So I work in mass retail...

[Amechwarrior]

I recently got a job at a big box electronics store, who shall we say, has Buys that are really good.

I got put into the Home Theater dept. because the PC repair tech side was full. I am no newb to HT tech at the normal consumer level, I seem to know my stuff, I just do not have the cash to afford a "real" system and I am lacking in the "practical experience" side of things and exposure to true high end setups. I like having the customer really KNOW what they are buying and what devices actually use that Hi-def function they are spending on and make sure they are getting REAL 5.1 out of anything I sell them not just some improperly setup L/R audio PLII into a reciever and a yellow RCA to the 60inch TV.

I tend to steer people away from bose and give AR and monser cables equal time and props when they take a trip to the cable wall. I do not like BS like cube HTIBs with 1000w @ 2.7 ohms, 2.7 where do I get upgrades for that? What where they smoking? I see people come in every day and spend $4000 on a HD plasma and walk out with that and a $150 5.1 HTIB/dvdplayer and it hurts, that or they plan to use the $4000 TVs speakers for DVD watching.

Or what about a 60 inch sony SXRD that is "intrinsically 1080p" but can only accept 480i/p, 720p and 1080i according to the jacks label and the owners guide says nothing about accepting a true 1080p signal? Still a amazing TV, but not like I can get a 1080p upconverter to find that out...

So, after searching though some old posts, tell me what you HATE hearing salepeople say, what you want to hear them say and any other falsities or misconceptions or anything a consumer should know before buying a TV or any audio equipment. Here is my chance to not BS a customer and have them walk out with me and them feeling good knowing they got the best they could afford.

 

[markw]

Your intent is admirable.

I’ve been in your shoes so what I have to say may surprise you.

Remember, your job is to satisfy the customer, not educate them against their will. You can suggest that their money might be better spent in other ways bedsides that $69 GPX HTIB but remember, many come in preconditioned from reading the paper, TV, friends and the general grape vine. So, using that as the criteria, I’d say most are looking for

1) The “Oh, you’ve got a xxx” factor a name like Bose offers.
2) The WAF of aforementioned Bose system
3) The ease of operation of a $12 Sunbeam two slice toaster
4) The same cost
5) The reliability of a bowling ball.
6) Sound quality, as long as the other criteria are met. Number 5 may be optional.

If they come in waving money in their hands screaming BOSE, simply smile, offer (once only) your guidance and take it from there. Likewise, the same goes for Monster products. Great advertising campaigns on both of these.

Remember also that they, and many others, are conditioned to think of Big Box audio salespeople as barely above mollusks and lawyers on the evolutionary scale so don’t be surprised if your offer is ignored.

If they are inclined to listen, then go ahead but be aware that if you take too much time trying to get a point across you may lose other sales. Even though you may not on a commission basis per se, I’m pretty sure your performance will be gauged in some manner that weighs the number of sales and dollars brought in, or some combination thereof.

But, I admire your wanting to do “the right thing” but know ahead of time that some people already know too much for their own good. If you can save a few souls, go for it but don’t put your job on the line. . They ain’t worth it. I was not really surprised that the Athena Audition line at Best Buy didn’t go over too well. After all, it was ugly and had no brand recognition. The fact that it sounded light years better than anything else in the store and cost less than most counted for nothing.

Remember, a satisfied customer is one that walks out with what they want, not necessarily what they need.