As a woman, I like to be courted by businesses who want me to buy from them. Yesterday, we went to 3 different open houses (houses that are for sale, not graduation open houses) and two of the three realtors courted me. The third one grabbed us by the legs, crying in desperation, Please, this IS the house for YOU! I just know it is! as we left the house. That turned me off a little.

I do not shop too often, but when I do, I like to know I will be taken care of in one way or another. So, to make things easier, I have listed some dos and donts in trying to get my business (and the business of other women like me):

DO ask how Im doing. Be pleasant with me. We dont have to start a relationship or anything, but I do like to know that you are there if I need you.

DONT follow me around unless I ask you to. Thats creepy.

DO make sure you ask all of the right people all of the right questions before making the transaction. If I ask you if I can order an item to look at without paying for it first, make sure I can do that before you charge my credit card.

DONT drive like a maniac and cut people off in traffic if you have your business name and phone number listed on the outside of your vehicle. That says something about you and how you do business. I now know who NOT to do business with.

DO try to get to know me first before you try to sell me something if we are networking. Lets get acquainted and build some trust first before moving on to business. If we dont, it will be an automatic no, thank you.

DONT push additional product on me. I know what I need. If I want it, Ill buy it.

DO make sure your business establishment and everything in it is clean. If its a restaurant and we find our silverware and glasses along with the floor, table, and chairs are dirty, we will leave and wont come back.

DONT ask me if this will be on my your stores name credit card or if I have your stores name discount card every time I make a purchase. Once in awhile is ok, but I get tired of saying no all the time. Hey, I go there often enough that you should know that I dont want your stores name credit card.

These are just a few tips for getting my business. My guess is that as time goes on, there will be more. In the meantime, I think Ill go shopping.

Copyright 2006 Wendi Moore-Buysse