This guy gets my vote for the best salesperson I’ve met in Switzerland.  He is Swiss, but I’m not categorizing him as the best Swiss salesperson, either.  He’s the best salesperson of any nationality, living in Switzerland.

And he’s approachable (good salespeople should be, right?).  He’s not in a flashy office, or traveling the Swiss town and country in a flashy car.  He’s working the shop floor, literally.  He works at Manor, yep the department store.  You’ll find Herr Mueller at Manor’s Emmen Center outlet, on the second floor, in the sporting goods department.

Here’s one reason Mueller gets my vote.  He

loves his work.  Loves it.  And he loves people who love the outdoors, meaning his customers.  He’s got the easiest-going smile.  Unassuming, but confident.  Maybe I’m a sucker, but I find myself trusting him as he’s still approaching.  He also dresses the part.  In the winter, you’ll find him wearing a fleece zip-up and good walking shoes.  He skis, he treks, he sleds.  When there’s no snow, you can bet he’s hiking somewhere above 2,000 meters.

You’re not such an extreme sportsman?  No worries.  He genuinely wants to hear about your activities, then he puts himself in your, um… hiking shoes.

My son needed a pair of ski boots going in to this season, so our first stop was Manor.  Mueller was there, and my son warmed right up to him, answering Mueller’s questions with a big smile on his face.

Before long, we not only had the right boots for my son, but… yep… I had a new pair, too.  Not because Mueller fast-talked me in to something I didn’t need.  I was, in fact, growing tired of my old boots last season.  As we concluded my son’s purchase, I was so comfortable with the way everything had gone, I pitched the new boots on to myself.  Mueller listened intently (bingo!), asked a few more probing questions (BINGO!), nodded, and walked me over to the right boots at the right price… and only then, made a brief product explanation.  He backed off and let me ponder it for a while.  No pressure.  He knows I need my space.

Did Mueller build my trust in this short time?  Actually, he only reinforced the trust I already had.  In the past 16 years, I’ve bought three pairs of skis from him, and two pairs of boots.  I’m not alone.  He’s a legend in his own “space.”

Who’s your favorite salesperson? — not from your work or career, but who has sold you something?  I’d love to hear about what made you trust him/her.