Salesmanship Review Of Store

I decided to simulate purchasing an entry door unit from Home Depot for my salesmanship project. Part of the reason I chose this is because I was a Millwork Sales Specialist at Lowes Home Improvement prior to attending PGCC. I felt this would give me an oppurtunity to compare and contrast selling methods that I was taught and put into use, to the methods Home Depot trains their associates with.

Upon arriving at the Home Depot located at 13120 South Orange Blossom Trail at 2:30PM on Saturday the 27th of October, I was kind of taken aback by an overall sense of filth in the parking lot. I know this is hard to control, but still it must be noted. Upon walking into the store, the first difference I noticed was how unfriendly the sales associates were. We were always taught to smile and greet every customer walking in, and ask them if they needed assistance. I did not get one smile or greeting while making my way back to the Millwork department. I reached the department, noticing a lacking selection and decided to really browse and come up with a good background story and also check out some products while I waited for the associate to finish with his current customer. After some time of looking around, noticing doors out of place, no real information to help make a decision, I looked at the associate staring off down the aisles. If I had been a paying customer, I would have left now. After five minutes of waiting, I walked up and asked for assistance, he lacksadically agreed. The salesmans name was John. My first impression was that of a person who really dislikes his job, his answers lacked enthusiasm, and I felt I had to really probe him to get him to even ask me questions. His appearance was unkempt, looking like he'd been out all night drinking, wearing a T-shirt and khaki shorts. This was an immediate turn off to the buying experience, my coworkers and myself had always come to work clean shaven, in pressed slacks and dress shirts, even if we were up all night drinking.

I told John I had just bought a house in Winter Garden, and had very little knowledge of what kind of door I should put on my house. After a few moments of silence, he walked me to the displays of doors. I asked him what the difference was between steel and fiberglass was, he looked me in the eye and said there was none. I was only a salesman for a year and a half, but know there are close to 10 differences between the two. I played along, purposely choosing