I want to buy a new sofa

[annasuave]

But I just can’t handle talking to the sales people. How do I deal? How have you dealt in the past? Are there any commissioned sales folks here on CP willing to share their insight?

I was in a few stores today, and the experience bordered on surreal. I felt like the interactions were forced, scripted and headed toward Creepy Town. I was followed and badgered with an intrusive array of personal questions that just never let up. Not even after “I’m ok for now, thanks. I’ll let you know if I have questions”.

Are these techniques effective? Do they actually drive sales? Do salespeople risk being fired if they don’t act like that?

I hope I understand the pressures people working in sales face - but today I was genuinely offended. Nobody seemed to be seeing me a person - just a mark. I want to treat people right, but I also expect to be treated right in turn.

How the heck to I buy a sofa with flat out telling someone, “Look, I just want to look at the sofas. Please leave me alone”.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by annasuave

But I just can’t handle talking to the sales people. How do I deal? How have you dealt in the past? Are there any commissioned sales folks here on CP willing to share their insight?

I was in a few stores today, and the experience bordered on surreal. I felt like the interactions were forced, scripted and headed toward Creepy Town. I was followed and badgered with an intrusive array of personal questions (how old is your house, what neighborhood do you live in, do you like yellow, are you married, is that your husband, are you wanting something in leather … and it just never let up. Not even after “I’m ok for now, thanks. I’ll let you know if I have questions”.

Are these techniques effective. Do they actually drive sales? Do salespeople risk being fired if they don’t act like that?

I hope I understand the pressures people working in sales face - but today it was genuinely offended. Nobody seemed to be seeing me a person - just a mark. I want to treat people right, but I also expect to be treated right in turn.

How the heck to I buy a sofa with flat out telling someone, “Look, I just want to look at the sofas. Please leave me alone”.

Just tell them to leave you alone and if you have a question you'll find them, sofa's have a high mark up so when you find what you want ask for a deal

[blankall]

I wouldn't spend too much on one either. It's good to get quality, but it's also a piece of furniture you'll probably want to replace somewhat frequently. Styles change and if you are actually using it, it will get worn and stained.

There are certain pieces of furniture where it makes sense to invest into a life long piece. A sofa is not one.

[RichieRich]

You need to go to Sofa King!
They're SofaKing amazing!
(joking)

[Frequitude]

We bought our last one on the Article website without checking it out. Wife liked the way it looked so there was no winning that one. It’s comfy enough, but what I’ve come to appreciate more than comfort with a toddler and a dog…it’s pretty bomb proof.

My only advice having moved a couple times in the past few years…with all else being equal, if you’re buying a sectional buy one with the sections being the ~4’ wide chunks instead of the standard 6-8’ wide ones. Way easier to move and way easier to get into a new house if needed (ie the basement).

[Winsor_Pilates]

Buy online, problem solved.
Article is great, just got 2 awesome swivel chairs from them last month.

Wayfair has a huge selection of price points and free shipping.

If you're into a higher budget like a Crate & Barrel, there's no negotiating anyway so the sales experience isn't annoying.

Stop going to these warehouse type sofa stores where everything is negotiable and terrible quality.

[blankall]

I know a lot of people who've had good experiences with article. Make sure to pay close attention to the measurements provided on their website and compare them to your existing furniture. I also know a couple people who ordered from them and ended up with furniture that was way too big or small.

[GGG]

Also there is a script they have to follow at yes it works.

They likely have to say high to you and ask if you want assistance as soon as you enter their zone. The goal is initiating a conversation and getting you from passively looking to actively comparing between models in the store. The goal of all the questions is to go from buying a clinch to buying this couch or this other couch.

In general harassing customers works. People don’t like to be rude and are easily manipulated with sales techniques.

[calumniate]

I bought something from noa home.. Who are mostly an online mattress company but I figured if they could get mattresses right then maybe sofas too. I really like it! Didn't break the bank

[flamesfever]

If a sales person ever approaches me with "Can I help you?", i just say, " No thanks...I'm just looking", and walk away.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Rick James is my go to couch advisor

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by GGG

Also there is a script they have to follow at yes it works.

They likely have to say high to you and ask if you want assistance as soon as you enter their zone. The goal is initiating a conversation and getting you from passively looking to actively comparing between models in the store. The goal of all the questions is to go from buying a clinch to buying this couch or this other couch.

