While positive comments for shepherding people (painlessly) through suit process are appreciated, as part of my job, taking pride in the process is psychic income. Yes, I get comments for suit-wearing, and picking Glenn Bossnblue as pen name is tied to feeling good about that aspect of my retail micro-economy. It looks like three-suit sales days aren’t going to be unusual. LOTS of good-looking $700+ sports coats getting attention.
My POV remains positive, with suit selling as my bellweather on results, weddings are still #1 reason for suits. After a $3,800 Wednesday, with literally off the rack $500 suit at very end of night, $4,500 Friday ended with $1,200 sale (Jack Victor black-blue sport coat, $785, Bucachi black long-sleeve, $179), multi-color mohair sweater ($239).
(It takes about $1,400/day in sales to pay for myself – hourly draw/commission. 36.5 hrs. week)
Like good defensive backs, I have a short memory of LOUSY – less than $400 sales in 8-hrs. Saturday is 99% forgotten about. A bourbon at The Palms, 25-minutes of shooting hoops in a parking lot with one light, then quality leftovers and brewskies watching the Florida-Florida St. tussle were very relax-able elements. Not New Normal, just unstressed finish watching a rivalry game (a lot like the ’80s versions).
Sunday Brunch was paid for by companion, the opportunity to tip well was earned-deserved every step along the way by Stephanie, whose attendance and intelligence as a professional waitress enhanced a brunch at https://www.opentable.com/green-valley-grill. She did great, smoothing out a less successful Saturday with a Sunday afternoon free lunch, with frequent refills on coffee to info about Spanish Eggs, apppropraite action on the delay of espresso shot on vanilla ice cream with choclate biscotti dessert. $$$ on the table for good-good-good service is the appropriate accolade.
Its not just ego, or a magic blue suit – SERVICE is a legitimate dividing line when deciding to shop at Nordstrom or elsewhere, with me or anyone else. Good sales service isn’t taking your four items of clothing ‘to open a room for you.’
Like Stephanie at brunch, finding that cool 3X Bugachi for bulky guy, or suggesting options beyond a white shirt, that’s the good service guy I tend to be, so I appreciate a similar cooperative communicator.
Being OF SERVICE
The front-line COVID doctor I’m looking forward to meeting this week, yeah, the collective WE can never do justice to what medical personnel, at all levels of service, went through during pandemic. The Novant supervisor who immediately said, “Let’s get you stuck,” while still a Category 5 NC resident – and taking a mere 26 minutes from parking to leaving experience – is a service I won’t forget.
The old axiom of semi-gratitude is that, whatever burdens you’re bearing in life, “someone else has it worse.” In this seasonal expressing of thankfulness, it would take more than my writers imagination to understand looking the beast COVID in the eye daily, and I admire those who put themselves on the line for US.
Yes, I get comments for suit-wearing, and and picking Glenn Bossnblue as new pen name is tied to feeling good about that micro-economy. A bunch of three-suit days, I’ve got a feeling thats not going to be unusual. LOTS of $700+ sports coats recently.
Myself, post-Thanksgiving, 2022. Life at this end of #gshorkonsharonroadseam feels quite stable.
Alterations are always a Service Biggie
Early Monday its a green with black Ted Baker ($845) for wedding suit for next week, and fiancee nurse is staying up after overnight shift to get this important aspect done with him. He’s a marathon runner (100 milers) guy, with bigger calves and wanting to show ankle changes – alterations guy handled tapering like expect from pros. People have no qualms about paying for results, especially expediting.
In my micro-economy, SUITS area being up 57% over last year is no surprise . While we still sell out of common sizes quickly, we have plenty of product overall.
Turned right around, 2nd guy in gray suit
Finishing a great start to finish/rung up client and turning to a highly motivated next prospect is a salesman’s sweet spot. Jonathan was willing to learn and importantly, try on, both shirts (better with 32-33 sleeve) and suits. I affirm try-er on-ers regularly.
As a salesperson and journalist-writer, doing fairly quick overviews of designers (Baker, Boss, Millar, Canali, and more recently, Jack Victor) sets the stage for ‘sizing’ customers, getting a jacket on them soon, basing estimates on myself as a 42 regular.
I’ve had lot of success with Boss, always point out how lowering the arm holes-shoulders are perfect for certain builds, with a great profile as a slim cut. Jonathan came in looking for exactly the slim fit, nice charcoal gray (Baker, $845) he’d expected, plus two much better than just white, trim fit Donahue shirts ($155). Bringing two sizes and options is a great closing situation.
“Of course, the Boss felt a little better in the shoulders, but I realllly like how the gray looks on me.”
“Shoulders on BOSS terrific, but I really like how the gray looks.” Bang zoom, that’s decision I like to hear at end. Put a hem on it, pick it up in an hour. That a THIRD guy blew through and took a Millar check sports coat ($745) and a pair of white shirts, *that* is how triples should roll.
Although there’s a consistent fear of inflation or recession, my current POV-expectation is, with plenty of product vs. last year, setting goals for better paychecks is Reality. In 2021, I was often selling from an empty cart, burning time online having suits and shirts being shipped from other stores vs. just ringing up Peter Millar shirts/sweaters I *should* have had.
We (Nordstrom) still don’t do Black Friday pricing, which could have contributed to my poor showing last Saturday. Our regulars know they won’t miss sales, but deal hunters were often disappointed. End of the pay period, you’d better believe I’m wearing my Boss Blue – aka The $$$ Suit – instead of black management feels ‘would help identify us with customers.’
Reward those who have or will serve you well. Since first sales job out of college, and Boomer with Attittude, if you wanted more money, the word has been “Its right out there, do more.” Zig Ziglar stated it undeniably: If you get other people what they want, (as a saleperson) you automatically get what you want.
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