LIBS..How do they get the jobs...

castaway

castaway

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on the boat stands?? Some of the sales people appear to confuse their roles with that of security guards.

I was there on monday and the place was almost deserted, most of the stands empty and the sales staff huddled around in conversation with each other evidently over some important matters that they could not break away from.

Worst was the J-boat stand where the sales guy was literally trying to walk away whilst I was trying to engage him about the J-80.

2nd worst was the Old Matron on the Swordsman stand who barked at me for not taking of my deck shoes.

Best was the Backman 21 Sportsboat stand where they actualy appear to be in tune with their market, my mate commented that brand loyalty can be made or lost long before any money changes hands, how true!

Got to say I like the Excell venue even if it is a pain to get to. We put a bit of variety in by going by water...Woking to Waterloo train... Then Savoy pier...Canary Wharf by Fast Cat, then bus for the last mile to Excell. Then came back via the DLR and Underground to Waterloo. First time for me on both the River service and the DLR.


Nick

www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather
 
I agree, a high proportion are not following even the most basic trade show guidelines commonly drummed into those on stand duty in other market sectors before an event.

Still a lot more enjoyable than "Afgan Rug Making 2005" or "Networks 2005" though!!!
 
Go to the Mortor boat bit - they know how to sell. Pity they build the wrong sorts of boats for me.

Problem wiht the marine industry in the UK is it is so used to taking people for granted they forget that the main reason for the shopw is to sell their Brands.

Most of the stands are manned by UK reps of overseas builders anyway as there is no UK boatbuilding left when it comes to sailboats.

If the UK marine industry was professional and understood they need to sell products and offer value for money.....................
 
"If the UK marine industry was professional and understood they need to sell products and offer value for money....................."

They would need some form of training in sales technique and as for value for money.....Come on we are talking about boats?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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Some of the sales people appear to confuse their roles with that of security guards.

[/ QUOTE ]

I worked for a chandlers at the boat show last year.

Firstly, we were warned to look out for people robbing stuff. The stands are temporary, crowded and do not have the same vantage points a high street shop might have to deter thieves.

It is also very busy, far busier than a shopping mall ever gets. This favours the shoplifters.

The thieves tend to go for clothing over equipment. Chav style favours Henri Lloyd kit, but what use is a Jabsco pump to your average fence?

I found the 2 and a bit weeks OK, one downside was a customer trying to start a fight with me 'cos he said I'd pushed him out of the way!

If I hadn't been working I'd have decked him!

Boat Show rage! What is this world coming to? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
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2nd worst was the Old Matron on the Swordsman stand who barked at me for not taking of my deck shoes.[/url]

[/ QUOTE ]

Well you'll forgive me for saying your own post on this occasion expresses a certain ageist rudeness as well.

Personally I spent a very happy hour with the "Old Matron" on the Swordsman 30 (aka Spearfish, same hull), and was both impressed with her interest in involving former Fairey owners, her knowledge of the boat, her kindness, and the time she gave me......and I'd have barked at you for not removing your shoes too.
 
Yea that's only because you're an' old smoothie John. Lets face it you and I have to take whatever we can get these days and he probably talks more like me than you so stood no chance with the "old matron" did he.
 
I imagine this is the same lady who was on the Swordsman 30 at the Southampton Boat Show.

If so, she was charm itself to me, though I was plainly nothing more than a besotted nerd, who wanted to talk about how I'd had photos of the Spearfish on my bedroom wall when I was a boy and who plainly didn't have the wherewithal to cough up £150,000K.

Mind you, I was wearing the regulation Musto Coastal Jacket, so perhaps she was duped........... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
<the sales people appear to confuse their roles with that of security guards>

You are not kidding - try bowling up without the metaphorical 'Rolex on the wrist' and compound this with two young kids in tow... if its anything above a Laser they fall over themselves in the scramble to find an 'appointment only' sign!

Mark
 
Apparently they did have a yacht nicked a couple of years ago, during the get out. This is the best time for thieves to operate, when there's a mad scramble to get everything out, and no-one knows who anyone is. Excel usually make announcements to remind people, but for an opportunist thief with balls of steel there's stuff there for the taking.
 
With respect.. the 'Old Matron' may have engaged with a few of the right types, but not for me. The Swordsman, Spearfish, Huntsman and other Fairey derivatives are some of the few motorboats I would ever aspire to own, and I have a genuine interest.

Last year whilst moored opposite the Folly I had a very interesting chat with Gordon Curry about these boats and their history and in particular his Spearfish, and for me he did far more for Swordsman ownership than the people on the stand

My point is that these folks are simply not sales people and are too protective of there products and that can be very off putting.

And another point!! What about all this taking your shoes off?? Sure when boarding a boat or yacht whilst outside it makes sense, but inside the Excell? Come on!!

Just another of these outmoded rituals we have to go thro'

I actually found the best boats to visit were the ones outside in the pouring rain. Steam tugs,LivelyLady and of course the great lads on the RNLI boat.

All best Nick

www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather
 
[ QUOTE ]
And another point!! What about all this taking your shoes off?? Sure when boarding a boat or yacht whilst outside it makes sense, but inside the Excell? Come on!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I beg to disagree. Many of the boats at shows have already been sold and are loaned back for the period, and even if that were not so nobody wants to have to refinish a boat on top of all their other costs.

It's not reasonable to suppose that just because they are indoors someone doesn't have chewing gum or some other detritus on their shoes, or that they're not wearing heels with steel tips, (loads of ex military types at shows). Making judgments is guaranteed to cause offence. No shoes has been pretty universal at shows for as long as I've been attending or working at them.
 
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