It was too tempting. The glittering shop pulled us inside like a magnet. The famous ‘perfumemania' shop in New York's Time Square was irresistible. The smile on the sales girl beckoned us. We were soon into the exotic dream world of perfumes. She became an instant hit and chatted with us like old friends. She had all the time in the world for us, as if we were her VIP customers.
That she was an expert in the perfumes was clear. My wife got a free education about the nuances of perfume choice, the difference between American and French perfumes, how to check quality and so on. She put a drop of perfume on the wrist and advised my wife, “Please don't rub it hard.”
The talk was enlightening at the end of which she sold us two perfume bottles with a small gift thrown in. I watched helplessly as that salesperson turned up her charm and sold the ware when we had no idea when we walked in that we would do any shopping in New York, except window-shopping. That is sales talk for you!
“How about you, Sir?” she turned her attention to me. I didn't show any interest. “No, I don't buy any perfume, you know,” I told her. “But, Sir, please have a look at the offer, you cannot afford to miss it. It comes with a small gift too.” Despite my protestations, she showed us a few brands. “Now, this is almost free, buy one and you get the other free!” she smiled. I still hesitated.
She played her trump card, “Sir, if you find any other shop selling it for less, I shall give it to you free.” That clinched it. My wife nudged me, “Why don't you buy it, it's a bargain.” I had no choice but to buy it, sandwiched between two persuasive women who made me feel so important.
It was time to take leave of that charming person. “You are a great salesgirl,” I complimented her. She accepted my compliment with a smile and a ‘thank you'.
The thought came to us about our own salespersons and how they would have reacted on seeing casual visitors. Would they have shown the same interest and enthusiasm to sell, I wondered.
At least a few of them think a customer is a pain in the neck and so has to be sent out soon out of the shop so that they can relax and carry on their own activities.
( The writer's email id is: >dbnvimi@gmail.com )
