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I lost my voice.
My back is aching, arms stiff like rocks, and the legs… well, they are the worst victims. Having stood for ten hours++ a day walking around without sitting or even squatting, now all the muscles in my legs are trembling in my effort to stand up (or sit down even).
It all starts with KitLoong telling me about the PC fair that just took place. I was looking for a laptop, so when I heard about that PC fair, I decided then that I would get my laptop at the fair. Then Kitloong said he would be selling Mp4 just like the last time, so I have to buy the laptop myself. I couldn’t remember exactly how the conversation with him went, but I ended up agreeing to go for a job (selling mp3 and mp4) interview with him the next day.
On Monday, after his class ends, we drove to Lowyat with me nervously twitching in my seat. The plan to go for interview and watch movie after that was trashed immediately upon reaching the place as our usual inevitable 1-month-once quarrelling session set off. We had a row and argued all the way up and down the building for a whole 2 hours and went home right after that without going for the interview.
Our puerile actions were instantly regretted and on Wednesday, we went to that stinking place again, being careful not to step across the line. This time, the interview was successful and the guy requested us to go back the next day for a short briefing.
The briefing was, like I had said, concise. We got to see who we are working with, and who we are working for. We were taught how to switch on a mp3 or mp4, the basic functions of both of the device and who to hand the customer’s money to. Anything other then that, well, to quote what they said, ‘eat yourself’.
On Friday morning, I reached the convention centre at 10.20. I was denied access into the area because I did not have a pass.
“On the way,” was what my boss said when I called.
It wasn’t until 11.30 that we manage to get pass the security guard and start hunting for our booth. People were already starting to pour in when we were setting up our booth. I Stared at the Mp4 pointed by a customer. I had never seen that damn thing myself up till then, let alone having a little knowledge about the price and specifications of that product. In simpler terms, I was as blank as she was.
Finally, our spy returned after scouting around for the price of all other booths and our boss inform us the pricing of our products. We were told to memorize the product modal and price as soon as we can, and push just a few products that we think is easiest to sell. Armed with renewed confidence, we, about 4 girls, stood side-by-side with our partner-cum-competitors from Digisound, began to wander our way to win the customers’ heart.
Day 1 was disappointing, day 2 was tiring, and day 3 was boring.
Why? On Friday, people came to scout for the lowest price. Not much sales here. On Saturday, people came to just wander around, so they are easy to be tricked into buying something they don’t really need. Sales multiply itself today. On Sunday, they came to buy what they really need as it’s the last day of the fair, which is why they don’t have time to look for anything other than that. After working for 2 days non-stop, we are all very exhausted to keep pushing.
Working on Sunday wasn’t my plan. I had planned to ‘retire’ after Saturday night and go back on Sunday to buy my laptop. However, after working for 2 days, I changed my mind. No, it’s not about the salary, nor because I wanted to try my luck to score top sales (well, even if I tried, I wouldn’t succeed as I was way too ‘kind’ to the customers). It’s because I realised that these products are not sold that much cheaper at a fair. An example for Mp4, it might just be a few bucks cheaper, and depending on the company’s policy, you might not even get any free gifts.
If you were to ask me what have I learnt from this job, I have to say that, we consumers like to think that we have the purchasing power. Whether to buy the product or not is depended solely on our desire. Sadly, this is not the case. A good salesperson can pull an unfortunate victim from the sea of people, manipulate his mind and convince him that he need the product badly and that this is the golden opportunity to get it, make him pour out his hard-earned cash, and leave feeling extremely pleased with himself for ‘spotting’ his prize. All within 5 minutes.
I have to say that I do not have the makings of a salesgirl (yet), nor the heart to do so. A word to all of you out there: Prevent impulse buying by going to sales with a list of things that you wanna buy.
Promoters are just doing their job of creating impulse buying. When a customer asked, “this brand I never heard before, quality not good?” I replied, “Huh? Never heard? This is famous! Digisound products all use digital sound technology. Digital sound is very clear. (at this point, I switch on the device and play the music at the loudest volume- not movie because the sound for movie is less convincing, and switch on the lousiest product from another brand we have and let the customer compare. If the product they are interested in has a low sound quality, I will put on the earphone for them to try instead.) Then when u see them nodding at each other, let them admire it for another few seconds and push them further. “This screen is using TFT technology…..” In reality, I have no idea, NIL IDEA at all what digital sound and TFT is, let alone is that good compared to it’s peers. Sometimes when I see that they really do not need the product but they are struggling to stop themselves from buying, I stop promoting them because I know what it’s like to regret buying later. Having said this, I guess most employers will think twice when employing me next time.
