Confusion about what is training

A great many companies who manufacture and/or distribute products to wholesale or retail outlets, seem to think if they know the whiz-bang stuff on a product, that is all they need to know to close a sale. In fact, it may be the least needed portion of a sale, if the salesperson has properly established a relationship with the customer, correctly discovered their real needs, advocated a solution to the need, and supported the decision to buy. Instead of some carnival huckster trying to fleece the customer, they have become a consultant rather than a clerk. All companies selling to the general public, cannot stay in business, selling the available customers once. The repeat sales, with positive referrals, are the long term life blood of people doing business today. There is no substitute for professionalism. Whether you like it or not, the appearance of sales people, is the first subjective decision made by the customer, as to whether they will or will not buy. Sorry, hard lesson of life. Customers will do business with people they are comfortable with. If your appearance is the first and last impression they remember, go find a new profession.