Alternative to -"Can I help you"

Eddie Bauer stores use an approach like that. They also have employees ask if you are looking for something in particular they can help you find, tell you about special sales, and then they "go over there".

I'm the ultimate "don't bother me" kind of person, but when I am shopping and I *am* looking for something specific, if someone comes up to me and says, "Is there anything I can help you with?" then I will say, straight out, what I'm looking for and appreciate the help.

I also appreciate knowing that someone is available and interested in helping me if I need it.

If someone used the fake friendliness technique described by helisell, I am not sure I would respond positively. Most people can't fake friendliness convincingly. However, I remember a kid who worked as a bagger in my local supermarket who truly had a warm, open smile for everyone, and I remember him precisely because he was so unusual. (Unusual at least where I live, in New England.)

Marcia Yudkin

I notice the OP changed the title to "Have you been in the store before?". I've seen sales trainers use that. And it looks great on the surface. It may even be a great greeting if you are a clerk in a large store, with lots of clerks.

But here is why I don't use it. What if they say, "Yes. I was in yesterday and talked to you. Don't you remember?' And it also doesn't further the process. They could just say "Yes" or "No". and walk away.

You used;
"No. Well, my boss insists I tell you that we ________ and if you have any questions or need any help, just give me the high sign (if your personality can deal, make it something funny)."


I've seen this used in several retail stores. The only thing I don't like about it is, "my boss insists I tell you.." The reason I don't like it, is that it sets up this thought, "My boss makes me say this, so you don't have to listen, and it won't bother me. And I personally don't think this is important".

I would rather use something like;
"No."
"In that case, you'll want to know that _________, and if you have any questions or need any help, just give me the high sign"


But. What if they came in looking for something? What if they came in to buy?

Why would you set them free, and make them attract your attention again?

If someone is truly just there to look around, they will let you know by saying, "Well, I'm just killing time, until my wife is done shopping next door", or something along those lines.

I always assume they are in my store to buy. And I treat them as though that's why they are there. Many of the "techniques" I see are actually turning buyers...into browsers.

You can turn buyers into browsers. but why would anyone want to do that?

I can see the recommended greetings, if it's a huge department store, and your primary job is to stock shelves.

But let's say it's a furniture store? How many people drive to a furniture store, without the idea of buying furniture? I would always assume they are there to buy. And I would assume that they already have given it some thought.

A great question in that case is, "Where can I direct you?" If I had a huge store, I may say, "I'm here to serve. Where can I direct you?"

At least they can now say, "We're here to buy ___, ", without having to reconnect with me.

Am I overthinking this? No. (although most people would think so). The greeting, and follow up questions account for much of the high end selling I do. You are setting the direction of the conversation.

And what is browsing? Wandering lost in a maze, with nobody to guide you.

I have a friend that used to own a retail mattress store. Why he owned a retail store, I have no idea. He really didn't like people at all...and made no attempt to hide it.

A buyer would walk through his door, and he would be sitting behind the counter. If he decided to get up, he would sigh in disgust...walk up to them, and say "What?". He said it like a statement.

That was his greeting, "What". And he would just stand there, waiting for a response.

I talked to him about it, but he refused to believe that the reason he was going out of business, was that he was destroying any chance of someone buying from him.

Someone would say, "We'll look around", and he would just say, "Fine" and walk away.

He was a good friend, a genuinely giving person, and had phenomenal prices. But he did everything he could to guarantee that they didn't buy...and was completely oblivious to it.