Hacker News Reader

Comment by AznHisoka | Hacker News Reader

I wonder if this would had an effect on conversions. Are people more likely to buy a product if the salesperson they're talking to is an attractive woman (or attractive man if the buyer is female)

View on HN

I don't know how prevalent this still is, but mobile phone companies (typically T-Mobile) used to have really aggressive saleswomen in mall kiosks. They always targeted the super average, homely-looking guy that's a 5 or 6 in attractiveness. She's not completely out of his league, so her approaching him is not unheard of.

If your stride even hesitated, they were on you like vultures - and for good reason (from a sales POV). I had many 18-20 y/o acquaintances fall prey to the aggressive, attractive saleswoman.

Did they need to switch plans or carriers? Nope. She wasn't some scummy suit; she was a beautiful siren definitely attracted to him. It just so happened that she could give him the "best discount" on mobile plans and devices. It was coincidence that they never left with any of the girls' phone numbers.

Sex definitely sells.

Yes. The answer to that is yes. Just look at advertising: sex sells. There are definitely companies that do this.

Edit: To expand upon this a bit, I've noticed it with salesfolks that come to my office. It's always more "traditional" salesfolk that do it, say people trying to sell you a copier.

Though I'd say with regards to men selling things to women it is probably more common to have them 'talk down' to them. My mom was just complaining about how a car salesman wouldn't even talk to her about what she wanted and kept saying for her to bring my dad with her. I've had salesmen do it at the Apple store when I'm with someone who's buying a computer. They ask me what the woman should get.

In Austin, TX. there is a consulting firm and all employees are super attractive females. I went there for an interview and was met by three ladies who looked like they should be models. I thought it was strange but, had no idea this is all they hired. Later I went to another consulting firm and took a better job. When I mentioned to my new recruiter about interviewing for the other job he said, "Oh yeah I wish I could get a job over there it's nothing but hot girls". It must work because they are still doing it a year later from what I hear.

What kind of "consulting" are we talking about here?

Years ago, sitting in a meeting, I tried to think who the [big company, IT-related] sales team looked like. Presently it hit me: the homecoming court, back for the 15th reunion. There are exceptions, certainly among the men, some of them attributable to living on an expense account.

Only one salesperson in my building has a headshot as part of their email signature...I've been told it has made a noticeable impact on said person's numbers. Anecdote, but, can't call it impossible.

I dislike this practice :)

https://medium.com/@narsimham/on-web-authorship-trends-828bf...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com