Telephone Techniques
Telephone Techniques
Master 201, Tape 2 Part of the "Career in Retail Sales" series (see also "Who Threw That Monkey Wrench?"). Takes place within the context of a department store, as various people call up and try to buy a negligee for a birthday present. In the end, the gag is that they all buy one for the same woman. Through the course of the film we see both good and bad telephone manners and techniques, both pleasing and annoying customers. Particularly amusing are the men who call the department store to ask about negligees.
Telephone Techniques
DO NOT USE Opening Titles.
Telephone Techniques
MS young couple talking in house about the fashion in a movie they just saw; the young man says he likes the "tailored" look on his woman. The young woman's father disagrees; he likes "frills and furbelows" on his womenfolk. MS telephone ringing in department store; a saleslady excuses herself from a customer and answers the phone. She calls Miss Barton over to handle the phone call. Miss Barton does a horrible job of assisting the customer, Mrs. O'Byrne, and hangs up before Mrs. O'Byrne can complete her order. Mrs. O'Byrne leaves her house in frustration. MS Mrs. O'Byrne's adult son, Jimmy, calls the department store. He requests "dressing gowns for old ladies" since it is his mother's birthday and she wants "something sort of snaky." MS bored looking saleslady tells him that he has the wrong department and hangs up on him. MS Jimmy looking at phone in puzzlement. He leaves to look at a friend's motorcycle saying, "They don't seem to know what the score is at that dopey store anyway."
Telephone Techniques
MS businessman talking on a telephone to saleslady at department store. He wants to order a kimono. MS confused saleslady on the other end of the phone call. She asks Joan, head of the lingerie department, if they have any kimonos. Joan tells her that the man probably wants a negligee. The businessman's secretary enters and tells him that he has people waiting for him. The business man asks the saleslady if the store carries negligee made out of chiffon. The saleslady replies that she isn't sure and goes to check. MS businessman and secretary; she prompts him about all the pending work he has. The businessman asks for a size 38 and the saleslady once more makes him wait while she checks to see if that size is available. The businessman becomes increasingly frustrated. MS salesman enters office and begins sales pitch while Mr. O'Byrne is on hold. A colleague enters the office and needs a contract. Mr. O'Byrne hangs up the phone and huffs that he isn't going to wait all day. He asks his secretary to get his wife a birthday present on her lunch break. Then he puts on a pince-nez and returns to work.
Telephone Techniques
MS Aunt Kitty greeting young woman in living room. She asks her aunt if she wants to share the cost of her mom's birthday present with her. The daughter wants to buy a negligee but can't afford it by herself. Aunt Kitty dials the department store while bemoaning the lack of telephone manners shown by some salesladies. She is accidentally connected to sportswear but the woman offers to transfer her. Joan, head of the lingerie department, answers the phone politely and talks knowledgeably about nightgowns. She makes the sale and takes down delivery information. Good telephone technique in contrast to earlier phone calls. MS young woman and Aunt Kitty in living room. The women anxiously asks her aunt how they can be sure they will like the negligee. Aunt Kitty replies that she trusts the saleswoman since she always describes items so thoroughly. Aunt Kitty lists all the virtues of a good saleslady.
Telephone Techniques
MS Joan the saleslady talking on telephone to Mrs. O'Byrne. A package was returned to the lingerie department with the same address as Mrs. O'Byrne but addressed to Mrs. O'Brien. She offers to have it sent out special delivery. MS Mrs. O'Byrne says there is no hurry to receive the package; pan over to several identical nightgowns laying on sofa.
Telephone Techniques
DO NOT USE End Titles.