In general harassing customers works. People don’t like to be rude and are easily manipulated with sales techniques.

sadly true, I spent weekends working at A&B sound when I was younger and the ease at which you could sell something you knew they didnt really want or could afford was chilling, I remember selling a guy a 400 dollar pair of speakers once just by using the 'uncomfortable silence' rule, his wife had more sense and brought them back a few days later, frankly I was relieved

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Buy online, problem solved.
Article is great, just got 2 awesome swivel chairs from them last month.

Wayfair has a huge selection of price points and free shipping.

If you're into a higher budget like a Crate & Barrel, there's no negotiating anyway so the sales experience isn't annoying.

Stop going to these warehouse type sofa stores where everything is negotiable and terrible quality.

wayfair couches are dreadful, they make Ikea look like Ethan Allen

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Buy online, problem solved.

Oh god no, I would never buy a couch without having planted my ass on it a couple times in the showroom. I've seen a few couches where I thought to myself "Damn, that's a good-lookin' couch" only to sit on it and think "Who the hell would want to spend more than a 15-minute wait in a doctor's office on this stupid thing?"

Couches, office chairs, mattresses; you gotta test those in person IMHO.

Originally Posted by annasuave

How the heck to I buy a sofa with flat out telling someone, “Look, I just want to look at the sofas. Please leave me alone”.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. "I'm just browsing and looking at my options right now; what's your name? I'll come find you if I have any questions."

[PaperBagger'14]

A great way to save a few bucks is to order one from the brick (blech) and then a few days later, cancel your order. They will haggle down the price to keep the sale.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by blankall

I wouldn't spend too much on one either. It's good to get quality, but it's also a piece of furniture you'll probably want to replace somewhat frequently. Styles change and if you are actually using it, it will get worn and stained.

There are certain pieces of furniture where it makes sense to invest into a life long piece. A sofa is not one.

Yep, I've always felt this way, too. Everyone I know goes for life long lasting pieces because "furniture is something you spend money on". But have you ever seen a house where they clearly haven't changed the furniture/decor since 1999?

It looks ancient in terms of style, regardless of how great the quality is. I'm more of a "get something that looks nice and modern in decent quality and expect that your tastes and trends will change within ten years".

You'll replace it to look modern before you replace it for quality decline, unless you're shopping at JYSK.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

wayfair couches are dreadful, they make Ikea look like Ethan Allen

Wayfair isn't a manufacturer, they're just a retailer with hundreds of different brands.
There's no such thing as a Wayfair couch.

They sell good quality products and terrible quality products, checking reviews of products is crucial.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by annasuave

But I just can’t handle talking to the sales people. How do I deal? How have you dealt in the past? Are there any commissioned sales folks here on CP willing to share their insight?

I was in a few stores today, and the experience bordered on surreal. I felt like the interactions were forced, scripted and headed toward Creepy Town. I was followed and badgered with an intrusive array of personal questions that just never let up. Not even after “I’m ok for now, thanks. I’ll let you know if I have questions”.

Are these techniques effective? Do they actually drive sales? Do salespeople risk being fired if they don’t act like that?

I hope I understand the pressures people working in sales face - but today I was genuinely offended. Nobody seemed to be seeing me a person - just a mark. I want to treat people right, but I also expect to be treated right in turn.

How the heck to I buy a sofa with flat out telling someone, “Look, I just want to look at the sofas. Please leave me alone”.

Maybe put on some Bluetooth headsets and if someone approaches, just say slightly too loudly you'll track them down to ask questions after you're done your call?

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Wayfair isn't a manufacturer, they're just a retailer with hundreds of different brands.
There's no such thing as a Wayfair couch.

They sell good quality products and terrible quality products, checking reviews of products is crucial.

everything Wayfair sells has to be deliverable by one guy though which means their couches come in 4 pieces plus cushions and legs, the arms and seat and back all lock together with a slotting piece of hardware, their couches all have the instruction 'some assembly required' and they are all the lightest cheapest flimsiest things you have seen. I doubt a wayfair couch weighs more than 50 lbs, its just a function of their business model

[Winsor_Pilates]

You're making stuff up.
Here's a 650 lb, $43,000 sectional made in San Diego by a company that's been around over 35 years. 1 piece, zero assembly required.

I don't doubt there's plenty of crappy sofas on Wayfair, but the rest of your post is completely nonsense.

https://www.wayfair.ca/furniture/pdp...-elgy1431.html