Solicit and Nudge the Customer to Act

 I'm a gullible kind, one who can easily be cajoled to part with cash or time. Well, there are many like me in any society. So, why can't retailers exploit this aspect in people. Yes, they do use the weak-links in the customer to cross sell services or upsell other products too. But, not all are good to do the smart talk or even do the smallest of action!

Few days back, I visited a newly opened spa and Salon in Trivandrum. I wanted to get a pedicure done, but my wallet only had money for a hair cut. Anyways, I asked for pedicure and haircut, without asking the price. 

After I sat down for haircut, I realize that I don't have the dough for pedicure, which I badly wanted. And, then I told the barber guy to cancel the pedicure. As he continued the crop, the owner of the newly opened salon came and said that there are attractive packages. I asked for pedicure rate and she said Rs 800. And then she said she will give for Rs 600. It was an okay rate, yet I didn't have the bandwidth. 

Later the fair owner and me exchanged talk about spreading the brand name and she asked me to spread the word. After the hair cut the lady who was supposed to do my pedicure took cash for haircut. She neither asked when I would be coming for pedicure nor said about work after taking Rs 190 for haircut charge. Btw, it's bit high for my wallet. Also, I gave 20 as tip.

At that time I was thinking that if she had asked me once or twice to have a pedicure, I would have fallen for her offer. Probably, she can say, I can offer 50 Rs discount if you do it now or book an appointment for tomorrow. Also, they never bothered to ask my number. Shame on them!

So, the point here to owners - just watch the CCTV footage and see how your staff is responding to customers. Are they even trying to smile, or appear thankful while receiving the cash, or are just acting like bots!