Does what a salesman wear REALLY make a difference?
Poll: Does what a salesman wear REALLY make a difference?
Total Members Polled: 96
Discussion
My role in the past 2yrs has changed dramatically...I've always worn my "casual" jeans & tops as my role has been a mix of sales/warehouse but with my now role now being 100% sales orientated there's been a realisation from myself & my colleagues/bosses that what I wear needs to change to maintain a smarter look. After all, clients are coming to see me as well as see our product.
So as a result, it got me thinking. Does wearing something like "casual clothing" really affect a sale if you do your job properly & still wrangle a sale?
So as a result, it got me thinking. Does wearing something like "casual clothing" really affect a sale if you do your job properly & still wrangle a sale?
I think there's also the issue of expectation; some people will expect sales people to be professionally-attired.
I have to wear a suit and tie every day but if I know the client and have a good relationship with them, I'll often lose the tie. Sometimes a 'relaxed-but-still-smart' look can create a better atmosphere.
ETA: Depends on the meeting too - there's some clients I know well but would not even THINK about taking my tie off for.
I have to wear a suit and tie every day but if I know the client and have a good relationship with them, I'll often lose the tie. Sometimes a 'relaxed-but-still-smart' look can create a better atmosphere.
ETA: Depends on the meeting too - there's some clients I know well but would not even THINK about taking my tie off for.
Edited by Funk on Monday 2nd March 15:52
Depends.
If they come to the door they've got two seconds to make an impression. If it's some bloke offering to cut down my tree then scruffy is almost expected, but otherwise, if they look like Swampy and have half a curtain rail embedded in their eyebrow, I won't buy it whatever it is.
If they come to the door they've got two seconds to make an impression. If it's some bloke offering to cut down my tree then scruffy is almost expected, but otherwise, if they look like Swampy and have half a curtain rail embedded in their eyebrow, I won't buy it whatever it is.
Funk said:
I think there's also the issue of expectation; some people will expect sales people to be professionally-attired.
I have to wear a suit and tie every day but if I know the client and have a good relationship with them, I'll often lose the tie. Sometimes a 'relaxed-but-still-smart' look can create a better atmosphere.
Yeah definately agree, sometimes being over the top can seem a bit 'commissiony'I have to wear a suit and tie every day but if I know the client and have a good relationship with them, I'll often lose the tie. Sometimes a 'relaxed-but-still-smart' look can create a better atmosphere.
I always used to try and wear the same sort of clothes as the people I was selling to.
In my market that meant a decent pair of trousers, shirt and tie. Didn't bother with a full suit, though.
Selling to very small business and sole traders, it wasn't a great idea to turn up in a £1000 suit with all the trimmings.
In my market that meant a decent pair of trousers, shirt and tie. Didn't bother with a full suit, though.
Selling to very small business and sole traders, it wasn't a great idea to turn up in a £1000 suit with all the trimmings.
Steve Evil said:
All depends on what you're selling. I think I'd find your typical early 20's estate agent a lot more approachable and less of a slimy cock if he wasn't wearing a next suit, tie with a knot the size of my fist and loafers.
An estate agent cannot look like they are not an estate agent, its not possible.I tried, and I still did, even though I wore decent suits, nice ties, and normal shoes. Its impossible
okgo said:
Steve Evil said:
All depends on what you're selling. I think I'd find your typical early 20's estate agent a lot more approachable and less of a slimy cock if he wasn't wearing a next suit, tie with a knot the size of my fist and loafers.
An estate agent cannot look like they are not an estate agent, its not possible.I tried, and I still did, even though I wore decent suits, nice ties, and normal shoes. Its impossible
The company sells a prestige product...Normal clients are a mix from architects/developers, hard-working young families to millionaires, builders to interior designers. Quite a broad spectrum I guess...We're a very very small but relaxed company. But thinking about it, when it comes to a prestige product you would expect that level of professionalism, anything different would maybe considered "eccentric" or for want of a better term "lazy barstewards" 
Depends what your idea of casual is too, if its ironed, cleaned and well fitting jeans and shirt then thats fine. If it looks like you found them under your bed this morning thats not.
The only salesman i regularly encounter who's appearance prevents him selling to me is a fat man from BT who smells of coleslaw. He could be giving away free phone calls for life and i'd still leave him in reception until he gets the message and f
ks off.
The only salesman i regularly encounter who's appearance prevents him selling to me is a fat man from BT who smells of coleslaw. He could be giving away free phone calls for life and i'd still leave him in reception until he gets the message and f
ks off.Steve Evil said:
okgo said:
Steve Evil said:
All depends on what you're selling. I think I'd find your typical early 20's estate agent a lot more approachable and less of a slimy cock if he wasn't wearing a next suit, tie with a knot the size of my fist and loafers.
An estate agent cannot look like they are not an estate agent, its not possible.I tried, and I still did, even though I wore decent suits, nice ties, and normal shoes. Its impossible
You can't influence me to buy something by dressing well.
But by dressing badly you can ensure I won't bother visiting your showroom.
I don't need people to wear suits. I DO need them to be wearing clothes that are clean, respectable and in good repair.
It helps if you don't stink, too, as I have to sit or stand near you for a while to buy your product. You'd be amazed at how many people get that wrong!
But by dressing badly you can ensure I won't bother visiting your showroom.
I don't need people to wear suits. I DO need them to be wearing clothes that are clean, respectable and in good repair.
It helps if you don't stink, too, as I have to sit or stand near you for a while to buy your product. You'd be amazed at how many people get that wrong!
I work in sales for an enterprise software company and we are expected to talk and work with very senior people such as CEO, CTO and CISO. To NOT wear a suit would be suicide. Although there are regional differences across Europe, I stick to a boring suit and tie combo with no silly hair cuts. Makes things easy. Avoid comedy ties like the plague though.
Simpo Two said:
Depends.
If they come to the door they've got two seconds to make an impression. If it's some bloke offering to cut down my tree then scruffy is almost expected, but otherwise, if they look like Swampy and have half a curtain rail embedded in their eyebrow, I won't buy it whatever it is.
Agreed, facial furniture is normally a deal killer, but aside from that attitude counts for a fair bit more than attire. If they come to the door they've got two seconds to make an impression. If it's some bloke offering to cut down my tree then scruffy is almost expected, but otherwise, if they look like Swampy and have half a curtain rail embedded in their eyebrow, I won't buy it whatever it is.
Steve Evil said:
okgo said:
Steve Evil said:
All depends on what you're selling. I think I'd find your typical early 20's estate agent a lot more approachable and less of a slimy cock if he wasn't wearing a next suit, tie with a knot the size of my fist and loafers.
An estate agent cannot look like they are not an estate agent, its not possible.I tried, and I still did, even though I wore decent suits, nice ties, and normal shoes. Its impossible
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