Salespeople lose big with sexist thinking

Lorraine Sommerfeld

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

To say my sister Roz is detail-oriented would be an understatement. She goes about life with a precision that would make the Snowbirds envious. When her Toyota RAV4 developed some hiccups after many trouble-free years, she started her research.

Something kept draining her battery. Diagnostics were unable to pinpoint the problem, and while Toyota brains were working on it she decided to get a battery charger so she wouldn't be stranded.

With a Canadian Tire flyer in one hand and her notes in the other, she and her husband headed to the automotive counter one recent morning. A young man in his early 20s stood before her.

"Hi. I have a few questions about which charger I need to buy," she said. "I know there are several types and the problem I'm experiencing is hard to diagnose, and we've ruled out the alternator." She got no further.

"Wait a minute. Are you two together?" Arrogant Manboy asked her, indicating her husband.

"Yes, but...." Now, Daryl is marvellous. But he doesn't do cars. This is Roz's car.

"You listen and learn, because he's going to do this, and he will be helping you," sneered Arrogant.

Oh, my. This is wrong in so many ways, I can barely begin to tabulate them all.

"Listen and learn?" Can you imagine saying that to anyone, anywhere, for any reason? I thought we moved past much of this sexism. I walked out of a dealership seven years ago because the salesman refused to answer any of my questions – he looked past me to the Poor Sod. Who stood, eyes widened, knowing what was about to happen. Assumptions like this can cost you money.

Smart salespeople, regardless of what they're selling, know that an informed client is a good thing. You're more likely to understand your specific needs and you're more likely to have already narrowed down your choices. The Internet has been a huge bonus for consumers, if only because you can ask any dumb question you like and not have your computer monitor look over your shoulder to talk to somebody else.

A handyman knocked on my door to tell me my chimney needed repointing a few weeks ago. I know it does, so I told him to give me a quote. Fifteen minutes later, he handed over a sheet with an amount scrawled at the bottom that was roughly double what the job was worth. I told him he was nuts. He spoke to me like I had the intellect of a snail. I told him my father had been a bricklayer. He left. Never assume anything.

As Roz prepared to pull a limb off of Arrogant Manboy, a technician from the shop happened by. Arrogant grabbed him like a life preserver. Roz explained the problems and the technician nodded in agreement.

"No, you're right. A battery drain can be tough to diagnose," he said.

"Will you please tell this arrogant manboy that for me?" she demanded. She didn't say "arrogant manboy." She said something else.

"Arrogant Manboy, the lady is right. I'll help her with her purchase," said the technician.

Who said it was difficult to deal with a Sommerfeld?

Lorraine Sommerfeld's column appears Saturday in Wheels and Mondays in Living. www.lorraineonline.ca

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