personally don't think it's fair to try on stuff at a store, then buy elsewhere over a few bucks. I've had customers call me and say I've tried this mask and it fits really good - do you have one like it... and I'll tell them - if you know that one fits - you should probably get it there.
The other interesting note, is a vast majority of our customers, both on line and local, do not come to us based on price alone. I've got a good bunch of guys that know their stuff - and if they don't know something - they are smart enough to ask me - and if I don't know, I'll call the manufacturer. I've found the knowledge of the customers is normally very high - and trying to BS them with made up stats is useless. (39.6% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
)
Most customers come in because they were ignored, lied to, told it would take 3 weeks to order this or that at some other local shop. But many times, the sale was there for another local shop if they just would have treated the customer right.
It was pretty funny when I was expanding into our new shop - I had a need for some more good employees, and one of my reps said he know some guys at other shops that might be interested in interviewing. He was hesisitant though and said, "what if they come over here for a week or so, and it doesn't work out - they could take your secrets back to another shop!"
That scared the daylights out of me! If other shops figured out you had to have good stock, be knowledgable about your products, sell the customer what they need instead of what you want so sell, and offer this all at a fair price... boy if some other shop got a hold of that trade secret... It could mean my downfall!
Luckily the guys I got are staying...
