Thread by @RealNaijaGuy

10 TYPES OF CUSTOMERS AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM (Pt 1)

As an entrepreneur or business person, you'll come across different types of customers with different attitudes.

They'll range from the extremely weird and rude to the extremely courteous and good-natured.

Here we look at 10 of the common types you'll encounter and how to deal with them:

1. The All-Knowing customer.

The title explains everything already.

They know your business more than you do.

They know your product more than you do.

In fact, they'll end up teaching you

about the business that you have been running for years.

He even knows your suppliers and knows how you learnt the skill you apply to your business.

He will go all out to unsettle you with his cocky and proud attitude.

But the truth is, they actually are insecure

They don't want to be seen as ignorant. They fear that you will have a better deal than them, so they pur out the 'all-knowing' attitude to put you off guard.

What to do?

Don't argue with them. Allow them talk. Just follow them on. They'll keep talking and eventually get

themselves trapped in a corner where you can close them.

You can go ahead and say:

'... Great. Since you know all of this about this product, it means you know its benefit already. So how many do you want to buy?'

Or

'I'm happy you know so much about this product/

/ that means you've made up your mind. So how many are you buying?"

The point is to not argue with them but always use their blabbings to mention the sale.

2. THE YES MAN

This customer agrees with you TOTALLY and will nod to everything you say.

Truth?

He is not buying today. He just wants you to finish your talk so he can move.

Stop your blabbings about the product and aks him

'So why won't you buy today?'

His answer will tell you whether to move on or kill it there.

3. The calculative Customer.

These ones don't talk much. They listen. They allow you yap on about how your product is the bread and butter of other customers but won't say a word.

What they are doing?

Analysing you!

His decision is usually based on what he thinks about you

What to do?

Relax!!!

Yes, don't get too excited and just yap on.

Relax, be confident and talk with assurance. Sometimes, it makes sense to go personal. Talk about yourself and family.

Sell yourself.

These customers are big on referrals. They'll bring you more business.

4. The Loud Mouth (LM)

This one will tell you how much he makes, all the places he has travelled to, the rich connections he has.

He will tell you about the Arabian prince he met in Dubai and how he lost a 2million dollar deal.

He'll constantly sound like Sarkodie: "You no sat money no be problem"

Truth?

He is in financial mess. Broke.

His lifestyle puts him in debt. His mouth is just his way of hiding the facts.

He honestly loves the life, but he lives off friends... Most times.

What to do?

Flow with him. Don't argue. Don't contest.

Don't tell him that you know he is not a Lekki big boy.

Just allow his yap. He'll close himself into a tight corner.

5. 'I no wan buy, I jus wan see' customer.

These ones are never prepared to buy.

They always 'jus wan see!'

Truth is, these customers are weak buyers. And they know it.

They know they can be easily influenced to pay for anything.

So they put out that statement as a way to protect themselves and ward you off.

In the end, they are sweet customers.

What to do?

Ignore their first statement to you.

It's a memorised nursery rhyme.

Just speak to them with a friendly smile and them offer them a special deal JUS FOR DEM ALONE.

That's their bait.

They love SPECIAL deals.

Give them.

Knowing your customer can help you a great deal in negotiating and making sales, as all customers are not the same.

Take the time to observe people as they walk into your business and you will observe trends that will help you sell better.