Sears Sale Associate?
I just got hired at Sears, in the home improvement department which consists of tool, fitness and seasonal stuff. I took the job because I really really need the money (beggars cant be choosers lol) Anyway I don't know much about tools (I'm only 18) I'm wondering if its going to be hard for me to sell things? If I don't sell I don't get any money 
If you worked as a sales associate was it easy for you to sell things?
You can turn this to your advantage. When customers come in for tools, they will have decades of knowledge about building and tools. Ask each one to tell you something interesting that they have learned about tools. Keep a notepad and write down what you learn. Be brave about telling them that you are new to "tools" but you want to learn. That approach might get you more sales than anything else..
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Well, I can't believe they hired you if you really arent sure about yourself in this position- nothing against you, just stupid employers! If this is something you really have no interest in, and learning these tools and what they are used for is not something you want to be doing at 18, then you might have a real problem on your hands! Can't you see if you can get into another department like clothing or even on the register? If your paycheck is depending on how much you sell, and you dont know much about what you are selling, then your checks arent going to be much at all. And if you have a sales quota, you might find your new employer ending your employment pretty quickly!! I worked at sears, at the portrait studio, and loved it. They trained me and I liked the job, and I got paid by the hour too. Selling can be easy, but you have to remember you are selling tools that range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. How many people are out there buying those hundred dollar tool sets right now? I think your best bet is to either fully commit to this position, try to get into another dept, or look for a job that is hourly plus commission or just hourly.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Most customers have an idea what item they want, they just want to find it quick, compare the choices and get out. My tios are: Know where every item in the dept can be found. If not busy, walk around memorizing item locations, instead of goofing off. Right now the customers are probably only going to buy what they NEED not what they want. Always try to sell the accessories that go along with the tools. If they buy a sander, sell them the sandpaper to go with it. Learn how to use the fitness equipment.
The biggest thing I HATE about sales people is that they don't bother to learn their product. You ask them a question and they read the label or the front of the device to you. I can read, thanks.
Smile at your customers and be pleasant. No matter how you feel.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Many of your customers will come in knowing exactly what they want, but not where it is in your department. Get yourself acquainted with the location of everything. If there are no customers, ask your manager for some training, or if there is another friendly associate in the department confess your ignorance, and ask for help about the 25 most sold items in the department. If a customer needs, for example, a cartridge for a faucet, know where the chart is that lists the brands, or where to find the information on the packaging.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
You can turn this to your advantage. When customers come in for tools, they will have decades of knowledge about building and tools. Ask each one to tell you something interesting that they have learned about tools. Keep a notepad and write down what you learn. Be brave about telling them that you are new to "tools" but you want to learn. That approach might get you more sales than anything else..
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