AHHH! The bad old days! Thanks for the memories and I agree with you. I learned stuff back then that I still use today. My movies were Paper Moon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070510/) and Tin Men (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094155/).

Rick ...
What a great couple of movies to remember ... and, I’m glad you reminded me.  I’m going to buy these for my library right away.  To everyone, please look at Rick’s blog at http://therainmakermaker.com/ ... another great guy trying to make the world of sales a better place.

If you are interested in buying from a door-to-door seller, get everything in writing including price, warranty and all conditions. Tell the salesperson you will check it out and get back to him.

Door to door marketing is really hard for sales person. So try to be sure whenever you buy anything from door to door salesman.Nice article. Thanks for sharing.

Lance,

I agree with you that it is a great learning ground for salespeople but I’m not so sure too many professional companies operate a door-to-door selling strategy. We have a thing in the UK at the moment where energy companies try to get you to switch service providers using door-to-door techniques. The problem is they don’t train their people very well. They should turn your article into a training course. It offers very good advice.

Thanks, Simon ...
Just as in any profession, there are some door to door salespeople whom do not represent the best in their art, or the best in humanity. I really should not matter if we sell door to door or face-to-face.  Our reputation as honest salespeople wanting to help others do better ... must be maintained with integrity.  And, training should provide the process and skills to get the job done in that way.

I really like your last name.  It’s mine too.

I have a lot of knowledge in this area. I would love to say that they are excons…but in my state they are not. They are required to do a local, county, state and federal background check. Then they have to be licensed by the state. Now, I will say this about my competitor though. They will trick their way into your home by offering you a free sign to put in front of your house.

Thanks, It’s good to see that you do not “trick” your way into a house.  People do not like to be tricked into buying something or into entertaining someone’s sales conversation.  They do like someone who wants to understand their situation, their needs and problems, and who proposes a way to help them.  And, they like someone who follows up to see if their purchase was satisfactory.

Great post, one of the most informative posts on this subject online actuallly.

Thanks and keep up the great work.

Manish

Thanks Manish ...
Keep on keeping on.  Solve the needs and problems
of those your serve.
Lance

I am in love with your quality articles! I wish I had time and patience to make my blog like yours. Thanks for the informative information you share.

Bookmarked your blog.

\\\\\\\  RAJ   \\\\\\\

Thanks, RAJ ...
You’re very kind.
I appreciate the encouragement.
Lance

i remember i would get these cold sweats before I walked up to the door its an awful feeling

door to door sales, i almost would rather do something else

Door to door sales can be a big challenge, catching people after work and when they are in a bad mood.  You really have to be very considerate and nice, it is a great training ground if you are looking to go into business.

I can see that you are putting a lot of time and effort into your blog and detailed articles! I am deeply in love with every single piece of information you post here. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

Alferd

no doubt, it’s a back breaking job. but that’s what the challenge is all about. all u need to do is solve the problem.

Everyone is right ... it is a hard ground to learn sales on, but it is also rewarding and builds courage for the future.  I know some very professional (cold calling) salespeople in Atlanta.  They sell for a security company - burglar alarms, etc.  They have learned to plan each step from the car, to the door, to a tour of the home, to the dining room table, and they are extremely sensitive to the homeowner and their needs.

Lance

I think that Door to door sale is really a good work to do. It can boost your self confidence because you have to meet new person daily, you have to give preesentations and you have to complete your sales targets. Yes, it is a very tough work. It will give you lot of pressure but it also give you self confidence to success in life.

I may not feel:—I never may behold
The spark of life, that trimmed in garb so bright
That flying quintessence of ruby, gold,
Mild emerald, and lucid chrysolite.
Yet am I glad that life and joy were there,
That the small creature was as blithe as fair.

ah yes ... door-to-door ... that every customer contact and every sales rep who knocks on a door ... that “sparks of life - life and joy were there, that the small creature was as blithe as fair.”

Your website looks great. I think you have real talent.

Charlotte Homes ...
You are very kind.  Much success to you in Charlotte during
2009 and beyond.

Kindest regards,
Lance

My PhD dissertation advisor once told me that learning is a precess in which you cannot see immediate merits and you don’t know what you learn today will result in. But someday, all these days of book reading and hard work will pay off in a surprising way, and that’s the true fun of learning. I guess it’s the same with door-to-door experience. It will, as you wrote, help one go to great careers. Keep up the good work and good luck.

Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of presentation.