Years ago I had an unforgettable experience at the #Breitling watch store at the Millenia Mall here in Orlando. What started out as a little window shopping ended up turning me into a lifelong fan of their brand.
And it all came down to my brief interaction with Matt, the assistant manager.
At the time, I wasn't familiar with the brand but I liked what I saw on display in the window so I decided to go inside and look around.
Based on the way I was dressed, I can imagine Matt knew immediately I wouldn't be purchasing anything but he gave me an enthusiastic greeting and we dove into a nice conversation about their watches and eventually the prices. I quickly realized I had no business being in that store.
At that point, I tried to cut him off because I didn't want to waste his time but he was very excited about their offerings and wanted to help me learn about the brand and how they compare to other luxury timepieces like Rolex. I tried on several different options and quickly fell in love with all of them.
After about 15 minutes as I was getting ready to leave, he thanked me for coming in and gave me his card and a catalog of their new collections. Though I couldn't afford one of their watches at the time, I felt like a million bucks after this interaction and kept his card and the catalog on my nightstand for two years.
What stood out to me the most is that he had other tasks and customers he could have attended to but he was present in the moment with me when most salespeople would have gone about their day as opposed to interacting at this level.
To be honest, I wouldn't have blamed him if he did that but I also know there's a very good chance I wouldn't have gone back two years later to purchase my first Breitling watch from him.
I often find myself thinking back to this experience and how most companies miss out on opportunities to build a loyal following.
Here are 5 things that I took away from this experience with Matt;
1) Little Wows Matter: It’s not always the grand gestures that build loyalty. Consistent small acts of exceptional service create lasting impressions.
2) Treat Every Interaction as Valuable: Even when there’s no immediate sale, treating every potential customer as important can cultivate future opportunities. In the end, Matt didn't just make a sale; he built a relationship.
3) Create Lasting Impressions: Simple gestures like offering information, taking the time to engage, and allowing customers to experience the product can lead to memorable moments. I'll never forget the experience of trying on one of their $50,000 watches (and no, that's not the one I bought).
4) Be Present and Stay in the Moment: Don’t rush off if you see there isn’t an immediate benefit. Staying present can make someone feel valued and connected to your brand.
5) Make Prospects Feel Like Customers: Matt treated me like a real customer, which made me want to return when I was ready to purchase.
#customerexperience #watch #customerloyalty
Private Clients, Tailoring MTM and Fashion Fitter
6dThey are definitely Santas little helpers. Love a dachshund, or two