Customer Reviews

The Closers

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have read this book about 5 times since purchasing it 2 years ago. Each time I read it, my sales increase by about 40%! I am now the sales manager of a large Internet Backbone Provider and I have floated this book around my sales force as required reading. Each one of my reps who reads it, orders one for themself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about selling and about increasing thier income

I initially was turned off by this book because it appears to be too much "old school." Having now read the book and used many of the techniques, have noticed an increase in actual sales. If you can't close, all you have done is had a conversation.

While some of the objections covered are not new, the manner in which Pickens responds is somewhat new and different. But that should come as no surprise since the author is a true master closer with decades of real world experience. Not someone hiding behind a managers oak desk.

"The Closers" is 10 chapters and 278 pages of powerful information. It includes the 20 greatest closes and 15 buyer objections and forty-five red hot closer responses.

Something that stood out for me occurred in the chapter on how a closer thinks. The author states that if you take out the letter "c" out of closer it spells loser. The "c" stands for confidence, compassion, control and courage. Strong point!

The warning on the front of the book may be a little misleading. I believe that anyone and everyone who wants to be a sales professional must read this book. However, if your goal is to stay at the novice level forever, then this book is not for you.

The closers is a must read for all sales professionals and I highly recopmmend it.

I'm going to say this bluntly: If you're in commission sales, and you don't have this book, you're nuts.
This book isn't full of some pollyanna junk that so many how-to-sell books have in them. This book is written by a guy who is in the sales trenches everyday, and he isn't afraid to tell you how the real sales world really is. He tells you how to get the sale that day! And make it stick! He tells you how to close a customer without hearing those words that every salesperson dreads--"I want to think about it."
Warning: IF you are looking for pollyanna, positve thinking sales writing, that puts the customer on some sort of pedastal, don't buy this book. Go to a Zig Zigglar book and forget about it. But if you're looking to close sales and make lots more money, then this book is for you.
Trust me, you haven't read a sales book like this one! I own two copies! IT WORKS!

Most sales books don't tell closing how it really is. When you look in the contents section for closing or objection handling and IF they even have this it is usally about 2 pages in lenth. The Closers is strong! If every salesperson had this and applied it then the few closers out there might have some compitition. Truth is that this book is ahead od it's time. In the word of touchy-feely sales books that don't deal with selling how it really is this one tells it how it is. I have read 250 sales books and this one is by far the best. I am currently writing my own sales book and I hope it can be in the same catagory as THE CLOSERS! The book should be the number one rated sales book on Amazon.com, period!

If you sell timeshare, computer training courses, kitchen knives door-to-door, or any other type of "must absolutely get the sale today" type of product or service, then this book is for you.

Personally, I'm not comfortable with the techniques used in the book anymore as I've evolved into more of a "new school" sales consultant.

If your sales career depends on building long-term relationships, avoid this book. Some of the closes (the safety deposit box close, for example) are outright diabolical.

I was forced to make a career change due to downsizing and soon discovered that sales was the only career choice available with no degree required. I needed to learn how to sell, what to say, how to say it, and the "nuts and bolts" of how to turn every sales situation to my favor. I don't care what you are selling, you can easily adapt any example in this book to your product. The chapter with examples using the worlds best closes is worth the price of the book alone. This stuff is not pie in the sky BS it works. I wish I had read this book a few years ago as I would have been able to close more than I ever dreamed of. This is a must read for anyone new or old to the sales profession. I can't praise this book enough.

Without doubt the greatest sales book ever written for the true sales professional. I mean the belly-to-belly commissioned sales pro who doesn't make a dime unless you close a sale. WARNING! If you are a panty waist, base paid, order-taker "salesman" then you will be a lot more offended by this book than this remark. So for the "order takers" and base-salary types with a high paid wife as your security blanket, stick with the sugar coated "Dr. Feelgood" sales books. However, if you want to truly learn how to sell as a straight commissioned pro you MUST have this book! Also, please don't confuse this book with "The Closers Book 2"; that's a good book and I love Ben Gay but it is the first book I am referring to here.

I read this book when it was newly published in 1984. It was a WOW of a learning experience for me then about the reality of people, their conditioned behaviors, and, moreover - how to handle each and every type of prospect with "sure-fire" results. After re-reading the book now in 2009, I realized that the age-old tenets that it puts into comprehensive workable strategies, which will never alter because inate human nature and behavior doesn't change. Then 40 years old and considered by many a "polished" Closer, the principles of closing - not sales - propelled me quickly to the ranks of the "Master Closers" with utility its input that can be called into action immediatley.

The real magic of the book's content lies in the sage advice of the the older, wiser veteran closer to that of the younger less experienced impetuous salesperson. The majority of content is so "spot on" the analysis of buyers habits and the failure of mediocre salespeople to properly interpret those certain subtleties that add up to missed by amateurs. The subsequent "veteran's" hints, tips and tricks places buyers so methodically and categoricaly that are the "keys" to consistent high closing ratios by any salesperson that really desires Master Closer status and exponential commisssion growth. Most of all, it inspires all of us in the profession of selling to accede to the world of understanding mentality, behavior and counteractions of buyers with accurate interpretation which causes them to say NO to salespople and YES to closers. It is a must read for anyone who wants to take themselves and their income to the next level.The Closers

Wow, I've been in the sales industry for a good while and I've had Closers I&II for about 5 yrs. now, and there is no question they are the most revisited books I have on my sales literature shelf. My copy's are worn out and highlighted and dogeared all over, I have loaned them out to people in my sales teams and ever since have literally watched my sales team volume skyrocket to unbelieveable levels! It's no secret or suprise that everyone on our winning sales team, who has read "The Closers I&II" several times, have the biggest commission & bonus checks on a monthly basis, over any other heavy hitter's in the company! If you're in any type of sales profession, then there is something to definitely be learned from these incredible, proven books. Don't let your ego get in the way of your bank account! Keep learning from books like this.

I met the author, Ben Gay, several years ago while we were both on an extended vacation in the Santa Barbara area. Ben gave me a copy of his book, and it changed my life. He inspired me to write my own book, "AMERICA'S GUIDE TO FRAUD PREVENTION" and also taught me the fine art of public speaking which helped launch my television career. Your book is great, Ben, and so are you. It was on your wings that I learned to fly. BRETT CHAMPION