TC-11 — What To Tell A Customer

You work the floor. A customer just held up this can. Here is everything you need — about 60 seconds of reading.

TC-11's blend is designed to be mixed fresh every time. A customer who skips the shake doesn't get the product as it was designed — and then they blame the product. Every can you sell with the shake line attached is a better experience and a repeat customer for your store.

The 6 answers — you can read these straight to a customer

"What is this?"

"It's TC-11 — a Hawaii-made corrosion-control spray. It's designed to help protect metal from rusting up in our salt air."

"What's it for?"

"Tools, hinges, locks, gates, bikes, fixtures, fishing gear, boat hardware — basically any metal that lives in Hawaii."

"How do you use it?"

"Shake the can hard first — that part matters. Then spray a light film, work the part back and forth, and wipe off the extra."

"How's it different from the other cans?"

"It's made here for Hawaii conditions, and it's a bigger can — more product per dollar. It's the can a lot of locals swear by."

Staff note: don't name or compare other brands. "Bigger can, more product per dollar" is the whole comparison — it's true and it's safe.

"Is it good for boats and fishing gear?"

"Customers use it on reels, rods, trailer parts, and deck hardware all the time. Same routine — shake, light film, wipe."

"Is it safe? Is it flammable?"

"It's an aerosol, and it is flammable — the can says DANGER, extremely flammable. Treat it like any aerosol: use it in a ventilated area, keep it away from sparks, flame, and heat, and never puncture or burn the can. The directions and warnings are right on the label."

Staff note: this one matters. Answer it honestly and point at the label. Never tell a customer it's non-toxic, non-flammable, or safe on everything.

What not to say

Don't tell a customer it "stops rust," "beats" another brand, is "waterproof," "marine-grade," "non-toxic," or lasts a specific number of months or years. We don't make claims we haven't proven, and we don't want you making them at the register either. The six answers above are all true and all safe. If a customer asks something outside them, it's completely fine to say "let me get you the real answer" and send us the question.

The 30-second version

• What: Hawaii-made corrosion-control spray, designed to help protect metal.
• For: tools, hinges, locks, gates, bikes, fixtures, fishing and boat hardware.
• How: shake hard → light film → work the part → wipe the excess.
• Why this can: made for Hawaii, bigger can, more product per dollar.
• Safety: flammable aerosol — ventilate, no flame or heat, don't puncture.
• Always: SHAKE THE CAN HARD.

Save this page

Bookmark it or add it to your phone's home screen — you'll want it again mid-shift. Scanning the back-room poster brings you right back here.

Got a customer question we didn't cover? Send it to us — we answer it, and it goes into this page for every other employee. Real questions from the floor are the most useful thing you can give us. Contact us.

This page is written for retail staff. Customers: see our FAQ.