[jhspaybar]

I spent 8 years as a car salesman, and I almost had to laugh at the things in here. I did mostly email and telephone based sales and this single blog post seems to sum up the years of training I had at various dealerships. In retrospect, much of it is obvious, but it's really awkward to say things like "I'll be in town the week of X and would like to set up time either Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon, which works for you?".

There's a ton more in there that is really great advice, but as someone who was a relatively successful salesman, if you're not a salesman and you're criticizing this or think this is cheesy, please understand this is how you "sell".

When this is being done to you, most people don't realize it, and even like the presentation. Even as someone trained in many of these techniques, you know they're being used, but if done properly it just makes for a pleasant experience and you don't even care.

[6cxs2hd6]

> Even as someone trained in many of these techniques, you know they're being used, but if done properly it just makes for a pleasant experience and you don't even care

Someone once told me that other salespeople are the easiest to sell to. Maybe because on some level they're rooting for you to succeed, or maybe because they're more extroverted.

My observations seem to bear that out, but I don't have a huge sample size. I'm curious whether you think that's true?

p.s. I was tempted to open this with, "I saw your comment on HN and wanted to get your advice...". :) But I'm not trying to be a meta smartass. I'm genuinely curious.

[jhspaybar]

I would say I'm relatively easy to sell to, but that I'm also not tolerant of having my time wasted when the value you offer just isn't what I'm after.

In that regard, I'd say I'm just like every other person who isn't a salesperson :)

[marban]

The only that's missing are a couple of quotes from Glengarry Glen Ross

[cgtyoder]

Good father? &%#@ you! Go home play with your kids. You wanna work here? Close.

[mindcrime]

We've added a little something to this month's sales contest. As you know, first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Know what second prize is? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is, you're fired.

[marban]

A-B-C

[mindcrime]

A(ttention)

I(nterest)

D(ecision)

A(ction)

[erikb]

A lot of them don't apply just to selling stuff, e.g., being specific alone is always a very valuable skill.