Nick Hebert, New Orleans, La. Cornwell Quality Tools dealer, offers new tool dealers some quick tips on customer service.
He keeps his prices consistent with those displayed on the Cornwell website. “In this day and age, everybody lives on the Internet.” Hebert appreciates the fact that Cornwell does not sell direct to customers.
At every stop, he prints a list of what each customer ordered and their current balance. The list also includes every customer’s phone number. He makes it a point to call all customers he doesn’t get to see at the shop to see if they need anything or want to make a payment.
About 80 percent of his customers pay with a credit or debit card. The rest mostly pay cash; Hebert only accepts personal checks from customers he knows well. He has a sign in the truck stating there is a $35 fee for any check that doesn’t clear.
He posts his weekly payment terms on a sign in the truck. He allows 10-week terms. For sales over $400, he requires a 20 percent down payment. Those who are approved by Cornwell credit can pay by credit.