Not all customers are easy. And annoyingly, they like to come in batch. I mean, when there’s no customers, there are none. When it’s crowded and we are all busy, more people will come and step in for a look. This is when we will be scolded for losing our keys to the display set and borrowing another promoter’s display. There’s a few incidence that I remember vividly. One is when a man came to ask me about everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, from the products spec to how to use it- I have to push my other customers to 2 friends beside me to answer all his questions, and yet he WALKED OFF after 1 hour without buying anything, when all my other potential customers bought their stuffs from my friends. I almost exploded when my friend exclaimed,” what? He din buy?”
Another lady came and did the same. The difference is, she told me from the start that she’s just curious what’s all this MP3 and MP4 are, and so I describe some basic functions to her without expecting her to buy. Before she go, she asked for my number, “ Do you like a job somewhere? Like part-time job or something? You can give me your number so when I know about a vacancy and I contact you.”
Some people are particularly smug. They came as if they paid us to be their slaves, and that we are supposed to kneel down and give them our best service possible. I mean, come on, you think we will cry if we lose a customer like you? Don’t like this? Fine! Actually I prefer you never to step in front of our booth ever again.
My last serve was a man who came back to me after comparing the prices elsewhere. He was convinced and so he wants to buy the product now. However, my boss told me that counter one is closed, so he couldn't pay using Credit Card. He didn't have sufficient cash. So I asked boss whether he could put a deposit first. They said yes provided he collect it within 1 week, and the deposit is non refundable. However, the man is working outstation and he's not sure whether he could make it to Lowyat within a week. I was trapped. In the end, I had to say," sorry, no deal" to the man and turned him away.
At the very end of the last day, our boss did a stock count. Most of the display set is short of 1 or 2 products, and there are a few extra stock from our hands which we are not sure from where they apprear. IC numbers were copied down and if there is anything missing, the fellas' in-charged of the set will have to pay. The only relaxing thing happened at the very end is when we exchanged phone numbers. This is when i finally know the name of the guys that i have been calling, "eh.."
All in all, it’s really tiring, and the main reason this piece of entry is that L-O-N-G is I do not have a voice to talk, so I can only write right now.
My back is aching, arms stiff like rocks, and the legs… well, they are the worst victims. Having stood for ten hours++ a day walking around without sitting or even squatting, now all the muscles in my legs are trembling in my effort to stand up (or sit down even).
It all starts with KitLoong telling me about the PC fair that just took place. I was looking for a laptop, so when I heard about that PC fair, I decided then that I would get my laptop at the fair. Then Kitloong said he would be selling Mp4 just like the last time, so I have to buy the laptop myself. I couldn’t remember exactly how the conversation with him went, but I ended up agreeing to go for a job (selling mp3 and mp4) interview with him the next day.
On Monday, after his class ends, we drove to Lowyat with me nervously twitching in my seat. The plan to go for interview and watch movie after that was trashed immediately upon reaching the place as our usual inevitable 1-month-once quarrelling session set off. We had a row and argued all the way up and down the building for a whole 2 hours and went home right after that without going for the interview.
Our puerile actions were instantly regretted and on Wednesday, we went to that stinking place again, being careful not to step across the line. This time, the interview was successful and the guy requested us to go back the next day for a short briefing.
The briefing was, like I had said, concise. We got to see who we are working with, and who we are working for. We were taught how to switch on a mp3 or mp4, the basic functions of both of the device and who to hand the customer’s money to. Anything other then that, well, to quote what they said, ‘eat yourself’.
On Friday morning, I reached the convention centre at 10.20. I was denied access into the area because I did not have a pass.
“On the way,” was what my boss said when I called.
It wasn’t until 11.30 that we manage to get pass the security guard and start hunting for our booth. People were already starting to pour in when we were setting up our booth. I Stared at the Mp4 pointed by a customer. I had never seen that damn thing myself up till then, let alone having a little knowledge about the price and specifications of that product. In simpler terms, I was as blank as she was.
Finally, our spy returned after scouting around for the price of all other booths and our boss inform us the pricing of our products. We were told to memorize the product modal and price as soon as we can, and push just a few products that we think is easiest to sell. Armed with renewed confidence, we, about 4 girls, stood side-by-side with our partner-cum-competitors from Digisound, began to wander our way to win the customers’ heart.
Day 1 was disappointing, day 2 was tiring, and day 3 was boring.
