Types Of Self Storage Customer


The self storage industry recognizes that there are many different types of shoppers. It is the managers responsibility to determine which type of shopper that they are talking with and what their needs are for storage. This can sometimes be very difficult when the contact with the shopper is by telephone only. Self storage managers realize that many consumers call around to various locations to check prices before they decide which storage facilities they want to visit. They also realize that some of these callers may not be actual customers, but those who are providing a secret shopping service and get paid to shop the facility on the level of service and information given to the pretend customer.

The Secret Caller
There are companies that are paid to provide a secret shopping service for many self storage facilities because the industry demands each business stay on top of any changes. High levels of competition contribute to each facility striving to provide the best level of service possible, give the most appealing specials, and provide a location that is clean, secure, and easy to use. It is true that managers must first be able to take a basic telephone inquiry and turn it into a visit by the consumer to the desired location. It can be difficult when there are so many options and facilities for the consumer to choose from. The telephone call is the first impression that the facility can give the customer. This is where a good secret shopping service can be an asset to storage managers. It gives each manager a chance to unknowingly practice their customer skills on a basic inquiry call and to receive an evaluation by someone whose job it is to call the facility and secretly inquire as if they were a real customer. This evaluation can show the manager any areas to improve upon. Once managers begin to show improvements in the desired area, another shop may be completed in order to see if the changes the manager made are effective. The secret shopping service provides a way for managers and personnel to continually improve in any area of the call which can help the manager improve in other areas such as giving a great site tour of the location and bringing more consumers to the actual location.

The Known Caller
A good secret shopping service can truly define one facility from another. Those facilities that choose not to hire a service such as this may not provide an enjoyable level of service to consumers that they would like. The managers at these other locations may have some experience that can help with telephone inquiries. However, they may not have the skills necessary to help that consumer understand the importance of physically visiting their facility. Storage managers, with the right training, can help most to understand the value in a site tour and the value of storing at their facility. For many new customers, a manager with these characteristics can be a knight in shinning armor. There have been many times a customer has been in a bind and needed storage. They have called around just to find that many places are sold out or that storage can be a costly adventure. Self storage managers are good at helping the customer determine their exact need, the right size and helping them with a special they will really benefit from. No, one does not have to have a good secret shopping service in order to provide this exceptional level of service, but it is crucial to providing the same on-going level of service to all those who inquire about storage. If the customer chooses not to store at that time, they are more likely to keep the facility in mind that made the best impression.

The Service
Telephone sales can be difficult because one does not know who is on the other end of the call. It does not matter to storage managers if the caller is a person conducting a secret shopping service or if they are a first time inquirer. They caller will be treated the same. Self storage managers provide great service, attempt to meet the consumers needs, and invite the consumer to come and see the facility for themselves. This has proven to be the best course of action. Nine times out of ten, the consumer will store at a location that makes them feel secure and at ease. What would be better than storing at a location where the management is great, the deals are even better and the experience is second to none. Those companies who invest in a shopping service can truly benefit which will result in higher profits and more customers coming into their facility to store.

Source : Secret Shopping Blog

Miami Storage


Please Rate this Article...                    Not yet Rated


More Articles From - Home | Business


© 2008 ArticleClick.com Free Articles - All Rights Reserved