Depressed-lack of interpersonal skills and business

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pezar
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19 Sep 2011, 5:02 pm

I tried to be a computer repairman, and couldn't. My problem was NOT that I didn't know computers, but that I couldn't sell my skills to the guy on the other end. Here's how a typical call would go:

[ring]
Hello, computer repair [keeping out the actual name of the business for now]
Yes, my PC is slow.
Well, I won't know what it is until I take a look at it.
[sometimes at this point they'll hang up. if not, they'll ask prices]
How much will it be?
Well, it will be $X for me to take a look at it.
Oh. Well, I think I'll call around.
Ok, feel free.
[THEY hang up.]

So I never get anybody who is willing to let me come out. As you can see, I don't know how to sell myself. Or else, when I tell them it's $X and they balk, I'll give them a new price of $Y, and then they'll just hang up. I am CONSTANTLY running into the fact that many many repairmen in Sacramento will charge $20-30 flat fee for any repair. I can't make a living doing that! I can't cover the cost of GAS for that! Free pickup and delivery, free diagnostics, rock bottom flat rates. What happens is a lot of these $30 yokels are selling customers' personal info out the back door to the local mob. (Russian mob.) Is there any way to counter this? Is there any way for an aspie to sell more proficiently over the phone?



Greatsharkbite
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19 Sep 2011, 5:17 pm

Well, first I gotta wonder is it worth it actually having a sales pitch? Do you get paid hourly? Do you get a bonus for reeling in customers?

I used to work for tips at a restaurant, but i'd also bust the hump because a relative owned the place. It was exhausting each day trying to fake niceties and sell overpriced sandwiches.

But seriously put any spin on it, we used to say are food was "gourmet" versus the healthier cheaper competition. It did taste better, just for $2-$6 more depending on the sandwich.

Be "sickeningly" nice, or hey.. tell them its a very common problem with computers and we have a ton of experience dealing with these issues.

You can exaggerate/relate and still be honest. People will pay more if they feel they're treated well and taken care of.

But yeah, sometimes depending on incentive, being blunt is or isn't the answer. But it'll rarely get you customers.

I'll also say in contrast--sometimes its just the customer, not the salesperson. Sometimes people have a bad attitude, sometimes people have mental problems.. and sometimes there just isn't a market or worthwhile product/service. (AKA Dominos Pizza)