Many business owners will agree that they occasionally feel like running for cover when a particular kind of customer steps into their place of business. I'm guessing by now, many of you must have identified what kind of person has the spotlight at the moment. Yes, the bargaining customer - the 'dreaded' bargaining customer! Such customers confidently presume that the business is blatantly fleecing them, and that adjusting prices to their appropriate level is their personal right and responsibility. After they win the price battle, the joy of victory can be judged by the gleam on their faces and twinkle in their eyes. No wonder the business owner runs for cover at the sight of them...

Such customers are the most alarming people for just about any business, and talking with them is every salesman's bad dream, as they genuinely think that they understand everything - seeing themselves to be masters of the art of bargaining. Tackling them requires equally smart and quick thinking along with some modifications to the usual selling strategy. By being on top of a few essential details, you can brace yourself to tough it out with those bargaining customers.

1. First of all, if you're actually fleecing customers - Stop Now. You can't blame bargaining customers if you're doing the same thing from the other side of the fence.

2. Make sure that you supply the best quality products that you can. Slowly, the customer will realize that he's getting value for his money.

3. Train your salesmen and every other person who comes into direct contact with customers to have predefined answers for all conceivable customer queries.

4. Convince the customers about the product's durability, usage, convenience, price etc. - and always tell the truth.

5. Assure the customer that he/she will be given good after-sales service. Talk about the additional services that the store or business provides.

6. If you can, regularly apply discounts or give away freebies along with the closing sale of the product. Contests and quizzes could also be arranged.

7. Try to be different. Sell products that customers can't readily acquire in other nearby stores or places of business.

8. Boldly displaying the 'No Bargaining, Fixed Price Shop' board would definitely be useful too.

These tips are designed to limit, or at the very least minimise the damage done by bargaining customers. Try incorporating these ideas into your plan of action, and see for yourself how quickly you can tame those bargaining customers!

Copyright (c) 2009 Alan Gillies