Why? On Friday, people came to scout for the lowest price. Not much sales here. On Saturday, people came to just wander around, so they are easy to be tricked into buying something they don’t really need. Sales multiply itself today. On Sunday, they came to buy what they really need as it’s the last day of the fair, which is why they don’t have time to look for anything other than that. After working for 2 days non-stop, we are all very exhausted to keep pushing.
Working on Sunday wasn’t my plan. I had planned to ‘retire’ after Saturday night and go back on Sunday to buy my laptop. However, after working for 2 days, I changed my mind. No, it’s not about the salary, nor because I wanted to try my luck to score top sales (well, even if I tried, I wouldn’t succeed as I was way too ‘kind’ to the customers). It’s because I realised that these products are not sold that much cheaper at a fair. An example for Mp4, it might just be a few bucks cheaper, and depending on the company’s policy, you might not even get any free gifts.
If you were to ask me what have I learnt from this job, I have to say that, we consumers like to think that we have the purchasing power. Whether to buy the product or not is depended solely on our desire. Sadly, this is not the case. A good salesperson can pull an unfortunate victim from the sea of people, manipulate his mind and convince him that he need the product badly and that this is the golden opportunity to get it, make him pour out his hard-earned cash, and leave feeling extremely pleased with himself for ‘spotting’ his prize. All within 5 minutes.
I have to say that I do not have the makings of a salesgirl (yet), nor the heart to do so. A word to all of you out there: Prevent impulse buying by going to sales with a list of things that you wanna buy.
Promoters are just doing their job of creating impulse buying. When a customer asked, “this brand I never heard before, quality not good?” I replied, “Huh? Never heard? This is famous! Digisound products all use digital sound technology. Digital sound is very clear. (at this point, I switch on the device and play the music at the loudest volume- not movie because the sound for movie is less convincing, and switch on the lousiest product from another brand we have and let the customer compare. If the product they are interested in has a low sound quality, I will put on the earphone for them to try instead.) Then when u see them nodding at each other, let them admire it for another few seconds and push them further. “This screen is using TFT technology…..” In reality, I have no idea, NIL IDEA at all what digital sound and TFT is, let alone is that good compared to it’s peers. Sometimes when I see that they really do not need the product but they are struggling to stop themselves from buying, I stop promoting them because I know what it’s like to regret buying later. Having said this, I guess most employers will think twice when employing me next time.
Not all customers are easy. And annoyingly, they like to come in batch. I mean, when there’s no customers, there are none. When it’s crowded and we are all busy, more people will come and step in for a look. This is when we will be scolded for losing our keys to the display set and borrowing another promoter’s display. There’s a few incidence that I remember vividly. One is when a man came to ask me about everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, from the products spec to how to use it- I have to push my other customers to 2 friends beside me to answer all his questions, and yet he WALKED OFF after 1 hour without buying anything, when all my other potential customers bought their stuffs from my friends. I almost exploded when my friend exclaimed,” what? He din buy?”
Another lady came and did the same. The difference is, she told me from the start that she’s just curious what’s all this MP3 and MP4 are, and so I describe some basic functions to her without expecting her to buy. Before she go, she asked for my number, “ Do you like a job somewhere? Like part-time job or something? You can give me your number so when I know about a vacancy and I contact you.”
Some people are particularly smug. They came as if they paid us to be their slaves, and that we are supposed to kneel down and give them our best service possible. I mean, come on, you think we will cry if we lose a customer like you? Don’t like this? Fine! Actually I prefer you never to step in front of our booth ever again.
My last serve was a man who came back to me after comparing the prices elsewhere. He was convinced and so he wants to buy the product now. However, my boss told me that counter one is closed, so he couldn't pay using Credit Card. He didn't have sufficient cash. So I asked boss whether he could put a deposit first. They said yes provided he collect it within 1 week, and the deposit is non refundable. However, the man is working outstation and he's not sure whether he could make it to Lowyat within a week. I was trapped. In the end, I had to say," sorry, no deal" to the man and turned him away.
At the very end of the last day, our boss did a stock count. Most of the display set is short of 1 or 2 products, and there are a few extra stock from our hands which we are not sure from where they apprear. IC numbers were copied down and if there is anything missing, the fellas' in-charged of the set will have to pay. The only relaxing thing happened at the very end is when we exchanged phone numbers. This is when i finally know the name of the guys that i have been calling, "eh.."
All in all, it’s really tiring, and the main reason this piece of entry is that L-O-N-G is I do not have a voice to talk, so I can only write right now.
