Question

A customer comes into your store wishing to purchase a specific item. You do not carry the item, so you attempt to sell him a similar item. The customer is committed to buying the specific item, and you can special order it from the vendor. Why should you order the item?

Answer 1

You should special order an item for a customer to meet their needs, potentially build customer loyalty, and avoid the negative implications of tying sales. This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth for your store.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a customer is committed to purchasing a specific item that your store does not carry, you should consider special ordering the item. Doing so can have several benefits, such as fulfilling the customer's needs, potentially fostering customer loyalty, and avoiding the negative aspects of tying sales. Tying sales, which require customers to buy an unwanted or unrelated product to get the one they do want, can be controversial and lead to customer dissatisfaction. Instead, a store can utilize strategies such as offering a money-back guarantee or using the foot-in-the-door technique to encourage sales. By fulfilling the specific request of a customer through special ordering, you ensure that the customer feels valued and that their needs are being adequately met, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth for your store.