This is the second of 10 articles to help you increase your retail or restaurant sales or profit by 25%. These ideas are in no particular order. This is the second.

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Tip #2 15 Things Retailers Should Never Say.

1. I don't know.

Not good. When it comes to the products you are selling your customers expect that you know the answers. If you don't know the answer about one of your products, you should research it and get back to your customer.

2. We're closed.

You've come across this before. You walk into a store and someone comes up to you and says, "WE'RE CLOSED."

It would be far better to let the customer know that you are about to close and ask if there is anything you can do for the customer right now. Or, let the customer know that if he needs lots of time, he can come back tomorrow. If you can, it's always better to stay open a few more minutes and help your customer.

3. It's over there.

OK. Your customer wants to know where he can find a particular shirt. Your sales person points to the end of the store and says, "IT'S OVER THERE." It would be much better to actually lead the customer to the item that he is looking for.

4. We're out of that.

Oh great. You have a customer that came in for it and you tell him that you are out of it. Your customer is already ticked that he can't buy it. It would be better to take down his name and do a special order, or offer an alternative, or even offer another place where he may be able to find it. At least your customer will feel that you tried and leave your store with a good impression.

5. I'm busy right now.

I've been confronted with that phrase in many stores. You ask a sales person for help and you're rejected with the phrase, I'm busy right now. OK. You may be busy but you should still help your customer. You may want to let him know that you are currently helping another customer but will be back to help him as soon as you are finished. Or, you can call someone else over who can help your customer.

There are 10 more things you should never say to a customer. To see the entire list go to:

http://retail.about.com/od/customerservice/tp/bad-customer-service-phrases.htm

Here's a partial list of negative signs you should not post within your retail store or restaurant...

No public restrooms.

No water.

Exact change only.

No substitutions.

No returns.

No splitting meals.

Minimum $25 charge with credit cards.

All sales are final.

We do not accept Entertainment Book coupons.

You break it, you own it.

$35 charge for bounced checks.

Maximum of 3 items in fitting rooms.

Shoplifters will be prosecuted.

These premises are monitored by cameras 24 hours per day.

Unprofessional handwritten signs.

I know that many of you will disagree, but just try thinking about some of your signs before posting them.

Is it a good idea for a restaurant to have a sign saying "No public restrooms"? Personally, I find that sign to be pretty negative. Stewart's Shops (convenience stores and gas stations) invites people to stop by and use their bathroom. They are cleaned once per hour and anyone can use their bathroom. The assumption is that most people using their bathrooms will make a purchase.

If you own an upscale restaurant, I would feel a little uncomfortable seeing a large sign saying bathrooms are for patrons only. Does that mean that if I paid $300 for a meal, I can only use the bathroom before I pay the bill? Is someone going to ask me for a copy of my charge receipt? Do I need to ask permission from the waiter? Do lots of people walk in from the street asking to use the bathroom?

I know. Some of you don't want people walking in off the street to use your bathrooms. I'm just suggesting that you think about it. Do you really need the sign? How many people are going to abuse the privilege? Or, is it better to just allow anyone who comes into to use your bathrooms?

Why add a sign to your cash register indicating that you have a $35 bounced check fee? Just by placing the sign by your cash register, you are inviting people to pay by check. Do you think someone who has no money in their account will be influenced by your sign?

Many liquor stores and retail stores post signs indicating that these premises are being monitors by cameras. If I wanted to rob a store, I would probably look for a store that posts these signs. It's a good indication that the store has no cameras. Or, knowing that the store has cameras, I would be more likely to wear a ski mask or other disguise.

You know that I don't like any minimum credit card purchase rules or signs within a store. I know that credit card fees eat away at  your profits. I just think that having minimum purchase credit card rules deters customers and may lead to lower sales and profits as opposed to higher sales and profits. Insisting on minimum credit card purchases may be illegal in some areas and may also be a violation of your credit card agreements.

Do you really need to post a no sharing sign in a restaurant? OK so you have a $9.95 special. Is it so bad to have a couple share the meal? I saw this sign in a pizza restaurant. You get a small pie and drink for $9.95. No sharing. I get it. You may not want two people to pay $9.95 for a meal when you can get two people to pay $19.90, but do you need to make a big point about it? My guess is that if you enforce this rule, you'll probably lose customers permanently.

Shoplifters may be prosecuted. Does your store have so many shoplifters that you need to post the sign?

I frequently see signs indicating that an establishment does not accept Entertainment Book coupons. I can't figure this sign out. I know what the Entertainment Book is. I would assume that there has to be a coupon in the book for a particular restaurant in order to get a discount. If a restaurant is not in the book, why would you post such a sign?

So, you get it. Your signs should be positive and give customers a reason to buy. You don't want to give customers reasons not to buy. I know that if you have a fast food establishment, you want me to purchase the bottled water. You don't want to give a free cup of water with a meal. Just be aware, I know lots of people who are willing to pay $8, $9 or more for a fast food meal but only if the water is free.

Read 2 Reasons Why You Should Not Hang Negative Signs in Your Store at:

http://ezinearticles.com/?2-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Not-Hang-Negative-Signs-in-Your-Store---Retail-Operations-Tip-11&id=3460959