LG to buy Viking Range

[Appliance Stallion]

Good taste. As for your bid. Where do we set up the office for your election?

[Bermuda Bob]

How about we let those yet-to-come-forward financial backers to decide ???

[dram]

Are you boys serious? Bashing one brand and toasting another? It is a known fact that when consumers think of a pro style range, they think VIKING! I would consider that as setting a standard. Very much like a built-in refrigerator is a Sub-Zero standard…By the way, if you try so hard to sell against Viking, then why offer it? Make is easy on yourself and get rid of the brand…or would you rather talk out of both sides of your mouth?

[Appliance Stallion]

Your comments are simply not true.Outside of the rustic look of the product it is an ordinary product with no "raising the bar" features.

As I say , talk to the people who have done comparison testing. I think Viking has it’s place, but it certainly is not the go to product nationwide. Good President , solid marketing ,ordinary performance.

Pretty much sums it up if you really know the performance criteria of the high end market from an engineering and manufacturing point of view.They do "raise the bar" on marketing though.

[Bermuda Bob]

I respectfully and categorically disagree !!!

Yes, when many think of "Pro-Style" they associate with Viking, but considering that Viking is not the quality product it likes to purport, coupled with the fact that the client might not have been exposed to some of the other manufacturers producing better quality products, I think it is encumbent on the sales associate to present the client with all their options !!!

I personally refuse to supply any Viking product until the client gives me something indicating that I have introduced them to the alternatives because when that Viking goes down they can’t come back to me !!!

… and when you talk about "built-in" you are NOT always talking about Sub !!!

I think of my position as a responsibility to my client, who came to me because they do not know everything about a particular product line which they covet … if I do not give them all their options then I have not done my job !!!

I once was @ a seminar where Norm Abrams of This Olde House spoke … his position was that when he started he did not know everything, but he knew more than the client … and had better tools !!! Well, the working knowledge of the products of our Industry is the Appliance Sales Associate’s greatest tool … and why that customer came to you to become a client !!!

Never forget that and you will always do right by you clients because you have been true to yourself !!!

[The Advisor]

You are defining appliance sales as a profession not as a job. One with an oath to defend and protect the clients who place their trust in you no matter the spiff.
Welcome back my friend!!

[Bermuda Bob]

I appreciate the nice sentiments as well as the agreement with my principles !!!

It’s good to be back !!!

[dram]

Back to my point BB, why offer a brand if you have to work so hard against it? just plain old tell your customer that you refuse to sell it…aside from the “ghosts of refrigeration past”, I’ve had very few issues with Viking recently. Besides, it sounds like they’re doing something to address the new economy, by offering price points today’s customer will find interesting. The new range line looks hot. I also heard about the new DF range with electronics. It dosen’t sound like “they’re sitting on their hands” so to speak…

[dram]

Look, every appliance manufacturer has a comparison story demonstrating why their product is superior. This, of course, includes Viking. We should not attack brands we represent, nor should we feel we have to defend them. I will respect you much more if you flat out refuse to show or sell Viking. But do not show a brand and then, try to talk a customer out of it. Makes you look “wishy washy” to them. This exhibits insecurity on your end that your competitor may have a shot at that same customer. If you have the confidence in your salesmanship, you would opt to pull Viking out of your offering. Either put your money where you mouth is, or “quit flappin your gums”…

[Cohiba]

Dram … should appliance salespeople just give the customer what they want, without providing them with any insight on performance, features, etc. Dealers should limit the number of brands displayed and sold, but taking demand brands off the floor is not practical. I think it is very practical (and professional) for a dealer to display and sell a brand that they personally would not buy. And, there is nothing wrong with qualifying a customer to determine their specific needs and then match them to the appropriate product. Sometimes that means pointing out product attributes that don’t match the customers needs, and that is not "flapping your gums", it is qualifying your customer and helping them find the right product (salesmanship).

[Appliance Stallion]

I am not a sales person. My expertise is manufacturing and the engineered products. The testing I am talking about is not the kind to sell your features but is a vanilla test everyone does exactly the same to each product based on normal operating principles. Viking’s product is rated low based on the information from more than one source. Based on that you make your choice. The sales’s story or BS as I like to put it is not included in this unbiased process.I also believe I know the products as well as anyone so I can in fact speak from an expert opinion. I have no ax to grind with Viking or anyone else.Buy it , sell it , do as you wish. I am pretty certain that it is difficult to get the best engineers to move to Mississippi though. My opinion.

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